We asked some of the most generous entrepreneurs, artists and creatives we know to talk to us about where they think their generosity comes from.

Michael Durchslag

I did not have a very favorable experience as a student growing up in Cleveland, OH. I always seemed to get in trouble starting at a young age. Thankfully, I came from a household that put an emphasis on learning and even though school was a very difficult place for me, I developed some decent academic skills. However, by the time I got to high school I began to engage in some very risky behaviors. I did graduate but my experience in high school really shaped me. Read More>>

Michael Ramos

Generosity, to me, isn’t just about charitable acts or grand gestures—it’s about the belief that success is amplified when shared. My approach stems from two core pillars: family values and the understanding that collaboration fuels progress.

Growing up, my family instilled in me the idea that giving back is a responsibility, not an option. Whether through time, resources, or opportunities, generosity was framed as an investment in the community that lifts everyone. That mindset has stayed with me. Read More>>

Maddie Polk

My parents. My parents are the most generous people that I know. I was blessed to grow up with both my parents in my house, together. I grew up watching them genuinely care for others. I grew up seeing them always finding ways to meet the needs of those around them, to share their talents with others, and to invite others in. Whether it be a friend, family member, animal, client, organization, or a stranger, they always selflessly went above and beyond for them/it. I learned to use my talents and resources to make others better. Read More>>

Amy Mack

My generosity comes from being raised in a community where people showed up for each other, even when they didn’t have much. I’ve seen firsthand how a small act of kindness can completely shift someone’s day or even their life. I also believe that generosity isn’t just about money or material things. It’s about time, energy, listening, encouragement, and being present for people in meaningful ways. Read More>>

Skye Ding

My generosity comes from my personal experiences. At ANNOVA, we proudly donate thousands of dollars worth of products each year to the autistic community. This commitment is deeply personal to me. Some of my own family members are autistic, and their experiences continue to inspire and motivate my efforts to give back. Read More>>

Terell J Francis-Clarke

My answer: For people who are not yet parents, sacrifice can mean something totally different. Yes, one way or another we’ve all had to sacrifice something in life, and I’m sure we can all agree that no true sacrifice is ever easy. My mom had me early on in life, yet she put every penny she had into raising me. Literally every penny had a purpose (we had this little blue safe that we would put our penny’s in and count them together).  Read More>>

Leanne Kenny

Honestly, it starts with my grandpa. He was the most selfless man I’ve ever known. He didn’t have a lot, but he always gave like he did. He had this quiet way of taking care of people, he’d cook a full meal for anyone who needed it, no questions asked. I’ll never forget how, whenever one of us kids was having a bad day, he’d come home with an Oh Henry chocolate bar, just to bring a little joy. It was his way of saying, “I see you. I care.” Read More>>

Kirani Ayat

I was raised mostly by my grandmother, and although she didn’t have much she always shared the little she had with people less fortunate than us. She’s a devout Muslim and believes in zakat which is the act of giving alms to the needy. As I got older, I realized I felt the need to care for and support others, friends, relatives, fans, strangers it didn’t matter. Whenever I could I did. All thanks to my grandma. Read More>>

Mike Foley

For me, generosity comes from a place of wanting to give back. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by generous people. People who were willing to share their connections, their insights, and their tricks of trade.

Photography can be a tricky field to break into – often times success comes from relying on who you know and who is in your network. In many ways, the generosity of others can blaze a path forward. Whether it is an introduction to a well-connected friend, or even friendly advice, it is the filling of another person’s cup with little personal gain in return. Read More>>

Tanya Momi

My generosity is deeply rooted in the Sikh faith, the tradition I was born into and raised with. Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century in Punjab, India, is built on three core principles that guide how we live and serve in the world: Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, and Wand Chhako.

Kirat Karo means earning an honest living through hard work and integrity. Naam Japo is the practice of remembering and meditating on the Divine—staying spiritually grounded in gratitude and awareness. And Wand Chhako is the principle that truly shapes my generosity: it means to share what you have—your time, your food, your resources—with others. Read More>>

Julius Buzzard

My generosity stems from my grandmother, who gave freely, regardless of how much or how little she had. She taught me that generosity isn’t about having enough, it’s about choosing to act from abundance even in scarcity. That shaped how I move: I give to shift power, build trust, and create momentum. It’s not performative or transactional, it’s a disciplined commitment to justice. Read More>>

Nicole Angai-Galindo

My upbringing had a significant influence on my generous nature. My mother led by example, always sharing the vegetables she grew and the food she cooked with neighbors. She donated used clothing and often took little gifts back home to her friends whenever she visited me in New York. I remember once, as a child, her taking my sister and me to visit an orphanage, where we had to bring a couple of our toys that we didn’t play with as much to give to the children. Read More>>

Lynn Harris

People assume that only children are spoiled. But I’m pretty sure that my only-childhood is the, or at least a, source of my generosity.

