In the Apple TV+ series LOOT, Molly Wells (played by Maya Rudolph), becomes the third richest woman in the world after a highly publicized divorce with her billionaire husband. Wanting to find more meaning in her life, Molly becomes involved in the foundation made in her name. As she learns about the nonprofit world, Molly is moved — and ultimately transformed — by the good work her foundation’s team does.

Of course, this is an exaggerated example — we don’t have to have our lives turned upside down to appreciate the intrinsic value of being generous. The adage, “It’s better to give than to receive” has roots in reality: two often-cited benefits of giving are that it (1) makes you happy and (2) makes you healthier and live longer when you are generous and supportive to others.

These benefits can be experienced through small gestures, like helping a parent carry their child’s stroller up the subway steps, surprising the person behind you in line at your corner bodega with a free cup of coffee, or checking on a neighbor after a snowstorm. 

There are so many ways to give — and simply put, by doing good, we feel better. As Brooklyn’s community foundation, we can help you spread love across the borough and beyond. One key tool to organize your giving is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Foundation.

Opening a DAF can simplify your giving: through our online portal, you can designate grants to your favorite organizations that champion causes like supporting LGBTQ+ refugees, providing culturally responsive family support services, advocating for workers' rights to living wages, and much more. Your fund also allows you to give at your own pace, while our 1% management fee supports grants to nonprofits working for racial justice in Brooklyn. All the more to feel good about! 

Our team is always available to help you strategize your giving in a way that feels right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how you can maximize your impact and feel good while giving through your own fund.