When I think about my giving goal, I think about giving first-hand to communities I can resonate with. In my opinion, giving is not just determined solely by monetary donations. For this reason, my goal is to contribute my time, skills, and resources directly to communities that I understand and connect with. It involves active engagement, mentorship, and advocacy. Whether through these ways, I aim to make a direct and lasting impact where I believe it is needed the most.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My giving goal is to contribute both with my time and financially. I will continue volunteering and helping my local community. Financially, I will donate to nonprofit organizations that address issues related to education, food insecurity, housing insecurity, prison-reform, etc. In 5 years, I want to be at a point where I can donate every year and in 10 years I hope to start my own nonprofit organization that makes a larger impact.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I hope to, while employed or not retired, to give away at least 10% of my disposable income if I am not involved in a non-profit. If I am involved in a non-profit, while still not being retired, I hope to give away 5% of my disposable income to other charities/organizations and 5% directly correlated to my involvement. Once retired, I hope to utilize at least 30% of my amassed wealth (more or less dependent upon my financial situation and burdens) for philanthropy.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
My goal is to volunteer/work in an underprivileged country as a physician (when I become one) either for a few years or a few weeks every year. As well, I would like to consistently donate to charitable causes.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
I hope to give at least %5 of future income when older to organizations doing equity and development work abroad. If this reduces my tax bracket, then I will consider doing more. I also hope to help shape the organizations work by either being involved as an active donor or donating my time to their board activities. Similarly, I hope to give time to any professional charity organizations that I may be a part of through my job.
Anonymous
- Spring
- 2025
The way I plan to give the most is through my time. I hope to work with non-profits after graduation, either as an employee or volunteer. It is hard to say how much monetary giving I will do since I do not know what my future financial situationship will be but it will remain an important part of my life