Why are you passionate about philanthropy?

Question

Philanthropy has the power to transform lives and communities in countless ways. This article explores the passion behind charitable giving, featuring insights from experts who have dedicated themselves to making a difference. From fostering community involvement to redefining success through impact, discover how philanthropy can create meaningful change and inspire others to act.

Adam Klein · Answer

I am passionate about philanthropy because it reminds me that giving is a way of staying human. I have seen projects fail with perfect funding plans and succeed with almost nothing but heart and grit. I once supported a program that helped survivors of modern slavery rebuild their lives with budgets under $10,000 a year. What kept those programs alive was not scale or recognition. It was steady, invisible generosity—people choosing to care when no one was watching. That kind of giving rewires something deep. It teaches patience. It teaches humility. And maybe, more than anything, it teaches you to look beyond your own mirror.

Dr. Chad Walding · Answer

I am passionate about philanthropy because it promotes civic engagement. It pulls people into active roles within their communities, asking them to do more than observe from a distance. It brings awareness to local needs and turns that awareness into participation. When someone gives, whether it's their time, resources, or effort, they contribute to something greater than a cause. They become part of a living, breathing network of people who are invested in each other's wellbeing.
That shift from passive to active rewires how we see our place in the world. It teaches responsibility without preaching it. I've seen people who never paid attention to local issues suddenly start showing up at town halls, supporting neighborhood programs, or mentoring youth, all because one act of giving opened their eyes to how interconnected we are. Philanthropy plants that seed. It pushes people to move with more purpose, to learn the stories of others, and to get involved in shaping what kind of community they want to live in.

Alex Smith · Answer

I love and am passionate about philanthropy because it forces you to rethink what success actually means. Building something profitable is one thing, but choosing to reinvest time, resources, or skills into something that doesn't directly benefit your bottom line brings a different kind of return. It gives your work meaning outside your own world.
In design and architecture, I spend so much time visualizing futures that are shaped by budgets and client preferences. Philanthropy gives you a chance to use those same skills for impact where the outcome isn't profit, it's access. That might mean contributing renderings to community centers that can't afford full design services or mentoring students who have talent but no entry point into the industry. It brings perspective, and that perspective feeds back into the work. It keeps the ego in check. It reminds you who your work touches, even when they're not the ones signing contracts.

Marcus Denning · Answer

My passion for philanthropy stems from witnessing how the right support at the crucial moment can transform someone's future. In my work as a criminal defense lawyer, I have represented individuals who made mistakes, sometimes serious ones, but who never had a genuine opportunity for a different path. Many grew up in cycles of disadvantage: lacking stable housing, attending underfunded schools, and having few role models. Philanthropy, when executed effectively, doesn't merely distribute resources. It removes the barriers that keep talent and potential locked away.
I fund a scholarship for at-risk teens interested in legal careers. One recipient, a young person who had spent time in juvenile detention, is now interning at a law firm. That outcome does not result from charity alone. It comes from understanding that intelligence and ambition exist in places where access has always been limited. Philanthropy, in my view, means eliminating the obstacles that block that path and providing someone with the foundation to progress on their own terms.

Shane Lucado, Esq. · Answer

I am passionate about philanthropy because survival should not be the prize for getting lucky. When I was building InPerSuit, $500 at the right moment would have changed my runway by six months. Instead, I scraped together resources the slow, painful way. That kind of grind taught me that small help at the right time is worth more than big help when it is too late. So I put my money, my time, and my network where they can close real gaps fast.
In reality, giving is less about who you want to be and more about who you could have been if someone had reached out sooner. I would rather build ladders now than defend lawsuits later because a system failed someone early. Philanthropy is an act of respect, not pity. You do it because you recognize how easily the roles could have been reversed.

