The power of visible good: Inside the “Generosity in Action” initiative
The National Museum and Center for Service, in partnership with GivingTuesday, has launched a powerful new initiative called Generosity in Action. This project is an open invitation for local leaders, educators, and neighbors across the country to become “Community Curators.”
A Community Curator’s role is to act as a community connector rather than a museum expert. The initiative provides the framework and support to help these curators gather local stories of volunteerism, kindness, and mutual aid. These stories are then transformed into localized “Museums of Service”—affordable, portable, and community-created exhibits displayed in public spaces like libraries, schools, or community centers. By making everyday acts of service visible in the places people already gather, the initiative aims to inspire others to get involved and strengthen the social fabric of communities nationwide.
What is Generosity Week?
While Giving Tuesday is widely recognized as a single day dedicated to charitable financial donations, Generosity Week expands significantly on that spirit.
Kicking off on Giving Tuesday (December 1st) and running through International Volunteer Day (December 5th), Generosity Week recognizes that radical generosity takes many forms—including giving time, skills, resources, advocacy, and simple community care.
During this designated week, Community Curators participating in the Generosity in Action cohort host a local “design sprint.” They bring their communities together to share stories of local heroes and storyboard the narrative for their upcoming Museum of Service exhibits. Curators can also use the week to crowdfund the modest costs of printing and displaying their exhibits. The ultimate goal is to complete these local exhibits and unveil them in a synchronized national launch on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January.
Key Takeaways:
- Service is everywhere: Over 50% of Americans informally help their neighbors, but this work largely goes unseen. Showcasing it inspires others to act.
- Anyone can create a museum: A Museum of Service does not require a fancy building. It is meant to be a simple, co-created exhibit designed for everyday spaces.
- Fully supported & free: The National Museum and Center for Service offers free resources, “maker spaces” for guidance, and small stipends for selected curators to help bring these exhibits to life.
Learn more and sign up to create a local museum of service in your community!