Part III: Origins of A Kindr Foundation
Part III: Origins of A Kindr Foundation
Doug Carnine's journey to create the Kindr Foundation was deeply inspired by his mother. It began with an unexpected inheritance from her—a woman of humble origins, having spent her life working on assembly lines with only an eighth-grade education. Despite her modest means, she left each of her three children $250,000, a sum that would profoundly change their lives in many ways.
"My mom was the kindest person I've ever known," he recalls. Alongside his wife Linda, Douglas was faced with the pivotal decision of how best to honor his mother's legacy with this unexpected windfall. Against the advice of skeptical friends and family members, together they chose to follow their intuition and invest the entire sum in Arcimoto, a fledgling local startup with a bold vision to revolutionize transportation through three-wheeled electric vehicles.
Years of patience and belief in their investment bore fruit when Arcimoto went public, catapulting their initial investment by a staggering 6000%. This financial windfall ignited a deeper purpose within them. They chose to sell most of their stocks, leading them to buy land for their local indigenous community and establish the Kindr Foundation—a philanthropic endeavor dedicated to spreading the power of Mindful Kindness and making a tangible impact in ending unkind behaviors (i.e., bullying, mental health crisis, and isolation) among youth, incarcerated individuals, educators, and workplace leaders.
The once skeptical family members became inspired by Doug and Linda’s vision and proven impact and were moved to contribute. Doug’s sister soon decided to share her inheritance, and as a family, they chose to sell their cherished farmland and forest acres in Illinois. Despite what could have been newfound wealth, the family chose to maintain their humble lifestyles. Doug and Linda continue to reside in the same home they've shared for 40 years where they embrace a minimalist way of life.
Their story offers us a powerful lesson: wealth, when used wisely and with compassion, can become a force for tremendous good. For The Carnines, it was not about accumulating riches for personal gain but about transforming their financial success into opportunities to carry out acts of Mindful Kindness and uplift others. Their journey reminds us of the profound impact of Mindful Kindness and the chances we have to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
Aligned with his mother's legacy of kindness and charity, Doug reflects on his journey: "What did we learn from creating a Kindr Foundation? To be grateful for opportunities to be kind." In a world often driven by ambition and material success, his story serves as a catalyst for Mindful Kindness, urging us to consider how we can use our resources to leave a lasting legacy of compassion.
