Aspire to Give® — A New Year, A Renewed Calling

Jan 8 / Aspire to Give Academy

What’s your immediate reaction when you hear the words “Aspire to Give”?

For many people over the last few years, these three simple words have stirred something powerful — an inner spark of hope, goodness, and possibility. They awaken something deep in us: the uplifting sense that life becomes richer when we reach beyond ourselves to give, serve, and contribute.

This opening blog marks the beginning of a new year and a new chapter for Aspire to Give® — a chapter rooted in a remarkable journey of discovery that began not in textbooks or boardrooms, but in the lived experiences of everyday people longing to make life meaningful.


Where the Journey Began 

My immersion into the meaning of generosity began during my time as Philanthropist in Residence at Auburn University’s Cary Center — an opportunity that unfolded just as COVID-19 was reshaping the world.

At the same time, I was nearing the close of a 20+-year career in financial services, enriched by insights gained through the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® program at The American College.

What I witnessed through clients, friends, family, and colleagues was stunningly consistent:

The aspiration to give is embedded in every human being.


Not everyone sees themselves as a “philanthropist” — in fact, most people don’t. The word feels reserved for the wealthy or the elite. Yet in the real world, giving happens every day in quiet, meaningful ways:

-Parents giving time, energy, and love

-Neighbors helping neighbors

-Volunteers serving communities

-Friends lifting each other up

-Believers supporting their faith traditions

Most people already give to something greater than themselves. They just don’t call it “philanthropy.”

During the pandemic years, I created a program called the Aspirational Philanthropist Learning Series®. While its message was hopeful, something significant became clear: everyday people resonated deeply with the heart of generosity but not with the label of “philanthropist.” The language didn’t fit their life experience.

What they needed was something relatable, practical, and rooted in everyday life.


From Aspiration to Action: The Birth of the Pivot to Purpose Learning Series® and the Life Transition by DesignTM Programs


As I reflected on this gap, a pivotal insight emerged: The aspiration to give and purpose are inseparable. Most adults reach a point, possibly early in adult life, or mostly later, when they're embedded aspiration to give blossoms, not just in “success” but significance. They want their choices to matter. They want their lives to mean something. 

This realization sparked the transformation of the original curriculum into a practical, highly relatable learning series now known as the Pivot to Purpose Learning Series®.

From this series, a master program offering was birthed: Life Transition by Design™. This unifying framework equips individuals to navigate intentionally the choices, challenges, and changes that arise at life’s crossroads. Whether transitioning from high school, shifting careers, recovering from loss, or approaching the sunset of life, Life Transition by Design™ provides a repeatable, purpose-centered pathway for moving forward with clarity and confidence.


At this time, two off-the-shelf offerings are rooted in the Pivot to Purpose Learning Series® and aligned under the Life Transition by Design™ brand:

1. Life Transition by Design™ for Young Adults:


A structured program built from the first two core courses — Pivot Points and Pathway to Purpose — is designed especially for young adults navigating the critical transition into adulthood and the formative decisions that shape their future.

2. Life Transition by Design™ for Legacy Stewards:


Compose Your Legacy, the signature course of Life Transition by Design™ for Legacy Stewards, offers a gentle, purpose-filled journey to help participants shape what matters most by capturing the meaning of their stories, clarifying their values, and carrying forward the wisdom they’ve gained to uplift others.


Each Life Transition by Design™ program is grounded in the same universal truth: When we know who we are, choose who we become, and give generously along the way, we create lives of meaning, contribution, and lasting impact.

The Heartbeat of Aspire to Give®: Three Living Principles 


This brings us to the core message that will guide the Aspire to Give® community in 2026 and beyond — three simple, powerful principles that anyone can live by:

Live generously with intention.


Giving is not limited to money. It includes kindness, encouragement, relationships, skills, time, wisdom, and presence. Intentional generosity shapes who we are and how we influence the world around us.


Lead yourself well by committing to coachability.


Self-leadership is the foundation of a meaningful life. When we stay open to feedback, growth, and accountability, we make wiser choices — especially at life’s crossroads.


Keep learning, always.


Lifelong learning expands our capacity to thrive. When we stay curious and committed to growth, we unlock possibilities that once felt out of reach.

These three principles — the “three beats” of Aspire to Give — form the rhythm of a life well-lived. They are accessible, practical, and transformative for everyday people, regardless of age or circumstance.


The Story Continues in 2026


This kickoff blog is only the beginning. Over the next several months, we will explore each principle in depth — how it works, why it matters, and how anyone can weave it into daily living to become the best version of themselves.

Most people, deep down, want to live a life that matters — a life of meaning, contribution, and impact. Aspire to Give® exists to guide that journey, helping individuals build better lives and foster a kinder, brighter world.


In Closing


A simple phrase, Aspire to Give®, sparked a movement of learning, reflection, and purpose. It opened a practical pathway for everyday people to recognize their own capacity for goodness, growth, and contribution.

As we enter 2026, may this message inspire you to live generously, lead yourself well, and keep learning — so you can build your best life and help make the world a better place.

Stay tuned. The three-beat rhythm of Aspire to Give® will be shared in coming blogs in the months ahead.


If you would like to know more, follow our LinkedIn Aspire to Give.

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