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The Evolution of Giving: How Philanthropy Shapes Our World
Episode 148 • 25th June 2024 • TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective • TonyTidbit ™
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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/The Evolution of Giving: How Philanthropy Shapes Our World

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In this episode of the Black Executive Perspective Podcast, hosts Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed welcome Iris Ivana Grant, founder and CEO of Genesi Group, to discuss the true essence of philanthropy. Iris emphasizes that true philanthropy is the love of humanity and encourages listeners to find their passion for giving. She discusses her journey of being a giver from a young age, her transition from corporate to strategic philanthropy, and how her company, Genesi Group, bridges gaps between industries, nonprofits, and communities. The conversation highlights the importance of strategic giving, the impact of volunteer work, and the role of social entrepreneurs in transforming the philanthropic landscape. The episode also touches on the challenges and misconceptions in the nonprofit industry and underscores the need for transparency and collaboration in philanthropic efforts.

▶︎ In This Episode

  1. 00:00: Introduction to Philanthropy
  2. 00:41: Podcast Introduction and Hosts
  3. 01:22: Guest Introduction: Iris Ivana Grant
  4. 03:28: Iris's Background and Personal Story
  5. 06:12: The Spirit of Giving and Challenges
  6. 08:15: TEDx Talk and Personal Reflections
  7. 12:08: Navigating Philanthropy and Nonprofit Work
  8. 21:04: Creating Genesi Group
  9. 24:51: Challenges in Corporate Philanthropy
  10. 35:50: The Essence of Genuine Giving
  11. 36:47: Philanthropy Beyond Big Donors
  12. 37:55: Class and Philanthropy
  13. 40:07: The Power of Volunteering
  14. 42:06: The True Meaning of Philanthropy
  15. 44:12: The Universal Law of Giving
  16. 51:26: Transparency in Philanthropy
  17. 58:37: The Role of Social Entrepreneurs
  18. 01:02:42: Representation in Philanthropy
  19. 01:05:29: Final Thoughts and Call to Action

🔗 Resources

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Transcripts

Speaker:

Iris Ivana Grant: Um, and so

people, what I want people to do is

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understand that philanthropy in its

true sense is the love of humanity.

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I need you to find what's your love

button, what's your passion work, right?

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And it might be, I use Johnny as

an example in everything, um, that

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I talk about, but no, if Johnny

is not a neighbor next door and

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Johnny needs an apple every day.

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To go to school and to function,

me giving Johnny that apple

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is a form of philanthropy.

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Tony Tidbit: We'll discuss race and how it

plays a factor and how we didn't even talk

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about this topic because we were afraid.

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BEP Narrator: A black

executive perspective.

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Tony Tidbit: Welcome to a black executive

perspective podcast, a safe space where

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we discuss all matters related to race,

especially race in corporate America.

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I'm your host, Tony Tidbit.

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Chris P. Reed: And I'm

your co host, Chris P.

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Reed.

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Tony Tidbit: And again, we're

at our partners, the University

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of New Haven Podcast Studio.

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88.

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7 on the Richter dial.

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Check them out.

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We want to thank them for hosting the

Black Executive Perspective Podcast.

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Again, go Chargers.

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Chris P. Reed: And we also want to

make sure that we shout out CODE

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M Magazine, our partners, whose

mission is saving the Black family

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by first saving the Black man.

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Check them out at CODE MMagazine.

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com with two Ms.

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CODE MMagazine.

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com.

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Tony Tidbit: Today, we are joined by

Iris Ivana Grant, founder and CEO of

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Genesi Group, to explore philanthropy

not just for the act of giving,

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but as a lifestyle and subculture.

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Iris will start by defining

true philanthropy, the heartfelt

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desire to improve others welfare

through support and donations.

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In addition, Iris will share

practical advice how to incorporate

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philanthropy into daily life, from

getting involved to building impact

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connections, and how sustained giving

can enrich the lives of both the donor

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Chris P. Reed: So before we get too deep

into this, let me give you guys a little

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background of the highly energetic Iris

Ivana Grant, who is the founder and CEO

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of Genesi Group, a strategic philanthropy

company, crafting solutions that bridge

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industry, nonprofits and communities.

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With over 17 years of experience,

Iris is known for fostering

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innovative dial dialogues.

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That blend entrepreneurship, corporate

responsibility and social impact.

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A TEDx speaker alum and

award winning leader.

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She has profoundly influenced

professional training and thought

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leadership across various sectors.

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In 2022, she launched Felix.

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Philanthropy for every generation.

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A digital platform that integrates

the philanthropic lifestyle

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with industry practices.

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Iris is celebrated for her role

in developing dynamic ecosystems.

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That revolutionized social

impact, investing and funding

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in both the for profit and

nonprofit set Iris invited grant.

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Welcome to a black executive

perspective podcast.

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Iris Ivana Grant: Thank you.

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Thank you.

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I'm excited to be here.

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I love how you read that introduction.

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That was great.

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So

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Chris P. Reed: let me let

me ask you a quick question.

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So, uh, give me a little

bit about yourself.

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Where are you currently residing?

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Give me a little bit of your family, you

know, what, what, what is, what is you?

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So of course,

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Iris Ivana Grant: I'm, I'm the oldest

child that I act like the oldest

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child in my family for my siblings.

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Uh, uh, we'll talk about it and I am a

native New Yorker raised in Baltimore,

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Maryland, very proud for the DMV.

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And I currently reside

in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Tony Tidbit: Look at you.

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Okay.

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So we got B more in the house.

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I love it.

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I love it.

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And side note, you know, just real

quickly, what's your thoughts?

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On, you know, the, uh, the tanker

accident that hit the bridge in Baltimore.

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You know, tell us a little bit, has that

affected your community, your family?

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Iris Ivana Grant: Um, it hasn't

like personally impacted my family.

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The fortunate thing is that it happened

at the time that it happened, because

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that is a major, major, major, um,

part of lifestyle of people going

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to and from work and of industry.

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Um, it is 1 of the most

important ports in this country.

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And most people don't know that.

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Um, and so, you know, the text

messages started flying early.

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That morning from my family,

that news of the, of the, uh,

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devastating fall of the bridge.

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Um, and I think what I was most

proud of is that although I'm not a

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resident of Baltimore right now, I

was most proud of leadership, right?

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The mayor and, um, the governor,

every time there was a question

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posed, They circled it directly

back to, but these are families.

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These are people that construction

workers that are missing.

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This is impacting our family,

so, you know, a lot of the

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news was trying to talk about.

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Um, well, when do you, when

do you start rebuilding?

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Like, they were going to

know that, like, right away.

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Um, but I loved and was proud that we

are a community that stays together.

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And so that is what was shown and so.

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Um, my thoughts and prayers immediately.

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You know, I checked on my

people to make sure nobody was

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coming in late on the bridge.

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Of course.

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Right.

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Cause you know, that happens, right?

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A little nighttime life.

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Um, but, um, I'm very proud of how

it has been handled and how I'm

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seeing it handled even from afar.

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I'm very proud of the

community coming together.

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Cause that's what Baltimore,

that's what really Baltimore is.

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That's what the DMV is all about.

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It's family.

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Tony Tidbit: Well, you should be

proud because they did step up and it.

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It's a tragic accident.

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Some people lost their lives, which

is tragic, but yes, I agree with you.

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The leadership has been there.

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They've shown up and they're still there.

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So question I have for you.

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Why did you want to come on

a black executive perspective

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podcast to talk about this topic?

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Iris Ivana Grant: Because I think this

is a topic that people don't talk about.

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They don't think about it, um,

in terms of their life, their

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personal life and engagement.

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And if they do, they really don't know

the industry and it is an industry.

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So I wanted to come on and share that and

have those conversations that hopefully

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empower and change some thought process.

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Tony Tidbit: Well, listen, we're excited.

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We're going to learn a lot.

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Everybody's going to learn a lot.

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So Iris, you ready to have

this conversation, my friend?

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Yes, I am.

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All right, let's talk about it, okay?

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But before we get into it, Chris talked

a little bit about this in your bio.

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You, you know, are award winning,

you know, TEDx speaker, and you

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talked about this topic, so I want

to play something first and then I

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want to ask you questions about it.

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Iris Ivana Grant: There was a young girl

who was born with a great passion and an

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unwavering, unwavering heart for people.

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So So much so that she was really

quite hypersensitive when it came to

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people's needs and their emotions.

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And she gave.

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Even if it meant that she'd give her last.

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She loved people.

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And she grew up to be a young woman

in her early twenties and she became

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associated with organizations and

programs that allowed her to visit the

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incarcerated, feed the homeless, And

to share a kind word with those who are

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seemingly disconnected from society.

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Now, believe it or not, in her circles

of influence, there were some that

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ostracized her because of this.

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They felt that her lifestyle and her

life experience or the lack thereof

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disqualified her from being able to have

empathy and understand the very needs of

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the people that she was trying to help.

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Can you imagine being

disqualified to help somebody?

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Tony Tidbit: So, let me ask you this.

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This was you at TEDx in Jacksonville.

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So, who was that person that you

were talking about in that story?

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Iris Ivana Grant: That would be me.

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That was absolutely me.

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It's been a minute since I heard that.

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Uh, that was me.

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I was that, I was that, that young lady.

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Tony Tidbit: So tell us more.

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I mean, because that was awesome.

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Right.

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So tell us a little bit more your

background and how you came up with this

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spirit of giving that unfortunately a

lot of people don't grow up with that.

