Where does Generosity Come From?

Building a more compassionate and generous world requires a focus on fostering generosity. Part of that is asking generous folks to open up about where they think their generosity comes from.

Jenny Johnson

I grew up in an average family during the 1970s. Yes, way back in the 1900s! But during that time, the economy was so tough! The interest rates were astronomical, inflation was increasingly high, and there were 6 mouths to feed. We were on the struggle bus, and barely staying afloat. We couldn’t have done it without wonderful neighbors. Read more>>

Nay Parker-Thomas

My grandfather was a well known humanitarian. He instilled in me, to always be giving, compassionate and loving to those in need. You never know when someone is down on their luck and what brought them to place they are currently in their life. It doesn’t hurt you to help someone or be kind. In loving memory of my grandfather (Nathan Parker) I give back to my community. I now travel back to my city New Orleans, LA, anually and feed 300 people. I also provide the displaced with, clothing, shoes and toiletries.. Read more>>

Justine Reichman

Generosity has been engrained in me since my upbringing. When I was a kid, I attended a United Nations school in New York where we learned to always be respectful and empathetic towards people from cultures and backgrounds different than our own. For one of my school projects, I walked around the streets of Manhattan with my film camera and took photos of all different kinds of people in the city. When I looked back on my photos, there was a lot of disparity and this experience early in my life encouraged me to always share with others, no matter what sets us apart from one another. Read more>>

Jonathan Orpin

I have based much of my life and career on the triple bottom line, the belief that people, planet, and profit work together to ensure a better future. Most folks in business only look at their financial bottom line and that is important, no doubt, because without profit there is no business. But the financial bottom line is not the only important part of running a business and it is certainly a very limited way to approach your life. Read more>>

FVDGE NASTE

My generosity comes from the privileges that I’ve been able to experience in .life and the obstacles I’ve had to face when I did not have access to that support. I give because I wish things were handed to me, however in my healing journey I’ve been trying to find ways to use discernment and ask myself, am i giving to receive something in return or am I giving because its in my heart to give ? That always allows me to stay true to myself and feel less resentment. Read more>>

C.K. Sorens

My generosity stems from struggling early on. I grew up in a rural area before things like AP classes and college course offerings were available to us. I was lucky to have some amazing teachers and friends who were supportive of my writing and willing to give me time and feedback based on their knowledge, yet I was missing out on the ability to go out and find a mentor who could challenge my skills and teach me about the writing industry. Read more>>

Maria Pendolino

I know that I hustled really hard to build my career and business and get to where I am today. I think it’s really important to give back – to look behind me and see who may need a hand or a boost in leveling up their career and business. I currently mentor a couple of talents – for free, not for a coaching fee – and I find that’s a really meaningful way to give back 1:1. It’s like mutual aid – you can see the impact to that one person and their business, their family, etc. Read more>>

Sade Mowatt

My generosity stems from my mom and grandmother. Growing up we never came from much but always had everything we needed. My mom is a single mother with 5 kids and thankfully she had my grandmother’s help. Over the years I’ve got to witness how big their hearts are and how generous they are whether people deserve their generosity or not. Although we didn’t grow up with much or had much to give my grandmother and mother would always be there to help anyone who needed it. This has become a big part of who I am today. Read more>>

Lauren Farrell

Growing up my mom always had a saying, “kindness of the heart”. She always encouraged us to be kind to one another (siblings) as well as to anyone and everyone. Personally, I have always loved to make people smile and laugh and have always loved giving gifts in particular. With a business that is focused on making a splash in the marketplace, I am able to “gift” lots of different goodies to different people.  Read more>>

Priscilla Nagy

I believe my generosity comes from my up bringing. I was raised to do the right thing. One time when I was a kid my mother and I were at the grocery store and we were broke. While checking out there was money on the floor, I’m taking $300-$400 dollars. My mom turned the money in. We were so poor and could use that money but my mom said he wasn’t ours to keep. Growing up without a silver spoon, I help those who need it when I can. You never know when you may need financial help. Read more>>

Samantha Siu

First and foremost, I believe generosity is shared and then mirrored and practiced. Growing up, my grandmother was the first one to teach me the importance of love and care. Right after she retired she became my caretaker. In her eyes, my brother and I can do no wrong. This of course isn’t an exemplary way of teaching but I saw it as a beautiful way of introducing me to love and compassion. She gave up her new sense of freedom for an unpaid job of babysitting, Later in my life, I found my passion of missionary work through summer trips volunteering as an english teacher in Asia. Read more>>

Lisa Erbacher

My generosity definitely comes from my parents. They are both very giving and kind people. My aunt is also one of the kindest people I know. Read more>>

Lamonte Goode

It came from my parents teaching me generosity and manners. Read more>>

Kristine Ling

Having grown up in a household where generosity was scarce – both emotionally and materially, I knew from a young age that I didn’t want to follow that same path. It fills me up to give and share, whether it’s my time, my energy, a beautiful meal, or a thoughtful gift. My donut business only came to be because I gave away so many of them for a couple of years – hundreds of donuts to whoever I thought would appreciate or enjoy them, just because. Read more>>

José Valentino

Generosity, for me, is deeply rooted in the spirit of entrepreneurship. I believe that true success in business is not only measured by individual achievements but by the positive impact we have on others. The essence of generosity lies in the realization that, as entrepreneurs, we are not just building businesses; we are building people. Read more>>

Khadija Hollis-Holland

My heart and my belief in God! Read more>>

Joshua Thornton

I’d have to say my generosity comes from the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Simple as that. Life can be hard enough for people that I try to be as nice as possible to everyone. You never know what someone is going through. Read more>>

Dagmara Ikiert

I don’t really see myself as a generous person. I simply don’t believe in accumulation of material goods. It doesn’t make me happy, but rather frustrated. However sharing, gifting, providing opportunities to those who were not lucky enough to be born with them gives me a joy that is incomparable to any other feeling. Being present, for the past few years in the educational development in Tanzania made it clear that supporting education isn’t Aid or charity, it’s simply implementing a basic right of every child. Read more>>