What Multiplying Good does

Multiplying Good is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sam Beard, and Senator Robert Taft Jr., headquartered at 348 West 57th Street in New York. The organization cultivated a portfolio of public-service programs centered on the Jefferson Awards — described as the highest honor for public service in the United States — alongside a curriculum-based youth leadership program (Students In Action, launched 2007), a national community-of-service platform (The Ripple), an invite-only professional-leader initiative (ChangeMakers), and structured corporate Champions and media partnership programs. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its principal assets are the Jefferson Awards brand, program curricula, and chapter/community networks across eight U.S. states supported by 30+ media partners.

The go-to-market operates through three largely independent channels: a chapter-based field network in California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York/New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina; a media partner program with 30+ local TV, radio, and newspaper outlets reaching approximately 100 million Americans annually; and a corporate Champions program whose combined partner workforce is stated at 8 million employees. Revenue is generated through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships rather than product pricing, with the organization stating that 100% of donations are directed to program delivery under its impact model. Quantified outcomes cited include 65,000+ Jefferson Awards presented over five decades, 80,000 youth trained through SIA touching over 20 million people, and individual chapter events raising $18,000-$32,000 for SIA.

The Board of Governors voted to wind down operations effective August 31, 2024 and dissolve the corporation, citing a significant decline in contributions in 2023-2024 driven by a shift in funder priorities toward political and geopolitical causes. The organization had undertaken workforce reductions and cost restructuring prior to the wind-down decision, and a May 2024 strategic partnership with The Russell Berrie Foundation to combine the Jefferson Awards with the Making a Difference Awards in New Jersey was the final material strategic move before dissolution.

Name

Multiplying Good

Legal name

Multiplying Good

Website

https://multiplyinggood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Multiplying Good was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that operated the Jefferson Awards public-service recognition platform, Students In Action youth leadership program, and corporate and media partnership programs across eight U.S. states. The Board voted to wind down operations effective August 31, 2024.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Multiplying Good is a nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships. The organization states that 100% of its impact model directs donations to program delivery.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor the Champions program and Jefferson Awards ceremonies. The organization generates non-traditional revenue for media partners by connecting local businesses with award programs. Sponsorship relationships with companies that have 8 million employees represent a significant revenue stream.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Multiplying Good operates a portfolio of public service recognition and leadership development programs anchored by the Jefferson Awards, the United States' premier honor for public service. The organization runs Students In Action (SIA), a youth service and leadership training program for middle and high school students, alongside The Ripple (a national community of service), ChangeMakers (a professional leadership platform), and corporate and media partnership programs that recognize unsung heroes through local chapters and a network of 30+ media outlets.

Product overview

Multiplying Good operates a platform of public service programs, with the Jefferson Awards as its flagship product—a prestigious awards platform recognizing public service in America for over 50 years. The core portfolio includes Students In Action (SIA), a youth service leadership and recognition program, and The Ripple, a national community of service. Supporting programs include ChangeMakers for professional leaders, Media Partnerships for local community recognition, and Corporate Partnerships (Champions) for employee recognition. These programs work together to cultivate greatness through service and multiply the impact of public service across the nation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jefferson Awards: The highest and most prestigious honor recognizing public service in the United States, established in 1972. Has been awarded to over 65,000 unsung heroes.
• Students In Action (SIA)
• The Ripple
• ChangeMakers

