Higher Hope Foundation provides crucial financial assistance to families impacted by violent crime through our structured grant program. We understand that in the aftermath of tragedy, families face unexpected financial burdens while seeking justice and healing. Our Hope Grants help cover essential expenses such as funeral costs, private investigator fees, and other critical needs that arise during these challenging times. Through our transparent application process and dedicated support team, we ensure that 100% of donation funds go directly to families in need. Our connection to Mile Higher Media allows us to amplify these stories while maintaining dignity and respect for those we serve.
Through our Empower Grants, we strengthen and support nonprofit organizations dedicated to victim advocacy and resources. We partner with established 501(c)(3) organizations that share our mission of supporting those affected by violent crime, extending our impact beyond individual cases to create lasting change. Our rigorous vetting process ensures that funded projects deliver meaningful results and sustainable support systems. By empowering these organizations, we help build a broader network of resources for families in need. This dual-grant approach allows us to address both immediate needs and long-term community support structures.
The Impact of Higher Hope
Total funds distributed
Sinethemba “Victor” Mkhubukeli is proof that empowered youth become powerful changemakers.
From a small rural village in Matatiele to leading legal and community development initiatives, Victor has dedicated the last four years to advocacy, project coordination, and policy work that tackles gender-based violence, human trafficking, and education reform.
Currently completing his Law Diploma at the University of South Africa, Victor brings legal knowledge, cultural insight, and grassroots experience into every space he enters — bridging gaps and breaking down barriers for underserved communities.
With a rare ability to translate complex legal ideas into local language, Victor ensures that critical information reaches those who need it most. His leadership is already transforming awareness campaigns, supporting young people, and making justice more accessible.
Higher Hope has partnered with ASAP to fund Victor’s salary, allowing him to stay rooted in the community.
His success isn’t just personal - it’s a ripple effect of hope, change, and possibility.
#LegalAdvocacy #CommunityDrivenChange #GenderEquity
Combat Sexual Assault provides legal representation, holistic healing programs, and unwavering advocacy to Service Members, Veterans, and their families who have been retaliated against for reporting sexual assault.
They have empowered survivors to seek justice, facilitated their healing processes, and contributed to meaningful changes within the military system to better protect and support those who have experienced sexual assault.
Each client is supported in building a network of care and offered holistic protocols that address the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of trauma. This often includes yoga, meditation, and movement-based therapies through their Empowerment Protocol.
Thanks to our `Empower` grant, all six of the 2025 Empowerment Protocol series are fully funded.
Learn more or support their mission at CombatSexualAssault.org.
#YouGotThis #IAmDenishaMontgomerySmith
The Grieve with Me Community Center is a powerful example of how community nonprofits can create a ripple effect of healing and hope for families affected by violent crime.
We’re so grateful to witness the meaningful change Jamie is already making in her community.
#testimonial
Today, May 5th, marks REDress Day or Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People Awareness Day.
REDress Day raises awareness of MMIWG2S by displaying red dresses in public spaces. The empty dresses serve as powerful symbols of the Indigenous lives lost to disproportionately high rates of violence, making their absence visible and impossible to ignore.
Mile Higher Media and the Higher Hope Foundation stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities, calling for meaningful action and systemic change to end the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP).
In honor of REDress Day, we are not only displaying symbolic red dresses to raise awareness, but we have also dedicated our first grant of May to support a nonprofit making a significant impact in the fight for MMIP.
Here are some critical MMIP resources:
TribalResourceTool.org
ovc.ojp.gov/program/tribal/ovc-support-for-tribal-communities
CSVANW.org
Eric Nelams, a military veteran and devoted father, was tragically shot on the morning of September 26, 2003 in a senseless act of violence, as he left his home for work.
More than 20 years later, his case remains unsolved, leaving his family still searching for answers. We stand with the Nelams family in their fight for justice and have contributed to the Central Alabama Crimestoppers reward fund, bringing it to $15,000 to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
To report an anonymous tip for this case, call 334-215-7867 or 1-833-251-7867
Today, our team hosted a resource table at the annual Jefferson County Courage Walk, an event held at the county courthouse by the Victim Services Unit to honor crime victims and provide valuable resources. This walk marks the close of Crime Victims’ Rights Week and brings the community together in remembrance and support.
Building connections, broadening our impact, and supporting our local Colorado communities remain key goals for us this year—and participating in events like this is just one meaningful way we’re making that happen.
This National Crime Victims` Rights Week, the Mile Higher Media and Higher Hope team stand in solidarity with survivors, victims, and their families — honoring their strength and supporting their pursuit of justice and healing.
This year’s theme, "Kinship: Connecting & Healing" highlights the power of community and connection in supporting victims of crime.
To show our support, the Mile Higher Media team is wearing this year’s theme colors throughout the week — a visual reminder that healing happens when we come together.
To learn more or access resources, visit the U.S. Department of Justice`s Office for Victims of Crime: https://ovc.ojp.gov/
Supporting the Higher Hope Foundation has never been easier! With our latest merch update, 100% of proceeds from all Mile Higher Media podcast merchandise will now go directly to Higher Hope.
Now, you can support both your favorite podcasts and victims of violent crime at the same time - making every purchase more meaningful.
Shop all collections at milehighermerch.com
Testimonials
The Higher Hope Foundation really took some of the burden from our family. We’ve been grieving for twenty years, and some years we’ve fought as hard as we could, with little to no support. We felt seen and supported by a foundation that TRULY cares. And, where we’ve carried the financial burden of search and awareness efforts for so long, we were able to continue our fight for justice and our search efforts to find Jennifer and Adrianna just by connecting with Higher Hope in 2024. They shared our story and our case with so many, and for that, we’ll be eternally grateful. We cannot let the world forget our girls and the justice that they deserve.
Jennifer & Andrianna Wix’s Family
The Empower grant has made it possible for us to open the non-profit Grieve With Me Community Center in memory of our daughter April Holt whose life was taken in 2023. The Empower Grant was not just given to us but rather to our entire community. Each person that walks through the door for grief support is being touched with a piece of the Empower grant. The funds we received provided us with the ability to create a supportive and loving space for anyone seeking a grief community to support them through their most difficult times. We are forever grateful for the entire team that made the Empower Grant possible. Together we will impact one life at a time!
Jamie – Grieve With Me Community Center
Working with Higher Hope Foundation is an absolute pleasure. They prioritize a streamlined application, are extremely efficient in their grant-making process, and are fantastic communicators. It is such a privilege to have them as a partner in our mission.