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

Harvard University

Spring
2025

My goal is to volunteer part-time for a local non-profit and to be frequently engaged. I am also aiming to donate at the end of every month.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2025

Dear Angela, I hope you are doing well. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, you have a stable career and everything. That being said, I hope that you have began donating some money. I am not quite sure how much money of our salary is appropriate but I definitely know some places to donate to. Please donate to Congenital Hyperinsulinism, Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome, and to Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome. Thank you! Best regards, Angela

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2025

After I reach financial stability where I can comfortably afford my cost of living alongside save some money, I would want to aim to give 1-5% of my income annually. Unfortunately, I don’t have an actual estimate of what financial stability looks like to me at this point, but once I reach it, would love to start giving notably.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2025

10% of income 5 hrs / wk

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I am hoping to engage with philanthropy in the future, and I would like to focus specifically on giving to both national and international nonprofit organizations, more specifically on the organizations that work on addressing inequalities in accessing to quality healthcare and adequate treatment, more specifically regarding infectious diseases. I would also be very grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with the organizations that I would be donating to contribute to and witness the real impact the organization is creating. I hope that with the knowledge and insights that I learn from this class I could shape and structure my giving goals and behaviors accordingly and give to organizations that support the causes at the intersection of what I care the most and what the world needs the most.

Anonymous

Harvard University

Spring
2025

I want to root my giving goal in action-oriented generosity rather than just monetary aid. Instead of only donating funds to charities and remaining removed from their work, I want to be actively involved in their missionâwhether through volunteering or assisting with grant writing. I aim to contribute both time and resources to the most pressing issues in society, as well as to organizations I am currently involved with, to show continuous support.