This year, the Ryan Nece Foundation proudly celebrates 20 years of service, leadership, and community impact. What began as a vision to inspire young people to lead through service has grown into a movement that has empowered thousands of students across Tampa Bay (and beyond) to give back, step up, and lead with purpose.
To mark this milestone, we’re launching a special anniversary initiative: $20 for 20 years, a simple, meaningful way for our community to celebrate the past while investing in the future.
Why 20 Years Matters
For two decades, the Ryan Nece Foundation has been committed to developing servant leaders in high school students through community service and character education. Through our Student Service Program and school-based Student Service Clubs, students learn that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about action, empathy, and responsibility to others.
Over the years, our students have:
- Completed tens of thousands of service hours
- Partnered with hundreds of nonprofit organizations
- Built lifelong leadership skills rooted in integrity, teamwork, and compassion
Most importantly, they’ve learned that service has the power to change both communities and the individuals who serve them.
What Is $20 for 20 Years?
The $20 for 20 Years campaign invites our supporters, alumni, families, partners, and friends to setup a recurring monthly donation of $20 in honor of our 20th anniversary. While $20 may feel modest, its impact is anything but.
$20/month sponsors a student through our programming. This allows us to:
- Expand student access to our leadership programming
- Provide meaningful service opportunities
- Support mentorship, curriculum, and service-learning experiences
- Ensure financial barriers never prevent a student from participating
This campaign is about showing students that a community stands behind them and believes in the leaders they are becoming.
Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future
As we reflect on 20 years of impact, we’re filled with gratitude: For the students who have committed their time and energy to serving others, for the educators and mentors who guide them, and for the donors and partners who make this work possible.
But this anniversary isn’t just about looking back. It’s about fueling the next generation of servant leaders.
The challenges facing our communities continue to grow, and young people need opportunities to develop empathy, leadership, and a sense of purpose now more than ever. Your support through our $20 for 20 Years campaign helps ensure that the Ryan Nece Foundation can continue meeting this moment and preparing students to do the same.
How You Can Get Involved
Joining the $20 for 20 Years campaign is easy:
- Setup a monthly $20 donation
- Share the campaign with friends, family, or fellow alumni
- Celebrate with us by reflecting on what service means to you
Every contribution sends a powerful message to our students: Your leadership matters, and your community believes in you.
Thank You for 20 Years
We wouldn’t be here without you. Whether you’ve been part of our journey since the beginning or are just discovering the Ryan Nece Foundation, thank you for helping us celebrate 20 years of service, and for helping us build the next 20. Together, we’ll keep service at the heart of leadership for generations to come.
