Find The Cash Cleveland Hits the Headlines on Channel 5 News!!
There’s something surreal about watching your idea go from a spark… to the city spotlight.
When Find The Cash Cleveland first began, our mission was simple: give back to the city that raised us—through fun, surprise, and real opportunity. Fast forward to today, and we’re honored to have that mission shared with the world by News 5 Cleveland.
But this wasn’t about us—it was about Cleveland.
Being on the news wasn’t about exposure. It was about being seen by the very city we’re pouring into.
From Street Drops to the Newsroom
When Channel 5 reached out to follow one of our live drops, we brought them along on a typical day—one clue at a time. From West 25th Street and Washington Avenue, through real neighborhoods, to the mural of Prince eating a doughnut, they experienced the thrill alongside our followers.
They got to see how we do it:
- Drop clues on Instagram
- Hide real cash across Cleveland
- Watch the city race to win—together
This specific drop was a special collaboration with ILTHY, one of Cleveland’s most creative local brands. It wasn’t just a giveaway—it was a statement about what happens when community-driven brands collaborate with purpose.
Why We Do It
We’re not a major corporation.
We’re not funded by outside sponsors (yet).
We’re just a couple from Cleveland with a vision to give back through fun—and we fund every single drop from our own pockets, thanks to the support from our barbering and tattoo businesses.
As Khristian Santana told Channel 5:
“There was a time me and my wife were living in an attic with our son, on a futon. At that moment, I would’ve loved to have somebody help us out the way we needed it.”
Now, we are that somebody—for someone else.
More Than Money: It’s a Movement
With over 40,000 followers on Instagram, this project is no longer just an experiment—it’s a movement. We’ve helped people put gas in their cars, buy groceries, and simply feel seen during hard times.
Every day we hear from people who’ve discovered parts of Cleveland they never knew, met strangers who turned into friends, and found hope while hunting for money. And as Channel 5 reported—that’s what this is really about.
Looking Ahead: Bigger Impact, Bigger Heart
We’re now working toward becoming a non-profit organization, expanding how we support families, youth, and neighborhoods in need—while still keeping the joy and energy that’s made this movement what it is.
Expect more:
- Collaborations with local businesses
- Branded treasure hunts
- Community impact projects
- Exclusive merch drops
- And… of course, more CASH DROPS
Let’s Keep Finding the Cash (and Each Other)
Thank you to everyone who’s followed, shared, hunted, and supported us. Thank you to Channel 5 News for shining a light on something homegrown. And thank you, Cleveland—for showing up for us like we show up for you.
This is just the beginning.
The hunt is real. The heart is realer. 💰🧡
channel 5 news story below written by: Elizabeth Vanmetere
CLEVELAND — What would you do with an extra $40? How about $200?
In Cleveland, thousands are answering that question by jumping into a real-life treasure hunt.
The brains behind the game are Khristian Santana and his wife, a local couple quietly stashing money around the city under the name Find the Cash Cleveland (or their backup account Find the Cash CLE). The rules are simple: follow their Instagram, crack the clues, and race to the location before someone else beats you to the prize.
Clues are cryptic. Drops are fast. And the rewards? Cold hard cash that ranges anywhere from $40 to $200, plus the occasional bonus, like tickets to a Cavs game.
“It’s just fun for us… it’s fun for them. And everybody wins, I think,” Santana said.
This week’s drop drew a crowd to West 25th Street and Washington Avenue, where hopeful hunters followed three clues to the mural of Prince eating a doughnut. It was a collaboration with iLTHY.
“I can slow down on the DoorDashing a little bit,” said James Washington, who found the prize. “This is probably going to go to gas.”
More than 40,000 people now follow the Find the Money Cleveland Instagram page, eagerly watching for the next clue.
But for Santana, this is more than a game. It’s a give-back.
He funds every cash drop out of pocket, using profits from his barbering and tattoo businesses. It’s a way to pay it forward after overcoming his own struggles.
“There was a time me and my wife were living in an attic with our son, on a futon,” Santana said. “At that moment, I would’ve loved to have somebody help us out the way we needed it.”
Now, he’s that somebody.
The weekly hunts aren’t just fun. They’re helping people discover parts of the city they’ve never seen and shining a light on the generosity that still exists, especially during tough times.
“There’s some people out here who try to give and help people along the way during these tight economic times,” said participant Robert Holsey.
Win or lose, followers say they’re finding more than money. They’re finding hope and maybe even a little adventure.