Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Grace Payne.
Hi Avery Grace, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My purpose, and the beginnings of my nonprofit, comes from Christ – and from the testimony He has entrusted me to bear. I lost a friend to cancer at a young age and witnessed firsthand the grief childhood cancer causes families.
I founded Stroke of Hope Foundation for Childhood Cancer at 17 years old, and obtained 501c3 status in April 2024. Noah loved receiving mail and, his last Christmas, was sent over 1.2 million cards from across the world. I send care packages to families facing pediatric cancer to spread the joy and love of Christ to families facing dark times. Since founding my organization, I have had the privilege and honor of serving over 500 families worldwide, through care packages, artwork, and relational support.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! Nonprofit work is a bit difficult to get off the ground at first, especially doing it solo as a young person. My biggest struggle was budget. My nonprofit was very small when I began, so I was able to do everything mostly out of pocket with small fundraising and donations as supplementals. However, between the costs of supplies, shipping, and 501c3 management, I quickly realized that finances were, in fact, something I was going to have to worry about. Since then, I’ve established a stockpile of material donations (mainly through Amazon wishlist or gently used items) or generic ‘filler’ items I purchase. I fundraise, for big-ticket items, and for shipping. I’ve been blessed to have a community that genuinely desires to uplift, uphold, and support me and the families I am so privileged to get to serve.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Stroke of Hope Foundation for Childhood Cancer?
Stroke of Hope Foundation for Childhood Cancer is a 501c3 nonprofit that sends care packages to children facing pediatric cancer. I am also an artist and graphic designer and use those skills to fundraiser both for my nonprofit and for individual families I serve. I maintain relationships with the families I work with, providing ongoing support beyond the services I provide. I am most proud of the way I have gotten to tangibly support and serve each of the families I’ve been entrusted to, and the ability to steward well my gifts and talents.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
For the dreamers and the doers:
The most important qualities to acquire and maintain are humility, tenacity, and self-respect. My biggest advice relates to each of these. Firstly, stay humble. Stay kind. Put others before yourself. Trust in God as He leads you along this path. Remember that the most important measure of success is not your own personal gain, but the people you impact and the lives you touch. If you have a gift, put yourself out there. Steward well the talents you’ve been endowed. Secondly, don’t give up. Ever. Keep pushing. Things will always be slow in the beginning. There will be times that feel slow and like you are getting nowhere. But, stay steadfast. You will get there. You’ll find the right people to get you on your feet. And things will take off from there. Lastly, set your boundaries. Put policies in place. I had to learn the hard way that you can’t just blindly give everyone your ‘yes’. Pick your focus – then stick to it. Know your morals and limits – then stick to them. Not every wind that leads you will lead you the right way. Set your sights. Stay focused. Don’t stray.
Be hopeful. Be hardworking. Love God. Love People. Don’t stop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stroke-of-hope.mailchimpsites.com/
- Instagram: strokeofhope.fdn
