News
News
An Announcement from Multiplying Good
Dear Friends and Supporters,
For 52 years, Multiplying Good, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Samuel Beard and Senator Robert Taft, Jr., has been a beacon of positive change in America. Our mission has always been to champion public and community service as a powerful tool for bridging cultural, racial, and political divides, empowering individuals, and fostering ripples of good through service to others.
Over the decades, we have witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact of service on individuals and communities. Our programs have empowered countless people to realize their potential and drive significant change for millions of individuals across the country.
Our Jefferson Award recipients have included some of America’s most inspiring changemakers, from high-profile national figures to over 65,000 grassroots heroes representing 100 million Americans. Through the amazing story telling of our media partners, the impact of these grassroots heroes has been ”multiplied”, inspiring hundreds of millions across America to do more to help those in need. These extraordinary individuals and their communities embody the spirit of service that has been at the heart of our work.
Our Students in Action program was designed to create the next generation of empathic servant leaders and not only pass along the culture of service in this country but reignite it. Over the past 16 years we have been able to train 80,000 youth who have touched over 20 Million people across every dimension of our most pressing community needs. These amazing and empathic young servant leaders will impact America for generations to come.
However, like many nonprofits in the current environment, Multiplying Good has recently faced severe financial challenges due to a massive shift in funder priorities towards politics and the geo-political landscape. In response to a significant decline in contributions in 2023 and 2024, we undertook intense efforts to identify new sources of funding and to significantly reduce cost. These measures included drastically reducing our workforce and restructuring our operations, while attempting to preserve the ability to deliver our mission. Despite these efforts, the financial shortfall remains insurmountable.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the Board of Governors has decided to wind down Multiplying Good effective August 31, 2024, and dissolve the corporation as soon as possible. While our doors will close, we are committed to preserving the legacy of Multiplying Good. We will work diligently to find homes for the Jefferson Awards, Students In Action, and The Ripple with organizations that share our mission to cultivate greatness through service. We understand that this news is deeply disappointing, and we apologize to all who are affected by this difficult decision.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our employees, donors, partners, students, award recipients, board members, teachers, advisors, and all who helped build Multiplying Good into one of the most consequential service organizations in America. Your dedication has been the cornerstone of our achievements, and your legacy will live on. A special thanks to Sam Beard our founder, without whose vision, passion, and love for this country Multiplying Good would never have existed.
With gratitude and respect,
Jack Russi
Chair, Multiplying Good Board of Governors