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Iris Ivana Grant: Yeah, you

know, um, man, so I'm a PK.

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Um, for people that may not know

that acronym, I'm a preacher's kid.

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Uh, so I grew up, grew up in church, grew

up with very sound Christian values of

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giving, um, and I was that odd child.

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I was the child in my household.

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Again, um, I was the oldest, so

between myself and my next sibling.

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Um, there's six and a half years.

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So I was a only child for an

enjoyable period of my life.

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Um, uh, but I also was that

kid who was the flower child.

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Um, it was love, puppy, dogs, flowers,

and my parents did an amazing job, um,

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with this creative spirit that I had of.

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Making sure that I have like

these disciplines, but letting

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me be who I was, right.

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Um, even though, uh, they needed to

protect me because I was, you know,

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young, extremely naive, extremely pure

in heart, but they allowed me to grow

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into that individual, into that being,

um, was a musician and an artist.

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So y'all can imagine I was just all over

the place and it was just love and, um,

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I came from a very diverse family, so

culturally diverse, um, racially diverse,

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and so there was a lot of acceptance

of, in our household, of who you are.

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Right?

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Um, I did not realize until I

hit about the fourth grade, third

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or fourth grade, That's not how

everybody played in the world.

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Right.

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That's not how all the

kids came to the park.

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Tony Tidbit: No.

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Iris Ivana Grant: Right?

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That wasn't everyone's story.

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Um, and so, there was

this, there's this bubble.

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Um, and I always had a very giving spirit.

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Um, I always, I could cry at a movie

to see someone treated a certain way

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or to ride past someone on the street.

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I didn't understand why we were

riding past them on the street.

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Um, so my parents allowed me

to have that space and it just

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continued, uh, into my adulthood.

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And then as an adult, I needed

to do something with that, right?

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Um, even though you go through things and

you're treated a certain way with people,

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I think we all have that story growing up.

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Um, I just could not find

that button to treat them back

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the same way they treated me.

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And I didn't know what that was, right?

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Um, so I needed to kind of find out

what, what that opportunity, have

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an opportunity to figure that out.

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And so, but I mean, of course, being

a PK, there's always opportunities

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to like, to feed and to help and

to be engaged in the community.

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And as a young adult, I

sought to do that, right?

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I sought to, It's been six months

doing this or three months doing this,

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working with different, um, missions

and, and ministries, um, trying to

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find like my space to, to make the

world better and the figure me out.

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Um, and so that's how I kind of navigated

into that into that space of, of

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going out and, and, um, being curious

about people in the world and figuring

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out what my gift button to give was.

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Chris P. Reed: As a young child, uh,

you being exposed to that environment,

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was there ever a time where you,

uh, overextended your giving or

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your parents had to say, wait, wait,

wait, we ain't got it like that.

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Or would you always bring it home?

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Stray this and stray that.

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Like, how did that work

when you were young?

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Because sometimes I know for me, uh,

growing up, you know, I had a cousin

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that was like that, that everything

was a cause and, and, and he was going,

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you know, Cape up for everything he

could and we just didn't have it.

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So maybe y'all had it and it was of

abundance, but did you always have

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that situation where they supported it?

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Or was there a time where

they was like, I was not now.

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Dang.

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Iris Ivana Grant: That was my

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Chris P. Reed: dad, my dad was like,

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Iris Ivana Grant: yeah, so I, I, I,

you know, I always had like the stray

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dog or the stray, um, uh, cat and dad

was like, yeah, we weren't, you're not

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bringing another animal in this house.

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Um, I collected people.

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So I had at a very young age, a very

unusual eclectic group of friends.

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Like very, uh, yeah.

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And my parents were like,

yeah, we need to watch this.

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My mom being a native New Yorker, she

was very open to things like that.

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My dad is Baltimore.

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And so he's very like,

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Tony Tidbit: Hmm,

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Iris Ivana Grant: let's

check this out first.

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Let's see what this is.

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So it was that blend.

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Um, so yeah, dad put the cache on a whole

lot of, uh, extra things and people.

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But I've always been like that.

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I've always been very open and welcoming.

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And when you're a child, you don't realize

the dangers that can be onset by that.

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You don't, you don't

see the world like that.

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We're taught those things by,

um, you know, we're nurtured

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into those things, right, by, by

environment or by other people.

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Um, and, um, I call them boxes,

you know, where you figure out

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what boxes people put you in.

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Right.

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And so my life became a space where there

were a lot of boxes that I needed to

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make adjustments to because, um, I just

didn't fit in, really didn't fit in,

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Tony Tidbit: you know, in your, in your

TED talk, as you opened up, um, and

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you were telling your life, you spoke

towards the end there that, you know,

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you love to give and then you were saying

that some of your friends or people

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in the world were pushing back at you.

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Talk a little bit about that.

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The reason I ask is because one of the

things that people are afraid to do is

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be, being taken advantage of, right?

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And when you're a giver and you just said

it a few minutes ago, the world doesn't

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act the same way as you act, right?

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And, and, and people become

sullied because of that.

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So tell us a little bit about that

aspect of, of your, your journey.

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Iris Ivana Grant: Man, oh, you

said a mouthful because I will say

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honestly, um, I probably did not learn

how to really balance that myself.

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First, personally, probably until about.

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The early 2000s, right?

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So maybe 10.

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15 years ago, um, professionally.

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You learn boundaries, but for me, um,

it took a while because I'm a giver.

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I love giving.

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It's, it's my automatic response.

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Right.

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Um.

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And so I also, I'm a Taurus girl.

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So we have a long, long, long, long

runway with people, which doesn't help

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because then you keep making excuses.

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I'm like, well, they didn't mean

it, you know, or, well, perhaps, you

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know, they're going through a lot.

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We're all going through something and

you just keep getting this runway.

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And so what I found was I gave this

runway and a lot of advantages.

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Um, and so I personally had to work

really hard on the purity of my heart.

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Um, and I, I attribute my family and

my faith to that because, you know,

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you go through things in life that are

challenging, um, that can bring on the

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onset of bitterness and disrupt your life.

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It can bring anger.

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And I worked really hard because I'd

had the ability as a child, the chance

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to explore the fact that I'm a giver.

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And as an adult, I didn't want to make

that adjustment to not being a giver.

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I had to realize that you can't

give in every situation, and

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sometimes the clapback needs

to happen immediately, right?

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You have to learn those things.

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So you learn to navigate, but, um, I

really had to wrestle with the fact of

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how do you maintain your heart to give?

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How do you become discerning?

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Of when to give right?

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And then also, how do you

give without being an enabler?

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And I did not learn how

to do that really until I.

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Professionally moved into nonprofit work.

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I personally just kept kept giving

and making excuses and the industry

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itself working in the industry

kind of started teaching me how to.

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Navigate that space and have those,

those, those boundaries and those borders.

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Um, but yeah, I, I, I had a lot

of people that I felt were close

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to me in terms of friends when

I would go out, um, I've done.

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work with homeless.

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I've gone to prisons.

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That, that, that was a trial and error.

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Wow.

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Um, and so people have to admission

work out on the street corners.

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And so people were like,

that's not where you're from.

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You're, you're from middle

class America, right?

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What do you do?

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You know, what do you, what do you know?

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You know, I would go down to the

projects in Baltimore like, and

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be there for Saturday events and

community events and doing things.

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Um, People would be like,

well, why'd you go there?

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You don't know their plight.

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You don't understand them.

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You're not from there.

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Um, and it troubled me tremendously.

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It caused a lot of, uh, crying

days because my intent was,

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but they're, they're people.

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I'm trying to help.

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Um, I never looked at it as a us and

a them, you know, and I never looked

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at a hungry person as a hungry person.

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Didn't think that there needed to be

a distinction between neighborhoods.

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Hunger is hunger, right?

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Um, having clothing to wear

is having clothing to wear.

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I didn't know that it had to be,

you know, the difference between

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designer and, you know, consignment.

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Like, it's clothing.

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Whether it's first hand, second

hand, 25th hand, it's clothing.

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Um, so I wrestled with things in my mind

and in my head and in my spirit versus

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how people wanted me to be in a box.

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Because they didn't understand

who I was on my journey.

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And you have to figure out

who you are on your journey.

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Right.

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And, and giving is a part of

our, of all of our journeys.

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If we really want to be fulfilled as

individuals, it's our responsibility.

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Chris P. Reed: You said something

that was extremely powerful in

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:

your Philanthropic pursuits.

349

:

I go around and do leadership

seminars for religious organizations.

350

:

And what it is, is the business of

religion is one of my, my things that

351

:

I do, because unfortunately, when you

get into these, these, these spiritual,

352

:

uh, situations, uh, one of the

tenants of many religions is charity.

353

:

And so sometimes the taker is going to

take a person that's got, that ain't

354

:

got the rent money, the gas money, the

water bill money, this, that, and they

355

:

want to hit into the, uh, benevolent,

you know, fun, they go come back month

356

:

after month, after month, after month.

357

:

And I have to talk to these people about

business, the business of religion.

358

:

If you want to keep these doors open for

all these folks, you got these primary,

359

:

you know, actors that keep coming in

and draining from the well, so to speak.

360

:

So you made a transition

professionally away from that.

361

:

And you said you had to make a

determination of what is a good

362

:

investment in my philanthropy.

363

:

And what is something that I need

to make sure that I skirt away from,

364

:

because I think growing up in that

religious home, you had a, you always

365

:

going to find somebody that's in need.

