For Taja Cunningham, GivHer Circle member and founder of Girls ARE & Boys CAN, philanthropy is about using what you have to help where you can. Whether that means giving time, sharing resources, opening a door, or simply showing up, she believes everyone has something to offer.
“To me, philanthropy is simply about helping where you can and using what you have to make a difference. It’s not always about money—it can be giving your time, sharing resources, opening doors, or just showing up when your community needs you.”
Taja learned that lesson early from her great-grandmother, Thelma Louise Caldwell.
“She first taught me the importance of giving and serving others. She showed me through the way she lived that helping people doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about showing up, sharing what you have, and caring for others when they need it.”
Today, young people are at the heart of Taja’s service. Through Girls ARE & Boys CAN, a nonprofit organization based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she works to cultivate, inspire, and empower youth through leadership development, educational opportunities, and a safe place to grow and thrive.
The organization’s vision closely reflects Taja’s own: Young people’s opportunities, choices, and aspirations should not be limited by socioeconomic circumstances, educational achievement, or where they live.
“Young people, especially those who may not always have access to the same opportunities, resources, or support, are especially important to me. I believe every young person deserves to have someone who sees their potential, encourages them, and helps open doors that may otherwise feel out of reach.”
For Taja, some of the most meaningful moments come when young people begin to see in themselves what others have seen all along.
“One experience that always reminds me why this work matters is seeing young people begin to recognize their own potential. Watching youth who may have been unsure of themselves gain confidence, try something new, or realize that there are opportunities available to them makes all the time and effort worth it.”
Her hope is that the support young people receive today helps change what they believe is possible for their future.
“I hope my community involvement helps create a future where young people have more opportunities, stronger support systems, and people in their corner who genuinely believe in them. More than anything, I want the next generation to understand that where they start does not have to determine where they finish.”
And just as Taja believes a young person’s starting point shouldn’t define what is possible, she doesn’t believe philanthropy is defined by the size of someone’s bank account.
“Philanthropy isn’t just about writing a big check. If you’ve ever given your time, shared what you know, helped someone through a difficult moment, or used your connections to open a door for someone else, you’ve already practiced philanthropy.”
As a GivHer Circle member, Taja joins other women who pool their giving to support organizations serving women, children, and families across South Mississippi. That experience reflects her belief that philanthropy doesn’t have to begin with a large gift—it begins with a willingness to contribute what you can and work alongside others to strengthen your community.
Taja credits GCCF with reinforcing the importance of investing in the people and organizations closest to the communities they serve.
“The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has helped strengthen my belief that local organizations and community-led ideas deserve support and investment. Their commitment to the Gulf Coast helps make it possible for people doing the work every day to turn ideas into opportunities that directly benefit the communities we serve.”
For Taja, philanthropy comes back to something she learned from her great-grandmother: show up, share what you have, and care for people when they need it. Through Girls ARE & Boys CAN and her involvement with GivHer Circle, she is putting that lesson into practice by helping create more possibilities for young people and the communities she serves.
