GIFT- Giving It Forward, Together

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GIFT- Giving It Forward, Together

GIFT's mission is to mentor emerging leaders through volunteerism, advocacy, and empathy for our aging communities.

08/11/2026

We have students interviewing to become an ambassador … a few spots are still available. Sign up and join GIFT’s community circle and watch your year thrive!!!! Giftpgh.org

07/29/2026

We’re excited to welcome Beck Abrams to the GIFT Board of Directors! 🎉

Beck brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community engagement. As the Senior Director of Development for the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University, she has dedicated her career to building meaningful partnerships and advancing missions that create lasting impact.

Her passion for philanthropy, strategic leadership, and investing in people makes her an incredible addition to GIFT. As we continue to grow our student-led organization, we’re grateful to have Beck’s expertise helping guide our future.

Please join us in giving Beck a warm GIFT welcome! 💙

Philanthropy Leadership GIFT

07/17/2026

Shulamit, you were the paradigm shift queen. Always Miss you 💔

Before I write, I often ask myself:

Could something I share today be exactly what someone needs to hear? Is that the same for you? What if by sharing a word, a phrase, or an experience, your words could become the encouragement someone else needs today?

Sometimes a simple shift in perspective can change everything. Paradigm Shift.

Two women recently inspired me: my mother and Oprah. In that order.

My mother, who is navigating mobility challenges, reminded me of the power of the words we use with ourselves.

Instead of saying, “I must get up,” she says:

“What if I try? What if I can?”

That small shift replaces pressure with curiosity and possibility.

Then I heard Oprah share a powerful question:

“How can I serve others in this experience?”

That question changes how we approach our work, our relationships, our challenges, and our purpose.

I saw this lived out through Shulamit, a beloved member of the GIFT community and a Holocaust survivor. Even while facing her own challenges, she was always asking:

“What can I do to make this world even better ?”

She gave her time generously, created projects that brought joy to others, and lived the quote often attributed to Anne Frank:

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Shulamit didn’t just believe it. She lived it.

Her example inspired my giving.

What if my money was meant to create impact?

After giving 10% of our income to charity, my family and I decided to challenge ourselves to give 20%. Crazy!?!

It def. might restrict us, but I asked “what if this extra money is destined for impact?” Not we have to. Paradigm shift.
Which inspired GIFT Giving Circle.

What if YOU gave a little every month? What if YOUR small contributions with others, created something far greater than any one person could do alone?

Paradigm Shift questions

What if I try? How can I serve?

What is one word, phrase, or belief that creates a shift in perspective for you?

07/15/2026

I was in LA this week having one of those energizing GIFT meetings with Jess Wyner(and her adorable sidekick, Zoey 🐶) when something unexpected caught my attention before they came.

A self-driving Tesla quietly pulled up, perfectly parallel parked, and the doors opened. Out stepped a very fragile older couple. They slowly found their footing, linked arms, and walked into Bella Bread & Butter for brunch.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had just witnessed. Not because it was a self-driving car. Because it represented something much bigger:

Independence.

Then, another moment this week made me think even more.

My cousin showed my son how to use ChatGPT to practice a new language. My son immediately turned around and introduced it to my mom, who’s in her 70s and has been trying to learn a new language. Suddenly she had a patient, encouraging conversation partner available whenever she wanted.

Three generations.
One AI tool.
A completely different way of learning together.

At the same time, I’ve been thinking about my husband cousin Dana Suskind new book ( bragging moment) Human-Raised. Her HOPE framework really resonated with me:

Human connection is irreplaceable.
Own the imperfections.
Protect the early years.
Enhance—not replace—connection.

I wholeheartedly agree.
But it also made me wonder…
Is the AI conversation different at the other end of life?

As millions of Baby Boomers enter their next chapter, maybe the question isn’t, Should AI replace human connection but If AI could help your parents, grandparents—or one day, even you, age more independently, what would you want it do?

07/09/2026

Just a quick one—straight to the point:

✅ Have you subscribed to receive GIFT newsletters? Giftpgh.org

💙 Want to activate the brain’s reward system and experience the “helper’s high” (linked to oxytocin)? Join GIFT Circle and become a monthly giver. https://lnkd.in/gqcVen_m

🏢 Own a business or work with a company looking to do something meaningful this holiday season? Bring your team along to give back. First come, first served for our corporate volunteer opportunities. Contact us : [email protected]

Join us in making a difference—one act of kindness at a time.

07/08/2026

Are you ready to learn, grow, build new skills, and connect with amazing opportunities? Join GIFT and be part of something that can help shape your future.

💡 Learn new skills
🤝 Meet inspiring people
🚀 Unlock exciting opportunities
🌍 Make a positive impact

Know someone who could benefit? Share this post with your University peers . The more people who hear about GIFT, the more lives we can help empower.

Great opportunities are waiting. don’t miss your chance to be part of GIFT!

07/06/2026

Tiny feet.

A lifetime ahead.

And 250 years of history behind her.

My fourth grandchild was born on July 1—just days before America celebrated its 250th birthday.

As I looked at those tiny feet, I found myself asking:

What had to happen over the last 250 years for her to arrive in this moment?

Twenty-five decades of dreams and disappointments.
Wars and peace.
Innovation and injustice.
Communities built. Communities divided.
Families strengthened. Families broken.

Generation after generation, people sacrificed, served, taught, loved, and believed tomorrow could be better than today.

Because one thing has always been true:

It takes a village to raise a family. It takes generations to build a future.

We must honor where we came from while imagining where we can go.

The next 250 years have already begun.

What kind of world will she inherit?

Will we recognize the wisdom that comes with age and the promise that comes with youth? Will we remember that we are better together?

This is why GIFT matters.

GIFT has taught me that honoring the past and investing in the future are connected. We show up for those who helped build our communities—people who are too often overlooked—and we empower the next generation to lead with empathy, inclusion, and purpose.

We create opportunities for generations to see each other, learn from each other, and realize how much we need each other.

I’m proud of how GIFT shows up, and grateful to the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation and the Philip Chosky Charitable & Educational Foundation for believing in this mission and helping make this work possible.

Because movements don’t grow because of one person.

They grow because people choose to be part of them.

If you believe generations are stronger together, we invite you to join us, connect with GIFT, or explore how your organization can support this work.

Because the greatest gift we can leave the next generation isn’t just a better future.

It’s each other. 💛

What do you hope our generation will be remembered for?

Address

Pittsburgh, PA
15217

Telephone

+14124015914

Website

http://www.giftpgh.org/

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