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

University of Washington

Spring 2026

I want to give enough that I feel a significance in the money I have available for frivolous expenses. I want to set a goal that feels like a dent in my spending. Maybe 10% or more of each paycheck. In one year, I want to have donanted at least $1000.

Anonymous

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spring 2026

I pledge to give my entire career to public service and nonprofit organizations. I plan on working for a nonprofit that advocates for social change and I will utilize my background of public policy and community organizing to assist their change process. I will also donate 10% of my income starting at age 25 once I have secured a stable full-time position. One of the nonprofits that I will always donate to will be the Alzheimer’s Association and they will receive half of my donations.

Anonymous

University of Texas - Ugrad

Spring 2026

This class was influential in teaching me the importance of philanthropy and donating to causes that can genuinely save lives, and I want to be part of that change moving forward. I hope to pledge 5% of my income towards donations to nonprofits of my choice, although I hope the majority of them focus on education and financial literacy initiatives. To me, these initiatives can be the difference between breaking out of poverty or staying in its trap, and if I’m able to help others in these ways, that would make this class truly worthwhile.

Anonymous

Vanderbilt University

Spring 2026

Related to percentages of my total income rather than a specific amount.

Anonymous

University of Notre Dame

Spring 2026

To volunteer weekly in some capacity

Anonymous

University of Texas - MBA

Spring 2026

I hope to be able to give 2% of my overall income while I am still paying off tuition and rent. After working for 5 years and buying a home, I hope to increase this to 5%.