When it comes to bringing a community together, there are few tools more effective than a new puppy. The kind of dog that is always excited to meet new people, happy to be pet by children and adults alike, who makes a daily walk on increasingly chilly mornings feel like the start of an exciting summer's day.
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As a long-time supporter of animal-focused nonprofits (one of the first nonprofit boards I served on was an animal rescue), I felt fostering Cooper, the sweet caramel colored beagle from The Bond Between, was a natural next step in my three-human and two-animal household’s love for animals. What I didn’t realize was that this one small act would open up a stream of connection and community for our family, friends, and the causes we support.
As an animal lover and ardent nonprofit supporter, attending animal adoption and fundraising events is one of my favorite ways to show up for my favorite causes, bridging the gap between digital and in-person community and making new connections along the way. It’s what inspired me to run The Bond Between’s 5k earlier this year, where I learned more about the challenges and needs rescue organizations are facing this year, which is what ultimately brought me together with Cooper. But my support of animal organizations didn’t start—or end—there.
Like so many individual donors, I began with curiosity: how could I take actions that reflected my values and supported my community? It was through searching for causes I cared about, learning more about their programs, receiving thoughtfully crafted donor communications, and attending in-person events that I went from curiosity to action – fostering Cooper.
Cooper wiggled into my daily life with ease. He befriended our existing pets, was an excellent companion for my son, and a welcome coworker in my WFH office. Outside of the house, too, he made his presence known as we took him for long walks around our neighborhood and with us to restaurants, patios, and parks. On one of those daily walks to drop off my son at school, this sweet little puppy started a conversation between me and my neighbors—the family who would end up being Cooper’s forever home. We discussed my new furry friend, what motivated my family to foster, and why animal-focused organizations are so important, especially to pet lovers. These consistent walks led to continuing conversations and, as Cooper found a new family, I also found new friends in my community. 
Although he is no longer part of my daily routine, I know Cooper is happily sitting at the feet of his new family or eagerly standing by their front door, awaiting a long walk. I know there is a family made richer and fuller by his presence.
And, I know there is a community made stronger by the work of nonprofits like The Bond Between. And, as we approach Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s biggest giving holiday, I know that my story is just one of thousands where an individual act makes a big difference. Year after year, GTMD presents an opportunity for each of us to take a small action – whether that’s searching for a cause we care about, supporting an organization with a gift, attending an event, or simply reposting an organization’s mission – because those small actions lead to something bigger than ourselves. They lead to community.
Jenna Ray is the Executive Director and CEO of GiveMN, host of Minnesota's Give to the Max Day. You can learn more about Jenna here, and learn more about Give to the Max Day here.