Austin Rulfs · Answer

Personally, philanthropy ignites a passion in me because it's an opportunity to level the playing field for those who have been dealt a challenging hand. I have spent nearly two decades helping families in Adelaide and beyond secure their dream homes, but I've always felt compelled to do more than just business. My passion was ignited after visiting a local youth shelter in South Australia, where I met young people who had never had a stable home, something I had taken for granted growing up. That experience motivated me to partner with organizations like Hutt St Centre, where I've funded programs to help homeless individuals rebuild their lives through job training. I also enjoy actively participating, whether it's serving meals at a community kitchen or teaching budgeting workshops for single parents. Philanthropy, to me, is about using my expertise in property and finance to empower others, not just with money but with hope and practical skills. It's the most rewarding part of my journey, knowing I'm helping someone find their footing in a world that can feel stacked against them.

Chris Brewer · Answer

I'm not one of those individuals who will sit here and preach about "changing the world" over a latte--philanthropy isn't some noble badge I pin on my chest. It's simply integrated into how I perceive things, likely from years of anthropology influencing my thoughts and now running BestRetreats.co in Colombia. For me, it's less about passion and more about what makes sense--helping out where I can because I've witnessed what happens when no one does.
When I was at Square, investigating fraud cases in St. Louis, I'd see small businesses devastated by scams--people losing everything because they lacked a safety net. Then I'd return home, open a beer, and think, "I'm fortunate." That stayed with me. Fast forward to Colombia, where I'm building BestRetreats.co, and it's the same situation--just a different context. Here, you'll encounter people pouring their hearts into retreat centers, trying to heal others, but they're barely scraping by. One center I work with, a small location outside Sacred Valley, almost closed last year because their roof collapsed during a storm. I gave them some money to repair it--not a fortune, just enough--and they're still operating today. I saw them last month; they've got a full schedule of bookings. That's not charity--it's maintaining something that matters.
From my perspective, I've been fortunate. Anthropology taught me how cultures rely on each other to survive--no one is an island, right? I have a thriving business, a roof over my head, and plenty of food. If I can offer assistance to someone else--like that retreat group or a local children's program I contributed to last summer--it's not about feeling good; it's about balance. BestRetreats.co isn't just a source of income; it's connected to people finding their way through ayahuasca, through healing. Helping those who facilitate that feels like part of the job.
For anyone wondering why they should bother, I'd say this: don't overthink it. You don't need a grand mission--just choose something you understand, something close to home. For me, it's the retreat world and the people in it. Start small--a few hours, a few dollars--and see what resonates. Last year, I helped a local group acquire a projector for community movie nights. It cost me very little, but the children were overjoyed watching Encanto on a wall. That's sufficient for me. It's not passion--it's simply doing what you can with what you have.

Danilo Coviello · Answer

What led me to be passionate about philanthropy was seeing how supporting innovation early can open doors that would otherwise stay shut. Years ago, I came across a small research team working on AI tools for endangered language transcription. They weren't chasing headlines or courting investors. They were putting everything they had into building something that would help communities whose languages were being erased from digital spaces. The project had almost no visibility and barely enough resources to continue.
I decided to help fund their next phase. That support allowed them to access better computing resources and bring in more linguists from the communities they were trying to serve. Within months, they had built a working model that could transcribe audio from two Indigenous languages that had never been digitized. That tool didn't just sit on a shelf. Local schools began using it to archive oral histories. It preserved knowledge that was at risk of disappearing completely.

Bennett Barrier · Answer

I didn't grow up thinking about philanthropy. I grew up thinking about how to keep the lights on. But once we hit our stride at our turf company, with crews running solid and the pipeline fat, I realized we were mowing over the same streets every week. There were nice lawns in front of boarded-up schools, and synthetic turf over busted irrigation in parks where kids don't play. That's when it hit me.
We built a program: 1 in every 25 installs funds a community turf rebuild, usually small soccer patches, low-traffic greenways, or dog runs in apartment zones. Clients like it, sure, but that's not the point. The point is: if you profit from a zip code, you owe it something back. Our Philanthro-Turf program pumped $312K back into Dallas County last year, mostly in labor and materials.
Some might say that's marketing dressed up as charity. Maybe to some it is. But I've stood on 113°F fields where we installed free turf so kids don't burn their feet. That's not marketing, that's obligation. If you build success off a place, you reinvest in it.

