Creating Lasting Impact through the 2022-2023 Youth Philanthropy Program
August 2, 2023 | Written by Branden Waggoner
Students participating in Magnified Giving at Catholic Central High School set a goal to collect 80 “blessings in bottles” for the Pregnancy Resource Clinic, just one of several service projects they completed during their Magnified Giving experience.
Magnified Giving proudly celebrates its impactful achievements for the 2022-2023 school year. With a mission to educate, inspire, and engage students in philanthropy, Magnified Giving facilitated 124 Youth Philanthropy Programs that empowered youth to select 127 nonprofits to receive $185,285.07 in grant funding. Interested in seeing a list of our programs and their chosen grant recipients? Click here!
The Heart of the Youth Philanthropy Program
Magnified Giving's Youth Philanthropy Program empowers youth to become generous and wise philanthropists. By providing a platform for hands-on learning, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about charitable giving. Through experiential activities, classroom discussions, and real-world service and grantmaking experiences, Magnified Giving nurtures the philanthropic spirit in the next generation.
Witnessing the Impact: Zoe Moore's Journey
Zoe Moore, a recent graduate of Clermont Northeastern High School, who served as National Honor Society President and Magnified Giving facilitator.
Zoe Moore, a recent graduate of Clermont Northeastern High School, where Magnified Giving is implemented through the National Honor Society, embraced the Magnified Giving program as an opportunity to exercise her leadership skills while exploring the meaning of philanthropy. While most Youth Philanthropy Programs are facilitated by adult educators or staff, some are led by dedicated youth.
Zoe, as NHS President, attended a facilitator training where she was equipped to lead her peers through the steps of the Magnified Giving process. She says, “One of the main pillars of NHS is service. I witnessed a change in my classmates and myself when going through this program. My classmates were more engaged in meetings and discussions. Even though we had been working on numerous service projects throughout the year, everyone was more passionate in their work when we started the Magnified Giving process.”
Members of Clermont Northeastern NHS conduct research on nonprofits, preparing to select an organization to advocate to receive a Magnified Giving grant.
Zoe and her peers discovered an interest in children's mental health and chose to learn more about the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund. She says, “After hearing about Ben Morrison's story and the organization's dedication to erasing the stigma around mental health, students were moved. Those who represented the organization in our voting process gave personal stories about how they themselves have struggled with mental health.” She believes that personal connections to causes create a profound impact on commitment.
As she prepares to attend Shawnee State University, Zoe plans to apply her philanthropic knowledge in her future endeavors. We’re proud of Zoe for her leadership and commitment to empowering herself and her peers! Zoe is one of 4,562 youth educated in philanthropy this year through Magnified Giving’s Youth Philanthropy Program.
Heartfelt Gratitude from New Life Furniture Bank
Participants in Magnified Giving at Moeller High School present their $1,000 to New Life Furniture Bank.
Magnified Giving received a heartwarming thank-you letter from Connie Stalf, Volunteer Coordinator at New Life Furniture Bank. She says, “Your youth philanthropy program has connected New Life Furniture with so many enthusiastic, compassionate, and generous students. It’s uplifting to see Magnified Giving promote volunteerism in our community and to see such a positive impact it makes - not only for the non profits organizations that you help, but for the youth who participate.”
New Life Furniture Bank is a non-profit organization that provides furniture to families in need, ensuring they have a comfortable and supportive living environment. This school year, they received a $1,000 grant from youth at Moeller High School and $1,000 from St. Xavier High School.
Astounding Impact: $185,285.07 Granted to Deserving Nonprofits
The impact of Magnified Giving's Youth Philanthropy Program is further exemplified by the astounding amount of $185,285.07 granted to deserving nonprofits in 2023. These funds have made a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities in need. The dedication and generosity displayed by the students involved in the program are a testament to the positive change that can be achieved through youth empowerment and collaboration.
Looking Forward: Cultivating Compassionate and Informed Leaders
"We believe in the power of youth to create meaningful change," said Kelly Collison, Executive Director of Magnified Giving. "By engaging students in philanthropy at a young age, we are cultivating a new generation of compassionate and informed leaders who will continue to make a difference throughout their lives."
Magnified Giving's success is rooted in its core values of youth empowerment, collaboration, and empathy. By instilling these values in its programs, Magnified Giving inspires students to develop a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility.
For more information about Magnified Giving and its impactful Youth Philanthropy Program, click here.