For too long, the idea of a “good life” has been narrowly defined by economic growth and a limited view of what it means to be healthy. But that definition never worked. Gross domestic product (GDP) and the absence of disease alone can’t capture what makes life truly meaningful, underscoring the importance of advancing collective well-being.

Today, more people in the U.S. report feeling dissatisfied, disconnected, and lacking the meaning or resources that make life fulfilling. A recent survey from the bipartisan State of the Nation project found that decades of rising incomes “are not translating into greater perceived well-being and social relations.”

In this moment of widespread burnout and fragmentation, philanthropy has a crucial role in supporting communities, redefining what it means to thrive, and advancing collective well-being. That means moving beyond narrow metrics and embracing a broader vision of collective well-being rooted in belonging, purpose, and dignity. The philanthropic sector must rise to the challenge of helping build an equitable future where both people and the planet can truly flourish. That is why our organizations are embracing actions and investments that promote collective wellbeing—and why more funders should do the same.

Inspired by community-driven progress, we now hope to inspire the broader philanthropic field to adopt a different definition of collective well-being and an approach to achieve it that shapes how we invest, collaborate, and make decisions. This approach:

  • Recognizes individual well-being as inseparable from community well-being. Lasting wellness is not achieved in isolation; it is rooted in our collective conditions.
  • Emphasizes the interdependence of people and place—acknowledging the influence of the natural environment and local histories on current realities.
  • Strengthens connections across social systems that advance well-being for families and communities—like those that expand economic opportunities and support health.
  • Centers the well-being of future generations, ensuring that today’s investments create conditions for long-term, intergenerational thriving.
  • Supports locally-guided investments rooted in community values and priorities—bringing diverse constituencies together around shared interests and aspirations.

Read the full article about advancing collective well-being by Karabi Acharya, Becky Payne, and Margaret Laws at Grantmakers In Health.