366

:

That's just the nature of how this works.

367

:

And it's how it's supposed to work based

on the religion itself being charitable.

368

:

So how did you, um, Conceive the, the

Genesi group and how does it work?

369

:

And what was the core

things that you said?

370

:

You know what, I'm going to take all

of this, this, this, this spirit and

371

:

all of this energy and coordinate

it into something professional.

372

:

What was the, what was the epiphany that

came to you and said, I can do this?

373

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Um, I, you know, I, I

went into corporate, I got out of school.

374

:

I went into corporate and I was in

corporate for 10 years and it didn't

375

:

satisfy me, um, because it was so.

376

:

Many do's don'ts and roles, right?

377

:

The hard line and it wasn't

really people friendly.

378

:

I don't believe that capitalism

has to be dehumanizing at all.

379

:

Um, I don't believe good business

has to be dehumanizing at all.

380

:

Um, so I believe in the social good, and

I believe in social impact and at those

381

:

times, those are not words we were using.

382

:

Right.

383

:

Um, and so when I left corporate, I

really was under this umbrella and

384

:

this fog of there's, there's got to

be something I can do that satisfies.

385

:

Just me as a person, like,

I didn't feel like I fit in.

386

:

I was actually creating programs

and doing the things that I do

387

:

now without even knowing it's

amazing that I think if people look

388

:

at what they're really good at.

389

:

An entrepreneur is going to create, even

if they're at a corporate office, they're,

390

:

it's just going to come out of them.

391

:

Right.

392

:

So my giving and my entrepreneurism

was coming out and I just

393

:

didn't know what it was.

394

:

I hadn't identified it because

again, I thought that it had

395

:

to be within a certain box.

396

:

Right.

397

:

Um, and when I went to the nonprofit

industry, I started at the base.

398

:

Um, and so one, a really

amazing, uh, mentor.

399

:

Uh, saw me and said, you're different.

400

:

There's some, you, you remind me of me.

401

:

Um, and so I started working with her

and, and went through the process.

402

:

Um, and I started

noticing the gaps, right?

403

:

Because I understood the need

because I had that upbringing of

404

:

understanding and seeing people's needs

and being able to discern when you

405

:

need and when you don't need, right?

406

:

Um, I had corporate,

which was all the rules.

407

:

And all the litigation of everything,

um, and then the nonprofit piece.

408

:

And so I saw the gaps

between all 3 of them.

409

:

And I recognize that I had

a gift to be able to see.

410

:

The gaps and provide a

solution, because I had this.

411

:

Unusual experience in my

life of engagement, and out

412

:

of that was Genesi was born.

413

:

And so, um, that is what we do is

we, we fill the gaps we provide.

414

:

The strategies and the ecosystems in

philanthropy, it's very strategic.

415

:

There is a science, there

is a psychology to it.

416

:

It is the business of philanthropy.

417

:

It is the industry of philanthropy, right?

418

:

Of nonprofit industry.

419

:

It's, it is, but it is focused on, um,

the perspectives of giving and giving in

420

:

a way that is impactful, which means you

don't give Based on your perspective,

421

:

you actually give in a way that moves and

motivates as the community needs, right?

422

:

So, um, I often talk about the word

philanthropy in the original Greek,

423

:

it's, it's philos and anthropy.

424

:

So it is the love of humanity, the love

of, um, Humankind, we know fellows is

425

:

love and Anthropos is the man or humanity.

426

:

Um, and we've gotten away from that.

427

:

And so at Genesi, everything

that we do is with the culture

428

:

of, because we love humanity.

429

:

Because we're responsible, it's not

my job to try to figure out how many

430

:

times you've come back to the bucket.

431

:

Right.

432

:

It's to make sure that your bucket

is filled so that at some point

433

:

you don't want to come back.

434

:

You don't have to come back.

435

:

Right.

436

:

That we can keep giving and we

can keep doing in an effective way

437

:

Chris P. Reed: You said something that

was very interesting that made me think

438

:

Um about the nuances between what you

provide as a service and what you do in

439

:

the industry So if you could give me a

quick kind of summation of how's it done

440

:

wrong that you've seen in the industry?

441

:

Who's who's doing it wrong and how

and what do you do this different

442

:

that makes it a good thing?

443

:

Iris Ivana Grant: I'm not going to point

anybody out that they're doing it wrong.

444

:

Tony Tidbit: You got to tell them now.

445

:

You got to tell them what time it is.

446

:

All right.

447

:

Don't be afraid.

448

:

We only going to show this

to a hundred million people.

449

:

Chris P. Reed: These

450

:

Iris Ivana Grant: bums.

451

:

Gams blazing, right?

452

:

Um, I will say this.

453

:

I do believe in that.

454

:

And first of all, I, I do not want

to hinder anyone from giving how

455

:

they give, but, Um, I do believe that

our corporate fellows and, um, yeah,

456

:

our corporations, they do it wrong.

457

:

And, and the reason why I say that, and

it's not to, to, to blast how they give

458

:

or what they do, but they, it's often

misunderstood the industry of giving.

459

:

And nonprofit work, right.

460

:

At a, at a really, really cruise,

get grass grassroots level,

461

:

Tony Tidbit: right.

462

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Everything

comes from nonprofit.

463

:

It comes from the bottom up, right.

464

:

The need, the disruption,

everything comes from the bottom up.

465

:

Cause you're talking about

people's lives on this other side.

466

:

When you bring the rigid profit

making perspective, marketing,

467

:

Branding, campaigning of

capitalistic corporation businesses.

468

:

I'm trying to throw all

of those pieces in there.

469

:

And you bring that,

um, to non profit work.

470

:

You can't just bring it.

471

:

So you just can't have DEI.

472

:

You just can't have corporate

corporate social responsibility

473

:

and make the rules up and say, I'm

going to give it to you this way.

474

:

And here's how you need to impact.

475

:

And here's how you need to

give me my return on it.

476

:

Um, because it doesn't work like

that in our industry, right?

477

:

We're talking about people's lives.

478

:

We're talking about services that

are provided to people, right?

479

:

Um, Whatever they are right.

480

:

And so, oftentimes,

what we don't do right.

481

:

Encountering right.

482

:

Oftentimes, what we do do right in the

nonprofit industry is that we do not come

483

:

with the strategy of engagement to say,

here are the here's the boundaries, right?

484

:

We were talking about the

boundaries earlier, right?

485

:

Understanding your personal boundaries,

understanding your business boundaries.

486

:

Here are the boundaries.

487

:

Here's what we do.

488

:

Here's where we want to grow to.

489

:

Here's why we need to grow.

490

:

Here's how the changes are happening.

491

:

Here's what we need collaboratively in

partnership with you as a corporation

492

:

or as a donor, as an individual, right?

493

:

Or even nonprofit to nonprofit B2B, right?

494

:

C2B or B2B.

495

:

We often don't do that because we

are so busy trying to chase the funds

496

:

that we need to do the services.

497

:

for joining us.

498

:

And for some reason, people think that

nonprofit work also is that everybody

499

:

should be church mouse, church mouse poor.

500

:

Right.

501

:

So they're always looking at like, who's

making what and who's, and you always,

502

:

you always have a seed, a bad seed, right?

503

:

I'm not talking about that, but being

able to pay how the nonprofits are

504

:

struggling to be able to pay market

value for people that are professionally

505

:

coming in and providing services.

506

:

Right.

507

:

So for me.

508

:

The collaborative space, I know I'm

going to get rocks thrown at me, but

509

:

the collaborative space is really

messed up when you have corporations

510

:

that give and their interest in giving.

511

:

And I'm not saying corporations

and corporation leaders are not

512

:

interested in really giving back

because there are some amazing.

513

:

Leaders that give and lead

their organizations and their

514

:

companies to give right.

515

:

Um, but it's not enough collaboration

in terms of letting the nonprofits lead.

516

:

What that giving looks like, right?

517

:

And how, um, you get from point A

to point B, because they're the,

518

:

there's, they're the true professionals

in terms of what's needed, right?

519

:

And so oftentimes people do not understand

the struggles that happen with nonprofit

520

:

businesses and nonprofit leadership and

the struggles that they are overcoming.

521

:

Chris, you had said earlier,

um, um, That it, you know, it's

522

:

not for the faint of heart.

523

:

It is not.

524

:

You're serving people and you're

trying to meet service needs.

525

:

When a program goes down, lives

are attached to that, right?

526

:

And it's not just a paycheck life.

527

:

It's a life of, do they eat?

528

:

Did they get an education, right?

529

:

What's the home life environment like?

530

:

So I, I, I am somewhat

disgruntled sometimes, um, by

531

:

how we interact collaboratively.

532

:

Um, and one of the things that I

established with Genesi is that because

533

:

we do build those strategies, we are

very sensitive to what the needs of the

534

:

corporation would be as the giver, um, the

individual, because return on investment

535

:

means something different for everyone

and everyone needs a return on investment.

536

:

We say that phrase, but that means

something totally different between

537

:

corporate and an individual nonprofit.

538

:

So, what we do is we look at.

539

:

Here's what you want to give here's what

you want to do, or here's what you need.

540

:

Here's what the collaboration is,

whatever the, whatever the, the,

541

:

the circle looks like, whatever the

ecosystem looks like, and then we

542

:

make sure that we bring to the table.

543

:

What the return on investment

is for each engaging party.

544

:

So that everybody meets the need.

