This Giving Season: Why the Stakes Have Never Been Higher

As someone who writes often about career readiness and fulfillment, I’ve reflected deeply on what drives my own sense of purpose. For me, my “why” led me to pivot from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector. A decade ago, I founded LiveGirl to pay it forward to the next generation of leaders, and it’s been the most rewarding chapter of my life.

While the nonprofit sector accounts for less than 10% of U.S. jobs, so many people are seeking purpose-driven careers. Some channel their success and positions of influence to create social impact within and outside their companies. Others partner with nonprofits to amplify change.

At LiveGirl, I am constantly inspired by the village of people who make our work possible—our coaches, mentors, volunteers, and corporate partners. Together, they pave the way for a brighter future for girls and women. They believe in our mission, and they fuel it.

And then there are those who let their impact be felt through generous donations during the giving season.

As a nonprofit founder and parent, GivingTuesday represents a moment to pause, reflect, and take inventory of the causes that matter most. For me, recent events have sharpened my focus on supporting populations at risk of further marginalization. It’s also made me think critically about where my contributions can create the most impact—often in grassroots, local efforts like LiveGirl.

This year, more than ever, supporting women and girls is critical. In the face of projected policy changes following the 2024 election, investing in women and girls’ organizations is vital for driving gender parity and advancing social progress.

At LiveGirl, our free leadership programs are equipping young women, ages 10-24, especially those from historically marginalized communities, with the tools they need to succeed. Through career readiness training, paid internships, and mentorship, we’re building a strong pipeline of future female leaders. This long-term investment, starting in middle school and extending through college and early career, lays the foundation for lasting change.

Take Breana’s story, for example. I met Breana as a shy eighth grader at Camp LiveGirl. Over time, she became more engaged with our programs but faced unimaginable hardship when she lost her father to COVID in 2021. After stepping back to heal, Breana rejoined LiveGirl and blossomed in our high school League program, where she launched a peer support group for teens impacted by COVID-19. She later served as a summer camp counselor and is now a student at North Carolina A&T. This year, Breana was named one of our Shine On scholars and will serve as the Student Advocate on our Board of Directors in 2025. She will complete our SHE WORKS career readiness training and graduate in May 2025 with a degree in education, ready to make her mark as an elementary teacher. Watching Breana’s journey has been an honor, and she reminds us why this work matters so much.

This GivingTuesday, supporting organizations like LiveGirl sends a powerful message: we will not back down in our pursuit of gender parity. With women’s and girls’ organizations receiving just 1.9% of total U.S. charitable giving, your support is more crucial than ever.

Your call to action: This #GivingTuesday, please consider making an impact—whether by donating, volunteering, or becoming a mentor. Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

With gratitude,

Sheri West

Founder & CEO, LiveGirl