The Smile that Sparked my journey in Philanthropy.
- Robert Carson
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
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I was young – perhaps 7 or eight when I first realised how one’s generosity can deeply alter the course of another’s life. My family hosted a little boy from Papua New Guinea who came to Australia requiring medical treatment. He was only three or four years old and although I’m sure he was suffering, I vividly recall that he had the widest smile. Meanwhile, I can also remember the worry in his mother’s eyes. For a short time, our home became his, and in time, his mother’s worry turned into deep gratitude. What struck me then, as Andy and his Mum returned home, was simple: the generosity my family extended to this boy and his mother had ripple effects far beyond our doorstep.
That early experience planted something in me. It wasn’t pride or a sense of duty. It was hope and possibility. The possibility that helping someone, even in a small way, could shift the course of their life. It was also a reminder of the privileged position we held. We live in a country with excellent healthcare and systems of support, yet so many others went without. That awareness has never left me.
As I grew older, philanthropy became less about what it meant for me and more about what it could mean for others. Empathy began shaping the way I saw the world. Whether in my work, my community, or my family, I found myself placing others’ needs before my own. Not out of sacrifice, but out of a sense that helping was simply the right orientation to life.
There have been many moments since that have reinforced this view. Supporting local organisations and initiatives have shown me how small contributions of time and resources could unlock real change in a neighbourhood. It is as much about responding to a neighbour’s hardship as it is about recognising the struggles of people we will never meet. And in quieter ways, I have seen how giving, whether of money, time, or attention, can shift the energy in a room, a conversation, or a relationship.
To me, philanthropy is not just about writing cheques or establishing trusts. It’s about cultivating a tilt to the way we see the world. If we can view the world through the lens of empathy and generosity, the benefits will flow. The people we help feel the immediate impact, but it also gives us an opportunity to grow. Our perspective widens and our priorities shift. Life feels less about accumulation and more about contribution.
Philanthropy works best when it is not framed as an obligation, but as an invitation. The call to simply give more rarely inspires lasting change. What does resonate is helping others discover the clarity and satisfaction that comes from a philanthropic mindset. A shift happens when generosity stops feeling like a transaction and starts becoming a way of living. It is not only about the dollars that leave your bank account. It can be about the time you give to mentor someone who needs guidance or the attention you give to a neighbour who feels unseen. For those most fortunate, it is also about the resources you provide to a cause that sparks change. In each of these moments, you are not just giving something away, you are creating connection, purpose, and possibility. And that, in turn, shapes you as much as it helps the person on the other end.
Philanthropy remains close to my heart because it started with something so tangible - a little boy’s smile- and it taught me that generosity does not need to be grand to be transformative.
✞ Not an image of the subject of this post.
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