Mission & Impact
Mission
& Vision
Partners in Kind is a first-of-its-kind hybrid model at the intersection of culture, philanthropy, and media. We develop, fund, and produce transformative storytelling across formats, including feature films, documentaries, television series, podcasts, and digital-first content – all anchored in issue-driven calls to action.
Through our nonprofit foundation collective and for-profit studio, we unlock capital from equity investors, brands, donors, and grantmakers alike – reimagining how stories get funded, where they live, and the impact they make.
Our Story
Philanthropists Gillian Hormel and Shelly Tygielski first crossed paths through a global grassroots movement called Pandemic of Love. As they worked side by side during COVID-19, they matched individuals and families with essential needs and discovered a shared purpose of making our world kinder.
Their collaboration sparked a powerful realization: together, they could do more. They envisioned a way to inspire others to rise up, use their resources intentionally, and amplify the voices and stories that most need to be heard.
Combining Gillian’s expertise in entertainment production and financing with Shelly’s thorough understanding of social impact, philanthropy, and community building, they founded Partners in Kind (PIK) with a singular mission: to create an impact storytelling engine that has the power to shift culture.
PIK is built on the belief that we are stronger together and that by breaking down silos, building dynamic new financing models, and forging powerful partnerships, we can create transformative change and tell stories that truly shift hearts and minds.
Replicable, Measurable Impact
At Partners in Kind, impact is not an afterthought; it is the organizing principle of our work. Our Impact Campaigns sit at the center of our project ecosystem, designed to be repeatable, sustainable, and capable of driving long-term cultural change. Each media project plugs into and amplifies these campaigns, extending their reach and effectiveness.
We collaborate with conscious brands, social impact leaders, philanthropists, and global organizations to launch initiatives that are measurable, iterative, and grounded in rigorous research.
Through the Partners in Kind Foundation, we mobilize philanthropic capital to support both media projects and their associated Impact Campaigns, ensuring that storytelling is paired with real-world action.