We teach our kids a lot of things, but what about how to give? Through Magnified Giving, students learn the impact of philanthropy firsthand. They are inspired to give their time, talent and treasure throughout their lives and help to lighten the concerns of others. Southwest Ohio Parent spoke to Lindsey Barta, director of communications, to learn more about this organization.
How do you define “philanthropy” versus simply volunteering or fundraising?
At Magnified Giving, we think of philanthropy as giving of your time, talent or treasure. Volunteering and fundraising certainly count as philanthropy! We love teaching youth that they have so much to offer their communities; certainly, they can volunteer their time or donate to a local nonprofit. They can also teach a friend something new, let a sibling borrow a possession, or be kind to their classmates.
What ages or grades are best suited for participation in your youth philanthropy programs?
Our programs are designed for middle and high school students, who respond enthusiastically to the opportunity to learn about social causes and make real grant decisions. Each group determines which nonprofit will receive their $1,000 Magnified Giving grant — an empowering experience that helps them see their impact firsthand. We’ve even begun engaging youth as young as fourth grade, who quickly discover how meaningful it is to use their time, talent and treasure for good.
What makes your model different from a school service club or community service project?
We love seeing youth involved in school service clubs and community projects, and our model can complement that foundation by adding a new dimension of learning and leadership. The Youth Philanthropy Program adds a structured learning and decision-making component through hands-on grantmaking. Youth don’t just serve — they research community needs, advocate for causes, and work together to decide which nonprofit will receive a $1,000 grant provided by Magnified Giving. Our flexible model can fit into classrooms, after-school clubs or even Scout meetings, and we provide facilitator training and support to make implementation easy and meaningful.
What kinds of issues or causes tend to resonate most with the youth participants?
It’s amazing to witness how the trends change over the years as youth respond to what’s happening in the world around them. Over the last few years, youth have been particularly motivated to support causes related to mental health. Youth are also moved by causes that touch their personal lives — supporting cancer patients, children impacted by addiction or loss, and veterans in need — demonstrating their empathy and desire to make a tangible difference in their communities.
How can a school, youth group or parent-led group in the area get involved as a partner with Magnified Giving?
Schools, youth groups and parent-led organizations can get involved by joining our Youth Philanthropy Program, where students learn about community needs and make real grants to local nonprofits. We provide all the tools and support to make it easy to bring youth philanthropy to your group—just visit www.magnifiedgiving.org/youth-philanthropy-program or reach out to VP of Programs, Alison Kaufman, at [email protected] to get started!
