Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Semper Gratus. honored as 1 of 50 Disney's Magic Makers

When Ian Coyle, founder and president of Semper Gratus., found out he was selected as one of Disney’s Magic Makers, he wanted to pay it forward by giving someone else his free trip to Walt Disney World.

The act is just one of the qualities the Leechburg native and Shaler resident’s nonprofit embodies and provides to others around the Pittsburgh area.

Out of 30,000 nominations, Semper Gratus. — Latin for “always grateful” — named one of the 50 winners for Disney’s Magic Makers contest.

Coyle found out the organization was nominated in September. The organization was named a winner in late October. Winners receive a five-day, four-night trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

“I’m speechless,” Coyle said. “As an organization, we never expect anything in return. We are so incredibly thankful for growing support we continue to get.”

Coyle was not able to pay the trip forward because of contest guidelines and rules. But he’s grateful Semper Gratus. was recognized for its efforts as it enters its seventh year.

“To be recognized by an entity by a namesake like Disney, they caught us off guard by making a magical moment for us,” he said.

Magic Makers can range from healthcare workers, public safety workers, volunteers, donors, teachers and others. Their work can include helping family members, undeserved communities, pediatric patients, animals in need of urgent care, or communities impacted by covid-19.

All 50 states received nominations. Pennsylvania was among one of the top five states with nominated groups, making up 5% of total nominations. California, New York, Texas and Florida topped nominations.

Bailey Pallus, Semper Gratus.’s program coordinator, said Coyle was the perfect choice because of his selfless attitude and generous acts.

“They went through thousands and thousands of applicants,” she said. “For them to choose him, that truthfully says a lot. For them to be so moved by what he does and to pick him is huge.”

The Pittsburgh-based organization help support pediatric patients experiencing various forms of cancers, diseases and disabilities in addition to other general acts of kindness to help enrich others experiences.

Semper Gratus. has held many events including themed charity runs — Shamrock Shuffle and Santa Shuffle — to raise proceeds. Some have taken place in the Kiski Valley.

Coyle said the organization has raised over $140,000 in the last six years to benefit various nonprofits, such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Cerebral Palsy.

Covid-19 restritcions last year did not hinder the organization’s progress. Coyle said in 2020, it was able to raise $30,000, surprise an Ohio family with a trip to Disney courtesy of the Pitt-Ohio trucking company, and do a community engagement project asking community members, “What does kindness mean to you?”

This year, the organization was able to raise over $45,000.

A group of four people makeup the organization and 350-450 volunteers called the “Do Good Tribe” help out.

”The opportunity to make a difference is incredible,” Coyle said.

Coyle does not want to take all the credit for the honor. He credits his team and the work being done to achieve such an accomplishment.

“It’s not about me, and more about everyone else,” he said. “It is about the magic we are creating for others.”