The Impact of Higher Hope
Donors supporting our cause
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.
It means so much to hear these words from our partners at @coveredcolorado 🩵
We’re incredibly proud to help fund their job readiness program, which supports survivors of sex trafficking as they build skills and work toward sustainable employment.
The compassion and dedication their team brings to this work every day is truly inspiring. We’re grateful to play a part in supporting their efforts and look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership. ⛰️🫶
Come with us to Covered Colorado’s Lighting the Way Gala 🫶🏻
A room full of people showing up for survivors, listening to their stories, and standing behind the work that supports them. By the end of the night, more than $60,000 was raised to help further Covered Colorado’s mission.
We’re honored to support that work as a Luminary Sponsor and through our ongoing partnership with @coveredcolorado ✨
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 💜
At Higher Hope Foundation, we stand with survivors. This month — and every month — we’re committed to listening, learning, supporting survivors, and amplifying the organizations and resources working to create safer communities.
We also invite you to read our article "The Invisible Walls: Understanding The Non-Physical Side Of Domestic Abuse", to learn more about the forms abuse can take beyond physical violence. Link in bio!
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence — physical or non-physical — support is available:
|National Domestic Violence Hotline|
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788
Chat: thehotline.org
|Love Is Respect — support for young people|
Call: 1-866-331-9474
Text: LOVEIS to 22522
Chat: loveisrespect.org
|State-specific legal information and resources for survivors of abuse. WomensLaw.org |
To every survivor: your voice matters, your story matters, and you are not alone.
#DomesticViolenceAwareness #SupportSurvivors #HigherHopeFoundation #EndDomesticAbuse
Remembering the people who are deeply loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten. Today and always, we honor their lives and the love they left behind. 🤍
Two years of Higher Hope Foundation🤍
Two years ago, Higher Hope was just a dream born from our time in the true crime space as a way to not only amplify voices but support them on their journey. Today, we’re incredibly grateful to look back on two years of turning that dream into real-life impact for victims, families, and communities affected by violent crime.
Every photo in this collage represents one of our grantees - each with their own story, their own loved ones, and their own reason for why this work matters. They are the heart of everything we do.
For two years, we`ve stood beside victims.
And for two years, you`ve stood beside us.
To everyone who has donated, shared our mission, supported our work, partnered with us, or simply believed in what we’re building: thank you. Your support empowers Higher Hope to provide resources, relieve the burden, and stand beside those affected by violent crime.
We’re so grateful for everything these past two years have brought, and even more grateful that we get to continue this work together.
Thank you for two years of helping us turn hope into impact.
Cheers to Change. 🥂
As we get ready to celebrate Higher Hope Foundation’s 2nd anniversary tomorrow, we’re taking a look back at some of the moments that have shaped this journey along the way.
From launching in September 2024 and supporting our very first family, to growing meaningful partnerships, expanding our reach, and creating new ways to connect resources with those who need them most - these past two years have been filled with so many moments worth celebrating.
This timeline captures just a few of the milestones along the way. Behind each one, there are dozens of families, grantees, partners, supporters, and an incredible community who have helped make this work possible.
We’re so grateful for how far we’ve come together, and tomorrow, we’ll celebrate the impact we’ve created, while looking ahead to all that’s still to come. ✨
Two years of hope, made possible together.
#HigherHopeFoundation #TwoYearsOfHope #CheersToChange
Empower Grant Update
Due to a high volume of applications, we will be temporarily pausing Empower grant submissions beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 10 PM MST.
We know the current funding climate for nonprofits is incredibly competitive, and we truly wish we had the capacity to process every application we receive. In order to give our current applicants the time and consideration they deserve in our review process while creating space for future grants, we need to pause submissions at this time.
Thank you to every organization that has trusted Higher Hope with their work and shared the impact they’re making in their communities. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support you.💙
We’ll share updates when Empower grant submissions reopen!
Chance Edmiston was a 27-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran who tragically died from a gunshot wound in the front yard of his home in Windsor, Missouri, on July 7, 2023. Authorities classified his death as a suicide and closed the case as non-criminal, a determination his family says was made within minutes of the 911 call, before any real investigation took place.
This ruling came with a string of alleged failures by the Henry County Sheriff`s Department and then-Coroner Dain Sisk. The scene was never secured or properly processed, no autopsy or gunshot-residue testing was conducted, no bullet or casing was recovered, and the firearm entered into evidence reportedly appears to have been altered after being logged.
Chance`s family strongly disputes the suicide ruling and believes he was murdered. They are seeking an extensive investigation into his death, to hold Law Enforcement accountable and to make changes within the failed judicial system.
To learn more about the path to justice for Chance and how you can support the ongoing efforts, visit Justice4Chance.com or follow @justice4chance22 for updates.
