( ENSPIRE She Did That ) How the #35ToThrive Campaign is Redefining Impact by Empowering Local Heroes and Fearless Creative Visionaries
For years, Tynesha has been a force in the creative industry, known for building fearless teams and directing culture-shifting campaigns that resonate far beyond the boardroom. Now, she is bringing that same visionary energy to her role on the board of GO Campaign, an organization dedicated to identifying and fueling grassroots projects that save at-risk children around the world. In our special Elevation Issue, Tynesha shares how her philosophy of “fearless impact” and the innovative micro-giving model of the #35ToThrive campaign are dismantling the idea that philanthropy is only for the elite. By lowering the barrier to entry, she is proving that a small spark—specifically a $35 donation—can ignite a massive flame of change for children in need, from the streets of Kenya to the foster care systems of Los Angeles.
The power of this movement lies in its commitment to “Local Heroes,” the community leaders who are already on the ground doing the work. Tynesha’s approach to storytelling for the GO Campaign ensures that these voices are not just heard, but amplified with dignity and transparency. Throughout this feature, we explore the intersection of creativity and compassion, highlighting how Tynesha utilizes her background in directing and screenwriting to shape narratives that build trust and drive measurable outcomes. This is a story of how an organization stays rooted in its mission while reaching for limitless growth, ensuring that every donor feels like a vital part of a global family dedicated to elevating the lives of the most vulnerable.
Tynesha, as an Executive Creative Director known for culture-shifting campaigns, how does your philosophy of building “fearless creative teams” translate to steering the strategic and creative impact of a non-profit like GO Campaign?
What’s important for a nonprofit like GO Campaign is to have the same unwavering spirit as the fearless leaders of the organizations we support. For us, that meant encouraging GO to experiment creatively and take a few chances to test the waters. See what resonates and what doesn’t, then adjust accordingly. This isn’t about playing it safe. We are in this for the children of the world who need advocates, those willing to take big swings for them.
The #35ToThrive campaign is built on the belief that a single $35 gift can create a life-changing impact. Can you explain the philosophy behind this micro-giving model and why focusing on this specific small sum is so effective for donor engagement?
The philosophy behind this idea is that 35 dollars can go surprisingly far in making an impact on others’ lives. After 19 years of giving opportunities, GO did the math: on average, it costs only $35 to change a life through GO Campaign. We wanted potential donors to see that they can participate in the mission without feeling pressured to drop large amounts. When donating becomes accessible, we invite more people in and make giving feel more inclusive. More people can make a difference.
Your background champions the idea that small sparks can ignite meaningful change. How does this personal belief align with and amplify the premise of the #35ToThrive campaign and its measurable outcomes?
I have long believed that community is the most important part of any brand. People need to believe in the idea and want to participate in its success. A nonprofit is only as successful as the community that joins the mission. #35ToThrive is just the first invitation, and we created a low barrier to entry that allows younger age groups and other first-time participants to accept the challenge. That is how we will measure success. It won’t just be about raising more donations, but about bringing in new demographics to expand our giving family.
GO Campaign emphasizes supporting grassroots Local Heroes and cutting out red tape. How do you ensure these local leaders are effectively vetted, and what makes this grassroots intervention model outperform traditional, larger global aid channels?
At the heart of GO Campaign is trusting the people who are already doing the work. These are Local Heroes, not outsiders coming in with solutions. They’re deeply rooted in their communities and understand these children’s needs better than anyone. When you empower people closest to the problem, impact happens with more focus, dignity, and results. GO’s job is to make sure they are supported, accountable, and set up to succeed. That means taking the time to understand who they are, how they operate, and their proven track record. Once that vetting is done, we get out of the way. This model works because it removes unnecessary layers and allows resources to move faster and more intentionally. It’s action-oriented. GO has been following this model for 19 years, and only recently have some larger foundations realized that this approach has the greatest chance of long-lasting impact.
The campaign promises clear, tangible results—such as reducing trafficking risk for 12 children in Nepal or providing water access in India. How does GO Campaign track and communicate these specific outcomes to ensure full transparency and donor confidence?
