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

Baylor University

Spring
2026

I’d like to start by giving my time and attention to those around me. As a new grad, giving financially will be difficult, but my hope is that later down the line I will be in a better position to contribute to causes financially.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2026

My giving goal is to spend time every day, every week doing something that contributes to my communal flourishing. Whether thats staying involved with the nonprofits in Waco that I love and cherish or contributing to my local/global community wherever I am. I think for me, this will be two pronged: volunteering my time in whatever capacity organizations see necessary, and volunteering my financial resources to support nonprofits I believe will create long term flourishing.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2026

I plan to give 10% of my income to non-profits in my area over the course of my entire career. While I hope to give more than 10%, I will never allow myself to give less. One thing of note is that I would like my contributions to go to the community I am in. I find it really gratifying to invest in my community rather than address needs abroad, where I am less likely to see a return.

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2026

After securing my first stable job, I plan to donate 5 % of my earnings to causes that particularly advance justice and equity. I plan to also commit my time to volunteering within the legal field and supporting efforts that expand access to justice and address systemic inequalities. Through my future legal career, I ultimately aim to leverage it to make the most lasting impact possible wether it be through Monterey or community service assistance!

Anonymous

Baylor University

Spring
2026

I want to be a person that helps others who are clearly in need and give to different organizations that give long term flourishing for reasons that I value and hope to better throughout my lifetime. I hope my impact and care gives these people and organizations comfort and understanding that there are people out there that want the best for their missions and believe that it is worth giving towards because it is a good cause.

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!