Testimonials
The Higher Hope Foundation reached out to me on one of my hardest days since losing my mom to homicide. Since the day I learned she was taken from me, I have lived in constant financial stress, agonizing grief and the feeling of just wanting RELIEF, even if I couldn’t name it. When I was told I would be receiving help to cover costs regarding the loss of my mom, I cried. I had a release of those very emotions I mentioned above. Knowing that there was a foundation made for people in my situation, sponsored by people who have the means to help and actually do was a great feeling. In the midst of tragedy, I was not alone. I was seen and I was supported. Higher Hope gave me relief. Thank you, from the bottom of my broken heart. This will help my family get one step closer to escaping financial strain.
Leah Howard, Daughter of Valerie Howard
As a viewer of TCKR and eventually all the Mile Higher Media shows for 8 years now, I never thought I’d have a need for this grant. I have supported by buying merchandise and being an active viewer of the channels. When this tragedy happened, and we realized there would be a high financial need, I immediately thought to apply for a Hope grant. My family is beyond grateful to have been chosen to receive this grant. Haley emailed me and we hopped on a call the same day, only about a week after applying- and I signed paperwork the same day. Our goal is that Paxton is not forgotten and that what happened to her can be a lesson for women or men enduring the same abuse she did. If someone who loves you lays a hand on you, they do not love you. Seek help and safety as soon as possible. Do not doubt that the abuse will escalate. Paxton April Wallace was a smart, kind, and resilient woman. She was a sister, a niece, and a daughter. Her death will not be in vain.
Alida Wallace-Baldwin, Mother of Paxton Wallace
The Empower grant enabled us to waive registration for all families of unsolved homicide victims and long-term missing persons, allowing them to attend our 2025 Cold Case Symposium in person or virtually. Our symposium brings together families, experts, advocates, and investigators to raise awareness and share insights while working towards resolution in unsolved cases, while also promoting healing.
Project: Cold Case, Inc.
Advocating for a missing or murdered child is perhaps the second toughest duty that a parent may ever face, the first obviously would be accepting that their child is, in fact, missing or murdered. It is emotionally draining, physically exhausting and financially burdensome. The Hope Grant awarded us by the Higher Hope Foundation has helped alleviate this burden and allow us to continue the task of putting this horrible puzzle together. For this we are incredibly grateful!
Steven and Renee Patten, Parents of Morgan Patten
The Higher Hope Foundation ‘Empower’ grant has significantly improved the quality of the forensic interviews that CARE House of Oakland County conducts by providing funding for newer, fully-functioning microphone systems that are used to record the interviews of child abuse victims for multi-disciplinary team child protection, law enforcement and prosecution personnel. The ‘Empower’ grant is also impacting the ability of CARE House to conduct these interviews, by providing funding directly for the cost of forensic interviews, so that child abuse victims have a safe and welcoming environment in which to share their experience. CARE House of Oakland County is only able to help child abuse victims heal with the generous support of incredible partners like the Higher Hope Foundation.
CARE House of Oakland County
The Higher Hope Foundation has made a huge impact on my family’s life. Making me give hope for humanity in the darkest times of our lives. The process of receiving the Hope Grant was beyond easy to do. The process was explained very well. The people I talked to were all so kind and caring. Through the process they were always there and I can’t explain how much this means to us. The money is going towards the Lawyer’s bills. This money is going up help take some stress off of our shoulders. We can’t believe how much helo the Hope Foundation is willing to help victims and their families like us.
Brianna Stockemer, Sister of Betty Bowman
Because of Higher Hope’s investment, the Arizona Border Alliance was able to launch Puentes de Esperanza in Douglas, Arizona, a comprehensive, trauma informed program serving survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and trafficking in one of the most underserved border communities in the state. This funding has directly enabled us to provide bilingual crisis response and case management, expand access to healing services like trauma informed yoga and art therapy, and create safe, private spaces for survivors to access virtual therapy, legal services, and court proceedings through our SafeTech Project.
Arizona Border Alliance
At Missing In America Network, we are honored to be a recipient of the Empower Grant, a gift that is making a real, measurable difference in our mission to support families with missing loved ones.This grant came at a critical time, allowing us to strengthen the core of our operations and expand the reach of our advocacy. With Empower’s support:We’re now reaching up to 250,000 people per day through our missing person billboard campaigns.Our online awareness campaigns are reaching over 50,000 people daily, not including shares.In just 6 weeks, we’ve printed and distributed 1,500 flyers directly to families, plus another 1,000 through community partners.We’ve invested in specialized training for our Family Advocate Support Team.Today, we are actively supporting over 100 open cases, and have walked beside more than 500 families over the past four years.Thanks to the Empower Grant, our families feel seen. Our advocates are better equipped. And our reach is growing to bring hope where it’s needed most. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Missing in America Network
Higher Hope has been a pleasure to work with. Their application is really easy to fill out and we really appreciate their support of our work.