Transparency is not a buzzword for us. It is a responsibility. If someone is trusting us with their hard-earned $35, they deserve to know exactly where it went and what it changed. GO Campaign is very intentional about tying every dollar to a real outcome. We work closely with our partners to define what success looks like before a project even begins, and then we follow that story all the way through. When we communicate impact, we focus on clarity and honesty: what was needed, what was done, and how lives were affected. That kind of communication builds confidence with donors. We stay as close to our donors as we do to our Local Heroes, providing impact updates through emails, photos, and videos in real time as they come in from our partners.
The campaign addresses urgent needs both internationally (Kenya, India, Nepal) and domestically (foster youth, Courage Camps). How does GO Campaign balance funding between global needs and local initiatives like the surfing lessons in Los Angeles?
To us, the question is never about geography. It is about need. An orphan facing risk in Kenya and a foster youth in Los Angeles both deserve support, dignity, and opportunity. GO Campaign considers urgency, scale, and the ability to create meaningful change when deciding where to allocate funds. Domestic programs matter because they show that impact starts at home. Global programs matter because some communities face extreme barriers with minimal resources. By supporting both, we reinforce the idea that compassion has no borders. What matters most is that the work is real and the outcomes are tangible. And if a donor has a specific geographic preference, we honor that wish. We have donors who give us money specifically for Africa or for the US. Also, for specific issue areas such as girls’ education or youth job creation.
During the competitive year-end giving season, what is the single most compelling differentiator of #35ToThrive that you believe attracts donors away from larger, more abstract charitable appeals?
In a season filled with big promises and broad messaging, what sets #35ToThrive apart is that it feels doable. Thirty-five dollars is an amount most people can understand and relate to. When that amount is connected to something tangible like keeping a child safe or providing clean water, giving stops feeling abstract. It doesn’t ask people to save the world; it simply asks them to show up.
GO Campaign has attracted support from major celebrity ambassadors like Robert Pattinson and Ewan McGregor. How does the organization strategically leverage these high-profile endorsements to drive donations for hyperlocal, grassroots solutions?
The involvement of GO Campaign’s ambassadors is not transactional; it is entirely organic. When people like Robert Pattinson, Ewan McGregor, Evangeline Lilly, and Lily Collins lend their voices, it comes from a place of genuine belief in the work. Each of our ambassadors understands not only the need but, more importantly, the impact that is possible, and asks, “How can I help?” Their support helps open doors and expand awareness for the local heroes and communities doing the work on the ground. We are incredibly fortunate to have ambassadors whose credibility reinforces the trust at the heart of GO Campaign.
Your resume includes directing, screenwriting, and stand-up. How do the versatility and resilience you’ve demonstrated in your creative career inform your approach to tackling complex issues like global child vulnerability on the GO Campaign board?
As a board member, I am surrounded by people with extensive nonprofit backgrounds, so I am not the one directly tackling the issues. I leave that work to the local heroes and the GO Campaign staff. My role is to draw on my experience across different areas to help build awareness for the organization. This year marked our first consumer-facing ad campaign, and I was deeply involved in shaping the storytelling and guiding it to a successful launch. I wouldn’t say my stand-up comedy has helped much yet, aside from maybe a joke or two in a board meeting.
Looking beyond December 31st, how do you see the #35ToThrive campaign shaping GO Campaign’s long-term strategy, and what is the ultimate vision for scaling this “micro-giving into macro impact” philosophy?
Our ultimate goal is to help more children. The way we do that is by bringing more people into the GO Campaign family. We know that micro-giving is a crucial step in growing our community. For too long, philanthropy has felt like a rich man’s game, something the rest of us couldn’t participate in. But we know that isn’t true. Crowdfunding has skyrocketed over the past decade, with people giving what they can and making a real impact. We aim to make giving accessible and to ensure everyone feels they can make a difference with far less than they might expect.
Tynesha’s insights reveal that the true heart of innovation in the nonprofit sector isn’t just found in new technology, but in the radical accessibility of community support. By championing the #35ToThrive initiative, she and the GO Campaign are proving that the collective power of small contributions can dismantle barriers and elevate the most vulnerable populations across the globe. Her fearless creative spirit reminds us that when we lead with transparency and trust in local heroes, the outcomes are not just measurable—they are transformative. As we look toward the future of philanthropy, Tynesha’s vision invites us all to step into our own power as advocates, showing that compassion has no borders and every spark of generosity counts. This story is just the beginning of a larger shift in how we view our ability to make a difference, leaving us inspired to see how many lives can truly be changed when we all choose to show up and give what we can.
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