Usually when describing someone as “stubborn,” it is a lament, a complaint that a person will not waver from their position. But this weekend, stubbornness was something to celebrate, as Harrison Ford called his “Shrinking” co-star, Michael J. Fox, “the most stubborn optimist I know.” Aptly labeled, Fox was honored for his unwavering commitment to fighting Parkinson’s disease, both personally and through his philanthropy.
Alongside Fox, John Mayer, and Stephen & Ayesha Curry were honored at the third annual Hollywood Reporter Social Impact Summit. CharityBuzz was fortunate to be in attendance as a sponsor of the event. Usually, celebrities earn the spotlight for their talent and artistic work. This event honors those who instead turn that spotlight outward, toward the causes and overlooked corners that need attention, awareness, and effort. Whether fighting for veterans or against Parkinson’s, this year’s honorees leveraged not only their treasure, but their time and talent, to make a difference.
John Mayer was honored for his work with Heart & Armor, the veterans’ charity he has supported for years, often without much public attention. Fox was recognized for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the organization that has become nearly synonymous with progress in Parkinson’s research. The Currys were honored for their work with disadvantaged youth in their own GoldenState backyard of Oakland. But what truly united these individuals was not fame, but rather the discipline to keep showing up for a cause long after the initial headlines fade.
Our team was on-site throughout the day, from the doors opening in the early afternoon through the reception that followed, offering guests a taste of what we do best: turning generosity into connection. It is work we have done alongside several of this year’s honorees. Over the years, Charitybuzz has helped raise nearly a million dollars for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and last year alone we raised over a quarter million dollars alongside John Mayer for Heart & Armor. We have had the privilege of doing similar work with past honorees like Charlize Theron and John Legend.
The most memorable moments of the night didn’t just happen on stage. There were personal moments and conversations between attendees and honorees alike that helped stitch together this greater community of change agents; people dedicated to making the world a better place. As Nichol Carlson, our SVP of Strategic partnerships put it. “Charity is deeply personal, and forums like this exist to cement those personal connections. They put a face to the mission, and a mission to the face. I think these honorees deserve so much credit for their amazing work.”
The personal nature of the event allowed for greater insight and vulnerability from these changemakers to share their personal philanthropic journeys. John Mayer, typically private about his advocacy work, spoke with unusual openness about veterans’ issues, drawing on a depth of knowledge that surprised even those who know him well. Fox, in a separate conversation, spoke candidly about how difficult it had been for his family, and particularly his wife, when he first went public with his diagnosis.
For our community of charities and talent, events like this are a reminder of what we are all working toward. Money raised matters, and it is often the easiest thing to measure. But the summit made a quieter case: that presence, honesty, and time freely given carry a weight all their own. Charitybuzz exists to help translate that generosity into impact, and nights like this one are why we still believe in the work.
We look forward to being back in the room again in March, when the Social Impact Summit heads to New York.