MacMillan Making a Difference by Giving Back
Kenzie MacMillan is raising money for the Shine On foundation benefiting special needs individuals.
Doug Link
Most student-athletes in their final year of eligibility choose to focus on enjoying their last moments as collegiate athletes, working through the daily grind of training, competing, academics, and preparing for graduation. But not everyone is satisfied with that; some find the time to do more and give back.
Kenzie MacMillan is one such student-athlete at Boise State. As a member of the Bronco soccer team, MacMillan has been successful on and off the field for the last four years. Now she is looking to give back.
MacMillan has launched a fundraising campaign for the “Shine On” foundation, sponsored by RM Soap Market located in the Boise Towne Square Mall, which supports individuals with special needs and their families. She selected this nonprofit because it was an integral part of RM Soap Markets’ business philosophy.
After suffering an injury during training in the spring of 2024, which kept her out of the 2024 fall campaign, the now redshirt-senior is looking for something more than just riding out her final season at Boise State. The native of Mission Viejo, California, is looking to give back to the community she has learned to love.
So, why did MacMillan decide to take on this fundraiser, which would add more pressure to her already packed schedule?
- Is raising funds for a nonprofit new to her?
- Did she have prior experience doing this type of activity?
- Did she know anyone who was involved with nonprofits?
It turns out that it was instilled in her at a young age by her family. You could say it is in her family’s DNA to give back and raise money for nonprofit organizations.
“My aunt runs a nonprofit organization in Southern California,” MacMillan said. “My parents have been giving back to the group for a while and are really involved. It’s called NEGU (Never Ever Give Up), located in Orange County, which helps kids with cancer. I’ve stuffed joy jars with my dad for his company back at home for NEGU, and then my sister was really good friends with a kid in elementary school who was in need. So we’ve always just been around it.”
So why take on a project like this now, during her final semester at Boise State?
“My dad and I had been talking about doing something here in Boise last year, but then I tore my ACL and missed the season,” said MacMillan. “Now, with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) getting bigger, and platforms growing, especially at Boise State over the past couple of years, and my coming back for a fifth year, I saw an opportunity to pursue this. So, I decided to start reaching out, and everyone was on board with it. It was exciting.
“I had been thinking about this project for a while, and it was a way to give back to the community that has supported me and my teammates. I had partnered up with RM Soap Market for a regular NIL deal. What impressed me about them is that they give one dollar back for every item sold to the special needs community, through the ‘Shine On’ foundation. When I heard that, my dad and I discussed it, and I thought this would be the perfect organization, especially because they are local. I already had a great partnership with them (RM Soap Market) through NIL, and they’ve been great towards me and Boise State soccer.”
Something like this cannot be easy. Throughout the planning and conversations with her father, McMillan has mapped out a long-term plan for the project.
“My plan is to use my NIL platform as if donors were giving money to an athlete, but instead, it will actually go to the special needs community. It works like this. If I score a goal or have an assist this season, I will post on Instagram as if it were a regular NIL deal. I will post their logos (companies) on my story and keep my Instagram followers and anyone looking informed about the amount of money donated at that point. So, if I’m on my sixth goal, they will know how much money has been donated by companies and individuals supporting this.
“Everyone can decide for themselves how much they want to donate for each goal and assist. I am not asking for any set amount.”
The outgoing and energetic MacMillan reached out to RM Soap Market first to gauge their interest.
“They were just so thankful. They were already grateful that our team had partnered with them last year. We visited and talked with Joey, one of the Shine On kids, and they just loved the way that we (the soccer team) interacted with him and the other kids. We wanted one of the kids to come out to one of our games and run out with us for introductions; that’s in the works right now. They’re just so thankful that we, as athletes, care so much about the special needs community and want to do better for them.”
Now that she had the plan and support of RM Soap Market for the Shine On foundation, McMillan had to spread the word.
“The first step was reaching out to companies to see who was on board with this type of fundraiser,” said MacMillan. “It doesn’t need a bunch of people at first. It only takes a few to get the word out. I just started with the NIL partnerships that I already had, and right away, people were on board with it. They wanted to be a part of it, and so do my family and friends that I’ve talked to; they all want to help.”
