Skip to content
An image from Supermegastudios’ Facebook page shows NFT funding a $15,000 donation to Kids Unlimited. [Courtesy image]
A picture from Super Mega Studios’ Facebook page shows NFT funding a $15,000 donation to Kids Unlimited. [Courtesy image]
Kids Unlimited in Medford received an unexpected $15,000 match Thursday to help with the more than 2,000 meals it provides daily for local youth.
The donation was unexpected in many ways. A cash injection for the food program wasn’t on Executive Director Tom Cole’s radar, to say the least.
Even more surprisingly, the donation was made through the sale of a form of cryptocurrency called NFTs — the first such donation for the local nonprofit.
Non-fungible tokens — also known as NFTs — are artificially scarce digital objects created using blockchain technology to mint “unique” versions of digital artwork, sports memorabilia, famous photographs, and anything else that can be digitized, according to the Associated Press.
To convert them into NFTs, a declaration of ownership must be placed on a blockchain, typically the Ethereum blockchain, creating a permanent record of “ownership.”
The $15,000, delivered to Kids Unlimited by check Thursday, came from the sale of an NFT by Super Mega Studios, who recently auctioned off a GalaKnights collectible as part of an exclusive launch.
“Kids Unlimited is the first beneficiary of our NFT launch and we believe it represents the future of social philanthropy,” said Josh Pierce, founder of Super Mega Studios, who helped present the check to Kids Unlimited on Thursday. “It’s the perfect combination of progressive programming and progressive purpose.”
Cole said the origin of the donation, which came from an NFT intended to support charitable efforts, was a great fit for the organization dedicated to educating and enriching the lives of local youth.
“We have never received a gift from the cryptocurrency world before and it is inspiring to envision the future of funding in this space,” he added.
“We’re constantly trying to evolve to program for the present and the future, and this gift is certainly a welcome opportunity for both.”
Cole said the gift would help pay for meals provided to local students at Kids Unlimited locations and after-school programs.
“After looking at what we offer here they were really impressed and particularly liked the level at which our nutritional program serves the children. We serve 2,000 freshly prepared meals daily. We now have 600 students that we serve in our charter schools. We prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for all of these kids and serve our after-school facilities — well over 200 kids there,” said Cole.
“The actual number is greater than 2,000, but 2,000 is a good low estimate.”
Cole said poverty rates on Kids Unlimited campuses are significant and a quality food program has far-reaching benefits for youth and their families.
“Both Kids Unlimited schools are of high poverty. Our Medford campus is 100% poverty-stricken. There is some prosperity in this valley, but we see some very significant differences in the economy and many challenges our children face,” he noted.
“We are grateful to be part of what we aspired to do so many years ago. As we move into summer, one of the things we had as an unfunded part of the nutrition program was extra food on the weekends for families who might not have access to the same type of healthy meals during the week.”
Cole marveled at raising crypto funds for an organization that started when “dial-up internet” was “yet another thing.”
“We’ve been around for about 25 years and we’ve seen a lot of different trends around funding and whatnot, including the way the internet has evolved,” he said.
“This gift represents a very different reality – or virtual reality, if you will – of what is to come. A different reality for commerce and certainly philanthropy.”
To donate to Kids Unlimited programs or the meal program, email Cole at [email protected] or call 541-774-3900. Visit kuaoregon.org for more information
Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].