Bearcats Who Care - UC Interns Provide Critical Support To Magnified Giving

July 28, 2021 | Written by Lindsey Barta

When Roger Grein graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1966 (BBA ‘64, MBA ‘66), he never could have dreamed of the obstacles he would overcome in his life or the ways he would impact the Cincinnati community, but he did know that he could be a Bearcat forever.

Today, as Roger nears his 80th birthday, he remains a proud UC alumnus and a loyal UC sports fan! In addition to Roger’s personal history of partnership and support with the University of Cincinnati, he loves the deep connection between UC and Magnified Giving, the nonprofit organization he founded in 2008. For many years, the small but mighty team at Magnified Giving has only been made even mightier by a steady stream of talented UC interns and volunteers.

L-R:Lindsey Barta (A&S ‘18, MA ‘20), Maggie Tagher (DAAP ‘24), Roger Grein (BBA ‘64, MBA ‘66), Corinne Black (Business/A&S ‘22), Jackie Ruberg (A&S ‘22), Hailey Maier (A&S ‘21).

This year alone, four UC students have joined the long list of Bearcats who have helped shape Magnified Giving and used their skills and talents to advance its mission of developing the next generation of philanthropists. This summer, the Magnified Giving team is six Bearcats strong, making up over half of the nonprofit’s staff. 3 summer interns join current student and part-time Graphics Coordinator Maggie Tagher, as well as two alumni: founder Roger Grein and Associate Director Lindsey Barta.

Maggie Tagher, currently an Industrial Design student at UC’s DAAP, is an alumni of the Magnified Giving program and first joined the MG team as an intern funded through UC’s Service Learning Co-op program in Fall 2020. The Service Learning Co-op Program provides grants to help nonprofits hire UC students so they can “learn, serve, and earn.” Since completing her co-op, Maggie has stayed on as a graphic design intern, and was recently promoted to Graphics Coordinator, where she uses her gifts to create a fun and identifiable brand for the small nonprofit.

Maggie and Associate Director Lindsey Barta (A&S ‘18, MA ‘20) worked together to develop an updated and cohesive visual identity for Magnified Giving this year, and Maggie includes the resulting branding guide in her DAAP portfolio. Lindsey says, “It feels so good to have fresh branding that reflects Magnified Giving’s values, and it was fun and satisfying to work with Maggie on such an important project from start to finish. It’s always great to work with a fellow Bearcat - we even met on UC’s campus for our brainstorming sessions!”

UC’s Service Learning Co-op Program has allowed Magnified Giving to hire four UC students since fall, including two this summer. Jaclynn Ruberg and Hailey Maier, who both study Communication, partner on a special project to promote a documentary on the life of Roger Grein. They are gaining hands-on experience in public relations and journalism as they learn to write press releases, enter Film Festivals, use a PR software, and build relationships with journalists to help share about Roger’s story, which is intimately tied to Magnified Giving. Hailey says, “Roger’s documentary has impacted countless lives in many different ways. I love reaching out to people from all around the US to tell them about the wonderful things Roger and Magnified Giving is doing in communities. Bringing attention to his story is the least I can do for someone who has given so much.”

Corinne Black, a rising 4th year Marketing student, is with Magnified Giving as a Scripps Howard Communication Intern. “Spending my summer with Magnified Giving has been so rewarding. With guidance I have been given the creative ability to improve marketing strategies by implementing new ideas for exposure and growth through social media, story telling, and press release writing and software. Magnified Giving has a strong mission that deserves to be shared with the rest of the world and I am happy to be a part of the team that does just that.” Corinne is one of five UC students who have completed a Scripps Howard Communication Internship at Magnified Giving and helped the organization grow in its engagement with its supporters and the community.

For Lindsey Barta, managing the four UC students at Magnified Giving is a full-circle experience, after she completed regular internships at Magnified Giving for 5 years while obtaining her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UC. “I learned so much while working in different roles at Magnified Giving. I try to empower our amazing interns in the same way I was empowered - I know how powerful and refining an internship experience can be.”

The women of the Magnified Giving team celebrate the end of a wonderful summer with a fun dinner at Fountain Square! L-R: Allison Riley, Alison Kaufman, Jackie Ruberg, Maggie Tagher, Carey Kuznar, Hailey Maier, Lindsey Barta, Corinne Black, Kelly Collison

Kelly Collison, Executive Director at Magnified Giving, firmly believes in the importance of interns: “I know when you empower a bright young mind and heart of an intern and encourage them to use their gifts and talents, amazing things happen. It is a thrill for me to meet, engage with, and mentor young people and I always learn from them. I am continually impressed with the knowledge they share with Magnified Giving through their education and life experiences and I am all the better for it personally. Professionally, I believe that the next generation must carry on what we have set in motion for the betterment of our communities and our interns never disappoint. Actually, I tell them that once they work with us, they are invited to be a part of our family forever.”

The current UC crew at Magnified Giving snapped this fun photo to celebrate a great partnership between their Alma Mater and the organization that they support together. When asked how it makes him feel that his organization supports and is supported by so many Bearcats, Roger says, “It makes me feel thrilled and overwhelmed because UC provided a good education and went the extra mile for me, and I want to pay it forward for other students.”

To learn more about philanthropist, UC alumnus, and Magnified Giving founder, Roger Grein, we invite you to watch an inspiring documentary about his eventful life, “Roger Grein: An Empowering Philanthropist,” which is available to view for free at www.RogerGrein.live.

L-R: Lindsey Barta (A&S ‘18, MA ‘20), Maggie Tagher (DAAP ‘24), Roger Grein (BBA ‘64, MBA ‘66), Corinne Black (Business/A&S ‘22), Jackie Ruberg (A&S ‘22), Hailey Maier (A&S ‘21)