Empowering Young Minds: The Next Phase of the Hummingbird Platform

Driven by a vision for inclusive education and accessible learning, the Newman Global Initiative is thrilled to announce the next major evolution of Project Butterfly with the Hummingbird Platform. What began as a broad initiative to dismantle literacy barriers is now taking a vital, focused step forward to champion our youth. While our initial scope …

10 Years, Countless Lives: Celebrating a Decade of Impact

As the United States celebrates its historic 250th anniversary, our young team and I find ourselves paused in deep reflection, celebrating a momentous milestone of our own. This year marks the 10th anniversary of our organization, and it is a beautiful time to look back on how far we have come. What a remarkable journey …

The Modesto Project: Empowering Communities Through Nano Funds  

We’re Julian DePaoli and Eric Newman, students who have been fortunate to collaborate with remarkable organizations and individuals. In May 2025, we are excited to introduce a new initiative we’ve been developing: The Modesto Project, also known as the Nano Fund. The concept is simple: to provide small, no-obligation micro-funds to individuals, small businesses, and …

Letter From Our Founder: Progress and Partnership

As 2024 enters its final stretch, we’re filled with a mix of gratitude and optimism. The generosity and passion of our supporters, both new and long-standing, continue to amaze us. It’s this shared commitment that allows us to remain dedicated in our pursuit of micro-impact initiatives that truly uplift communities. Our work with Inspira in …

Battling the Reading Gap: Project Butterfly Takes Flight

Reading struggles in early grades are more prevalent than we often acknowledge. A significant portion, around 20-30%, of young learners grapple with reading difficulties. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, my teammate Matthew Newman and I embarked on a journey to make a difference. Over 18 months ago, the concept of “Project Butterfly,” a free …