The Power of Student Advocacy: Elder High School's Impactful Philanthropy Program
June 1, 2023 | Written by Branden Waggoner
At Magnified Giving, our mission is to educate, inspire, and engage students in philanthropy. We believe in empowering young people to become active agents of change in their communities. This year, Elder High School participated in our youth philanthropy program, and the results were truly remarkable.
Twenty-five students at Elder High School took part in the program, each selecting a nonprofit organization that resonated with them. They were tasked with making persuasive presentations to their classmates, aiming to secure votes for their chosen nonprofits. This initial step not only honed every student's presentation skills but also allowed them to explore the importance of effective advocacy and communication.
The top two nonprofits from each class were chosen after the classroom presentations, resulting in four remaining teams. Students were then assigned to join one of these teams, forming student-led groups dedicated to promoting their respective organizations. Each team embarked on creating an "infomercial" or persuasive video, showcasing the mission and impact of their nonprofit, in order to garner votes from the entire school. This phase of the program provided the students with valuable experience in multimedia production, collaboration, and persuasive storytelling.
Elder students, Reid Lanter and Elliott Dreyer (bottom left), presented their $1,000 Magnified Giving grant to the Sam Hubbard Foundation, represented by Executive Director Matt Kittell (bottom right), during a virtual Grant Giving Ceremony on May 11th. Mr. Mitch Ward (top right) introduced his students and explained how Elder implements the Magnified Giving program.
The final voting involved the entire school, emphasizing the real-world nature of advocating for causes one believes in. The organization that was chosen by the whole school to win was the Sam Hubbard Foundation, and they were awarded $1,000! The Sam Hubbard Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by NFL player Sam Hubbard, dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children by supporting educational, athletic, and community initiatives. This aspect of the program showcased the importance of community engagement, promoting a sense of unity and shared responsibility for making a positive impact.
Reid Lanter, one of the students who championed the Sam Hubbard Foundation, explained, “One reason I wanted to support the Sam Hubbard Foundation is because Sam is my role model. He takes pride in things he does to help others spiritually and mentally. The Bengals have voted Sam their Walter Payton Man of Year nominee the past two seasons, and this shows he is top-notch with the work he does within the community, and he sets a great example for others. Another reason I chose Sam’s foundation is that he is a Cincinnati kid who has always given back to the community by either his time or money. I learned that helping local people around the city is a way to give back, I also learned that there are so many great nonprofits in Cincinnati, and the Sam Hubbard Foundation is one of them.” The Sam Hubbard Foundation will use the grant money secured for them by Reid and his classmates to to support Hubbard’s Cupboards, a program that provides on-site resources and materials for students without access to adequate resources for their school day.
Throughout the program, students at Elder High School not only gained knowledge about various social issues but also developed essential life skills. The program fostered self-management, self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, and social awareness among the participants. These competencies will undoubtedly benefit them in their personal and professional lives, equipping them with the tools to navigate challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
Additionally, the students had the opportunity to connect with their chosen nonprofits through site visits. These firsthand experiences deepened their understanding of the organizations' missions and the individuals they serve. By witnessing the impact firsthand, the students were further inspired and motivated to make a difference.
The success of the program at Elder High School can be attributed to the student-led approach. Allowing students to take ownership of their teams and initiatives proved to be a best practice, as it empowered them to fully engage in the philanthropic process and develop their leadership skills.
Mitch Ward, the facilitator of the program at Elder High School, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the opportunities provided by Magnified Giving, stating, "When I was a student, I could only have imagined having the opportunity to fight for an organization to give them real dollars like you provided our students. This was such an excellent opportunity for them to practice skills they will use in the real world and reinforce the idea that leadership is about actively loving and serving the needs of our communities." Witnessing the joy and enthusiasm of the winning students, he added, "When I told the students who won that their NPO had been selected, their faces lit up with huge smiles. The students got so much out of this experience, and I can't wait to see the impact it has on future students."
Overall, the Magnified Giving youth philanthropy program at Elder High School truly exemplifies the transformative power of engaging students in philanthropy. By providing opportunities for research, presentation, advocacy, and community voting, the program not only educated the students about critical social issues but also instilled in them a sense of responsibility and empathy.