Header image photos provided

Tiffany Nguyen and Mike Lawton are the inaugural Light the Way Grant recipients.

A couple of weeks ago, we covered the announcement of the Light the Way Grant program. This funding program, spearheaded by Ryan Inzana, is built on helping the Magic community in its philanthropic efforts. For more information on Light the Way, you can circle back to the interview we conducted with Ryan on the topic.

The program has just recently announced its two recipients! Tiffany Nguyen and Mike Lawton earned funding for their respective projects this time around. We also got a chance to interview these recipients on the process behind applying.

Interview With Tiffany Nguyen

Tiffany Nguyen, also known as But Make It Cat, is a Magic content creator. She was a Magic Ambassador for the Edge of Eternities and Avatar: The Last Airbender sets. She also has the title of GIRUDO Ambassador under her extensive list of achievements.

What project proposal outline did you send in your application?

The HTN Memorial Team Trios is an annual charity tournament benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in memory of my dad, Hong Tan Nguyen. With the support of this grant, we are focusing on improving the player experience, upgrading our livestream production, and boosting our overall fundraising.

How did you find out about the Light the Way grant program, and what about it was a good fit for your proposed project?

I first came across the grant through Ryan Inzana's Bluesky. The application states that "the purpose of this grant is to incentivize projects that will make a positive impact on our communities through engagement and/or charity." HTN Memorial Team Trios does exactly that: we are a growing Magic community that comes together to not only play in a fun tournament but also to increase awareness of an important cause and raise money for charity. Knowing how much impact grassroots funding can have, I knew it would be an incredible opportunity to help elevate the HTN Memorial Team Trios 2026 event and expand our fundraising reach for Parkinson's research.

Photos provided.

How does it feel to have been accepted into the program?

It was genuinely surreal and deeply humbling. Putting together events like this takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, so seeing outside organizations like the Light the Way team recognize and support our vision means the world to our community. The grant committee believing in our project means so much to me. I am especially grateful to Ryan for funding this grant on his own. It really shows his commitment to making a positive impact on the broader Magic community.

By your projection, how long will it be until your proposal comes to full fruition?

Our main milestone is the upcoming tournament, scheduled for December 5, 2026, in Alexandria, Virginia. Leading up to that, we'll be finalizing player registration, locking in our livestream coverage setup, collecting more raffle prizes, and ramping up our community fundraising campaigns through the fall.

How can other people get involved in your project, at this stage of the process?

Players and supporters can check out our event details on our website, join our Discord, donate directly to our Michael J. Fox Foundation fundraising page, or tune into the livestream on December 5!

Interview With Mike Lawton

Mike Lawton, also known online as Mike Wildspeaker, is a high school science teacher who also runs his school's game club.

What project proposal outline did you send in your application?

Here are two relevant sections from the project application I submitted that outline my proposal.

My project is purchasing Magic products and providing them for free to students of my game club, which is an after-school extracurricular activity I run at the inner-city public high school where I teach science. My goal is to lower the financial barriers to playing Magic for underrepresented demographics in the gaming community. I want to give my students the resources and inspiration to enjoy all the myriad benefits of gaming on social, emotional, intellectual, developmental, and mental health and well-being.

I will use the funds to purchase Jumpstart and Commander preconstructed decks to give to the students of my game club. Jumpstart is the perfect product for my game club, where beginners can play with minimal friction, and experienced players can mentor new players in exciting, competitive games. Whenever I've been lucky enough to get some Jumpstart, it's quickly, enthusiastically consumed. Commander is the most popular format at the club, but many lose interest in a game they otherwise are loving when they find it cost-prohibitive. These products would be used over the course of the fall 2026 school year.

Michael Lawton (Photo provided)

How did you find out about the Light the Way grant program, and what about it was a good fit for your proposed project?

I heard about the Light the Way grant program when I ran across Ryan Inzana's Bluesky post seeking "to fund a project that will make a positive impact on our communities through player engagement and/or charity."

How does it feel to have been accepted into the program?

I was overjoyed when Ryan told me that my proposal was accepted, knowing I'll be able to fuel so many games, moments of growth, positive connections, friendships, and the joy that will make high school so much better for so many. All the reactions and kind words I saw on social media were heartwarming and deeply moving.

By your projection, how long will it be until your proposal comes to full fruition?

I will research and strategically purchase Jumpstart and Commander products using educational discounts offered by my wonderful community LGSs to stretch the impacts of the funding as far as possible. These Jumpstart packs will be cracked over the course of the school year: the spark fueling students' first games. I will purchase Commander decks that are both cost-effective and beginner-friendly, such as the Starter Commander product line, allowing students to easily join the most popular format at the club. Week by week, I'll be giving away these products to students, and they'll turn into students' first games, first collections, and first impressions that lead, for many, into fulfilling lifelong passions, as it has for so many of us.

How can other people get involved in your project, at this stage of the process?

On [my] Bluesky, highlights of the club can be found and I can be reached. The club receives no funding from the school, and so any support from the community has a big impact. I don't run this gaming club just to game. My club is in the unique position of being most students' first impressions of gaming culture, and I take seriously ensuring it is a positive one. So, I am very intentional in imparting the values of equity, honesty, fairness, a growth mindset, and inclusion. Free product lowers financial barriers, and having the club at the students' school lowers geographic barriers to playing Magic. As I endeavor to shape the next generation of Magic players in a positive way, I've found my efforts overwhelmingly applauded and supported by the broader community, and their donations are what have enabled the Magic to happen. Light the Way is a powerful example of that; the future is brighter for it. The Magic really is in The Gathering.

Philanthropy Can Light the Way

Congratulations to the recipients of the Light the Way grant program! Your achievements with the help of the grants will, no doubt, make the Magic community very proud.