I have the distinct honor to observe how something I believe in deeply plays out each and every day: philanthropy is not only essential to sustaining our mission – it is also one of the ways our mission is lived out in the people who support it and so many other essential organizations across our community.
At Tanager, we know that mental health and resilience are shaped through relationships, connection, belonging, and the belief that our lives have meaning — and that, together, we can help one another RISE. That is one of the reasons I care so strongly about philanthropy. Yes, it helps fund important programs and services for children and families. Yes, it helps ensure critical support exists for those who need it most. But philanthropy also offers something more: a way for people to take part in hope, healing, and change.
Too often, philanthropy is viewed simply as a transaction. A donation is made, a need is met, and the moment passes. But at its best, philanthropy is deeply relational. It invites people into a shared story. It connects them to a mission they believe in and to a community they want to help strengthen. It offers a tangible way to live out their values and to be part of something larger than themselves.
That matters because people need more than good intentions. We need connection. We need purpose. We need to know that we belong and that what we do matters. We need reminders that even in a world that can feel heavy, we are not powerless to bring hope to one another.
This is one of the reasons philanthropy feels so important to me. It not only strengthens the work we do at Tanager, but also invites those who support that work into the kinds of experiences that build resilience in all of us: connection, belonging, meaningful relationships, purpose, and the confidence that we can help create change in the world. These are at the heart of Tanager’s RISE framework, and I believe they matter just as much for our community of support as they do for the children and families we serve.
Research supports this connection between generosity and well-being. A landmark study published in Science found that people who spent more money on others reported greater happiness than those who spent more on themselves. Later research found similar patterns across 136 countries, suggesting that the emotional benefits of giving are not limited to one culture, one place, or one income level.
These studies do not suggest that generosity replaces mental health care or solves every challenge. But they do affirm something important: human beings are wired for connection, meaning, and contribution.
I have the privilege of witnessing this every day. I see generosity open doors for children and families, but I also see how giving shapes the lives of those who give. It deepens their connection, strengthens their sense of purpose, and reminds them that they are not powerless. They can help create change. They can be part of healing. They can belong to something hopeful.
For those interested in learning more, Tanager also recently released our book: Together We Rise: Wellness and Resilience Framework, authored by Tonya Hotchkin, VP of Clinical Services and Programming. This book offers a deeper look at the ideas that shape how we think about connection, belonging, well-being, and resilience – not just at Tanager, but across our community as a whole.
Perhaps that is also an invitation for all of us. May each of us take time today to reflect on how we might deepen our own capacity to care — not only in what we believe, but in what we do. Whether through generosity, service, encouragement, or advocacy, we all have opportunities to help build a more connected, hopeful, and resilient community. In the end, philanthropy is not only about what a gift makes possible. It is also about what it awakens in us: hope, purpose, connection, and the reminder that we belong to one another. In a time when so many people are searching for ways to make a difference, that may be one of its greatest gifts of all.