545

:

Right of the community and then

of their community that's giving.

546

:

And so you want things to be fulfilling

for the giver and for the receiver.

547

:

Otherwise, you start having retractions

and we're and we're seeing that

548

:

when you're just checking a box.

549

:

After a while, you stop

wanting to check the box.

550

:

Right.

551

:

And so we see them a lot of box checking,

um, so that the consumer can say, Oh,

552

:

look at, look at what they're doing.

553

:

Right.

554

:

Um, without really being able to see and

look and see really what they're doing.

555

:

Tony Tidbit: So Iris, you know,

and again, I would imagine that

556

:

most people, so we, you just took

giving to steroids on steroids.

557

:

Okay.

558

:

Um, but I can imagine once it

gets to the corporate level.

559

:

And now, cause it's a huge

industry right now, right?

560

:

Um, nonprofit, corporate, social

responsibility, social impact investment.

561

:

Um, so you have social entrepreneurs.

562

:

And one of the things in my experience

is, you know, I remember when I was

563

:

working at the startup and then all

of a sudden we got an investment

564

:

from a private, private equity firm.

565

:

And all of a sudden, the first

board meeting, they're talking,

566

:

they're saying some stuff that we

don't understand and we're trying to

567

:

explain them how our business works.

568

:

Okay.

569

:

In simplistic terms, but there

was a language barrier and because

570

:

there was a language barrier,

we struggled because they were

571

:

looking to hit certain KPIs, right?

572

:

Where we were talking about how media is

bought and run, and it's on a quarterly

573

:

basis where they were looking for

monthly numbers and stuff to that nature.

574

:

So I can imagine when you talk about

giving, but now you, you've taken it to

575

:

steroids and now you have big donors or,

or boards or, you know, people overseeing

576

:

the business and they're probably trying

to look and run it like a business and

577

:

there could be some language barriers.

578

:

Cause can you speak to that a little bit?

579

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Yes.

580

:

Um, we have spent, so

Genesi is eight years old.

581

:

We have spent, um, man, the last

four years developing trainings to

582

:

help nonprofits, um, and, uh, social

entrepreneurs, which I would love to

583

:

see that raised up social entrepreneurs,

um, understand that when they come to

584

:

the table, you do not chase the money.

585

:

All money is not good money.

586

:

And so, um, in order to not chase

the money, you need to understand the

587

:

table that you're sitting at on the

table that you were inviting people

588

:

to, um, the table that people are

coming and saying, I want to give I

589

:

want to support you need to understand

and have clarity in the language.

590

:

Right, I did, uh, I did an

article with Salesforce global.

591

:

Um, in 2019, it talked

about three main words.

592

:

That everybody says, and there

are a danger to our system

593

:

because nobody stops and ask.

594

:

What do you really mean by that?

595

:

What do you mean by impact?

596

:

What do you mean by return on investment?

597

:

What do you really mean?

598

:

Um, with with a follow

up, what does that mean?

599

:

And those words are different

across industry verticals.

600

:

Right?

601

:

Um, and so we spend a lot of time helping.

602

:

Founders and leaders understand that

when you come to the table, first of

603

:

all, you need to come to the table.

604

:

With your with your organization,

and you need to ask the questions.

605

:

Sometimes we're so busy telling the story.

606

:

And the narrative that we don't

ask the business questions of.

607

:

What is it that you need in return?

608

:

What is it that you're looking for?

609

:

And that's not to knock.

610

:

Transcribed What anybody's

return is, right?

611

:

That's not, it's, it's just,

you know, I'm an apple.

612

:

You're orange.

613

:

It's okay.

614

:

So what does that look like?

615

:

If we, we put that together,

I want to make sure that the

616

:

apple's happy and I want to make

sure that the orange is happy.

617

:

Right.

618

:

And we often don't do that.

619

:

Um, because it's a relationship.

620

:

Right.

621

:

And so a lot of times when you bring

in certain business perspectives,

622

:

there's, there is this thing that is

happening across, um, Nonprofit boards,

623

:

um, who, when they bring in, uh,

other industry professionals on their

624

:

board, they all talk about fundraising

as being sales, but it's a sell.

625

:

Tell the story and just sell them.

626

:

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

627

:

There are certain words we do not use.

628

:

Um, and fundraising, we

do not talk about sales.

629

:

Sales are transaction, right?

630

:

I'm gonna sell you on something

that may or may not work.

631

:

I'm gonna get your money.

632

:

And we're done and you may or

may not come back as a customer.

633

:

That's the sales.

634

:

That's not how we do when you are

giving, um, and you're looking to give.

635

:

You want someone to give from their heart?

636

:

You want them to really be connected?

637

:

Whether whatever the entity is, whether

it's a business or individual, you

638

:

want them to be connected because

they have a passion for they have a

639

:

propensity towards that because you want

long term sustainability and impact.

640

:

And so that comes from

relationship and cultivation.

641

:

There's certain words that we use

in the industry that are getting

642

:

muffled and muddled and not really

being taken, um, seriously, you know?

643

:

So if I say to someone, oh, that's not

a word that we use, we use the word

644

:

relationship and they keep saying sales

645

:

Tony Tidbit: two different languages.

646

:

Iris Ivana Grant: It's two different

languages and you're going to get

647

:

two different results and somebody's

going to be dissatisfied because the

648

:

nonprofit world is not about sales.

649

:

Tony Tidbit: You know, one

of the things, and again, you

650

:

help educate me on this, right?

651

:

When we, when we look at the philanthropy

world, we think it's big donors.

652

:

We think it's, you know, Bill Gates.

653

:

Warren Buffett.

654

:

We think.

655

:

And which, don't get me wrong, obviously

they're, they have their own, uh,

656

:

platforms and stuff to that nature.

657

:

One of the things though in your TED

talk that you really, uh, uh, uh,

658

:

enlightened me was that philanthropy

is not always about giving money.

659

:

Speak to that a little bit.

660

:

Because I think that's where people,

when you talk about language, okay,

661

:

I think that's where sometimes

the average layperson misses it.

662

:

Because I know I did, I'm

thinking big donors, I'm thinking

663

:

the people I talked about.

664

:

Um, but in your TED talk,

you did a really good job.

665

:

You talking about relationships?

666

:

You definitely did a good job in terms

of educating people about relationships.

667

:

So talk a little bit about the

other things philanthropy is about.

668

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Absolutely.

669

:

And a lot of people push

back on that, right?

670

:

Because we make philanthropy

classation, right?

671

:

So philanthropy is a word that's

used when we talk about high net

672

:

worth individuals, large gifts, you

know, transformative gifts, um, then

673

:

they're, they're philanthropist.

674

:

Right.

675

:

If the middle class is giving

their volunteers and giving

676

:

charitable contributions,

677

:

Tony Tidbit: it's a go its a go fund me.

678

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Exactly.

679

:

So we see how we start bringing

class station into things, right.

680

:

Um, and these power dynamics, and

then if it's the poor, then, you

681

:

know, or if it's, we equate the poor

with coming to a church, then it's

682

:

benevolence or it's charity work.

683

:

Right.

684

:

Right.

685

:

Um, and then, and then it's

the poor and the needy.

686

:

Right, so we build these classes,

these walls of class Asian.

687

:

Um, and and again, I said

that this industry, there is a

688

:

science and a psychology to it.

689

:

So, like, as soon as we came out

of covert, we had that major rush.

690

:

Right in 2022, the top 50

individuals, that's your top.

691

:

High network individuals

gave about 12Billion dollars.

692

:

That's amazing.

693

:

That's, that's, and that's

just America, right?

694

:

12 billion.

695

:

But in 2022, that same giving 499 billion

went to the philanthropic industry.

696

:

Tony Tidbit: Wow.

697

:

Iris Ivana Grant: So if you've

got 50 people and you've got 12

698

:

billion that's given, That's a

whole, that's 50 people, right?

699

:

Right.

700

:

And then if you look at, um, out

of that 499 billion, you had about

701

:

314 billion that were individuals.

702

:

See how the numbers, the numbers

on the individual side are massive.

703

:

Tony Tidbit: Nobody

talks about that, right?

704

:

Nobody

705

:

Iris Ivana Grant: talks about that.

706

:

So you got the difference

between the 499 and the 314 that

707

:

would be private foundations,

grantings, and other institutions.

708

:

This is just America, guys, right?

709

:

So when you talk about giving and you

talk about that being the dollar value

710

:

assessment, people that are not giving

or don't recognize that they are giving,

711

:

a lot of times they're volunteering.

712

:

So, if I can't, and that's not to say

that everybody that volunteers is doing

713

:

it and is not giving in a dollar amount,

but if you remove the dollar amount and

714

:

you look at the number of volunteers.

715

:

The volunteers, the why that is so

important is because in a nonprofit

716

:

organization or a business that's

performing social good, has a social good

717

:

aspect to it, you are eliminating FTE.

718

:

So, you know, that business would

have that expense that it might

719

:

need, excuse me, 10, 10 employees.

720

:

But if I've got 10 volunteers coming

in, right, you're lifting a weight.

721

:

If I have a business and I can provide

to you some of our product that's

722

:

needed and that nonprofit doesn't have

to purchase that product on top of

723

:

because people don't think about that.

724

:

Right?

725

:

They don't think about they want you to

deliver the program, but they don't want

726

:

you to hire the person to deliver the

program because nobody wants to pay for

727

:

that or the materials that are needed.

728

:

Right.

