Program overview
A program that
works.
GiveThx is a research-validated program that combines curriculum, a digital platform, and professional learning to improve student and staff mental health and belonging.
At its core, GiveThx is built on a simple but powerful idea: when students and educators decide on how they want to treat each other and use expressions of gratitude to reinforce these behaviors, emotional health and belonging follow. And when students feel like they belong, attendance, engagement, and academic performance improve.
Program components
Digital Platform
Students and staff use GiveThx's digital platform to send private, positive 'Thx' notes that recognize strengths, build relationships, and create a culture of appreciation. It works on any device in just a few minutes a day.
K-12 Curriculum
Teachers integrate a research-backed library of 5–15 minute lessons and practices into their school routines to build a regular weekly habit. Lessons connect to school values and existing frameworks, making character and behaviors visible, practical, and measurable.
Training & Support
Administrators and teachers receive training that builds the skills and confidence to facilitate gratitude practices effectively. Training modules cover belonging and identity safety, community-building, and staff well-being.
How It Works
What the Research Shows
In a 2024–25 state-funded study of 39 schools across California reaching ~18,300 students, 2,000 teachers and staff, showed meaningful impact across three areas:
Belonging & Self-Esteem
Students consistently described receiving gratitude notes as making them feel seen and appreciated, helping them recognize their strengths, and giving them a safer, easier way to connect with peers.
Attendance & Behavior
In schools where data was available, higher GiveThx participation was associated with higher attendance and fewer suspensions. Separately, 80% of reporting schools showed improvement in attendance or chronic absenteeism.
Staff Wellbeing
Educators who received more gratitude notes were more likely to report that GiveThx improved their mental health and the overall culture of their school.
This builds on peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology showing that GiveThx's approach increases life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and well-being — while decreasing anxiety, depression, and negativity.
Belonging & Self-Esteem
Students consistently described receiving gratitude notes as making them feel seen and appreciated, helping them recognize their strengths, and giving them a safer, easier way to connect with peers.
Attendance & Behavior
In schools where data was available, higher GiveThx participation was associated with higher attendance and fewer suspensions. Separately, 80% of reporting schools showed improvement in attendance or chronic absenteeism.
Staff Wellbeing
Educators who received more gratitude notes were more likely to report that GiveThx improved their mental health and the overall culture of their school.
This builds on peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology showing that GiveThx's approach increases life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and well-being — while decreasing anxiety, depression, and negativity.
Independently Validated
Intentions are good. Results are better. From day one, we set out to build a program that is both engaging and effective. We built our foundation from a strong research base, then partnered with researchers to measure, improve, and validate our program. Beyond our own research, we've earned recognition from two leading organizations that set the bar for evidence-based programs in schools, helping ensure we stay accountable to the highest standards.
ESSA Tier 2: Moderate Evidence GiveThx meets the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) criteria for Tier 2, one of the highest evidence standards in K–12 education. The designation requires research that meets rigorous What Works Clearinghouse standards, demonstrating statistically significant positive results across at least 350 students and two school sites. This level of evidence means the research has been independently vetted, not just self-reported. It also means schools can use federal funding to bring GiveThx to their communities.
CASEL Promising Program GiveThx is included in the CASEL Guide to Evidence-Based Social and Emotional Learning Programs with a Promising designation. CASEL is the nation's leading authority on SEL, and their Guide helps school and district leaders identify research-backed programs they can trust. The designation recognizes programs that are classroom-based, systematically promote students' social-emotional competence, offer multiyear programming, and high-quality training and implementation support.
