Giving feels good, but giving with purpose changes lives. Some of the most inspiring stories in philanthropy begin with pain and end with hope. The Maxfield family of Utah is a good example. They demonstrate, through their nonprofit efforts, that personal experience, a clear focus, and steadfast generosity can help children, sexual abuse survivors, and many others in the process. Let’s look at what you can learn from their journey.
A Promise That Started It All
Derek Maxfield was diagnosed with leukemia just six months after marrying Shelaine. During his long hospital stay, he became close to a fellow patient named Greg, who told him to live for them both and do something great with his life. Many years later, Derek was in the same hospital room again after an injury. He knew that he had been procrastinating and waiting for some future time. For Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield, that moment turned into a calling to act right away instead of someday.
Turning Success Into a Cause
Derek started a business in 2004 and sold it in 2010. A short time later, Shelaine told us the account of a person they knew who was abused as a child and still drinks the guilt of what another person did to them. Derek was very passionate about this and wanted someone to do something about it. He decided to build another successful company that could fund a cause helping survivors find hope and healing. He even envisioned a place on the mountains where women could heal. The concept of success as a means of good is a reminder to you.
Hope and Healing Through Saprea
This vision was fulfilled and became Saprea and its healing retreat. Shelaine shares that she has seen about 6,000 women attend and says they are all a face to her, not a number. The primary message is unambiguous: this is not your fault. Derek feels that, with hope, they are able to be their own healers. The retreat is not meant to cure all ills. It provides a portal, and when you survive, you enter into it. It’s a hope that can be the first step towards a brighter future.
Why Focused Giving Matters
Initially, the family donated to a variety of causes. They soon found that their generosity was too diffused and they could not have a significant impact. Following prayer and discussion, they decided on their international giving priorities – Africa, Brazil, India, and Malaysia. At home in Utah, they fund scholarships for single mothers, feed and clothe people experiencing homelessness, and help individuals who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration. The more they can focus, the more they can get to. And the deeper they can get, the more lasting their change will be. Thereby, they were able to give more thoughtfully and more effectively.
Teaching Kids to Be Good Stewards
Their involvement of the children is one of the best aspects of their story. The organisations present a 10-minute talk on their mission and outcomes each quarter. They are then given a budget and have to allocate the amount between the various groups. They request a stewardship report for the use of their monetary contributions, months later. They use the results to determine their support and/or their decision to shift their support or increase their support. They teach their kids that giving is a duty, not a gift.
How You Can Give With Purpose
It doesn’t take a lot of money to give with purpose. Shelaine feels that the real message of generosity is from the heart, not the wallet, and that everyone has something to give. Choose a cause that is important to YOU. Select one or two areas rather than a lot of areas. Inquire about the ways that your groups are using your gifts. Ask your family, friends, or colleagues to join you. Small, consistent gifts of time, skills, or dollars can make a difference for survivors.
Conclusion
The Maxfield family shows that purpose can grow from pain and that generosity grows stronger with focus and teamwork. Their work supports survivors, strengthens communities, and prepares the next generation to give wisely. When you consider your own giving, keep in mind that it’s not a matter of when; it’s a matter of how. Don’t wait; make a difference and have faith that your contribution has the potential to help someone else.