729

:

Um, in 2023, I believe, uh,

nonprofits spent a trillion

730

:

dollars in goods and services.

731

:

Wow.

732

:

Like, we're not even counted

in the, in the true economy.

733

:

We're not mentioned in the

economy of what we have to do.

734

:

And so when people

volunteer, it is tremendous.

735

:

If you give a dollar, that dollar

is just as needed and appreciated.

736

:

As the 100Million dollars.

737

:

Tony Tidbit: Right.

738

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

739

:

And so people, what I want people to

do is understand that philanthropy in

740

:

its true sense is the love of humanity.

741

:

I need you to find what's your love

button, what's your passion work.

742

:

Right and it might be I use Johnny

as an example and everything.

743

:

That I talk about, but, you know,

if Johnny is not neighbor next door

744

:

and Johnny needs an apple every day.

745

:

To go to school and to function.

746

:

Me giving Johnny that apple

is a form of philanthropy.

747

:

Tony Tidbit: I love that.

748

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

749

:

If Johnny comes home and he

needs help with his homework, I

750

:

may not go to an organization.

751

:

I may not have the money to get,

I may not even recognize that I'm

752

:

capable of giving in my budget.

753

:

I may not have, um, all the finances

in a row, but I go and I make sure

754

:

that Johnny can do, I can help him

with his math homework every day.

755

:

That is a form of philanthropy.

756

:

Tony Tidbit: Right.

757

:

Iris Ivana Grant: because

it's the love of humanity.

758

:

So it is me enacting my right

to give and to give abundantly.

759

:

I can help him 365 days a

year for the next 15 years.

760

:

I have given tremendously,

I've added value and had impact

761

:

that is, um, life changing.

762

:

Right, right.

763

:

Because the whole point is

to change people's lives.

764

:

Right.

765

:

To help them from wherever

they are to get where they are.

766

:

And there is this misnomer that

the poor always want to stay poor.

767

:

And they always want you to hand

them something that they always

768

:

want to be asked in an ask position.

769

:

And really, you know, that's capitalism.

770

:

Like that, that's sales.

771

:

That's, um, that's me putting something

in front of you that I always want

772

:

to keep you dependent on something.

773

:

The people in the

community that really need.

774

:

They're looking for that moment of help.

775

:

And, and I liken it to us because

I don't know a human being ever

776

:

who did not need help in something

from someone from somewhere.

777

:

Tony Tidbit: Exactly.

778

:

You know, one of the things

that I would love for you.

779

:

I mean, I could just sit

here and listen to y'all day.

780

:

Okay.

781

:

Because this is awesome.

782

:

Talk a little bit about

the, um, the, how giving.

783

:

Right?

784

:

Is, uh, a universal, there's a

universal law when it comes to giving.

785

:

Because one of the things people

struggle with, and you talked about

786

:

it earlier in your walk, right?

787

:

Although it didn't stop you.

788

:

Sometimes you can get taken advantage of.

789

:

You know, I remember my pastor, my church.

790

:

I remember, if you don't mind me

telling this quick little story.

791

:

I remember, um, one

time I was complaining.

792

:

You know, I had loaned my family member,

uh, loaned my family member some money

793

:

a few times and never got it back.

794

:

And you know what he said to me?

795

:

He said, Tony, You don't loan

money, you give money, all right?

796

:

When you give, you're not

expecting it back, all right?

797

:

So then this way, you ain't got

to worry about being mad at them,

798

:

or a relationship is broke, blah,

blah, blah, blah, blah, right?

799

:

I've, that was, I took, I learned

that, and that's what I do.

800

:

However, there's a ton of people

that have been taken advantage of.

801

:

And look, if you're a giver, You're

going to get taken advantage of.

802

:

All right.

803

:

That's just the way that's part

of the, that's also universal law.

804

:

All right.

805

:

However, however, some people have

stopped even volunteering their time

806

:

because they think that somebody is trying

to get over on them or it's a racket.

807

:

So can you speak a little bit about how

giving not only helps the other person,

808

:

but also helps the person that gives.

809

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Man,

you said so much there.

810

:

Um, I remember a friend in college.

811

:

She, um, she used to, it was a PK thing.

812

:

She, um, she didn't want to go to church

anymore because she said the people at

813

:

the church that she went to was mean.

814

:

They were mean.

815

:

And her mom said, well, you know, you

don't stop going to the food market

816

:

because the cashier is having a bad day.

817

:

It might be rude to you.

818

:

You still go to the food market, you

just change your food market, you know,

819

:

stop eating because someone's rude.

820

:

Um, and I think that we do, uh,

the giving is a, it's a law.

821

:

It's a law of attraction.

822

:

It is attached to the

law of attraction, right?

823

:

We are born with the nature to give.

824

:

What we do with that in our walk,

in our journey is our responsibility

825

:

where I call that, that's the

self actualization button.

826

:

Right.

827

:

You have to remember, I was telling

you, I struggled with holding on to the

828

:

innocence of my heart because I was a

giver and everybody was at that time.

829

:

And that space was like,

you don't belong here.

830

:

Um, why are you doing this?

831

:

And I think people have a

responsibility to look at their journey.

832

:

Everything that happens in your journey

is to make you, it's not to break you.

833

:

And you have to use it to

analyze and push through.

834

:

Right.

835

:

Um, I think for those who are givers

who have felt defeated, um, have felt

836

:

like, you know, it doesn't come back.

837

:

I think, I think you have to look

at how you're looking at it, how

838

:

you're viewing it because it doesn't

come back the way you put it out.

839

:

My God, it definitely does not come back

the way you put it out, but it comes back.

840

:

And so you have a

responsibility of self growth.

841

:

So look and say, what is

it that I enjoy doing?

842

:

If, if nobody sees it, if I don't get

acknowledgement for it, if I give it

843

:

and I'm only wanting to get back and

I gotta, I gotta have a flash that

844

:

everybody has to know that I'm doing it.

845

:

I would ask you to please stop doing it.

846

:

Because you just need, you just

need to be an influencer and I

847

:

just have like, some, some light.

848

:

You don't need to really

say that you're a giver.

849

:

Because givers give and

they give from their heart.

850

:

Um, and nobody needs to know about it.

851

:

They, you do have to be discerning, right?

852

:

And you get lessons in that.

853

:

I think we all get lessons in how

to be discerning to see, um, when

854

:

we give and when we don't give.

855

:

My nieces know that when they're

in the car with me, nine times

856

:

outta 10, I'm gonna stop and.

857

:

I'm going to give change or whatever.

858

:

I have something that I have to a person.

859

:

Cause I can feel it.

860

:

I've been in this so long,

you know, you train yourself.

861

:

I can, I can feel, man, I need

to give that person something.

862

:

That's, this is my universal connect.

863

:

Right.

864

:

And then there's some people I

drive past and I'm like, Hmm.

865

:

No, because it's not, it might

be the car behind these, but

866

:

to do that, but it's not mine.

867

:

Right.

868

:

And so there is this

element of give and take.

869

:

Um, I have been blessed in my life

because I'm a giver and a lot of times

870

:

you, you learn how and when to give

because you do get taken advantage of it.

871

:

But, you know, you, you, you have to

work out, you know, That mechanism,

872

:

like everything else, and I would

encourage people to stop, stop the wheel

873

:

to figure out what is their passion.

874

:

What is it that they love to do

that they can support somebody?

875

:

And how is it that you're

connecting with someone else?

876

:

Right if you know what it's

like to be extremely depressed

877

:

to go through something.

878

:

Art, you know, it's, it's just a matter

of giving as a matter of sitting and

879

:

having a conversation with somebody,

recognizing what you see, cause you

880

:

know, what you've been there, right?

881

:

Listening to that inner space that

says, how can I help freely without

882

:

expecting in sales to get a product

back for the exchange, right?

883

:

Um, If you can't afford to give

to someone, you know, then, then

884

:

look at how else you can help them.

885

:

Right.

886

:

Chris P. Reed: So, let me, let me ask

you this though, because is it incumbent

887

:

upon you, your firm or the industry to

create a greater sense of visibility?

888

:

When it comes to the outputs, because

1 of the reasons why people like

889

:

I give, because I have it to give.

890

:

Right.

891

:

But I do know people that are in

my similar situation that say, you

892

:

don't know where that money going.

893

:

You don't know where

that, whatever is going.

894

:

You don't know where them

coaches, them socks, or you

895

:

dropping off all that stuff, man.

896

:

You don't know what they're doing.

897

:

They, they, they selling

that somewhere else.

898

:

And you gotta let that go.

899

:

Like I'm like, man, they can have this.

900

:

I don't want it no more.

901

:

I've emotionally moved on.

902

:

It's not benefiting me at all.

903

:

But for us as, as black folks, for

real, like, no, we get so, we get so,

904

:

you know, Oh, caught with tracking the

results of it, you know, but is that,

905

:

is that something when you get from the

philanthropic levels where people given

906

:

10 percent or 20 percent or they given

like a big check, should they have the

907

:

right to see how that lands or is it a

situation where you just let go and let

908

:

God and you know, Jesus take the wheel

and you just, you know, hope the best.

909

:

How do you feel about that?

910

:

Iris Ivana Grant: So, um, in, in our

industry, um, just like doctors take

911

:

a Hippocratic oath, uh, professional

fundraisers do take an oath and it's

912

:

called the bill of rights for donors.

913

:

We are responsible to ensure our

job is that if we ask, if we are

914

:

part of that, ask if we're building

that strategy, our job is to ensure

915

:

that the donors, um, investment.

