When you think of a philanthropist, you probably don’t picture someone like me. I’m not someone who came from generational wealth. I didn’t grow up attending exclusive schools or learning how to manage family investments around the dinner table.
I grew up in Humboldt Park, a Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood in Chicago, poverty-stricken and crime-ridden. The odds were stacked against me. I was the second in my family to go to college, and I was bused over seven miles to access a well-rounded education.
As a kid, I didn’t see myself as part of the future of philanthropy. I was often on the receiving end of others’ generosity — like during winter coat drives or turkey giveaways.
Those donations meant the world to us. But they also shaped my understanding of giving: It was about community, care and impact.
Today, I sit at tables where decisions about philanthropy are made. As someone who helps direct corporate giving at Microsoft, I champion not just financial investments but programs that offer transformative opportunities. Yet, I often feel like an outlier in these spaces, where wealth often defines who is “qualified” to be a philanthropist.
We need to reimagine the face of philanthropy.
Philanthropy is about more than writing a check. It’s about bringing the currency of lived experience, mentorship and expertise to the table. As a proud Teach For America alumna and former educator in the neighborhoods where I grew up, I bring understanding, empathy and solutions shaped by my journey.
When I joined TFA, I left a lucrative corporate career to teach because I knew that to truly make an impact, I needed to immerse myself in the work. Those 12 years as a teacher and administrator not only transformed me but also made me a better, more thoughtful funder.
I understand what it’s like to teach in overcrowded classrooms, work in underfunded schools and face systemic barriers daily. This firsthand knowledge drives my approach to philanthropy today.
It’s why, at Microsoft, I’ve helped launch programs like The Circuit, a paid career exploration internship for high school students in Chicago Public Schools. These students — mostly from underserved communities — spend six weeks learning about career pathways. For many, this program is their first step toward envisioning a future that feels within reach.
Programs like this aren’t about charity — they’re about access. We’re not just giving. We’re investing.
During this giving season, I’m reminded that philanthropy isn’t limited to the wealthy. Everyone has something to give. Whether it’s mentoring a young person, offering expertise to a nonprofit or simply showing up for your community, these acts have a ripple effect.
Today, I mentor over a dozen young people because I know the transformative power of a single guiding voice — something I experienced firsthand through a mentor who believed in my potential. This is what philanthropy should look like: combining resources, mentorship and opportunities to build pathways for the next generation.
Philanthropy is about lived experiences and using them to pave the way for others. As a board member of Teach For America, Chicago Scholars and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, I bring a perspective shaped by the struggles and successes of my journey.
Supporting the next generation requires all kinds of philanthropists — mentors, advocates, creators and funders.
This giving season and beyond, think beyond traditional definitions of giving. Reflect on your sphere of influence and the unique value you can offer. Whether you’re writing a check, mentoring a student or building a program, you’re contributing to the reinvention of philanthropy.
Together, we can create a more inclusive, impactful vision of what it means to give. Because philanthropy isn’t just about what we have — it’s about who we are and how we show up for others.
Nisaini Rexach is a community engagement manager at Microsoft and a board member and alum of Teach For America Chicago-Northwest Indiana.
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