02/27/2026
Thank you, Alex Counts and India Philanthropy Alliance, for the opportunity to delve into the research on giving -- and for elevating this conversation.
Working on this piece brought me back to the core meaning of philanthropy -- not simply as strategy or structure, but as a deeply human practice. I found myself thinking about the stories shaped by purpose and generosity:
- The parent who lights up when their child joins a site visit for the first time.
- Family members who may disagree, but stay at the table long enough to find shared purpose.
- The nonprofit leader who feels seen when a donor offers not just funding, but belief -- sharing their time time and their networks.
The research is compelling. Generosity activates reward centers in the brain. It strengthens social bonds. Across income levels, people report greater well-being when they give. Giving back shapes the giver. Strongly associated with purpose and meaning, generosity helps people locate themselves in something larger. It answers quiet questions about who we are, what we value, and how we want to matter.
In my work with families and social impact leaders, I’ve seen generosity do more than move resources. It gives next generation members a way to define their values. It can turn tension into alignment. It shifts legacy from being defined by assets to being expressed through shared purpose. And in doing so, it reminds us that we are not outside the change we seek -- we are participants in it.
If you’re curious about the science behind generosity and what it might mean for your own practice of giving, I hope you’ll take a look.
And I’d love to hear -- How has giving changed you?
India Philanthropy Alliance India Philanthropy Advisors Network (IPAN) Indiaspora
By Sharmila Rao Thakkar, MPH, MPA, CAP® As Indian American families across the United States prepare for India Giving Day , many are reflecting not only on where to give, but also why . Traditions such as seva , daan , and zakat have long framed generosity as responsibility, reciprocity, a
