Giving That Gathers Us: Why Give to the Max Day Matters This Year

In a time when it can be hard to hold hope, generosity reminds us we’re not alone.

This year’s Give to the Max Day theme—Giving that Gathers Us—speaks to what many of us are currently feeling: the need to be seen, to belong, and to know our actions matter.   When you give during Minnesota’s biggest giving holiday, that gift is more than a transaction—it’s a hand extended, a neighbor saying, “I’m with you.”

And, all those little moments of giving? They add up to something bigger. In fact, most GTMD gifts are under $100. Yet, together each donation creates steady, meaningful change. Last year, Minnesotans raised $37 million because thousands of people gave what they could, trusting that their individual generosity would add up to something bigger. That trust, that shared care, is the heart of our team’s work.

Giving that Gathers Us mirrors how our organization shows up every day. With care, open ears, and an open door, we use our platform to create a gathering space for the nonprofits, schools, and individuals that make a difference in our state every day.  

This kind of community doesn’t happen on its own. It’s up to each of us to tend to the places where connection grows—our “third spaces” where we gather to learn, rest, and support one another: community centers and coffee shops, school libraries and sidewalks, parks, and the digital spaces where conversations continue. It also means making giving welcoming and accessible, so everyone has a way to participate—whether with $5, a story shared, or by inviting a friend to join.

This GTMD, we’re choosing belonging over barriers, impact over individualism, and community over competition. Every gift—no matter the size—becomes a thread in a larger weave of care across Minnesota. Giving that gathers us is how we move forward: gently, together, and with hope.