Dear Reader,

April encapsulated many moments of wonder and awe. The Artemis II space mission was something to behold: the shear innovation of launching men and women into space to circle the moon after a 50 year lapse; the "moon joy" expressed by the crew as they euphorically described their perspective of our universe, Earth and humanity; and the immense pride our country felt in NASA, the crew and our ingenuity for accomplishing such a feat. We were captivated with wonder and belief in our potential as a country and as a people. It felt particularly poignant as we gear up for our 250th birthday.

The celebration of religious holidays of Easter and Passover, which uplift renewal and spiritual reflection, seemed to punctuate the awe we felt by watching the Artemis II journey unfold. One of my favorite rituals of celebrating Easter is to attend a sunrise service on the beach. It doesn't get much better watching the Earth wake up with birds flying and dolphins swimming, while celebrating a season of renewal. Last, but certainly not least, we ended the month marking Earth Day.

April reminded us that we are a people capable of extraordinary things when we look upward and outward. However, philanthropy is the vital link that connects our wonder to our impact. Whether it is supporting STEM education that will land the next generation on the moon or the conservation efforts that keep our oceans thriving for the next Earth Day, our generosity is what turns today’s 'moments of awe' into tomorrow’s impact. As we look toward our 250th birthday, let us remember that one of our greatest ingenuities lies in how we give back to the world that inspires us.

What We're Up To

GPA is hosting a Lunch & Learn on "How to Effectively Engage the Next Gen in Multi-Generational Family Philanthropy," led by our Next Gen Advisor, Olivia R. Zale.

This session is designed solely for philanthropists as a curated, intentional space - creating room for honest dialogue and practical insight around engaging the rising gen with clarity and purpose.

Please share our upcoming session with your families and colleagues:

May 19: For philanthropists | Express interest here

Client Spotlight | High Point Community Foundation

We're excited for High Point Community Foundation as they seek their next President. Founded in 1998, the community foundation is well poised to deepen its community impact through grant making and collaborations with a new leader at the helm. You can learn more about the role here.

What's Inspiring Us

Lenses of Generosity

Why Americans give: New research finds 5 distinct profiles for generosity - The Conversation (5 minute read)

New research by The Generosity Commission suggests that generosity has not disappeared; rather, it has diversified. The study identifies five distinct generosity profiles: change-minded hopefuls, flexible moderates, values-driven skeptics, status seekers, and frustrated activists. Across all five groups, most Americans still give, but the why and how vary significantly. We recognize an opportunity for the sector not just to “increase generosity,” but to meet people where they are and connect with the many different ways they already choose to give.

Big Bet Giving

After the Big Bet - Stanford Social Innovation Review (10 minute read)

Big donations can supercharge an organization’s growth and impact, though their effects are not necessarily permanent. This poses the question: How do nonprofits maintain momentum once the initial funding ends? This article identifies four common ways organizations sustain themselves post-big bet: 1 - solicit more charitable investment from the same donor; 2- attract new large donors; 3 - run a major fundraising campaign, and shift to government funding. The challenge lies in building sustainable funding models so the impact continues long after the initial money is spent. The authors encourage nonprofits and donors to plan early for this “after” phase and treat big gifts as a launchpad, not a finish line.

Sound Governance

The Successful Family Foundation Board Chair - The National Center for Family Philanthropy (1.5 hour read)

Thank you, NCFP, for uplifting such a critical role within family philanthropy. Strong board chair leadership extends beyond governance, shaping the culture, continuity, and enduring impact of a family foundation. We especially appreciate the emphasis on facilitative leadership and the chair/CEO partnership - two dynamics we consistently see as critical to effective philanthropy.

Check out the latest on GPA's blog:

• Being in the Room: Our Greatest Asset as Philanthropic Advisors
• Head, Heart, and Agency: Engaging the Next Generation Inside and Outside the Foundation
• Beyond Direct Giving: Flexing with Funding Intermediaries
• Case Study: When a Clear Pattern Leads to New Possibilities

We hope that May brings more moments of wonder and awe as you contemplate your community, legacy and desired impact.

Gratefully,

Kaky + The GPA Team