Students Supporting Students: Akron Youth Drive Local Impact Through Philanthropy

April 16, 2025 | Written by Lindsey Barta

What happens when a group of Akron teens is given the power to make a real difference in their community? You get something like this.

This spring, students in the Akron North High School DECA program participated in Magnified Giving’s Youth Philanthropy Program—an opportunity to explore local nonprofits, have meaningful conversations about community needs, and ultimately award a grant to an organization making a real difference. In addition to the $1,000 grant provided by Magnified Giving, funds were also donated by the North High School Based Enterprise.

After research, discussion, and reflection, the students selected Youth Success Summit as the recipient of their $1,500 grant. The Youth Success Summit is a network of partners dedicated to providing high quality after-school and summer programs that are focused on childrens’ growth, development and success in the Akron area community.

Rachel Tecca, Executive Director of Youth Success Summit, shared her appreciation:

"We sincerely thank Akron North DECA and their instructor Mr. Mathews for their generous donation to the Youth Success Summit. The student leaders have shown incredible dedication to making a difference in their community. Their support will directly benefit after-school and summer programs for youth in North Akron and we are truly grateful for their generous gift."

When young people take the lead in supporting each other, the impact is deep and personal. Tapash Bhattarai, President of the North High DECA Chapter, shared how meaningful it was to direct this gift to a nonprofit serving youth in their own community:

"We are proud to support the Youth Success Summit, a non-profit organization that has made a meaningful impact on our youth and community. Their dedication to empowering the next generation through education, leadership and opportunity inspires us, and we’re honored to contribute to their mission of building a brighter future for all."

This project hit close to home for the school’s Marketing and Entrepreneurship Instructor and DECA Advisor, Eric Mathews, who understands firsthand how impactful after-school programs can be. Reflecting on his own journey, he shared:

"The purpose of the Project-Based Learning opportunity was to provide our scholars with meaningful exposure to philanthropy. The Youth Success Summit has played a vital role in offering after-school activities that support our scholars’ professional development here in Akron. This kind of extracurricular programming—like what Youth Success Summit provides—helped shape me into the man I am today, growing up as a youth in Detroit, Michigan."

Through this project, Akron North DECA students didn’t just learn about philanthropy—they lived it. Their choice to support a nonprofit that benefits youth in their own community demonstrates the kind of thoughtful, peer-to-peer impact that defines Magnified Giving’s mission. Want to see how more students are becoming changemakers through giving? Explore the full scope of our Youth Philanthropy Program at magnifiedgiving.org/youth-philanthropy-program.