philanthropy

PHILANTHROPY BACKGROUND: Greg's involvement in philanthropy began as a child. As he grew up, those efforts expanded. In 1998, he founded The 11-10-02 Foundation. "11-10-02" represented his 30th birthday (November 10, 2002) and his belief that people 30 & under can make a difference. The 11-10-02 Foundation began by overseeing the Brunch Bunch Mentoring Program and then expanded into funding scholarships and grants to assist students with financial need. While it remains a very small and entirely volunteer-run organization, the foundation has now provided grants & scholarships to students, schools & programs in all 50 states. The organization was the subject of a kind cover story in The NonProfit Times. It has been featured by other media like Education Week and The Washington Post . It was honored as an organization as one of America's Daily Points of Light. Separately, on a different occasion, Greg was honored individually as one of America's Daily Points of Light. He also has received other meaningful honors like the Jefferson Award for Public Service - SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

THE BOOKS: On the professional side, the books based on Greg's story (The Milkshake Man for young children, The First Thirty for students, The Silhouette Man for adults) include a look at his civic and philanthropic efforts, his experiences as a youth that shaped his interest in those fields, and the woman who mentored him along the way. The First Thirty was NSDLC Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. The Silhouette Man was honored in Canada as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors. In many cases, philanthropic & nonprofit organizations (i.e. I Have a Dream Foundation, Autism Eats), community foundations (i.e. Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Central Alabama Community Foundation), and individual chapters of national organizations (i.e. chapters of National MS Society, Habitat for Humanity, AmeriCorps) have ordered copies of the books &/or the companion workbooks for their Board, staff, volunteers, donors, beneficiaries, teen philanthropy participants and/or other students in their communities. Other nonprofits (i.e. Boston Cares, Hill Country Crisis Council) have sponsored The Elevator Project (a kindness recognition project) in their community. SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

EVENTS FOR ADULTS: Greg has been invited to speak about philanthropy & the nonprofit sector at events in different countries. They include events honoring philanthropists & nonprofit leaders (i.e. Conference on NonProfit Excellence Awards), for staff of philanthropic organizations (i.e. event for staff of KU Endowment), for their volunteers (i.e. an event for volunteers with United Way in part of Canada), for their beneficiaries (i.e. event for Holocaust Survivors in California) & for their donors (i.e. event for supporters of Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati). SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE

In some cases, he has been one of multiple speakers at an event that highlighted philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, civic engagement &/or corporate social responsibility. For instance, at a conference for business executives in California, Greg was morning speaker & former Apple CEO John Sculley was lunch speaker. At a (nonpartisan) event recognizing volunteers at a hospital, Greg & Michelle Obama were guest speakers. Organizers of that event also ordered copies of his book for everyone in attendance. Most of the time, when Greg is invited to speak with established donors of organizations, the theme has revolved around Intergenerational Impact -- looking at some of the specific ways they can instill their interest in service & philanthropy into younger generations of their families. SCROLL DOWN

EVENTS FOR STUDENTS: In many cases, Greg has spoken about civic engagement & philanthropy with students of different ages (middle school, high school, college and graduate school) around North America. In some cases, this has taken place through a guest lecture or assembly at a school. In other cases, it has taken place at a retreat or conference (i.e. Diller Teen Fellows Pittsburgh Retreat, Art of Engagement Conference). SCROLL DOWN

On multiple occasions, he has worked with programs for teen philanthropists &/or those types of programs have utilized the books & workbooks in their efforts (i.e. Wayne County Community Youth Foundation - and - Youth Volunteer Corps of Kansas City). In some cases, groups have done both (i.e. A McDonald's franchise owner got copies of The First Thirty & the companion workbook, A Place To Sit, for every student involved in a teen philanthropy program raising funds for its local Ronald McDonald House and had Greg serve as the group's 'off-site mentor').

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