At the TDB Family Foundation, we believe that kindness is a force for change.
That small actions can have a mighty impact, rippling outward, strengthening connections, and offering hope.
This belief is what sparked the Kindness Grant Initiative – and this blog.
Where It All Began
In 2020, during a time of intense division and disconnection, TDB Family Foundation founder Terri Bullock quietly launched a personal kindness experiment. She anonymously gave trusted friends and community members financial resources with one simple request: use this to do good.
No requirements. No press. Just kindness.
The ripple effects were undeniable. And one of the original kindness ambassadors, filmmaker T.C. Johnstone, knew this story needed to be shared. That led to The Power of Small, a documentary that follows six ambassadors and the lives they’ve touched. The film is now screening across the country, and its message is clear: kindness is contagious, and hope is the spark that fuels it.
Turning Viewers into Doers
As part of the film’s impact campaign, the Kindness Grant Initiative was launched to help more people take action.
Each week for six months, we’re awarding a $1,000 micro-grant to an individual or small group with a powerful idea to spread kindness. Whether it’s a student building a “buddy bench” or a baker delivering cupcakes to families affected by wildfires, these grants support everyday people doing extraordinary things.
And it’s not just about the money. It’s about the stories.
Because when we hear what others are doing, we don’t just feel inspired…we feel hopeful. And from that hope comes the energy to act.
This blog is where we’ll collect and share those stories: small acts of love, hope, compassion, and creativity that are changing lives and communities. We hope it fills your cup, sparks your imagination, and inspires you to start a ripple of your own.
What You’ll Find Here
- Announcements of our weekly Kindness Grant recipients
Meet the everyday changemakers – students, teachers, parents, neighbors – who are turning simple ideas into powerful acts of kindness. - Updates from current and past projects
Follow along as these ideas take shape, from bake sales to book clubs, buddy benches to basketball clinics… We’ll share impact updates and reflections as the work unfolds. - Highlights from our LA Fire Relief micro-grants
Before the Kindness Grant Initiative officially launched, we supported 10 incredible individuals and organizations helping their communities in the wake of the 2025 California wildfires. These stories laid the foundation for what came next, and they’re still making ripples. Their stories will be covered here as well.
So whether you’re here to learn more, find inspiration, or apply for a grant yourself…welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.
Because kindness matters. Hope matters. And you matter too.
