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 info@thephilanthropylab.org

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

Baylor University

Spring 2026

This class has helped me focus more on the intention behind giving and how to steward well— especially by learning how to deeply know people and have conversations that create spaces to learn more about others and myself. In a perfect world, i hope to give more as time goes on 10% in 5 years, 15% in 10, 20% in 15 and 25% in 20 years, but if I can’t give monetarily, I hope to volunteer in my community to give back with my time!

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

I would hope to give my time volunteering during times where I won’t have abundance of money in my life (during my time in grad school and when I am in debt). When I get to the point of having excess money, I would hope to be able to donate some of my income to an organization or community that aligns with my ideals and speaks within the specific community that that donations are going.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring 2026

In 5, 10, 15, and 20 years from now, I hope to give to create housing for people and women struggling with housing affordability and stability, I hope to support access to health care and help push for long term cultural empathy and policy reform rather than short term relief. I also hope to donate towards projects I find innovative and disruptors in their respective fields.

Anonymous

Texas Christian University

Spring 2026

My giving goal is to give of my time, talent, and treasures on a regular basis. In my young adulthood, my goal is be giving with my time and talent. As I get older, I hope to have more treasures to be giving of. My goal is to do good and be generous whenever I can. I want to tithe at least 10% of all the money I make to local organizations that support causes that are nearest and dearest to my passions.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring 2026

I hope to be in a position to give 8-10% of my annual income each year to organizations that support women, youth, and/or animals. Along with income, I would like to be able to give my time and talents. Depending on where I live in the future, I would like to give to local organizations. If I were to stay in Madison, I would donate my money, time, and/or talents to the Madison Children’s Museum, Planned Parenthood, Humane Society, or The Madison Cat Project.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring 2026

In my professional and social life after graduating, I hope to find issues that resonate directly with me that I can contribute time, effort, and funds to alleviate. In the interim, I will continue to donate on a regular basis to causes that I am already aware of such as teen mental health and depression, unhoused populations, and food insecurity. In a perfect world, I will be earning a steady income that gives me the ability to continue to donate as much as possible without being irresponsible financially. At some point, I would also like to join a board of an issue that becomes close to my heart so I can make a real, hands-on impact.