For Nicholas Lowinger, giving back started with something simple: a pair of shoes. What began as a bar mitzvah service project at age 12 has grown into Gotta Have Sole, a nonprofit that has provided new footwear to children living in homeless shelters across the United States for 15 years. Today, the organization continues to grow its reach, expand its partnerships, and give kids the opportunity to take their next step with dignity. Nicholas shared what lessons he has learned on this journey and what is ahead for Gotta Have Sole
What inspired you to start Gotta Have Sole?
The inspiration goes back to when I was five years old. My mom, who was an art therapist, was working in the homeless shelter system in Rhode Island. She encouraged me not to show off my new sneakers when we visited, since many of the children there did not have shoes that fit or were wearing pairs that were falling apart, if they even had shoes at all. That experience opened my eyes to a problem I had never thought about before. I went home and searched my closet to find extra shoes to donate. However, I realized that I could only help the few kids who were my size, and the shoes were already worn in to my feet. That was when the seed for what ultimately became Gotta Have Sole was planted.
At age twelve, when I needed to choose a service project for my bar mitzvah, I remembered that moment and spoke to my parents about what I wanted to do: donate new shoes to children in homeless shelters. I did not know what a nonprofit was at the time, but my parents explained that what I was describing sounded like one. That is how Gotta Have Sole began in 2010, first supporting one shelter in Rhode Island and then quickly expanding to others in the region and beyond.
Was there a moment when you knew this was your path?
It took some time to see it as a lifelong commitment. In the beginning, it was just about solving a need I saw. Over time, though, seeing the direct impact kept me going. We began adding socks through a partnership with Bombas and personalized cards decorated by volunteers so that each child received a pair of shoes with a message of hope. Kids in the shelters even began creating their own cards for other groups in need, which showed me the ripple effect.
Later, when I was in college, I tried following a more traditional career path in finance but felt no connection to the work. Having already experienced purpose-driven impact through Gotta Have Sole, I knew I wanted to keep building this mission full time.
What challenges have you faced in growing the organization?
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to focus. In the early years, I wanted to solve every problem I came across. We experimented with veteran shoe programs, and scholarships for homeless children, but it became clear that trying to do everything diluted our impact.
I learned that it is better to do one thing really well and then build partnerships with other organizations that address different needs. In the nonprofit world, competition looks different. While we may apply for the same grants, ultimately the money goes toward creating positive change somewhere. Knowing that has helped me stay focused on what Gotta Have Sole does best while celebrating the work of others.
Another challenge came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of trying to expand everywhere at once, we pulled back and concentrated on the highest-need areas in New England. That reset gave us the chance to deepen our impact locally and build stronger systems, which made it possible to scale more effectively later on.
What tools or advice have been most helpful to you as a young leader?
The best advice I ever received is to simply ask. Whether it is for guidance, a partnership, or funding, you do not know what is possible unless you reach out. Early on, I felt I needed to save questions for the “big moments,” but I have learned that people in this space are eager to help and share advice.
I also focus on building authentic relationships. Connecting on a personal level first has led to stronger partnerships and lasting collaborations. And above all, I keep purpose at the center. One funder once told me to put aside my ego and remember that if I do not do this work, children go without shoes. That perspective has shaped how I lead and grow the organization.
What is next for Gotta Have Sole?
We are at an exciting point. We recently partnered with On, the global footwear brand, which has significantly expanded the volume of shoes we can provide. We also redesigned our inventory and order systems in partnership with Citizens Bank, which has streamlined our ability to scale. Over the next year, I hope to bring on more footwear partners, saturate the Northeast, and begin expanding into new regions.
Another area of growth is our ambassador program, which pairs footwear distribution with an arts-based social-emotional curriculum for children in shelters. It has been difficult to run at scale in recent years due to restrictions in shelters, but we are eager to expand it when possible. The skills we teach are more important than ever, and with the right support, this program could reach far more children.
For Nicholas, what began as a simple idea has become a lifelong mission. By focusing deeply on one need, partnering with others, and staying true to purpose, Gotta Have Sole continues to show what is possible when young changemakers commit to making lasting impact.
Nicholas was named a 2025 Rising Star Finalist in the .ORG Impact Awards.
Learn more at www.gottahavesole.org.