Curated by Northern

Kentucky’s Philanthropic Leaders

Did you know that our region is a leader in philanthropic activity? That’s right – another reason to be proud of our uncommon community.

You can be a philanthropist.

Use the NextGen Giving Guide to start and grow your philanthropic impact, whether you’re volunteering for the first time or securing a giving legacy.

Use the NextGen Giving Guide to start and grow your philanthropic impact, whether you’re volunteering for the first time or securing a giving legacy.

About the Guide

We are connecting Northern Kentuckians with
resources that make giving back an everyday occurrence.

Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project is established at NKU.

Neal Mayerson, a local philanthropist, brought the idea for a student philanthropy project to Dr. James Votruba, then President of Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Their mission? To advance the development of competent student-citizens who play vital roles in their community and who are committed to the common good. The Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project was launched with funding from the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation. Dr. Joan Ferrante, NKU Professor, Sociology, was the program’s first director.

For more than 25 years, this project has pioneered student philanthropy involving more than 9,000 students through 480 classes at NKU alone, touching 500 nonprofits and 126 faculty, and has awarded grants by students of $1.2 million. It has been shared as a model with nearly 100 other higher education institutions.

Neal Mayerson, a local philanthropist, brought the idea for a student philanthropy project to Dr. James Votruba, then President of Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Their mission? To advance the development of competent student-citizens who play vital roles in their community and who are committed to the common good. The Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project was launched with funding from the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation. Dr. Joan Ferrante, NKU Professor, Sociology, was the program’s first director.

For more than 25 years, this project has pioneered student philanthropy involving more than 9,000 students through 480 classes at NKU alone, touching 500 nonprofits and 126 faculty, and has awarded grants by students of $1.2 million. It has been shared as a model with nearly 100 other higher education institutions.

MSPP’s framework is extended to over 34 universities across the region.

President Dr. James Vortuba had lunch with philanthropist Roger Grein to share a new idea. He casually mentioned that The Mayerson Foundation had sponsored a class at NKU for students to invest money into local nonprofit agencies.

Roger quickly became a champion for this model and shared it with university presidents across the Midwest, pledging his financial support while the program could gain traction and take hold at each institution. Roger’s advocacy led to 34 colleges and universities embracing philanthropy education, including Xavier University, The College of Mount St. Joseph, and many more in our region. The program continues today, fully managed by Ohio Campus Compact and funded by a national grant provided by the National Corporation for Service Learning.

President Dr. James Vortuba had lunch with philanthropist Roger Grein to share a new idea. He casually mentioned that The Mayerson Foundation had sponsored a class at NKU for students to invest money into local nonprofit agencies.

Roger quickly became a champion for this model and shared it with university presidents across the Midwest, pledging his financial support while the program could gain traction and take hold at each institution. Roger’s advocacy led to 34 colleges and universities embracing philanthropy education, including Xavier University, The College of Mount St. Joseph, and many more in our region. The program continues today, fully managed by Ohio Campus Compact and funded by a national grant provided by the National Corporation for Service Learning.

Student philanthropy is implemented in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Magnified Giving is born.

When Roger Grein saw the success of the college program, he decided to bring the concept to eight high schools. Magnified Giving began with those first eight schools in 2008. Since then, the number of schools in the program has grown steadily each year, and the program now includes middle schools, high schools, youth development organizations, and the summer camp, Camp Give.

When Roger Grein saw the success of the college program, he decided to bring the concept to eight high schools. Magnified Giving began with those first eight schools in 2008. Since then, the number of schools in the program has grown steadily each year, and the program now includes middle schools, high schools, youth development organizations, and the summer camp, Camp Give.

MSPP and MG find a committed funder and collaborator in Horizon Community Foundation.

 

Horizon Community Foundation is launched by its Council of Trustees, supported by Nancy Grayson with the mission of growing NKY’s philanthropic activities across ages and income levels. In conversations with other community foundations, they find a common best practice for doing this work – create or work with student philanthropy organizations.

Nancy knew of the great work happening at NKU and Magnified Giving, in part because Dr. James Votruba was a founding board member of Horizon Community Foundation. Horizon now partners with both organizations as a collaborator and grantmaker, helping youth and families become committed philanthropists for the common good.

Horizon Community Foundation is launched by its Council of Trustees, supported by Nancy Grayson with the mission of growing NKY’s philanthropic activities across ages and income levels. In conversations with other community foundations, they find a common best practice for doing this work – create or work with student philanthropy organizations.

Nancy knew of the great work happening at NKU and Magnified Giving, in part because Dr. James Votruba was a founding board member of Horizon Community Foundation. Horizon now partners with both organizations as a collaborator and grantmaker, helping youth and families become committed philanthropists for the common good.

Our Impact

Together, we are building an uncommon philanthropic community.

When you give back, you’re in great company.

Americans participate in philanthropy across their lives – and our communities are seeing the impact.

$61.3M

Donated to NKY nonprofits since program inception.

60k

Students gained philanthropy and service learning experience.

$61.3M

Donated to NKY nonprofits since program inception.

60k

Students gained philanthropy and service learning experience.

$3.2M

donated through the hands of students and youth this year.

$3.2M

donated through the hands of kids this year.

80%

Students say philanthropy positively impacts their learning.

900+

Citations on retention, success, and community impact.

80%

Students say philanthropy positively impacts their learning.

900+

Citations on retention, success, and community impact.

Give time. Give talent. Give treasure. And know that you are a philanthropist.