Commit to allocating 5–10% of my post-tax annual income to philanthropy, focused on organizations that advance health equity, education access, and wealth-building.
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!
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2025
As a first-generation student who has graduated from Howard University to Cornell, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative education can be, and I’ve also seen how many young Black men never get the chance to take that first step. We remain one of the smallest minority demographics represented on college campuses, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of barriers that too often stand in the way. My giving goal is to help change that. I want to create more opportunities for young Black men to access higher education by supporting scholarships, mentorship, and the kind of guidance I was fortunate enough to receive. My hope is that by investing in their futures, we can expand what’s possible, not only for them as individuals, but for the communities and industries they will eventually lead.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2025
I want my future giving to stay focused on impact, especially for communities where even a small amount of support creates real change. As I grow, I hope I can look back on this moment and remember the values I have now: wanting to give intentionally, listen to communities first, and use whatever resources I have to make someone’s life a little easier.
Anonymous
- Fall
- 2025
I plan to allocate my time and resources towards issues and ideas I am thoroughly invested in, throughout multiple areas of my life as to ensure the most intentions giving.
Anna Weaver
- Fall
- 2025
– I will contribute a monthly donation of $25 to one charity that focuses on protecting the environment and one organization that supports children, resulting in a total of $100 given to charity by the end of 2025. – I will start donating to my church, giving $50 each month. – Every three months, I will research and identify a new nonprofit organization to make a $20 contribution to. – Every month, I will spend 5 hours volunteering at a nonprofit near me.