916

:

Because it is an investment of time.

917

:

It is an investment of funds, um, a

product, whatever it is that we are

918

:

responsible to manage that responsibly.

919

:

So, yes, the government does require

that the state's laws require that,

920

:

um, that there is transparency.

921

:

I fully believe in transparency

because it's business.

922

:

And so we are trained in how

to write, uh, a memorandum of

923

:

agreement, um, uh, gift agreements.

924

:

There's, there's, there is, as you

said, when you took the fundraising

925

:

class, there's a whole lot of legality

926

:

that we are trained in and

transparency is absolutely.

927

:

If you, especially if you're giving,

if you're giving me 10 million.

928

:

Yes, absolutely.

929

:

I need to make sure that your 10

million that we are in agreement.

930

:

On what is happening, how it's

being given when it's being given.

931

:

We are working on that together.

932

:

Right when we are, um, in a space

that individuals are giving monthly

933

:

contributions or donating coats or shoes.

934

:

Absolutely if you ask the organization,

they will tell you I don't know.

935

:

I don't know 1 nonprofit

that will not do that.

936

:

If they don't do that, that might

be an organization that I would

937

:

say, okay, let's take a 2nd look.

938

:

Right?

939

:

But traditionally, they're, they're open.

940

:

They want you to know

what the, the impact is.

941

:

And we do have a responsibility.

942

:

We take that professional level of giving.

943

:

Take that very seriously.

944

:

Now, what you do have is, is, you

know, Chris, we talked about there's

945

:

been, there's a difference when

you talk about benevolence, right?

946

:

Right.

947

:

So every single faith on the planet

has some form of benevolence.

948

:

It's, it's all different, but

there's a form of benevolence.

949

:

Um, and when it comes to benevolence,

if I'm giving socks, I don't care

950

:

what they're doing with the socks,

951

:

Chris P. Reed: right?

952

:

I'm giving

953

:

Iris Ivana Grant: socks, right?

954

:

Um, when, when you're talking about

people's money, um, and the time

955

:

invested, and there's an exchange in that.

956

:

Yes, the transparency should be there,

but I often looked at the skeptics.

957

:

Like, how does this, how does this,

that information better your life?

958

:

How does that make you more

fulfilled to be discouraged

959

:

about giving the socks, right?

960

:

Right.

961

:

Why is, why is the hang up

on the giving the socks?

962

:

Typically for me, people that have

done that is because they've been

963

:

hurt or they just aren't a giving

person they like to receive, but

964

:

they're not, they're not trusting you.

965

:

They're from Missouri.

966

:

They want you to show them everything.

967

:

They don't, they're not

trusting you in the giving.

968

:

Right.

969

:

And typically I find is because

people are just, that's just a

970

:

person that's just not trusting.

971

:

Um, um, And when we talk about

nonprofits of nonprofits that are

972

:

501c3s, um, at a church level,

973

:

we're taught on one space

to give freely, right?

974

:

Because that's good.

975

:

But then we have all those other

situations that come in that make us have

976

:

this, you know, deniable plausibility of,

like, what, what we should or should not.

977

:

Give and people don't regulate that

self actualization because for me, when

978

:

I give, this is just my personal note.

979

:

When I give, um, it's, it's not

my business to know what you do.

980

:

You asked me and I discerned

that you had a need and I gave.

981

:

So when Tony talks about the

law of attraction, what you do

982

:

is what you want to attract.

983

:

What I did was I gave.

984

:

Because you asked and I

had the ability to give

985

:

Tony Tidbit: correct

986

:

Iris Ivana Grant: right now, if you

come from me, that might be different.

987

:

Right?

988

:

But but it's, it's, it's such a

personal thing and you give it

989

:

out of love and out of humanity.

990

:

Right?

991

:

Right.

992

:

Chris P. Reed: That's a great

message for, for people of color.

993

:

Uh, my question to you specifically,

uh, lastly, is with the Genesi group.

994

:

Is it time, talent and treasure, or is

it just treasure that you guys focus on

995

:

what can I look to your website or look

to your group to invest in if I was,

996

:

if I want it to be newly philanthropic,

is it, is it, how does that, how do I

997

:

make that connection and get my way?

998

:

So,

999

:

Iris Ivana Grant: so

fortunate, so fortunate.

:

00:56:27,120 --> 00:56:29,404

I see we are a for profit company.

:

00:56:29,675 --> 00:56:31,205

We have a nonprofit arm.

:

00:56:31,205 --> 00:56:31,295

Mm-Hmm.

:

00:56:31,830 --> 00:56:35,765

. Um, our nonprofit arm is our

philanthropic perspective.

:

00:56:36,095 --> 00:56:40,925

And so what we do is we don't take any

contributions in per se for ourself.

:

00:56:41,345 --> 00:56:46,775

We, um, we make sure in the

ecosystems that we build on the

:

00:56:46,775 --> 00:56:51,610

for-profit side, that they are

inclusive of all of those mechanisms.

:

00:56:51,710 --> 00:56:52,250

That's good.

:

00:56:52,320 --> 00:56:52,610

Okay.

:

00:56:52,655 --> 00:56:58,055

So it's not just telling a nonprofit

or a corporation or individual.

:

00:56:58,920 --> 00:56:59,750

Give it this way.

:

00:56:59,960 --> 00:57:02,270

We look at, like, what

is it that you can do?

:

00:57:02,800 --> 00:57:04,510

How is it that you want to do that?

:

00:57:04,800 --> 00:57:09,730

And then a lot of times that ecosystem

we pair the nonprofit with the

:

00:57:09,730 --> 00:57:14,879

corporation with the individual because

we also believe very much in nonprofits

:

00:57:14,890 --> 00:57:17,140

being having lifetime sustainability.

:

00:57:17,400 --> 00:57:23,940

So we work on 1 of my pet peeves is

them not being so heavily grant funded.

:

00:57:24,975 --> 00:57:30,105

Right we work on what's the relationship

and building in that system that

:

00:57:30,235 --> 00:57:32,045

okay, you do need individual donors.

:

00:57:32,045 --> 00:57:34,404

You do need a corporation to support you.

:

00:57:34,405 --> 00:57:36,195

You do need an individual.

:

00:57:36,265 --> 00:57:37,384

You do need volunteers.

:

00:57:37,915 --> 00:57:42,945

So we build that out on our on our

corporate side on our nonprofit side.

:

00:57:42,955 --> 00:57:44,455

That is our social good piece.

:

00:57:45,935 --> 00:57:47,885

And we spend a lot of time training.

:

00:57:48,470 --> 00:57:55,340

Nonprofit leaders as to, um, how to be

more independent and assertive and how

:

00:57:55,340 --> 00:57:57,610

to look to be able to generate revenue.

:

00:57:58,070 --> 00:58:03,789

That helps, um, truly, truly the

lift on the fundraising piece

:

00:58:03,829 --> 00:58:05,489

so that they can be sustainable.

:

00:58:05,760 --> 00:58:07,370

And a lot of times they have.

:

00:58:07,860 --> 00:58:11,510

Um, products or services

that can be fee based.

:

00:58:12,340 --> 00:58:17,310

That can be very supportive to help them

so that they are not so committed to

:

00:58:17,310 --> 00:58:23,020

just having donations or volunteers, um,

or grant funding and the traditional.

:

00:58:23,670 --> 00:58:28,779

The traditional formats of granting

and fundraising, and that's our give

:

00:58:29,069 --> 00:58:30,810

because we know in the industry.

:

00:58:31,490 --> 00:58:35,570

That is hard work and so we,

we try to lift on both sides.

:

00:58:36,440 --> 00:58:36,720

Tony Tidbit: Cool.

:

00:58:37,280 --> 00:58:41,620

So tell us real quickly about,

you know, social entrepreneurs.

:

00:58:41,620 --> 00:58:43,760

You brought this up earlier.

:

00:58:44,110 --> 00:58:47,970

Um, just so everybody's on the same

page, what is a social entrepreneur

:

00:58:48,350 --> 00:58:50,089

and how are they changing the game?

:

00:58:52,410 --> 00:58:53,040

Iris Ivana Grant: Social entrepreneurs.

:

00:58:53,920 --> 00:59:02,570

I love it because, um, they are

neither strict capitalists and they're

:

00:59:02,570 --> 00:59:05,550

neither, um, nonprofit leaders.

:

00:59:06,450 --> 00:59:11,660

And so they have businesses that they

want to perform social good within their

:

00:59:11,710 --> 00:59:18,209

businesses, their profit margins speak

to them being able to diversify how

:

00:59:18,219 --> 00:59:24,140

they give, um, and how they even wrap

around their services or their product.

:

00:59:25,270 --> 00:59:30,220

Um, but they do not know the

nonprofit industry, right?

:

00:59:30,730 --> 00:59:33,589

So I'll use Chris's socks as an example.

:

00:59:33,630 --> 00:59:34,999

If I'm a sock company.

:

00:59:35,635 --> 00:59:40,155

Giving away a 100 pair of

socks may not be the best way.

:

00:59:40,995 --> 00:59:45,245

To give to the community, but they're

giving what they have and and they're

:

00:59:45,335 --> 00:59:47,214

they're giving the way they feel.

:

00:59:47,215 --> 00:59:51,435

They mean, and social entrepreneurs

are very, very interesting because

:

00:59:51,435 --> 00:59:53,535

I do believe since we've had.