Products and services

• Jefferson Awards The flagship recognition program of Multiplying Good, awarded to individuals for extraordinary public service. Has been presented to over 65,000 grassroots unsung heroes across the United States and to prominent figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Gates.
• Students In Action (SIA) A youth service, leadership and recognition program that supports, trains and empowers middle and high school students to be leaders, problem solvers, entrepreneurs and impactful global citizens through a structured 6-goal curriculum (Prepare, Investigate, Execute, Reflect, Share, Celebrate). Has trained 80,000 youth over 16 years.
• The Ripple A National Community of Service connecting individuals through donating, service, community building, and hard work, dedicated to being a megaforce for good.
• ChangeMakers An invite-only program for rising public service leaders that highlights leadership and service of professionals and community leaders, celebrating the positive change they have brought about in communities through spring and fall cohorts that culminate in Jefferson Awards.
• Corporate Partnerships (Champions Program) A corporate partnership program celebrating employees of partner companies through Jefferson Awards, elevating employee recognition and fostering workplace cultures of service. Companies with a combined 8 million employees participate as Champion partners.
• Media Partner Program A partnership program working with over 30 news and media outlets across the country to recognize and honor exceptional individuals in their communities through Jefferson Awards. Reaches 100 million Americans annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 65,000 grassroots unsung heroes have received Jefferson Awards over five decades, representing communities totaling 100 million Americans.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The Russell Berrie FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2024Strategic three-year partnership formalizing collaboration between two of New Jersey's most prestigious recognition platforms — the Jefferson Awards and the Making a Difference Awards (MADA). The partnership brings together honoree and nominee networks, offers in-person events and virtual resources, and supports New Jersey's civic leaders. MADA has awarded more than $4.2M to 430 New Jersey residents since 1997. Announced at the 2024 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards ceremony at Ramapo College.
• Ramapo College of New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Hosts and manages the Making a Difference Awards (MADA), established by the late Russell Berrie and funded by The Russell Berrie Foundation since 1997. In 2024, Ramapo College hosted the ceremony where Multiplying Good and The Russell Berrie Foundation announced their strategic partnership.
• Delaware TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal newspaper serving Delaware as a Media Partner in the Multiplying Good Media Partner program. Identifies and tells local unsung hero stories and distributes Jefferson Awards in the Delaware community.
• KBTX (Bryan, TX)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station serving Bryan, Texas as a Media Partner. Part of the network of media partners reaching 100 million Americans annually through Jefferson Awards coverage.
• KCRG (Cedar Rapids, IA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa operating as a Media Partner for Multiplying Good, covering local Jefferson Awards recipients and service stories.
• KPIX-TV / KCBS AM Radio (San Francisco, CA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Bay Area TV and radio station serving as a Media Partner. Represents one of the organization's key media markets, reaching a large metropolitan audience with Jefferson Awards coverage.
• WCBS 880 AM (New York, NY)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIconic New York City radio station operating as a Media Partner. Represents the organization's headquarters market and reaches a significant urban audience with public service stories.
• WRTV (Indianapolis, IN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Indianapolis, Indiana serving as a Media Partner for Multiplying Good's Jefferson Awards program in the Indiana region.
• WBOC (Salisbury, MD)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station serving Salisbury, Maryland as a Media Partner in the Multiplying Good network, telling local unsung hero stories.
• WACH (Columbia, SC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Columbia, South Carolina operating as a Media Partner, serving the South Carolina chapter region.
• WAOW (Wausau, WI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Wausau, Wisconsin operating as a Media Partner, extending the Jefferson Awards reach into Wisconsin.
• WJBF (Augusta, GA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Augusta, Georgia operating as a Media Partner. Multiplying Good interviewed Taylor Newton, Director of Community Involvement at WJBF, about the media partnership.
• WQAD (Davenport, IA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in Davenport, Iowa operating as a Media Partner. Nominated Luekinna Hodges for a Jefferson Award; she received a silver finalist medal at the 2023 National Ceremony.
• WDTV - TV (Clarksburg-Weston, WV)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTV station in West Virginia operating as a Media Partner. Hosted its 2nd Annual Jefferson Awards dinner honoring 40 individuals making a difference in the community. Antero Resources was honored at the event.
