Roger Grein, president and founder of Magnified Giving, unique nonprofit that has inspired thousands of young students to be lifelong philanthropists, announces the hiring of its first executive director – Kelly Collison, to lead the organization’s path of continued growth.
Collison’s nonprofit leadership skills were most recently seen in her role as associate director of programs for Dress for Success Cincinnati, a position she held for eight years. While there she successfully implemented a mobile program for 12 counties, and was responsible for the organization’s management and growth of client services. She has 20 years experience as a customer care director and chief communications officer with AVEDA Frederic’s Corporation. Additionally, she has more than 15 years experience as an event producer and consultant on a wide range of events. One of her clients is Family, Career, Community, Leaders of America Student Leadership Organization.
“The vision of Magnified Giving has been my passion and life’s work. It has been a fulfilling journey to see it grow in community support and youth engagement,” said Grein. “Kelly has all of the qualities that are going to strengthen Magnified Giving and our relationships with students, teachers, administrators, boards, donors and sponsors.”
Her hiring comes at a time when Magnified Giving is expanding the number of high schools involved, students touched and community based organizations served. This is the next step toward financial sustainability in allowing Grein’s legacy and dream to live on. Earlier this year Magnified Giving was named by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter as the 2014 Outstanding Youth In Philanthropy Honoree.
Since its beginning in 2008, the Lockland-based nonprofit organization has awarded over a quarter of a million dollars through student-awarded grants to local charities; and has grown to include 56 school programs with more than 4000 students involved in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, and Northeastern Ohio. For the school year 2013 to 2014, youth participant groups granted nearly $75,000 to more than 60 nonprofits; and for the 2014 to 2015 school year, that number is expected to be over 70 charitable grants totaling more than $80,000.
Founded by philanthropist Roger Grein, Magnified Giving educates, inspires and engages young students in philanthropy through their schools. The vision of Magnified Giving is for every high school student in America, beginning with Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, to someday have an opportunity to learn firsthand how to be generous and wise philanthropists through hands-on experience. Participating school groups are challenged to determine how they want to invest more than $1000 in a nonprofit.
Collison and her husband, Blane, live with their son Quinn in Sycamore Township.