:

00:59:54,060 --> 00:59:58,710

Um, the last three presidential and,

and governmental administrations.

:

00:59:59,190 --> 01:00:05,490

Um, the pandemic and then the influx of

how economies are shifting right now.

:

01:00:06,150 --> 01:00:10,890

Um, social entrepreneurs are

that new wave of industry, the

:

01:00:10,890 --> 01:00:12,180

industrial revolution is over.

:

01:00:13,640 --> 01:00:17,290

And so people are looking

at life differently.

:

01:00:17,350 --> 01:00:20,820

This next generation that's coming up,

they talk differently, they socialize

:

01:00:20,820 --> 01:00:22,530

differently, they engage differently.

:

01:00:23,030 --> 01:00:28,250

Um, we connect with them because we

use technology to enhance some of the

:

01:00:28,259 --> 01:00:32,770

things that we do, and those social

entrepreneurs are looking at business

:

01:00:33,250 --> 01:00:34,830

from a very different perspective.

:

01:00:34,980 --> 01:00:41,019

They are looking at it with the component

of truly, how do I give to my neighbor?

:

01:00:41,740 --> 01:00:46,380

How do I give to my community and they're

building that into their business model?

:

01:00:46,790 --> 01:00:47,140

Right?

:

01:00:47,490 --> 01:00:49,460

So, yes, they're going to get a profit.

:

01:00:49,529 --> 01:00:49,799

Yes.

:

01:00:49,830 --> 01:00:51,580

They any business, anybody.

:

01:00:51,610 --> 01:00:52,750

I'm an entrepreneur, right?

:

01:00:52,800 --> 01:00:57,110

That's why I have a, uh, incorporated

side and a nonprofit side, right?

:

01:00:57,159 --> 01:01:00,039

I'm an entrepreneur, but they are.

:

01:01:00,679 --> 01:01:04,879

Blending and bleeding

together that profit.

:

01:01:05,349 --> 01:01:06,209

And that gives.

:

01:01:06,210 --> 01:01:10,410

Um, they may not always get it right

because when you're starting out,

:

01:01:10,460 --> 01:01:14,100

you're doing passion work and you

don't know either side entrepreneurs.

:

01:01:14,990 --> 01:01:16,990

Don't fit into either world, right?

:

01:01:17,019 --> 01:01:19,720

They are a vertical unto themselves.

:

01:01:20,280 --> 01:01:23,260

And so they are looking at how to give.

:

01:01:24,269 --> 01:01:27,010

And balance it, they understand.

:

01:01:27,400 --> 01:01:31,770

That that principle, they understand

that universal law of giving.

:

01:01:32,420 --> 01:01:32,830

Right.

:

01:01:33,250 --> 01:01:36,190

Um, and they understand that if

they're giving much, they are

:

01:01:36,200 --> 01:01:42,230

required to give much, um, they may

not know, always know how right.

:

01:01:42,270 --> 01:01:48,579

And so we really are speaking loudly to,

um, social entrepreneurs, especially here

:

01:01:48,579 --> 01:01:54,550

in Atlanta, um, because culturally, this

is, uh, an amazing city when we talk about

:

01:01:54,900 --> 01:01:59,120

black entrepreneurs, um, and they're,

they're looking to do things differently.

:

01:01:59,485 --> 01:02:02,005

And they are not interested

in the status quo.

:

01:02:03,065 --> 01:02:03,355

Right.

:

01:02:03,815 --> 01:02:10,745

So I want them to be as successful as

they can be, um, in terms of not just

:

01:02:10,745 --> 01:02:14,294

doing the business, but when they're,

when they collaborate and they are

:

01:02:14,294 --> 01:02:19,584

very collaborative, they are interested

in the infrastructure of giving.

:

01:02:20,984 --> 01:02:25,275

Um, and that is where we

really have been focusing.

:

01:02:25,680 --> 01:02:29,380

Conversations and trainings,

um, and engagement with,

:

01:02:30,560 --> 01:02:32,780

Tony Tidbit: you know, we're

running out of time, but I want to,

:

01:02:32,830 --> 01:02:34,729

I want to get your point of view.

:

01:02:35,580 --> 01:02:41,459

Um, you know, on, you said

something a minute ago.

:

01:02:42,860 --> 01:02:49,690

Um, how many people in the industry and

you're in, in your industry look like you?

:

01:02:50,280 --> 01:02:50,680

Iris Ivana Grant: Wow.

:

01:02:51,690 --> 01:02:55,010

Um, in Atlanta, a lot, right?

:

01:02:56,695 --> 01:03:04,825

Nationally, I would say, wow, maybe

a 10 percent globally less than that.

:

01:03:05,435 --> 01:03:10,755

And I did serve on a, on a, uh, an inch,

a global board international board.

:

01:03:11,315 --> 01:03:16,205

Um, and out of the 20 people, there

were three of us, two of us from

:

01:03:16,205 --> 01:03:18,085

Atlanta, which was really interesting.

:

01:03:18,735 --> 01:03:24,505

Um, what you find is you find a

lot of unofficial fundraisers.

:

01:03:26,160 --> 01:03:29,680

Right in our community on

the professional level.

:

01:03:29,680 --> 01:03:32,270

We, we, it is not an industry run by.

:

01:03:33,279 --> 01:03:38,040

By us, it is it is run typically

by our white male counterparts.

:

01:03:38,040 --> 01:03:44,500

Um, and it's not an industry

that you will find us in a lot.

:

01:03:44,950 --> 01:03:48,530

And when you do find us, you

usually find us in the same

:

01:03:48,530 --> 01:03:49,970

positions you would in corporate.

:

01:03:51,520 --> 01:03:51,990

Tony Tidbit: Got it.

:

01:03:52,240 --> 01:03:59,480

So no different than corporate America

in terms of representation, but the same,

:

01:04:00,189 --> 01:04:06,230

um, how should I say challenges that

you would have in corporate America?

:

01:04:06,949 --> 01:04:07,610

Is that accurate?

:

01:04:07,620 --> 01:04:07,810

Iris Ivana Grant: Yes.

:

01:04:08,840 --> 01:04:09,110

Yes.

:

01:04:09,800 --> 01:04:13,250

It looks, and it looks very

different, um, because it is a, uh,

:

01:04:13,320 --> 01:04:14,950

the industry is a different animal.

:

01:04:15,720 --> 01:04:19,950

Um, I will say you do find us giving.

:

01:04:20,510 --> 01:04:25,680

But typically it is community

based church, church based, um,

:

01:04:25,740 --> 01:04:29,630

and I don't find a lot of people

across the board in, in any race.

:

01:04:30,420 --> 01:04:34,590

Um, any ethnicity really

seeing philanthropy as being

:

01:04:34,590 --> 01:04:35,980

their subcultural lifestyle.

:

01:04:37,740 --> 01:04:42,760

Right, they're athletes, they're

vegans, they're musicians.

:

01:04:44,150 --> 01:04:48,300

But we, we go back to that classification

that unless I can write a major check.

:

01:04:48,880 --> 01:04:49,930

I'm not a philanthropist.

:

01:04:50,090 --> 01:04:51,529

I've got, I can volunteer.

:

01:04:51,560 --> 01:04:55,400

I can give you a couple of dollars

on the offering plate or, you know, I

:

01:04:55,400 --> 01:05:03,570

can, I can maybe make a launch or, but

professionally and personally, we, we

:

01:05:03,570 --> 01:05:06,150

have a lot that we can give and we can do.

:

01:05:06,190 --> 01:05:10,820

And as a community, we really should

and I believe the times are getting so

:

01:05:10,820 --> 01:05:13,010

serious that we should really reconsider.

:

01:05:13,040 --> 01:05:13,310

Right.

:

01:05:13,455 --> 01:05:18,845

Um, on every level, how we are giving,

how we're engaging, where we're putting

:

01:05:18,845 --> 01:05:26,195

our dollars, um, how we're investing those

dollars, um, in, in the philanthropic

:

01:05:26,424 --> 01:05:28,194

space, how we're helping our communities.

:

01:05:29,294 --> 01:05:32,195

Tony Tidbit: So final question

for you, cause you just gave a

:

01:05:32,195 --> 01:05:35,505

lot to us and our audience today.

:

01:05:36,095 --> 01:05:36,835

Okay.

:

01:05:37,225 --> 01:05:40,545

Um, how can we, how can BEP help you Iris?

:

01:05:43,165 --> 01:05:47,745

Iris Ivana Grant: I would love for you

all to share the word about Janessa Um,

:

01:05:47,965 --> 01:05:52,394

and the reason why is because we, we,

we are a little bit of a fish out of

:

01:05:52,395 --> 01:05:52,775

Tony Tidbit: water.

:

01:05:54,015 --> 01:05:54,275

Iris Ivana Grant: Right.

:

01:05:54,275 --> 01:05:58,455

We are bringing, um, a different

way of looking at things

:

01:05:58,455 --> 01:05:59,585

and thinking about things.

:

01:05:59,695 --> 01:06:02,755

And so, um, we are going to be starting.

:

01:06:03,200 --> 01:06:09,710

This year, um, in August, I believe

here in Atlanta, a series of nonprofit

:

01:06:09,710 --> 01:06:15,040

trainings for and social entrepreneur

trainings to really help them think

:

01:06:15,140 --> 01:06:16,689

strategically and differently.

