I want to support underprivileged students who do not have opportunities to access higher education. My goal is to save and give 5% of my yearly income to organizations that support educational access. In the future, when I am able, I also hope to give back to American University, as I am deeply grateful for the privilege of being part of this school and for the scholarshipI have received.
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
Search for Giving Goals
Over 4,200+ course participants have written giving goals in a demonstration of leadership!
Sarah Francis
- Fall
- 2025
I pledge to participate in some form of service at least twice a year. After paying off my student loans and settling into a somewhat steady career, I pledge to donate around 4% of my income annually to causes that matter to me, such as my alma mater, educational equity, student groups, and children’s welfare.
Sarah Callaghan
- Fall
- 2025
I aim to give 5% of my salary annually 2 years after graduating from my program
Roger Lyn
- Fall
- 2025
I will start with $100 in year 1 and try to scale it to a % by year 5. I hope to be able to donate at least 1% of my salary by year 6 outside of my MBA.
Ricky Valente
- Fall
- 2025
My goals are to help give back my local communities as well as underrepresented causes. I hope to do this by making enonugh money where I’m able to donate that to organizations.
Presley Franklin
- Fall
- 2025
In the future I would like to give back as much as I can, either through volunteer work or donations depending on my financial situation.