Philanthropy
Latest news on corporate and nonprofit efforts aimed at changing our world for the better through benevolent initiatives, such as fundraisers, grants, and charities.
Yale will offer free tuition to families earning under $200,000 starting in 2026
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The prestigious Yale University is opening its doors even wider. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, families earning less than $200,000 annually will no longer have to pay tuition to attend Yale. And for those earning under $100,000, the university Read More...
Want to keep your brain young? Helping others just a few hours a week may do the trick
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Turns out the secret to a sharper brain in your later years might not just be a crossword puzzle or green smoothie. It could be giving your neighbor a ride to the doctor or volunteering at your local food pantry. According to a new long-term study from the Read More...
Michael Bloomberg steps up to fund UN climate body after U.S. withdrawal
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Today in our Best of 2025 series, we’re highlighting business stories that prove doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive. From ethical entrepreneurship to bold climate pivots, these are the innovations and ideas reshaping the economy for a more Read More...
Elevation through knowledge: Shirley Santana Herrera’s blueprint for youth empowerment
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Women and youth empowerment through education Welcome to the final week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series, where we’ve spent five weeks celebrating bold, community-rooted leaders transforming lives across the globe. This week, we Read More...
Shereen Arent and Sambhali U.S. help uplift 80,000+ women and girls in India
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Women and youth empowerment through education Welcome to the final week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series, where we’ve spent five weeks celebrating community-rooted leaders driving bold solutions across the globe. We close this Read More...
How Ali Casparian turned food, healing, and heartbreak into a wellness movement
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Dignity and wellness access for underserved populations Welcome to the fourth installment of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Over five weeks, we’re spotlighting ten extraordinary individuals and organizations transforming their Read More...
Shower the People: How Gwen Watkins built a mobile hygiene hub and a legacy of dignity
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Dignity and wellness access for underserved populations Welcome to the fourth week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. This week, we highlight leaders ensuring that basic human needs like hygiene, nourishment, and health are met with Read More...
How a pop-up apple orchard is turning surplus into joy and helping New Yorkers in need
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As Thanksgiving approaches, Manhattan is getting an unexpected gift: a pop-up apple orchard right in the heart of the city. And behind this sweet surprise is The Farmlink Project, a college-student-founded nonprofit that has become one of the most inspiring Read More...
Meet Amy Howlett Johnson: the woman reviving a rural town, one home at a time
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Building new foundations Welcome to the third installment of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Every Friday, we’re celebrating ten extraordinary individuals and organizations transforming their communities through heart-led innovation. Read More...
Hands United: Where language meets love for Deaf immigrant families
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Language, Identity & Belonging Welcome to the second week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. This week, we celebrate those bridging communication gaps and fighting for inclusion. Join us as we learn all about changemakers whose Read More...