MacMillan has also received support and help from the Boise State Athletics Department through the BroncoPRO project and the coaching staff.
Boise State Athletics launched the BroncoPRO (Professional Resources Organization) program last spring as a centralized, turnkey NIL and revenue-sharing solution for Bronco student-athletes. Its purpose is to drive competitive excellence through a best-in-class revenue-sharing model focused on recruiting and retaining student-athletes while providing custom brand development services for each of Boise State’s 350+ student-athletes.
Collin Stoecker, assistant athletic director for BroncoPRO, has been heavily involved in helping get MacMillan’s project up and running. He has been impressed by her determination and willingness to give back.
“We want our student-athletes to have an understanding of the support that they receive when they get here, and that there’s an opportunity to give back to the community that gives so much to us,” said Stoecker. “I think this project really shows maturity in her approach to NIL. A lot of student-athletes are looking for the next opportunity, and she’s taken it to the next level. She found this opportunity through a deal she signed earlier in the summer and has gone in-depth to explore the new opportunities, giving back to the special needs community. I’m so proud of her.”
Boise State Soccer Head Coach Jim Thomas and his staff have consistently encouraged their team to engage in community service and give back to the Boise community. He likes what MacMillan is attempting and fully supports her efforts towards the project.
“I love it. I’m glad that Kenzie’s using her platform to try and influence the world for the better,” Thomas said. “You know, I think she could be an example to all athletes who are presented a really, really unique opportunity at Boise State to stand shoulders above others and do something good for the world, be that kind of beacon of, I’m lucky I have this opportunity. I’m going to use it to help others. And she’s doing an excellent job of that.
“I think what really separates her is that she’s willing to give who she is to other people. You know, sometimes people will turn up and they’ll do the work, but they won’t really give much of themselves. She’s willing to give her heart to things; you can really see that authenticity, so when she’s out in the community, whether it’s raking up leaves or helping a kid who’s maybe a little unwell. She always gives you that authentic, heartfelt, genuine part of who she is, and that’s why I gravitate towards her. Her teammates do, and, obviously, members of our community do as well.”Jim Thomas, Boise State Soccer Head Coach
Throughout her career, MacMillan has been an impact player for Bronco soccer, scoring 19 goals and tallying 12 assists. Her best year was during her junior campaign in 2023, when she recorded 10 goals – tied for second in the Mountain West – and a league-high seven assists.
MacMillan has begun 2025 right where she left off in 2023; she has been involved in every Boise State goal this season. The Bronco from Southern California has recorded two goals and two assists through the first three matches of the season. She is tied for fourth in the MW for goals scored and tied for second in total assists.
MacMillian has been successful at everything she has attempted since coming to Boise State. She ranks in the top 10 in eight different statistical categories in the Bronco soccer record book.
She is an academic standout, having been named a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree, a three-time Academic All-MW honoree, and a four-time MW Scholar-Athlete. There is, therefore, no question about whether she will succeed at this fundraiser for Shine On.
MacMillian has been successful at everything she has attempted since coming to Boise State. She ranks in the top 10 in eight different statistical categories in the Bronco soccer record book. She is an academic standout, having been named a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree, a three-time Academic All-MW honoree, and a four-time MW Scholar-Athlete. There is, therefore, no question about whether she will succeed at this fundraiser for Shine On.
Here are a few of the companies that have agreed to support and donate to MacMillan’s fundraiser: Lithia Ford, Bauscher Real Estate, and others. In addition, several individuals have also joined the cause.
So what’s holding you back from supporting Kenzie? To donate, reach out to the Boise State Local Exchange at Kenzie MacMillan | Influencer.
The Boise State soccer team will be home for the first time this season tonight when the Broncos host Montana at 7 p.m. (Mountain), followed by CSU Bakersfield on Sunday at 1 p.m.; both contests will be held at the Boas Tennis and Soccer Complex.
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