How to Write a Letter of Thanks for Donations
Funding can be one of the biggest single challenges of running a nonprofit. Without funding, programming becomes increasingly difficult….
Author: Giovonni Santiago
Giovonni Santiago is an Akron-based transgender advocate, military veteran and founder of META Center Inc, a nonprofit dedicated to educating, motivating and inspiring transgender youth in need of resources and support. Santiago served in the US Air Force from 2006 to 2010 before a back injury forced him to return to civilian life. Upon his return to Northeast Ohio, Santiago received his degree in early childhood education and began teaching preschool and coaching youth sports. In 2013, Santiago started his transition at Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As his doctor's first transgender patient, they both recognized a lack of resources and worked together to create the G.I.V.E Clinic. When the clinic opened in 2015, it became the first transgender-specific clinic in the country. Santiago is a trusted voice in the LGBTQ community facilitating workshops at TransOhio, Trans in the CLE , the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference as well as speaking at the Nature Conservancy in Washington DC. Locally, he has spoken at the Cleveland Clinic Patient Experience Summit and the Nurses Conference at Akron Children's Hospital. He served as the diversity liaison for the inaugural Akron Pride and helped pass the first non-discrimination as a part of Akron United. He was recently named one of Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People for 2018 and was featured on NBC Out's #Pride30 list celebrating LGBTQ individuals making an impact across the country. Giovonni also walked the runway during New York Fashion Week for dapperQ showing there's no limit to his ability to make an impact just by being his authentic self.