In the world of entrepreneurship and community building, it's not uncommon to search for deeper meaning in our endeavors. For me, that search led to a transformative experience that not only changed my business model but also my perspective on the power of community and giving back.

Back in 2016, I started a local meetup. It was a free event that attracted around 30 attendees regularly. While the gatherings were enjoyable, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were missing an opportunity to do something more meaningful. We had the community, the energy, and the passion, but how could we leverage these assets to make a tangible impact?

The answer came with what felt like a daring pivot at the time: we decided to charge a $10 entry fee, not for profit, but as a donation to charity. This decision marked one of the most significant "aha" moments in my life. We chose to donate the proceeds to KidSport, an organization dedicated to helping kids participate in organized sports by covering league fees. The math was simple but powerful: 30 people paying $10 each meant $300 donated monthly, enough to support one child's sports activities.

This model embodied the essence of our newfound mantra: GoBigtoGiveBig. The realization that by going bigger, we could give more, was a revelation. What initially seemed like a daunting change—charging for what had been a free meetup—turned into our mission's cornerstone. To our delight, the community response was overwhelmingly positive. People were eager to be part of this initiative, bringing friends and spreading the word, effectively creating a built-in referral system.

Our meetup quickly grew from 30 to 120 attendees, enabling us to donate $1200 every month and support four children in their sports endeavors. The impact was immediate and deeply rewarding. But beyond the numbers, this shift revealed a profound truth: people crave purpose and meaning, especially when choosing which companies or groups to support.

By integrating philanthropy into our model, we didn't just create a fundraising mechanism; we sparked a movement. Our attendees felt as involved in the mission as we were, driven by the shared goal of making a difference. This connection fostered a powerful sense of community and purpose, propelling our efforts to new heights and making the impact truly addicting.

This journey taught me an invaluable lesson about the potential of community-based initiatives to effect real change. By focusing on impact over income, we've created a space where individuals are motivated not just to participate, but to advocate, refer, and support our mission to go bigger and give more.

For anyone looking to infuse their business or community project with a greater sense of purpose, our story stands as a testament to the incredible power of collective action. Let's not just chase success; let's define it by the impact we can create together. If you're ready to embark on this journey of transformation, focusing on making a meaningful difference, I'm here to guide you. Together, we can achieve more than we ever thought possible, inspired by the principle that to give big, we must go big.

Let's make an impact, together.