In the future, I hope to be able to give monetarily as well as continue to volunteer regularly. I have a deeper understanding of how to gauge impact and create lasting change through philanthropy, therefore I hope that all I learned during this course stays with me well into my professional career.
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
- Spring
- 2026
My giving goal is to not only donate a portion of my income each year, but also stay actively involved through volunteering, especially within my local community. I want to be intentional about where I give and focus on making a meaningful, direct impact.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
Give intentionally. Do research and due diligence, but also don’t forget about the human-focused lens. Always give a portion of income, regardless of the dollar amount. Ask questions, connect with people, and present with kind intentions.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
My giving goal is to be able to at least give away 10k in 5 years, and double it as the years go by.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2026
I want my giving to help reduce suffering and make care more available to people who are dealing with challenges they never asked for. My own experience as a leukemia patient, along with the steady support I received from my father, taught me that philanthropy is not just a one-time gesture. For me, it is a lasting promise to help others. Right now, I want to support programs that fill the emotional and practical gaps patients often face—those small but important needs that medical care alone cannot cover. In the future, I hope to invest in new technologies and systems that lead to better medical results and make life-saving treatments available to more people, especially in communities that struggle to get care. For me, giving is a key part of who I am as a member of my community. I have received incredible support—medical, emotional, and institutional—and I feel a strong duty to pass that support on to others. Whether I give directly, advocate for change, or help build organizations that make a bigger difference, I want to use my resources and influence to make both the systems people depend on and their everyday experiences better.