• Corporate Champion Partners (Employers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCompanies partner with Multiplying Good through the Champions program to recognize employee public service. 8 million employees work for champion partners. The program elevates employee recognition by connecting it to a nationally recognized brand. 84% of companies credit employee recognition as a primary driver of engagement.
• United Steelworkers of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLabor union whose employee Marc Scott received a 2018 Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Employee. Marc Scott channels grief from his daughter's death into the Olivia Scott Foundation, which has raised over $250,000 for youth in life-altering situations.
• The Honorable Chris Coons, Governor John Carney, and First Lady Tracey Quillen CarneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelaware state and federal leaders co-chaired the 12th Annual Delaware Salute to Service awards ceremony on May 8, 2024, providing political endorsement and visibility for the event.
• Point Park UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Pennsylvania Winter Conference for Students In Action and offers scholarships to junior and senior SIA students in attendance.
• University of San FranciscominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the San Francisco Bay Area Winter Conference for Students In Action participants who practiced creating and presenting storyboards and participated in a group service activity.
• Tufts UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Greater Boston Winter Conference on March 6th, engaging 72 young people in service and leadership training. Tufts ACTION student group facilitated breakout sessions and icebreakers.
• Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center (Indianapolis Colts)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Indiana Students In Action End-of-Year Celebration at Gridiron Hall, providing venue and visibility for the youth service recognition event.
• Hennepin Tech (Minnesota)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Minnesota Students In Action End-of-Year Celebration on May 2nd, bringing together five exceptional SIA teams to present their service projects.
• Harlem Educational Activities FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the New York SIA End-of-Year Celebration on May 21st with 60 youth, advisors, and judges from across New York City.
• Hudson County Community College (New Jersey)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the New Jersey Chapter End-of-Year Celebration on May 19th, where SIA teams presented service projects to judges and community members.
• Allegheny Intermediate Unit (Pennsylvania)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Pennsylvania Students In Action End-of-Year Celebration on April 25, 2024, with nine local SIA teams presenting to over 100 attendees.
• UIC (University of Illinois Chicago)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Chicago Students In Action End-of-Year Celebration, bringing together students, advisors, parents, judges, and guests for team presentations.
• Mountaire Farms of DelawareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHonored at the 2024 Delaware Salute to Service for 30 years of service including Feeding for Thousands events, support of local nonprofits, and agriculture/culinary scholarships.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AmeriCorps: Federal national-service program funding service years across the US — adjacent incumbent with overlapping mission (cultivating service-driven leaders) and scale, but government-funded rather than donation-driven.
• Ashoka: Global nonprofit identifying and supporting leading social entrepreneurs (Ashoka Fellows) — adjacent incumbent with similar changemaker-recognition mechanics and corporate/foundation funding base.
• VolunteerMatch: Established nonprofit volunteer-matching platform serving individuals, nonprofits and corporate CSR programs — comparable as a public-service engagement infrastructure serving the same donors and corporate partners.
• Junior Achievement USA: Large-scale K-12 leadership, work-readiness and entrepreneurship program operating nationwide through chapters — directly comparable in chapter-based K-12 leadership delivery and corporate sponsorship model.

Direct peers

• Points of Light: The largest US nonprofit focused on volunteer service and civic engagement, operator of the Daily Point of Light Award — the most direct substitute for Multiplying Good's Jefferson Awards platform and youth/employee recognition programming.
• Generation On: Youth-service nonprofit that funds and develops young leaders through service projects — directly comparable in target beneficiary (middle/high school students) and program model (team-based service + recognition).
• DoSomething.org: National youth civic engagement nonprofit running service, leadership and recognition programs for teens; directly comparable to Multiplying Good's Students In Action program in target audience and curriculum.
• Youth Service America (YSA): National nonprofit supporting youth-led service and recognition (including Global Youth Service Day), a clear functional peer to Students In Action and the Jefferson Awards' youth recognition track.
• Peace First: Nonprofit cultivating young leaders as change-makers through fellowships and recognition; closely aligns with Multiplying Good's empathy/leadership development positioning for youth.

Emerging players

• Civic Nation: Nonprofit building culture-change and civic engagement campaigns targeted at young and underrepresented Americans; comparable in mission (civic engagement, leadership development) and demographic.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=64jykuTccdw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/multiplyinggood

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Multiplying Good