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.
How local heroes shape disaster response
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As wildfires tore through Los Angeles in January 2025, social media lit up with stories of neighborly kindness and selflessness. Hollywood celebrities clearing roads and fundraising for victims grabbed headlines, but the real heart of the response lay in the Read More...
Hope through art: ANGEL ART auction returns to uplift wildfire victims
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For over three decades, Project Angel Food has been a lifeline for people in Los Angeles facing critical illnesses, ensuring they receive nourishing meals when they need them most. But in the wake of the recent wildfires that tore through the city, the Read More...
Michael Bloomberg steps up to fund UN climate body after U.S. withdrawal
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When the United States announced last week the plans to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement and cut international climate funding the ripple effects were felt across the globe. One of the biggest casualties was the United Nations Framework Read More...
Belfast venues unite to eliminate single-use plastic cups
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Belfast is making history as the first city in Ireland and the UK to commit to eliminating single-use plastic cups in entertainment venues. This city-wide initiative, led by the Venue Sustainability Forum and supported by Visit Belfast, will see major and Read More...
How to help victims of California wildfires: a guide to supporting relief efforts
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Wildfires have once again ravaged Los Angeles County, burning tens of thousands of acres, destroying thousands of structures, and forcing mass evacuations. Fueled by unrelenting winds, the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires broke out on Tuesday, followed by Read More...
Goodwill's new store inside the Silicon Valley Jail offers hope and job skills
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Goodwill of Silicon Valley started an innovative venture by launching its first store inside Milpitas' Elmwood Correctional Facility. This innovative initiative offers hands-on retail training to incarcerated women, preparing them for future work Read More...
Helping young people of color navigate the music industry with Carnegie Hall's The B-Side
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the iconic setting of Carnegie Hall, a remarkable initiative is taking shape, one that seeks to bridge the stark gap between the industry's diverse musical talent and its predominantly white leadership. The B-Side, a program specifically developed to Read More...
Belong is an intergenerational housing solution to combat loneliness among older adults
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As society faces the challenges of an aging population, new housing concepts are emerging that promise to address one of the most important issues of older adults: loneliness. One such option is intergenerational housing, which combines senior living Read More...
Turning grief into hope with a video game that helps children cope with loss
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Children and young people are finding consolation for their deepest wounds in the most unlikely of places: a virtual island surrounded by tranquil digital seas. Apart of Me is a video game meant to help young people manage grief and is quietly changing how we Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Laguna Food Pantry and The Rama Tree Foundation
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day at The Optimist Daily, we share stories of solutions from around the globe. While we celebrate innovations of all sizes, those born within our local communities often leave the deepest mark. That’s why, leading up to Thanksgiving this year, Read More...