What is a Giving Goal?

Often, the idealism of youth is lost as one achieves success and acquires material possessions later in life. What was originally considered to be “enough” or even “beyond my wildest dreams” can become just another milestone on one’s quest…

Capturing your current vision of how you wish to give of yourself and your resources in the future could help you plan to give more meaningfully. Revisiting this vision in ten or twenty years could provide a reminder of the ideals of your youth that may shape or re-shape your future actions.

If you have already posted your Giving Goal and would like to update your email for future reminders, please contact [email protected]

Step 1

Have a healthy and vigorous dialogue in your class on the general idea of having a personal Giving Goal as a college student.

Step 2

Set a Giving Goal concerning your future giving plans.

Step 3

Share a brief statement of your Giving Goals on The Philanthropy Lab’s portal as a way to inspire others to do the same. You may post anonymously to the public if you wish.

Step 4

Share your permanent email address and phone number with The Philanthropy Lab, for the sole purpose of the reminder mechanism, so we can remind you of your goal in 5 year increments for 20 years into the future.

Alumni Reflections

"What a sweet reminder of this pledge! I've definitely given and volunteered in the last 6yrs. It's been a joy to continue the journey of generosity since graduating from undergrad. I'm back in grad school and I am looking forward to finishing my MSW. There will be new ways I give back to the community!"

"Thank you so much for this valuable reminder of my Giving Pledge. I'm proud to say I've dedicated several hours of volunteer time & services to Arts Education non-profits and will continue to live out this pledge"

“Thanks for reaching out––I'm actively still volunteering at two non-profits now in NYC (one free food service called "Wellfare" and a neighborhood homeless shelter)”

"Thank you for your email! The Philanthropy Lab was a life changing experience for me. I ended up joining the board of Malawi Children's Village to run the women empowerment program, which is what the Philanthropy Lab grant was for. In August, I am going to Malawi to see the project in action!"

"I was so happy to see this email pop into my inbox, it feels like a lifetime ago I was in this course. I appreciate all that I learned in this class and have taken its messages with me through these past 5 years. I do plan on maintaining the promise I made in this class"

"Thanks for this reminder. I actually still have a handwritten version of that note on the magnet board in my home office."

Search for Giving Goals

Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

I want to give at least 10% in some propensity, whether that be 10% of my time, money, or anything to philanthropic entities over my lifetime, on a yearly basis.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to donate to nonprofits that I resonate with in 5 years. I hope to donate to the animal shelter as well.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

I plan on donating consistently after 5 years postgrad.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

I want to donate money to organizations with personal meaning yearly (due to my future job/personal interests) once I’m making a stable income. I want to volunteer yearly at these organizations, too.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

I want to give back around 2% of my monthly income to charities of my choice (helping out refugees, legal funds for immigration/incarceration, environmental, etc.) when I’m first starting out my career. When I am in grad school (law, business, med), I know I won’t have income to donate, so I will want to donate my time to whatever extracurricular or volunteer opportunity will allow me to do so. If I were to have a stable career with increasing income, I want to be able to donate to places that allow me to make the most good to the most impoverished people on the globe (or animals, if it’s environmental). Whatever current event that is happening, I want to donate to! I hope to teach my kids to donate as well, so it could be a chain reaction for my family :).

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2026

My goal once I make enough money is to be able to financially give to a lot of women’s clinics, shelters, and initiatives in Puerto Rico. This is very important and relevant to my future career and always consider these organizations to be underfunded and not gain as much attention as others.