Who We Are
Our Mission
We improve the lives of children and youth around the world by accelerating the community impact of social change leaders.
How are we accomplishing this?
We envision a world where every child, everywhere,has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through our global Network – fueled by Gratitude – we accelerate, scale and sustain the impact of local changemakers to support millions of youth with better education, healthcare, career opportunities and fundamental human rights.
Our Story
Our organization was conceived on the eve of a milestone birthday. Our Founder and Executive Director, Randy Haykin, had just turned age 50. He had been a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, and he wanted to shift his career to charitable giving and making more impact on the lives of marginalized populations. Randy created his own “Gratitude 365” experiment, and challenged himself to blog/post one thing he was grateful for daily during an entire year.
Randy soon realized that he could turn gratitude into action. He approached his network of talented colleagues, friends, and neighbors in the Bay Area and asked them to band together to impact social causes. Before long, the Gratitude Network was born.
Founder’s Perspective
History Timeline
2011
Randy Haykin, an entrepreneur from the Bay Area, challenges himself to blog/post one thing he is grateful for during the entire year of his 50th birthday.
2012
Gratitude Network is founded as a 501(c)3 organization.
2013 – 2014
Gratitude hosts “The Intersection Event” to showcase impact entrepreneurs from around the world.
2015
Gratitude staffs up and hosts its first fundraising event – The Gratitude Soiree.
2016
Gratitude narrows its focus to children and youth. Coaching program begins with 5 volunteer coaches and 10 expert advisors.
2017 – 2019
Gratitude continues building its model by finding the highest potential social entrepreneurs to support.
2020
Gratitude pivots during the Covid19 pandemic to virtual fundraising, events, and operational management. 33 Fellows chosen from nearly 1300 applicants globally.
2021
Gratitude begins its shift to an Accelerator model and rebrands the organization for future growth. The network now includes 45 coaches, 60 expert advisors, and hundreds of supporters and volunteers.
OUR VALUES
GRATITUDE
We give our time, talent, and treasure out of a sense of gratitude for what life and fortune has provided for us.
TRANSFORMATION & IMPACT
We endeavor to create social change that is systemic and transformative.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We celebrate and value diversity across all spectrums, including but not limited to gender identity, race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, neurodiversity, veteran status, language and cultural diversity; we believe diversity drives creativity and innovation. Read our full statement.
CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
Our network connects and bonds its participants.
POTENTIAL & INSPIRATION
We believe every child has the potential to rise out of difficulties; we are positive thinkers, inspired by the work of the social entrepreneurs we support.
CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
We encourage and embrace an innovative, problem-solving mindset.