Magnified Giving Participants Provide Vital Support to New Nonprofits

Magnified Giving participants presented grants to recently formed nonprofits during virtual Grant Giving Ceremonies. Here, Wyoming Middle School students present a $1,500 grant to Brave Like Me, represented by founder John Otten. Brave Like Me was founded this year to inspire children with complex medical conditions to live their fullest lives.

Each year, youth share dozens of unique reasons for selecting the nonprofits they’ve chosen as recipients for the grant funding entrusted to them through the Magnified Giving Youth Philanthropy Program. This year, several youth were compelled to support nonprofits formed in the past 3 years, recognizing the unique opportunity to provide funding at a critical time when a small grant can go a long way.

During the 2022-2023 school year, Magnified Giving participants extended support to 127 unique nonprofits, including at least 6 new nonprofits (established since 2020). These new, burgeoning organizations need crucial resources and have found a valuable ally in the enthusiastic and compassionate youth involved in Magnified Giving.

Of the nearly $186,000 that youth granted to nonprofits through the Magnified Giving program this year, $13,750 went to these 6 organizations, all established since 2020: Jack Quehl Foundation, Sam Hubbard Foundation, Mater Filius Queen City, Living Waters Farm, Last Mile Food Rescue, and Brave Like Me. Tens of thousands of dollars more were granted to organizations started in the last 10 years.

These new organizations are meeting a wide range of critical needs in our community, with missions supporting children with complex medical conditions (Brave Like Me), pregnant mothers experiencing homelessness (Mater Filius), victims of human trafficking (Living Waters Farm), and more. By choosing to support new nonprofits, youth acknowledge the immense value of their innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and untapped potential. They understood that the initial phase of any nonprofit venture is often the most critical and financially demanding, and they sought to help meet their needs and keep them moving forward.

Magnified Giving facilitates nearly 130 Youth Philanthropy Programs in schools and agencies throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Through these programs, 4,500 youth during the 2022-2023 school year were educated in philanthropy through Magnified Giving’s hands-on process. After learning the foundations of philanthropy, youth research social causes and nonprofits, conduct site visits and service, and ultimately select a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 Magnified Giving grant. This process empowers youth to explore their hearts and minds, learning what causes and missions stir their interest. For some, the desire to make a meaningful impact for a growing new nonprofit compels their decision. 

Gamble Montessori students present their $1,000 grant to Mater Filius Queen City, represented by Mikki Doerger.

During Magnified Giving's award ceremonies, where youth present grants to their selected nonprofits, participants shared their heartfelt reasons for choosing to support these new nonprofits, and the organizations had the opportunity to share about their missions. During one such Giving Ceremony, students at Gamble Montessori High School granted $1,000 to Mater Filius Queen City, which opened its doors in 2020. Mikki Doerger, representing the organization, shared, “In Cincinnati, we are really lucky to have a few maternity homes here in town, and Mater Filius is one of the newer homes; we’ve only been around for a couple of years. Thank you for picking us to bring some awareness to all the moms out there who find themselves in a situation where they really don’t have any help. It was so much fun working with the Gamble Montessori students on this project!”

Contributions made by students at Gamble Montessori and the other Magnified Giving programs not only provide immediate financial support but also lay the foundation for long-term sustainability and community impact. Magnified Giving is dedicated to fostering a culture of philanthropy among young people. By equipping students with the necessary tools and resources, Magnified Giving provides them with avenues to actively support and uplift nonprofits, including those that are newly established.

Learn more about Magnified Giving’s programs here.