With no siblings to battle over toys, clothes, or space in the back seat, I never had to guard my stuff. No one was stealing my sweater or “borrowing” my diary. I didn’t grow up clutching things close. I grew up assuming there was enough to go around —  Read More>>

Chris Kirby

Freediving taught me that every breath and moment of presence is a gift, whether it’s holding space underwater or sharing knowledge with others. This lesson, deepened by surviving a brain tumor, fuels my generosity. Facing that health challenge showed me life’s fragility, igniting a desire to uplift others through connection. That’s why I’m building Salty Sanctum, a freediving community platform that fosters belonging through buddy matching, events, and shared knowledge. Read More>>

Jessica Restel

My genererosity comes from the values instilled in me from my parents, and my family before them. Both my mom and dad’s sides of the family immigrated over from other countries. It is something we were all taught while being raised, to give to others if you can, and it is something I instill in my own children. We have nothing to lose by being generous to the world and spreading nothing but kindness and happiness. Read More>>

JaQuel Knight

From an upbringing where I often felt like I wanted more, even when I didn’t have much, giving back has always felt important to me. Whenever I receive something, I make sure to pay it forward. That shows up in a lot of ways—being generous with my time and support, being generous with my team, and with those I consider chosen family. Read More>>

Renika McQueen

My generosity comes from a space of not wanting others to feel how I’ve felt at times. I also remember just wishing I had someone in my corner so I try to be for people what it is that I needed and still need sometimes. Read More>>

Masha

Generosity is one of my favorite words. It feels soft, but also deeply rooted in action. For me, it began at home in Almaty, Kazakhstan where i grew up. My mom created a world where there was always food on the table, not just for us, but for whoever walked through the door. She loved hosting dinners, birthdays, holidays, every day felt like a celebration of something special.  Read More>>

Courtney Kinnear

My generosity stems from the values my mom instilled in me growing up. She was incredibly giving, but never a pushover. She led by example, always “killing them with kindness”. One of the biggest lessons she taught me was to treat others the way you want to be treated. That’s something I carry with me daily, in work and in life. Read More>>

Sadie Burbank

Waking up every day to practice gratitude for the sunshine ahead of me and always making sure to treat others with kindness. I am grateful to have parents that instilled The Golden Rule in my everyday purpose. Treat others how you would like be treated and recognize that the power of community is stronger than anything else. A great example of this would be my portfolio – 95% of my clients have come from word of mouth. From establishing meaningful relationships when designing the sacred space of one’s home. Read More>>

Vanessa Kavulish

I have always had a lot of empathy for other people, animals, and the planet. As a child I spent time volunteering and writing about ways that we could make our planet better, and as an adult I continued with that through animal welfare work, ocean conservation efforts, and eliminating as much waste from my daily life as possible. Just a few years ago, I started sending out all of my food items to become compost. I think the fact that giving back and truly making things better than I found it has made generosity a core value of mine. Read More>>

Ciara Irizarry

Our generosity is deeply rooted in our faith. At Faithfully Natural Soap Co., we believe that everything we have is a gift from God, and it is our responsibility—and joy—to give freely, just as He has given to us. Scripture teaches us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and that truth has guided our business from day one. Read More>>

Dr. Shirley Clark

My generosity was birthed from struggle. I grew up in lack—financially, emotionally, and spiritually—and I know what it feels like to have potential but no one to open a door. As I transformed my own life from debt to abundance, I made a vow: when I crossed over, I would reach back. My generosity comes from a deep well of gratitude. Every seed I sow, whether through mentoring, scholarships, or service, is my way of saying, “I remember.” I remember the pain, the prayers, and the people who poured into me when I had nothing to give. That memory fuels my mission to help others rise. Read More>>

Glenn Towery

All of my past expriences in life Read More>>

Raj Alva

My father moved to this country with $1,000 in his pocket from India to search for a job as an Engineer. Once he was offered a job, my mother and I moved over (I had just turned 5). We lived in Saginaw, Michigan, the sister city to Flint. It was a GM town that probably hit its peak in the 60s and 70s. My mother went back to school and also went to work. We returned to India every year until my teens. We were lower middle to middle class in the US, but we were wealthy by the standards in India.  Read More>>