A donor may never meet the coach whose education they helped make possible. They may never see her log on to class from Sudan in the dark, using a laptop she charged while electricity was available. And they may never witness the programs she later brings to her own community. But that unseen ripple effect is exactly why Sophia Casey supports the ICF Foundation Scholarship Program. 

Sophia Casey has been a Scholarship Provider with the ICF Foundation for 3 years. When Sophia began her coaching career, she was grateful for extraordinary mentors, coaching educators, and leaders who supported her. But she also remembers something that was missing. 

"When I started my coaching career, I didn't see a lot of people who look like me," Sophia shared. "And that was tough." 

That experience shaped her commitment to making coaching education more visible, welcoming and accessible. Today, as founder and chief empowerment officer of International Coaching & Leadership Institute Rising, Sophia teaches students from around the globe. 

For Sophia, the ICF Foundation Scholarship program is not simply a program she supports. It is a way to grow coaching education, expand access, and pay forward the support she has received. 

"The mission of the ICF Foundation is really personal to me because one of my highest values is paying it forward," she shares. "I've had a lot of mentors and coaches and leaders pour into me… so I wanted to make sure that I poured into others and I gave back." 

One student's story has been impactful to Sophia. The student, living in Sudan, often attended class late at night without electricity. She charged her laptop ahead of time, logged on to Zoom in the dark and continued learning, practicing and coaching. 

"She charged up her laptop, she turned it on, she came on Zoom, and she coached," Sophia recalled. "I am forever inspired by that." 

Because the ICF Scholarship program allowed her to be in that class, the impact did not stop with one learner. Sophia shared that the graduate brought coaching back to her country and community, beginning programs intended to create meaningful, positive social impact.  

Sophia's story is a perfect example of the ripple effect of giving. A donation may begin as support for the ICF Scholarship Program, but it can become training, confidence, and transformation in communities donors may never personally see. 

"You may never, ever know how your impact on their life actually created a ripple effect," Sophia said. "But it's just something that is so rewarding and fills my heart to be able to give back." 

This Giving Tuesday, you have an opportunity to create that ripple effect. Your gift to the ICF Foundation can help more coaches access education, grow their skills and bring coaching into communities around the world. 

Give today to help support the ICF Scholarship Program and create social impact in communities you may never see.