Empowering villages. Unlocking potential.

At Mae Philanthropies, we believe deeply in the power of second chances. Sometimes all it takes is one person—or a few—believing in you at the right moment to change the trajectory of your life.

For our founder and chairman, Jim, that belief was hard-earned. As a teenager, he went through a turbulent stretch marked by suspensions, arrests, and missed opportunities. At his lowest point, a bright future felt out of reach. But Jim was fortunate to be surrounded by a small village that believed he could do better. From a perceptive mayor’s court in a small Ohio town, to a police officer who pushed him firmly back on track, to professors and mentors who guided and inspired him, each chose to see potential instead of failure.

Chief among those mentors was Professor Thomas Mantei at the University of Cincinnati. An award-winning teacher, researcher, and guide, Professor Mantei became a steady presence in that village—challenging Jim, offering honest feedback, and connecting him to opportunities that opened new doors.

Mae Philanthropies is committed to paying that energy forward. Inspired by Jim’s journey, we support partners who create second chances through education, career pathways, and personal growth. These are not just stories of redemption—they are investments in people, potential, and possibility.

I know firsthand the power of a village that believes in you. Without those people at key moments—including Professor Mantei, who helped me find my footing—I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s a privilege now to help others find their own second chance.

—Jim Goetz | Founder | Mae Philanthropies

Featured Partners

Mantei/Mae Innovation Fund at the University of Cincinnati

Creating new career pathways in engineering and computer science 

In honor of Professor Mantei, Mae Philanthropies established a $25M Innovation Fund at the University of Cincinnati to expand opportunities for students in engineering and computer science. Since 2021, the gift has:

  • Strengthened the computer science department and entrepreneurial programming

  • Expanded co-op placements to prepare students for industry careers

  • Established the Marian Spencer Scholars Program, supporting high-achieving students from Cincinnati Public Schools

  • Funded scholarships in athletics, honoring UC alumni Travis and Jason Kelce and Kenyon Martin

Just as Professor Mantei once opened doors for Jim, this Innovation Fund ensures today’s UC students can access life-changing opportunities.

Fire and Forestry Recruitment Program (FFRP)

Opening career doors for formerly incarcerated people

Inability to find employment is one of the biggest barriers to re-entry for people leaving prison and is a key driver of recidivism. FFRP, founded by Royal Ramey and Brandon Smith, both formerly incarcerated themselves, tackles this head-on by preparing people for firefighting careers before and after release.

The program has placed 200+ individuals into forestry and fire service jobs while maintaining a 10% recidivism rate, compared to California’s 41.9% and the national 82%. By supporting FFRP’s expansion in the Bay Area, Mae is investing in second-chance career pathways while also helping to meet critical workforce needs in the forestry sector.

Prison Puppy Training Programs

Transforming lives through service dogs

Prison-based service dog training programs are a powerful example of second chances in action. These programs help train urgently needed service dogs to address the national shortage, provide incarcerated individuals with meaningful, purposeful work, and build skills that prepare participants for careers in dog training after release.

Mae supports both Canine Companions and Little Angels Service Dogs in scaling their prison puppy programs. Our support has also helped these organizations strengthen data collection to better understand the programs’ impact—not only on service dog supply but also on participant outcomes, including reduced recidivism.