Small Moments, Big Impact in Philanthropy

Philanthropy with Faith is a space for APF’s Managing Director & Head of Philanthropy to share insights and observations on the evolving landscape of fundraising and giving, updates to APF initiatives, and how psychology and philanthropy can work together to create a world where people are healthy, happy, and living with dignity.

Reflecting on APA 2025
The energy and excitement of connecting with our donors and community at APA Convention always leaves me feeling so grateful for the chance to come together in person! After years of virtual events and relationships built over email, I never take these opportunities to be together in one room for granted. While our bigger events like the Impact Reception and L8 Night are an exciting opportunity to celebrate the impact APF and the field of psychology are making, I’ve found that it’s the small, individual moments of connection that are the most powerful. 

Whether it’s through enjoying delicious food together (you will never leave an APF event hungry), discovering who has the best moves on the dance floor (and teaching everyone the moves to the Cupid Shuffle), or admiring the epic shoe choices of our staff (which deserve their own blog post), I find so much gratitude in soaking up these real, authentic moments. These seemingly simple interactions are the true heart of philanthropy, guiding both my personal approach and the philosophy that guides our philanthropic work at APF.

APF’s Philosophy on Philanthropic Giving
Philanthropy is not just about donating money, and our donors are far more than a checkbook. At APF, our donors are our partners in creating impact. They bring their talent, expertise, and time to assist APF with making a difference on so many levels. The beauty of philanthropy comes from a shared passion to make an impact through building trust, connection, and a strong sense of community.

These small gestures and moments of connection are the building blocks of creating long-term impact in philanthropy. Listening to someone’s story and paying attention to the details that may seem minor, like their favorite drink, where their kids go to school, their dog’s quirky behaviors, or simply what makes them laugh, can shape how we connect and guide our collaboration in creating an impact. 

This philosophy of creating and valuing the small moments aligns deeply with the values and culture that APF leadership has worked to cultivate. We are a people first organization, meaning everyone connected to APF is encouraged to show up as their whole, authentic selves. We understand that people live multidimensional lives, with incredibly diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. This perspective guides how we serve our team, our grantees, and the communities they impact. It also shapes how we connect and work with our donors.

No matter how you engage with APF, you are valued, treated with respect, and welcomed into a space where authenticity is encouraged and celebrated. It’s these small, genuine moments of authenticity and connection that build strong and lasting relationships, allowing APF to make a meaningful impact through the power of psychology. Simply put, APF is built on small moments that create a big impact.

Small Moments Create a Big Impact
The small and intentional moments that embrace connection and authenticity are what humanize philanthropy. They allow the impact of philanthropic giving to ripple outward, benefitting the field of psychology itself, and the countless communities it touches through research and interventions. Relationships built over time, rooted in small, genuine moments, have sustained APF for over 72 years. These relationships continue to guide us as we work towards new initiatives like Direct Action, which brings psychological research directly into the lives of people and communities.

At APF, investing in our people matters just as much as investing in our programs – you can read about this further in a blog post written by APF’s CEO, Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder. By cultivating small moments of connection, we ensure that APF’s impact will continue to grow and inspire meaningful impact both in and through psychology for years to come.

Find Your Small Moments
As this busy year comes to a close, I encourage you to find your own small moments to create meaningful impact. Whether this looks like attending an event for a cause that’s meaningful to you, reaching out to someone that you haven’t connected with in a while, volunteering your time or expertise, or engaging thoughtfully with your community, each small moment makes a difference. Meaningful philanthropy is built through relationships, and relationships are built one small and intentional moment at a time. By investing in connection and finding joy in these moments, we can make a difference that reaches beyond ourselves. Every small moment that you create has incredible potential to leave a lasting impact.