Dear Reader,

As we turn the page to November, I always look forward to conversations focused on generosity. Whether it is at the dining table, the board table or in the corporate conference room, people tend to make their giving decisions in the last two months of the year and also set intentions to volunteer during the holiday season. This year, the generosity discussion feels especially important as many communities are facing a long recovery due to historic natural disasters.

Philanthropy and generosity play a key role in this recovery process. Nonprofits, local businesses, and individuals rally together to ensure that aid and resources reach those who need them most. Whether it’s through financial contributions, volunteer efforts, or donating supplies, every act of giving helps rebuild not just homes but also hope. In this spirit of collaboration and compassion, we are witnessing the vibrancy of community in its purest form—people stepping up to help one another, making sure that even in the darkest times, we find light.

Companies' Role in Philanthropy, Especially Amid Natural Disasters

When natural disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, the devastation can be overwhelming. Communities face displacement, businesses suffer losses, and infrastructure can be crippled. In times like these, companies have a unique opportunity to step up, providing crucial resources and leadership in disaster response and recovery efforts.

An inspiring example is The Biltmore Estate’s response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, which demonstrated the potential of corporate philanthropy to support communities in crisis. Beyond immediate relief, corporate involvement helps rebuild stronger, more resilient communities. Whether it’s through direct financial contributions, mobilizing employees for volunteer efforts, or offering vital resources and expertise, companies that respond swiftly to natural disasters showcase their commitment to social responsibility while making a tangible impact. This form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only about helping during emergencies but also about building sustainable strategies that strengthen communities over time.

Client Spotlight

What We've Been Up To

What's Inspiring Us

Family Giving

One Family's Quest for Lasting Impact with Vivian Long - The Giving Done Right Podcast (49 minute listen)

Vivian Long, Executive Director of the Long Family Foundation, discusses how her family navigates generational perspectives when making decisions together. She also shares her family's commitment to long-term funding to catalyze true transformation in a community.

Generation Impact

Grand Street Twenty Years Later: A Longitudinal Study of Next Gen Donors - 21/64 (30 minute read)

In this recently released report, our colleagues at 21/64 delve into a network of next gen donors. Over 20 years, researchers have analyzed their evolving giving patterns and behaviors. It is no surprise that when young people make decisions grounded in their values and are provided the proper support, they grow into confident and committed donors.

Leading with Success

There Is No Leadership Without Risk - The New York Times (5 minute read)

Darren Walker writes that bold leadership across sectors is too frequently criticized and this harms all of our institutions. He writes, "...effective leadership requires managing nuance and complexity, seeing all sides of an issue from the perspective of every stakeholder, and then setting a course, and communicating with clarity, consistent with common values." He calls us all to be more courageous and moral in our leadership roles.

Impactful Gatherings

Turning up the heat in your gatherings (without burning down the house) - Priya Parker (5 minute read)

We look to Priya Parker as a leading expert in how to design an effective and productive retreat. She embraces healthy tension to drive to the heart of the decisions a group needs to make together. She writes, "Heat helps us get to the essential." We couldn't agree more!

Hurricane Recovery Continues

We are inspired by our friends at the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers in their initiative to support communities in Western NC. Click here for their list of response and recovery funds, as well as further helpful disaster relief information.

May November fill your tables with inspiring conversations and moments of generosity, renewing a shared commitment to making a difference.

Gratefully,

Kaky + The GPA Team