Doug Crawford · Answer

I am passionate about philanthropy because it gives communities the ability to solve problems on their own terms. Local groups know what's missing. They understand which barriers are slowing people down and what tools could actually move things forward. When support reaches them directly, the impact isn't filtered or delayed. It's immediate.
In Youngstown, Ohio, a small youth center used a modest donation to replace broken workshop tools. They did not launch a campaign or wait for a larger grant. They bought what they needed, fixed up the space, and reopened their weekend trade program within the same week. That program gave dozens of teenagers access to carpentry and electrical basics, right in their neighborhood. No fanfare, just local action that filled a gap. That's the kind of work I want to keep backing. Quiet results that come from the ground up, not from a distant office.

Natalia Lavrenenko · Answer

Philanthropy is about using what you have—time, skills, even a platform—to help someone else move forward. I grew up seeing people support each other through tough times, not because they had a lot, but because they cared. That stayed with me. When I started creating content, I realized I could use it to highlight stories, raise awareness, or drive support for causes that actually matter.
You don't need a huge audience to make an impact. Sometimes it's one video, one message, or one share that gets someone the help they need. That's powerful. Helping people feels like the most human thing we can do, especially in a digital world where so much feels cold or disconnected. Giving back brings it back to what matters.

Peter Bryla · Answer

I'm passionate about philanthropy because it feels like watering invisible plants. You can't always see what's happening right away, but deep down, something good is growing. 
Helping someone, even in a small way, can lead to big changes later. This idea really inspires me.
What makes it unique to me is that you don't have to be rich or super powerful to make a difference. 
I like how philanthropy connects people. When you give and another person receives, there's a kind of invisible bridge between them. That connection brings hope to someone who needs it and purpose to the one who gives it. It's a beautiful cycle that keeps going.
Ultimately, it reminds me that the world still has kindness in it and that I can be a small part of that. Just like invisible plants eventually bloom, small acts of giving can grow into something amazing over time. That's what keeps me going.

Allan Hou · Answer

What drives my passion for philanthropy is the ability to create access to opportunities that weren't available before. It's not simply about supporting a cause for charity's sake; it's about providing practical help that leads to long-term improvements in people's lives. I became involved in supporting small businesses in underdeveloped regions, assisting them with supply chain strategies that allowed them to grow and succeed. These businesses had potential but lacked the resources and know-how to tap into it. I wasn't just giving money or goods; I was helping them build a foundation for their future.
For me, philanthropy is most impactful when it's about empowering people to create their own success. The shift from dependence to independence is where I've seen the greatest change. In one case, a small business we helped expand not only succeeded but became a model for others in its region. Watching these businesses thrive on their own, knowing they will pass on the knowledge to others, has shown me the type of systemic change that happens when we focus on real solutions.

Shawn George · Answer

Witnessing the direct consequences of unequal access to healthcare in my daily practice fuels my passion for philanthropy. At Yorktown Health, serving communities in Lombard and Vernon Hills, I regularly see patients whose health has suffered due to financial constraints or lack of resources. Consider a recent case involving a self-employed individual who postponed seeking treatment for a persistent cough, fearing the cost of diagnostic tests. By the time he consulted me, a treatable respiratory infection had developed into pneumonia, requiring hospitalization and significantly impacting his livelihood. This situation highlights the profound difference that timely and affordable care can make. My involvement in charitable activities is driven by a strong conviction to dismantle these obstacles, striving to create a healthcare landscape where everyone has an equitable opportunity for well-being. This commitment goes beyond the clinic walls; it's about actively contributing to a healthier and more just society.

Why are you passionate about philanthropy?