Core to our mission is building a more compassionate and generous world and so we reached out to some of the most generous folks we know to ask them to share where they think their generosity comes from.
Austin Bening
From other people: Little acts of kindness from everyday events as much as the explicit gestures from loved ones or some entrenched learned value. Generosity and gratitude can create a lovely little loop, where I can appreciate someone’s gesture and watch how the want for that feeling grows in myself. It’s a begrudging every day practice to battle against a scarcity mindset, and so I find I need to go out into the world to see neighbors and friends and family and new people to get to that place. Read more>>
Sally Madaki-amafor
Generosity, for me, isn’t just an action—it’s a legacy. A lesson woven into the fabric of who I am, shaped by one extraordinary man: my late father, RTD Col. J.Y. Madaki.
My dad was many things—an exemplary officer, a loving husband, a stern yet deeply caring father. But above all, he was a giver. He lived with a sense of abundance, treating life as though the people around him were family—friends, strangers, or neighbors. If you needed something, and my dad could give it, there was no question. He gave, and he gave fully, often putting himself second.
In our home, his generosity shone brightest. I grew up in a household with six siblings, and as chaotic as you might imagine that to be, Dad always made us feel like royalty. He treated my mom like a princess and poured that same love and care into every one of us. Christmas holidays in the north were grand and magical, filled with laughter, great food, and memories I’ll cherish forever. He believed in giving us the best, not because he could always afford it, but because he believed we deserved it. Read more>>
Niki Nichols
Generosity hasn’t always meant abundance to me, and I am grateful to have learned this over the years. Generosity is noticing a need that others may not be calling out and filling that need without question. Generosity is giving without any thought of reciprocation. I would love to thank my parents for teaching me how to be generous even in times when I am struggling. These are the times it seems to mean the most! Read more>>
Samantha Shammas
I’d say it started with my parents and also enforced by my wonderful friendships. I grew up with immigrant parents and I find that our culture as a whole is very generous. Always over-the-top hospitable, constantly offering food and insisting on paying when we go to restaurants with others. My dad owned his own medical practice and was always giving people free shots, reading scans/labs, and medical advice to friends and family. Growing up, being generous was always the norm, whether that was with your time, favors, business discounts, etc.
I’ve found my friends and I do the same. We don’t nickel and dime each other, or keep a tally of favors and we help each other in our businesses. I’ve always connected with those that are open and loving in that way. Read more>>
Brandy Hall
I think my generosity comes from my relationship to Earth herself. Nature teaches me that life is always wanting to live, that the natural world gives generously to me, my family, my community. One permaculture principle that comes to mind is that of stacking functions – the notion that an element in a landscape gives back in more ways than one. Think about the oak tree which provides acorns to the squirrels, landings to build homes for the birds, shades for my daughter during the hotter summer days, and of course all the ways in which the oak’s roots bring structure and nutrients to the soil. When I take queues from nature I am reminded of my own capabilities to be a generous contributor. I strive to serve my community selflessly, the way the oak feeds in order to be fed. Read more>>
Olivia Mackell
I’ve always been a giving person for as long as I can remember, but as an adult, I live by the book of Proverbs and one of my favorite scriptures from that is 22:9. I am also very obedient when it comes to giving I love being able to give even when I am at my lowest, I still find ways to give to those who are in need whether it’s for friends, family or strangers. Read more>>
Jessica Lisby
I believe that being able to give is one of the greatest gifts we humans have. I have been on the receiving end so many times, I can’t even count. Times that I didn’t even have to ask, but a friend, family member, or stranger gave me exactly what I needed, many times not even knowing that I needed it. I grew up being taught not to take blessings away from people. That means, when someone gives you something, you are grateful for them, you don’t say ‘no thanks’, ‘I can’t take this’ or ‘you shouldn’t have’. We should give and receive gladly. Read more>>
Randy Gloss
I’m simply a result of having extremely generous and supportive teachers and mentors. In that way I’ve been most fortunate. I play a lot of styles of music and different types of drums and percussion. I didn’t teach myself all of that. My teachers have been beyond generous to the point of selflessness in their giving of information, guidance and support. At the same time, while sharing their music, art, and culture with me so fully, they’ve always been equally in support of my own journey and path as a musician. Which has tended to focus on application and synthesis, exploring the world of drumming at large as a way understand more, and yet in a personal way developing my own approach and voice as a percussion artist. So as a longtime teacher and mentor myself, I feel it is essential to give as I have received. After all, I am merely a link in a chain (or chains as the case may be). Read more>>
Marina Lang
My generosity comes from my parents, who have been my greatest teachers in this regard. They dedicated their lives to giving to others and taking care of those around them. Growing up, this was the foundation of my values, and it’s something I’ve carried into my own life as a creative and entrepreneur. Whether it’s through my work or personal endeavors, I aim to do the same—create opportunities, uplift others, and give back in any way I can. It’s not just something I do; it’s who I am, thanks to them. Read more>>
Demirhan Erim
I was born into a wealthy family and grew up surrounded by abundance. My grandmother, the most generous person I’ve ever known, set a powerful example by always cooking for guests and giving freely to those around her. However, as our family faced economic hardships, we began to lose some of our properties. This experience taught me a profound lesson — wealth is not permanent, and it can vanish in a matter of years. Read more>>
Lisa Fraley
My grandparents lived for years on Sanibel Island, Florida, long before Hurricane Ian. One of the special parts of Sanibel is that a large portion of the island is undeveloped so that the land can remain in its natural state for everyone to enjoy and so the local wildlife like alligators, turtles, roseate spoonbills, egrets, and sandpipers have room to flourish. My grandfather was active on the board of the Sanibel-Foundation Conservation Foundation which raised money to purchase land to keep it from being developed into homes or condos. The Foundation now owns 1800 acres of land on the island. Watching his passion for his local community prompted me to support my own community, albeit in different ways. Read more>>
Racheal Flanagan
As a young mom life was very difficult. When I was just 20 years old with a 2 and 3 year old I had the opportunity to work with the most loving, kind-hearted preschool teacher. She was so giving to me. She gave me confidence in my parenting and encouraged me to go to college. There were many times I needed to lean into others to survive. Due to the challenges of my young adult years, I have found it important to help with others in need. I love to support my teaching teams, my local community and others from around the world. Read more>>
Ugochi Emenaha
I hear the statement do what makes you happy– and it sounds nice. But what if what makes you happy is in direct conflict with what makes others happy. In a way my generosity stems from a combination of these beliefs. Give of your overflow, whether its time, money, or words of encouragement. And when you are in need, if someone is giving of their overflow your own needs will be met. I think my generosity comes from the idea that I know what lows and highs mean and the only difference between the two has been the gifts that others have shared with me. So I give so that I can fill in the space of someone’s need until they are able to give. Read more>>
