Building a Better World Through Strengths: Magnified Giving and VIA Institute on Character Team Up for Educators

August 24, 2026 | Written by Lindsey Barta in collaboration with Sara Webb, VIA Institute on Character

Thirty educators and youth leaders spent a full day exploring character strengths together, thanks to a partnership with the VIA Institute on Character and the generous support of The Mayerson Foundation.

On July 22, 2026, Magnified Giving had the privilege of teaming up with the VIA Institute on Character to host "Building a Better World Through Strengths," a free, full day workshop for educators and youth leaders at MadTree Parks and Rec in Cincinnati. Thirty teachers, nonprofit staff, and after school program leaders from across the region joined us for a day of hands-on learning grounded in VIA's research based framework for character strengths.

This workshop is a great example of what happens when organizations bring their own strengths to the table. We brought our relationships with regional teachers and program facilitators, built over years of working side by side in classrooms and communities. VIA brought decades of research and a validated framework for helping people recognize and apply their character strengths. Together, we built a day that felt tailored specifically to the educators and youth leaders in the room, not a one size fits all presentation.

"What stood out most was how relevant the training felt to everyone in the room: teachers, nonprofit staff, and after school program leaders alike," said Mark Soeder, our Director of Programs. "Partnering with VIA was fantastic. We were impressed by how thoughtfully they tailored the program to our specific audience. In my 28 years in the classroom, this was among the most valuable professional development experiences I've had, and it energized our teachers with new tools right as they head into the new school year."

"The professional development workshop was an inspiring and meaningful experience," said our CEO, Alison Kaufman. "The partnership with VIA provided practical tools that educators can immediately bring into their classrooms while strengthening our focus on character, service, and student leadership. Collaboration like this is core to who we are. We know we can accomplish more for our region's youth when we work alongside organizations that share our commitment to their growth."

Our partners at VIA shared that same sense of purpose. "At VIA, we believe character strengths have their greatest impact when the science is translated into everyday practice," said Ashwani Dhar, CEO of the VIA Institute on Character. "This partnership with Magnified Giving is a wonderful example of that: equipping educators and youth leaders with practical tools to help young people discover, apply, and grow what is best in themselves and others. It's exactly the kind of work that can strengthen individuals, communities, and ultimately our collective impact."

For Magnified Giving, this workshop is also a direct extension of our mission to educate, inspire, and engage youth in philanthropy. When we invest in the adults who lead young people every day, whether in classrooms, after school programs, or community organizations, we're strengthening the foundation our youth philanthropy programs are built on. Educators who understand their own strengths, and who know how to recognize strengths in others, are better equipped to help young people discover their own capacity for generosity, service, and leadership.

The workshop, along with breakfast, lunch, and a closing networking reception, was offered at no cost to participants thanks to the generous support of The Mayerson Foundation. We're grateful for their partnership in making a day like this possible for our region's educators.

About Magnified Giving

Founded in 2008 by philanthropist Roger Grein, Magnified Giving educates, inspires, and engages youth in philanthropy through hands-on service, leadership, and grantmaking experiences. Since our founding, youth participating in our programs have directed $2,323,664.25 in grants to community nonprofits. During the 2025-2026 school year alone, we facilitated 175 Youth Philanthropy Programs and engaged more than 5,000 young people in service and philanthropy education. Learn more at magnifiedgiving.org.

About the VIA Institute on Character

VIA Institute on Character is a nonprofit organization and the global authority on character strengths. VIA translates science into practical tools, frameworks, and community that inspire individuals to lead with what is best in themselves and others. Founded in 2000, VIA developed the VIA Classification of 24 Character Strengths and the VIA Survey, a scientifically validated assessment that has been taken by more than 40 million people worldwide. Today, VIA's research and resources are used by individuals, practitioners, educators, researchers, and organizations across more than 190 countries to bring the science of character strengths into everyday life. Learn more at viacharacter.org.