Grateful Living 2024 Annual Report

This year the world witnessed fear and discontent sown across the globe with war, greed, violence, and hatred, each of which propagated hopelessness for many. Grateful Living responded with intentional programming and resources to prepare our growing community now and into the future. 

We were able to do so because our origin story (1969 to 2000) is grounded in years of listening and dialogue. If you have accompanied us over these past fifty years, you know the culmination of our work is the understanding that living gratefully is transformative and critical to a more meaningful life. And we have known for the past 25 years that the correlation between gratefulness and listening is inseparable. That is why we redesigned and relaunched Grateful Gatherings: Conversations with Purpose in 2024. 

This year we demonstrated that we take seriously our responsibility to empower you to discover meaning and also to make gratefulness foundational to your purpose — your way of being in the world. Our Grateful Gatherings do just that, and we expect this program to double in the year ahead. During a time of loneliness and exclusion, our volunteer hosts are providing space to foster connection, understanding, and meaning. We are so grateful for every volunteer and the gift of understanding that they make possible.

Our 2024 course, Grateful Hope: A Passion for the Possible provided an achievable framework for cultivating hope, despite hope’s frequently overused and misunderstood purpose. Together we discovered that where hope is absent so too is imagination. Our Pathways had 12,523 participants in 2024 and explored the topics of imperfection, play, belonging, and ritual.

In 2024, more than 30 new resources and practices were created to help support the daily practice of grateful living as our global community navigates joys, adversities, and much uncertainty. 

As we prepare to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of grateful.org, we arrive at a milestone year not only as a website full of tools and resources, but as a movement that is empowering each of us — through practice, education, and community — to transform a world that needs to better harvest its many blessings.

Gratefully yours,

Joe Primo
CEO, Grateful Living

In early 2024, we launched our brand new Grateful Gatherings Host Training, resulting in over 100 new Grateful Gatherings led by trained facilitators. Meeting in homes, workplaces, community spaces, and online, Grateful Gatherings now take place in 19 countries, representing over 100% growth this past year. To support Grateful Gatherings hosts, we continue to provide monthly resources and facilitation guides, and we’ve added a vibrant community platform and quarterly live online meetings. All Grateful Gatherings participants now receive monthly resources directly from us and are encouraged to engage in all aspects of the Grateful Living community. Learn more about Grateful Gatherings here.

The Grateful Gathering at our home feels like a church in the best sense of the word. What a gift your organization is giving the world.

Ruth P. and Steve B., Grateful Gathering Hosts

Grateful Hope: Passion for the Possible provided a compelling and much-needed alternative to the divisiveness and fear that permeate contemporary culture. Representing 19 countries from around the globe, nearly 700 people participated in the live version of Grateful Hope, and over 140 participated in our subsequent on-demand offering. The six-week course guided participants through a powerful exploration of hope as a defiant stance of possibility, distinct from optimism or toxic positivity. The experience was enhanced by renowned guests John Paul Lederach, Maggie Jackson, Simran Jeet Singh, Cristina Pato, Rabbi Sharon Brous, and Mingyur Rinpoche — who added their scholarship and wisdom to the learning experience.

• 96% of participants found the course increased their sense of hope
• 95% of participants said they feel more confident in their ability to navigate uncertainty
• 99% said they would recommend the course

I’m grateful for the profound Grateful Hope sessions. It is by far one of the best courses I’ve taken.

Grateful Hope course scholarship recipient

We welcomed over 12,500 participants to our 2024 Pathways series. More than 6,700 participants received scholarships thanks to the generosity of our community. Our 5-day Pathways are designed to deepen understanding of specific Grateful Living principles and offer inspiration and tools for daily practice. This year’s series grew from three offerings to four: Embrace Imperfection, Reclaim Play, Build a Life of Belonging, and Revitalize Your Rituals, Revitalize Your Life.

• 97% of participants said the Pathways enhanced their perspective
• 97% of participants found value and meaning in the daily resources
• 94% of participants reported an increased sense of gratitude

This short 5-day Pathway has done more for me than I expected or anticipated. I am deeply grateful!

Reclaim Play Pathway participant

In 2024, our Grateful Living community continued to flourish and deepen, offering meaningful ways to connect, practice, and grow together.

As we look back on a year of abundant connection and transformative engagement, we are profoundly grateful for the community that brings this vision to life. Your presence reminds us that together, we can face life’s challenges and joys with courage and a grateful heart. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey and for helping us create a space where no one walks alone. We invite you to join our community here.

Thank you for making each day a day of gratefulness. It helps me to put my life on the right track.

Grateful Living community member

In 2024 we raised $636,500 with thanks to those who live gratefully and give gratefully. Approximately 60% of participants in our programs require scholarships. Every dollar given helps us ensure our commitment to accessible programming. 

More than 13,000 people donated and supported our shared work. Of these, 37% were returning donors from 2023, and more than 800 of them increased their donations compared to the previous year.

We particularly want to recognize the 327 people who commit to supporting Grateful Living all year long as Monthly Donors. 

Our programs are 100% privately funded, which means we do not receive federal funds. We exist 100% thanks to you.