Photo of Jonah LarsonPhoto byJonah’s Hands/Facebook
In a world that can often feel divided, it’s inspiring to know that there are still good people out there, willing to help those in need. One such person is Jonah Larson, who at just 15 years old, has already achieved so much. Jonah taught himself how to crochet at just 5 years old, and by 6, he was competing against grandmas in the county fair, taking home a few ribbons.
Fast forward a few years, and Jonah’s business has become so popular that he’s had to temporarily stop taking orders. With over 399K followers on Instagram, his popularity primarily comes from online crochet communities. Jonah is a math whiz with a passion for basketball, video games, and crocheting. His mother has noted that crocheting calms Jonah, and it’s become a form of therapy for him.
But what makes Jonah stand out isn’t just his impressive talent for crochet; he’s also a mini philanthropist. Born in Durame, Ethiopia, Jonah was adopted at six months old and taken to the United States. Now, he’s using his skills to give back to his birthplace. On his website, Jonah offers books, DVDs, and YouTube tutorials that teach crocheting to millions, and on his GoFundMe page, he sells some of his items to raise money for Jonah’s village and the people who live there.
In recognition of his exceptional generosity and civic responsibility, Jonah has been awarded the 2023 William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy. This prestigious award, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and sponsored by Carter, is granted to one individual and one group. Jonah was nominated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter, and he received the award at the AFP ICON 2023 event in New Orleans on April 18.
Photo of Jonah LarsonPhoto byJonah’s Hands/Facebook
Jonah’s philanthropic efforts started small, with donations to auctions and fundraisers supporting Roots Ethiopia. But as his crochet sales grew and his popularity soared, Jonah set his charitable goals higher, starting GoFundMe campaigns to build a library, a science lab, and a new latrine facility for female students at Teza Gerba School. In total, Jonah brought in $52,500 for the projects, drawing in contributions with his engaging, passionate calls to action.
Photo of Jonah LarsonPhoto byJonah’s Hands/Facebook
Jonah’s story is a clear example of how fundraising unites communities to create a huge impact. As Association of Fundraising Professionals president and CEO Mike Geiger notes, “All of us are in awe of...