:

01:06:17,220 --> 01:06:22,250

Um, we, although we provide our services

for anyone, um, we really do want

:

01:06:22,250 --> 01:06:27,940

to be able to take this message to

that next generation and help impact

:

01:06:27,940 --> 01:06:32,020

them as they start their businesses

as they start making that shift.

:

01:06:33,720 --> 01:06:35,330

Because it's going to be needed.

:

01:06:35,770 --> 01:06:39,010

We have some turbulent,

hopefully, I'm turbulent.

:

01:06:39,090 --> 01:06:43,160

I hope, but, but I think we have

some turbulent times ahead of us in

:

01:06:43,160 --> 01:06:44,979

terms of community community need.

:

01:06:45,629 --> 01:06:51,130

Right and economics, and we want

business owners and young people, we want

:

01:06:51,130 --> 01:06:55,029

nonprofits and founders to be prepared.

:

01:06:55,680 --> 01:07:00,109

To lead the way in the vertical

in the industry of nonprofit work.

:

01:07:00,570 --> 01:07:01,589

As to what they mean.

:

01:07:02,160 --> 01:07:05,270

But able to be able to build

those strategies, right?

:

01:07:05,290 --> 01:07:09,540

Not just, not just the ask, but how

are you looking at your infrastructure?

:

01:07:10,230 --> 01:07:13,399

How are you engaging differently

and preparing for the future?

:

01:07:13,620 --> 01:07:16,420

Because your communities are going to

change, the needs are going to change,

:

01:07:16,910 --> 01:07:20,679

and how are you preparing to meet that

head on with your partners and, and, and

:

01:07:20,680 --> 01:07:25,580

the stakeholders who are investing, um,

philanthropically in your organization,

:

01:07:25,590 --> 01:07:26,830

whether it's time, talent, or

:

01:07:26,830 --> 01:07:31,290

Tony Tidbit: Well, that's

an easy thing to do, Iris.

:

01:07:31,740 --> 01:07:34,770

So we're definitely gonna spread the

word actually we're gonna spread the

:

01:07:34,770 --> 01:07:39,729

word by this podcast going out and

you know Everyone being able to hear

:

01:07:39,729 --> 01:07:45,019

your voice, you know your message

But more importantly your passion and

:

01:07:45,019 --> 01:07:47,899

your love for your fellow human being.

:

01:07:48,380 --> 01:07:54,000

I mean if Everyone could have that type

of passion and love my girl this world

:

01:07:54,020 --> 01:07:59,765

would be so different So I am and I

know I'm speaking for Chris You We've

:

01:07:59,765 --> 01:08:04,215

been blessed today and I'm going to say

this and I don't think I need to say it.

:

01:08:04,575 --> 01:08:10,215

Just keep going out in the world, my

friend, because you're changing hearts.

:

01:08:10,224 --> 01:08:15,024

You're helping people and yes,

yes, you, your company is great

:

01:08:15,025 --> 01:08:19,314

and you're doing a lot of great

things, but who you are as a person.

:

01:08:19,925 --> 01:08:25,005

Just your presence, just being

around that's philanthropy.

:

01:08:25,104 --> 01:08:28,035

Okay, just your words, your love.

:

01:08:28,804 --> 01:08:31,575

That's, that's what you are right in.

:

01:08:31,604 --> 01:08:34,434

And at the end of the day,

you came on this planet.

:

01:08:35,115 --> 01:08:37,049

God gave you exactly what you need.

:

01:08:37,710 --> 01:08:41,300

What you are and you found it

and you've been running with it.

:

01:08:41,670 --> 01:08:42,490

And guess what?

:

01:08:42,550 --> 01:08:46,090

We're so glad for you and a

black executive perspective

:

01:08:46,090 --> 01:08:48,318

podcast wants to run with you.

:

01:08:48,319 --> 01:08:53,019

So thank you again, from the bottom

of our hearts of your generosity to

:

01:08:53,029 --> 01:08:56,440

come on a black executive perspective

podcast to share your perspective.

:

01:08:58,035 --> 01:08:58,415

Iris Ivana Grant: Thank you.

:

01:08:58,434 --> 01:08:59,225

It was my pleasure.

:

01:08:59,225 --> 01:09:03,755

You're, you're, uh, uh, your team

is amazing and you guys are so fun.

:

01:09:04,205 --> 01:09:06,175

And thank you for letting me just be me.

:

01:09:06,214 --> 01:09:06,974

I appreciate

:

01:09:06,984 --> 01:09:07,015

Tony Tidbit: that.

:

01:09:07,024 --> 01:09:08,375

Oh, well, thank you.

:

01:09:08,375 --> 01:09:09,745

Really appreciate it.

:

01:09:10,065 --> 01:09:13,725

And now I think it's

time for Tony's tidbit.

:

01:09:13,904 --> 01:09:16,124

It is Tony's tidbit time.

:

01:09:16,274 --> 01:09:18,885

And as you always know, we

always give an inspirational

:

01:09:18,885 --> 01:09:21,615

quote based on today's episode.

:

01:09:21,904 --> 01:09:24,375

And so today's quote is by John Bunyan.

:

01:09:25,005 --> 01:09:30,725

And the quote states, you have not lived

today until you have done something

:

01:09:31,225 --> 01:09:34,154

for someone who can never repay you.

:

01:09:35,283 --> 01:09:39,654

And if you heard today from

Iris Ivana Grant, she did

:

01:09:39,654 --> 01:09:41,725

something for us and you today.

:

01:09:42,193 --> 01:09:46,285

And I don't know if we can repay

her, but what we can do is push her

:

01:09:46,285 --> 01:09:49,694

message out and help other individuals.

:

01:09:50,160 --> 01:09:52,290

So, thank you again, Ivana.

:

01:09:52,550 --> 01:09:57,210

So, I hope today you enjoyed today's

episode, The Evolution of Giving, How

:

01:09:57,210 --> 01:10:04,809

Philanthropy Shapes Our World, from our

guest, fabulous guest, Iris Ivana Grant.

:

01:10:05,410 --> 01:10:08,520

Um, I think it's now, Time for us.

:

01:10:08,550 --> 01:10:09,960

This is a big thing for us.

:

01:10:09,960 --> 01:10:13,840

Our call to action, you know, here at

a black executive perspective podcast,

:

01:10:14,190 --> 01:10:16,650

we want to change the conversation.

:

01:10:16,650 --> 01:10:18,280

We want to bring people together.

:

01:10:18,529 --> 01:10:23,250

So we're asking everyone to incorporate

our call to action called less.

:

01:10:23,835 --> 01:10:28,755

L E S S, and L stands for learn.

:

01:10:29,115 --> 01:10:33,075

You want to learn about people that's

not, that doesn't look like you.

:

01:10:33,345 --> 01:10:34,614

Different cultures.

:

01:10:34,665 --> 01:10:37,705

Because when you learn,

you enlighten yourself.

:

01:10:38,090 --> 01:10:41,410

Chris P. Reed: And the E is for

empathy, to understand diverse

:

01:10:41,430 --> 01:10:45,570

perspectives and allow yourself to

be philanthropic due to that empathy.

:

01:10:46,109 --> 01:10:46,929

Tony Tidbit: Exactly.

:

01:10:47,020 --> 01:10:49,340

And then S stands for share.

:

01:10:49,818 --> 01:10:54,199

You want to share what you learned to your

other brothers and sisters and friends

:

01:10:54,200 --> 01:10:56,859

and family and be philanthropic as well.

:

01:10:57,440 --> 01:11:01,820

Chris P. Reed: And then the last S

is for stop, actively work to stop

:

01:11:01,820 --> 01:11:04,270

discrimination and foster inclusivity.

:

01:11:05,070 --> 01:11:09,250

This will be a better world, a

more fair place for us to live.

:

01:11:09,610 --> 01:11:13,890

If you just do this every day,

every opportunity you get to be

:

01:11:13,890 --> 01:11:15,140

the change that you want to see.

:

01:11:16,050 --> 01:11:16,770

Tony Tidbit: Absolutely.

:

01:11:16,770 --> 01:11:19,780

So we're looking for

everyone to incorporate less.

:

01:11:19,790 --> 01:11:20,920

You can control this.

:

01:11:20,930 --> 01:11:22,430

This is within your control.

:

01:11:22,790 --> 01:11:24,980

Like Chris says, do it on a daily basis.

:

01:11:25,280 --> 01:11:27,559

L E S S.

:

01:11:27,780 --> 01:11:31,829

So you can find a black executive

perspective podcast, wherever you get

:

01:11:31,830 --> 01:11:37,150

your podcast, and you can follow us on

our socials, on Instagram X, YouTube,

:

01:11:37,240 --> 01:11:43,519

Tik TOK, and LinkedIn at a black exec

for our giving, loving, loving, loving.

:

01:11:44,135 --> 01:11:47,555

Social person, Iris Savannah Grant.

:

01:11:47,795 --> 01:11:50,235

We want to thank her for Chris P.

:

01:11:50,235 --> 01:11:57,234

Reed, the man with the sound for our

fabulous producer, Noel, who's behind

:

01:11:57,234 --> 01:11:59,565

the glass and makes all this happening.

:

01:12:00,085 --> 01:12:01,394

I'm Tony tidbit.

:

01:12:01,634 --> 01:12:02,845

We talked about it.

:

01:12:03,055 --> 01:12:04,015

We love you.

:

01:12:04,275 --> 01:12:04,995

And we're out

:

01:12:09,065 --> 01:12:11,565

BEP Narrator: a black

executive perspective.

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