My giving goals are: Volunteer weekly with my family (when married and/or have children); donate throughout the year; allocate 15-20% of my earnings to donations; predominantly donate expressively, though reserve some of my funds to instrumental giving; do not donate restrictively; look at metrics for organizations that I am interested in funding, but do not rely entirely on metrics.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2016
In twenty years I want to be actively involved giving time weekly through expressive giving and donating money to instrumental giving.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2016
In ten years, I’d like to be donating both time and money. I hope to be an active volunteer working for a cause that I am passionate about. In terms of financial donations, I want to give to the degree I can based on my income.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2016
In fifteen to twenty years I see my intentions for giving as being greatly heightened. I primarily hope to be in a career that allows me to give to people everyday in one way or another, be it as a teacher, a psychologist, or working in a nonprofit. I want to be able to make an impact on people’s well being, and be a part of others’ lives. With that said, I also envision myself as being successful enough to be able to give regularly to a few organizations every year. I envision myself this way because I really value connections, formed with people or with organizations, and hope to find one or two that stick with me through life.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2016
In 3 years, I would like to be in a position to give away 15% of my income to philanthropic causes. In 5 years, I aim to increase my giving to 25% of my earnings. In 10 years I hope to found a non-profit for youth in the fine and performing arts, which I later intend to expand to develop youth through: enrichment camps, professional development, networking, college prep and success, etc.
Anonymous
- Winter
- 2016
In 20 years, I would like to receive this message: “Don’t forget ‘Everyday I try to be the best I can be, and work to help others be better than me.’ If you have not started your philanthropic business yet, drop what you are doing, and start it now. You owe it to this version of you to start that business and give money in the way that makes sense to you. That is how I will give my talent/treasure. I don’t know where I will be living in 20 years, but you better believe I will be finding new organizations to explore/learn about/volunteer at. My time-giving will be something I share with my loved ones. Being engaged in your community, near and far, leads to a more fulfilled and informed life. I want my kids to grow up being aware of who they are, where they come from, and what this means for their place in the world and how they can use this position to be the best version of themselves and make a difference for others. You make a living by what you get, but you make a life but what you give.”