The weather was perfect, as was the venue. Cipriani’s in the historic former Cunard building. Exquisite canapes, signature Bellinis and a full house of enthusiastic supporters of The HOPE Program. Celebrating 40 years of workforce development for our city’s most overlooked individuals, HOPE literally lives its mission in its name. The evening featured a lively paddle raise and the energetic auctioneer was determined to engage every one of the 430 guests in this opportunity to deepen their support of the HOPE mission.
Paddles flew up at $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000. More and more were raised as the levels decreased to $500, $250, and $100. Finally at $50, I noticed a young woman seated to my right proudly raise her paddle.
Her name is Denisha, and she is a graduate of The HOPE Program. Denisha is a success story in so many ways, having overcome numerous obstacles to meaningful employment - at last earning a union apprenticeship.
I’ve been reflecting on Denisha’s gift. Her face radiated joy as she waved her paddle in the air and recognized her place as a philanthropist. She benefited from her time at HOPE and felt committed to give back. What a marvelous testament to the organization and to philanthropy in general.
Many scientific studies have demonstrated that philanthropy provides measurable health benefits for those who give, regardless of the size of their contribution. For example, research shows that adults over 50 who volunteer at least 200 hours per year-about four hours per week-are 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure over a four-year period compared to non-volunteers. Giving and volunteering are also linked to lower levels of stress and anxiety, as acts of generosity can reduce cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and trigger the release of endorphins, which naturally boost mood and promote well-being.
Philanthropy has been associated with increased happiness, greater self-esteem, and improved sleep quality, while also decreasing the risk of depression and even lowering levels of inflammation in the body-a key factor in many chronic diseases. Furthermore, people who engage in regular acts of giving report a stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment, which contributes to a higher quality of life and may even increase longevity. Denisha’s joy in giving, visible as she proudly joined the circle of donors, is not just anecdotal; it reflects a growing body of evidence that generosity is as beneficial to the giver’s health as it is to the cause they support.
Watching Denisha I could easily see how good she felt about being able to join as a giver. My heart swelled with pride for her, in not just her new career but in her desire to pay forward some of what she had received.
As fundraisers we may become obsessed with the transformational gifts, the leadership gifts, and the major gifts. While it is true these are critical to our organizations, it is also vital to work with our individual donors at whatever level. Denisha and so many like her may well be ambassadors for HOPE for many years to come. It is incumbent on us as we build resources for our organizations to make a place for all at the table of generosity.
Congratulations to HOPE for its milestone and to the many thousands of New Yorkers who have benefited from their services. Congratulations also to the board, staff and volunteers who keep the mission alive no matter the challenges. For more information about this extraordinary organization please visit www.thehopeprogram.org.