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

Boston University

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to remain committed to helping others in ways that grow with my resources and stage of life. As a college student, I will continue giving primarily through volunteering my time and skills. Beginning eight years after I graduate, once I am more financially established, I plan to start donating money to charitable organizations in a progressive way, increasing the amount I give as my salary continues to grow. In the long term, I hope to support organizations that promote long-term stability and opportunity, such as vocational training and educational programs, while maintaining empathy and social responsibility as guiding values in how I choose to give.

Anonymous

Boston University

Spring
2026

My goal is to give and help people in need when I can and when my situation allow it to

Anonymous

Boston University

Spring
2026

Donate every year

Anonymous

Boston University

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to give portions of my income to charities that impact the most people in the best positive way, and align with my views of living a proactive and community-based living.

Angela Wang

Boston University

Spring
2026

My giving goal includes a plan to apply the principles of effective giving when making future donations. Instead of donating solely on emotional appeal, I want to evaluate charities based on transparency, evidence, and cost-effectiveness. Organizations that focus on scalable interventions in global health and poverty reduction can often have a much greater impact per dollar.

Zachary Mishara

Boston University

Spring
2026

In the future, I want to become someone who can put the needs of others ahead of mine. Right now, it’s hard to say what I would do when I’m generating income for myself, but I want to have the courage and strength to give. I want to apprehend strangers and how much more valuable my disposable income would be to them. I think to live a meaningful life is to improve oneself, and practicing charity is an essential action to getting there.