{
  "datasetId": "creator-philanthropy-examples-v1",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "snapshotDate": "2026-09-24",
  "title": "Creator Philanthropy Examples",
  "description": "Creator-level records aggregating documented fundraising, nonprofit, direct-assistance and in-kind support models without combining money totals.",
  "unitOfAnalysis": "One creator or creator group with one or more qualifying public projects",
  "methodology": {
    "source": "Derived from the deduplicated Creator Giving by Cause dataset.",
    "classification": "Giving model describes the public mechanism, not a permanent profession or identity label.",
    "nonAggregation": "Audience funds, personal gifts, nonprofit programs, goods and services are not added together.",
    "publisherDisclosure": "Compiled on Josh Liljenquist's official website."
  },
  "creators": [
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-auri-kananen",
      "creator": "Auri Kananen",
      "aliases": [
        "Aurikatariina"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/creator-resources/creators-helping-strangers/#auri-kananen",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 1,
      "givingModels": [
        "Donated goods or services"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Housing and basic needs"
      ],
      "dateRange": "2020; exact service date not established",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Free home cleaning after a single parent asked for help",
          "date": "2020; exact service date not established",
          "sourceUrl": "https://yle.fi/a/74-20137552",
          "internalUrl": ""
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-connor-franta",
      "creator": "Connor Franta",
      "aliases": [
        "Connor Franta"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-connor-franta",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 3,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising",
        "Nonprofit or foundation work"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Community and nonprofit support"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "2014 Thirst Project birthday campaign",
          "date": "2014",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.thirstproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EducationInfoSheet_2017-FINAL1.pdf",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/connor-franta/"
        },
        {
          "title": "2015 Thirst Project birthday campaign",
          "date": "2015",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.tubefilter.com/2015/09/14/connor-franta-second-thirst-project-campaign/",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/connor-franta/"
        },
        {
          "title": "2024 charity: water marathon campaign",
          "date": "2024",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.charitywater.org/connor-franta",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/connor-franta/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-isaiah-garza",
      "creator": "Isaiah Garza",
      "aliases": [],
      "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/creator-resources/creators-helping-strangers/#isaiah-garza",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 1,
      "givingModels": [
        "Direct or practical assistance"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Community and nonprofit support"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Before October 25, 2022; exact gift date not stated",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Christmas presents for the Gerardo family",
          "date": "Before October 25, 2022; exact gift date not stated",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-influencer-isaiah-garza/",
          "internalUrl": ""
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-jimmy-darts",
      "creator": "Jimmy Darts",
      "aliases": [
        "Jimmy Darts"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-jimmy-darts",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 7,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising",
        "Direct or practical assistance",
        "Donated goods or services"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Community and nonprofit support",
        "Food and meals",
        "Medical and accessibility",
        "Transportation and mobility"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Bills and rehabilitation fundraiser",
          "date": "2025-11-08",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-stephanie-send-her-son-to-rehab",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/jimmy-darts/"
        },
        {
          "title": "Cancer treatment and housing fundraiser",
          "date": "2026",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/u/jimmy-darts/activity",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/jimmy-darts/"
        },
        {
          "title": "Housing and utilities fundraiser",
          "date": "2026",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/u/jimmy-darts/activity",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/profiles/jimmy-darts/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-josh-liljenquist",
      "creator": "Josh Liljenquist",
      "aliases": [
        "Joshlilj"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 8,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising",
        "Direct or practical assistance"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Food and meals",
        "Housing and basic needs",
        "Medical and accessibility",
        "Veterans and first responders"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Restaurant food purchase and distribution",
          "date": "2024-01",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tiktok-food-unhoused-homeless-social-media-clout-charity-altruism-facebook-instagram-viral/600336333",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        },
        {
          "title": "Comfort and Care for Gigi's Final Days",
          "date": "2026-02-19",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/24/st-paul-bans-then-rescinds-ban-on-kindness-influencer-josh-liljenquist",
          "internalUrl": "/impact-azeza-gigi"
        },
        {
          "title": "Help Keegan Experience the World Outside His Home",
          "date": "2026-05-02",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-keegan-experience-the-world-outside-his-home",
          "internalUrl": "/impact-keegan-safe-van"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-josh-liljenquist-and-samuel-wiedenhofer",
      "creator": "Josh Liljenquist and Samuel Wiedenhofer",
      "aliases": [
        "Joshlilj",
        "ItsSozer",
        "Samuel Weidenhofer"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": null,
      "identityNote": "Co-created project attribution; not a separate canonical Person identity for either participant.",
