What if you could receive more through the act of giving?
Helping families name, practice, and strengthen their values through meaningful giving experiences.
Redefining Celebrations with Less of Me
We help families move from talking about their values to practicing them together through real-life experiences.
Our Mission and Vision
Empowering Communities through Birthday Giving
Less of Me is a family-centered nonprofit that builds character and community through structured values education, consistent engagement, and long-term service. Starting with our Birthday Giving Pilot, we aim to transform the tradition of birthdays into experiences of giving, gratitude, and community connection. We believe that the strongest communities are built inside the home—and strengthened when families serve together. Our work gives families tools, structure, and community to intentionally live out values that last a lifetime.
Mission, Vision & Values:
We aim to nurture intrinsic values rooted in sincerity, gratitude, altruism, and shared responsibility.
We Believe communities are strengthened through families who live with purpose, character, and care for others.
We use:
~Honor ~ Sincerity~ Self betterment~ Altruism~ Greater good~ Legacy~ Service as leadership~ & Gratitude to shift culture and empower those around us.
Why we Exist
Families today are navigating rising isolation, fast-paced living, and a culture that often prioritizes consumption over character. Many parents deeply desire to raise grounded, grateful, compassionate children—but lack structured pathways and community support to do so consistently.
Less of Me exists to fill that gap.
We believe:
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Families are the foundation of strong communities
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Gratitude and service shape identity
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Character is built through daily practice, not one-time moments
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Traditions matter
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Children thrive when purpose replaces pressure
Our work gives families tools, structure, and community to intentionally live out values that last a lifetime.
Our Approach
Less of Me experiences are family-led and flexible. Families choose the format that fits their child, their values, and their celebration style.
1. Choose a Cause:
Families select a local organization or community need they care about — guided by their child's interests, age, and what feels meaningful to them right now.
2. Choose How to Show Up:
Some families collect donated items and deliver them together. Others choose to volunteer as a family, giving their time and presence instead. Both are equally meaningful. Less of Me helps families find the option that fits.
3. Show Up Together:
Whether dropping off donations or spending a morning volunteering side by side, the family shows up for something beyond themselves. This is where the experience becomes real.
4. Reflect After the experience:
Families take a few moments to talk about what they felt, what surprised them, and what they want to carry forward. Less of Me provides simple reflection tools to help families have those conversations.
Children learn values not by being told, but by living them. Less of Me helps families build a tradition where gratitude replaces expectation, service replaces consumption, and identity is shaped through generosity.
Meet Our Founders
Jeffrey Mckeegee
Founder & Board Chair
Jeffrey's journey of transforming his birthday celebration into a movement to redefine the way we give and express gratitude has inspired the foundation of Less of Me. His commitment to nurturing altruism and gratitude within families is the driving force behind our initiatives.
Elena Mckeegee
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Elena's passion for building character and community through structured values education led to the establishment of Less of Me. Her dedication to empowering families to live with purpose, care for others, and embrace gratitude shapes the core of our organization.
Founding Board: Less of Me Foundation is currently guided by a startup board that provides financial, operational, and community perspective as the organization launches.
Current board members include:
• Jeffrey Mckeegee-Williams
Entrepreneur and speaker focused on leadership, resilience, and personal development. Jeffrey brings strategic perspective on mission growth, storytelling, and community engagement.
• Tyler Mooney
Business and finance professional with experience in operations and financial planning. Tyler provides financial oversight and helps guide responsible growth and sustainability for the organization.
• Jess McCluney
Community advocate and family engagement leader with a focus on strengthening relationships and support systems within local communities. Jess brings insight into how families interact with values, culture, and service.
The board provides governance oversight, financial accountability, and strategic guidance as the organization develops its programming and partnerships.
As the organization grows, we plan to expand the board to include additional nonprofit and philanthropic leadership.
“We are not defined by what we own or the materials we acquire, but by who we are, and this is the legacy that the Less Of Me Foundation strives to leave on the world.”
― Less of Me Foundation
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