05/13/2026
What is The Small Magic Foundation and why does it exist?
We are a Tampa Bay 501c3 whose mission is to inspire and empower youth by equipping them to drive change in themselves and their communities, through small acts with big impact.
We exist because there is a gap in opportunities for local kids here in the Tampa Bay area. AND there are very real costs associated with that gap.
There are approximately 22,000 youth in the area who have not finished school and who are unemployed. During the course of the life, they will cost the taxpayers of this community about $250,000 each. That adds up to roughly
$5 billion dollars. This is the hard figure in dollars that impacts this community.
There is the talent gap issue that is associated with this. When our local businesses can't find enough skilled workers to fill high-demand positions, they struggle to stay competitive, which holds back our entire regional economy. And when our young people are stuck on the sidelines, our community misses out on all the fresh ideas and creativity they could be bringing to the table.
When young people in Tampa Bay aren’t in school or working, it takes a heartbreaking toll on their well-being that goes far beyond their bank accounts. These aren’t just statistics; they are our neighbors facing real struggles, dealing with much higher rates of mental health challenges and substance use. This group is also more likely to struggle with chronic physical illnesses, which makes it even harder for them to get back on their feet.
The cost of doing nothing in Tampa is incredibly high, as you can see from the numbers and data above. The investment needed to spark a real change is surprisingly small. We can either watch these costs keep climbing, or we can step up with a minor investment right now to create a much brighter path for our youth and our entire community.
Check back next week, and we’ll walk through exactly how we’re planning to tackle these challenges.
For more information: https://www.smallmagicfoundation.org/