      "projectCount": 1,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Housing and basic needs"
      ],
      "dateRange": "2025-11",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "A Home for Sheena and Baby Joseph",
          "date": "2025-11",
          "sourceUrl": "https://joshliljenquist.com/impact-sheena-baby-joseph",
          "internalUrl": "/impact-sheena-baby-joseph"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-kalina-silverman",
      "creator": "Kalina Silverman",
      "aliases": [
        "Big Talk"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": null,
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 1,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Disaster and emergency recovery"
      ],
      "dateRange": "2025-01-08",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Help Walt get back on his feet after the Devastating Fire",
          "date": "2025-01-08",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-walt-rebuild-after-devastating-fire",
          "internalUrl": null
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-kenny-jary",
      "creator": "Kenny Jary",
      "aliases": [
        "Patriotic Kenny"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-patriotic-kenny",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 2,
      "givingModels": [
        "Direct or practical assistance",
        "Nonprofit or foundation work"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Transportation and mobility"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Initial veteran mobility-scooter campaign",
          "date": "2021",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/tiktok-star-patriotic-kenny-veteran-scooters/",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        },
        {
          "title": "Patriotic Kenny Foundation scooter expansion",
          "date": "2023-08-31",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-31/patriotic-kenny-tiktok-childrens-book-11230962.html",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-mikayla-raines",
      "creator": "Mikayla Raines",
      "aliases": [
        "SaveAFox"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-internet-personality-mikayla-raines",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 2,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising",
        "Direct or practical assistance"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Animals"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "2016 fur-farm fox rescue campaign",
          "date": "2016-05-06",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/22w855qz",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        },
        {
          "title": "SaveAFox veterinary-care fund",
          "date": "2019-04-15",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/1lvs9e2yxc",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-shane-and-hannah-burcaw",
      "creator": "Shane and Hannah Burcaw",
      "aliases": [
        "Squirmy and Grubs"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "squirmy-and-grubs",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 2,
      "givingModels": [
        "Direct or practical assistance"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Education and youth",
        "Medical and accessibility"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Tech the Halls 2018",
          "date": "2018",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/techthehalls2018",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        },
        {
          "title": "No More Nightmares equipment grants",
          "date": "2025",
          "sourceUrl": "https://philanthropy.org/990/report/454553464/laughing-at-my-nightmare-inc",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-yung-gravy",
      "creator": "Yung Gravy",
      "aliases": [
        "Yung Gravy"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "mn-origin-person-yung-gravy",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 1,
      "givingModels": [
        "Donated goods or services"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Education and youth"
      ],
      "dateRange": "2022",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Tour bra donation to I Support the Girls",
          "date": "2022",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.narcity.com/yung-gravy-donated-1900-bras-helped-sort-them",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-zach-johnson",
      "creator": "Zach Johnson",
      "aliases": [
        "Millennial Farmer"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": "millennial-farmer",
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 2,
      "givingModels": [
        "Direct or practical assistance",
        "Donated goods or services"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Community and nonprofit support",
        "Veterans and first responders"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Grain-bin rescue equipment and training campaign",
          "date": "2020-2021",
          "sourceUrl": "https://umash.umn.edu/spotlight-doing-good-minnesota-millennial-farmer-fundraises-for-farm-safety/",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        },
        {
          "title": "Farm Rescue harvest assistance",
          "date": "2025",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/volunteers-help-with-harvest-for-a-minnesota-farm-family-in-need/601512104",
          "internalUrl": "/minnesota/creators-community-giving/"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    },
    {
      "id": "creator-philanthropy-zachery-dereniowski",
      "creator": "Zachery Dereniowski",
      "aliases": [
        "MDMotivator"
      ],
      "canonicalEntityId": null,
      "identityNote": null,
      "projectCount": 2,
      "givingModels": [
        "Audience fundraising",
        "Direct or practical assistance"
      ],
      "causeCategories": [
        "Food and meals",
        "Transportation and mobility"
      ],
      "dateRange": "Multiple dated records; see project dates",
      "exampleProjects": [
        {
          "title": "Let's Change Donald & Joseph's Life",
          "date": "2023-03-25",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-change-donald-josephs-life",
          "internalUrl": null
        },
        {
          "title": "Car and one year of rent presented to Bianca",
          "date": "Mother's Day period 2026; exact event date not stated",
          "sourceUrl": "https://wsvn.com/sports/miami-heat/youtuber-mdmotivator-heats-bam-adebayo-surprise-camillus-house-employee-with-new-car-on-mothers-day/",
          "internalUrl": "/creator-resources/creator-led-crowdfunding/#campaign-zachery-dereniowski-donald-joseph"
        }
      ],
      "evidenceBoundary": "Inclusion documents public creator-involved giving or assistance; it does not imply that every creator self-identifies as a philanthropist or personally funded every project."
    }
  ]
}