philanthropy
In 1998, Greg founded The 11-10-02 Foundation. "11-10-02" represented his 30th birthday (November 10, 2002) & his belief that people 30 & under can/should make a difference. The 11-10-02 Foundation began by overseeing the Brunch Bunch Mentoring Program. While it remains a very small and entirely volunteer-run organization, it has proudly expanded its efforts and provided grants & scholarships to students, schools & programs around the country - in fields like art, teaching, music, business, computer science, law, broadcasting, nursing, social work & agriculture. The organization was the subject of a kind cover story in The NonProfit Times. It has been featured by other media like Education Week, National Public Radio & The Washington Post . It was honored as one of America's Daily Points of Light. SCROLL DOWN FOR NEXT PARAGRAPH
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 the experiences during his youth that shaped his interest in philanthropy, his efforts in the field throughout his life, 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 &/or individual chapters of them (i.e. National MS Society, Habitat for Humanity, I Have a Dream Foundation, Autism Eats, AmeriCorps) have ordered copies of the books &/or the companion workbook (A Place To Sit) for their staff, volunteers, donors, beneficiaries &/or for students in their communities. Others (i.e. Boston Cares, Hill Country Crisis Council) have sponsored The Elevator Project (a kindness recognition project) in their community. SCROLL DOWN FOR NEXT PARAGRAPH
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). 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 also ordered copies of The First Thirty for everyone in attendance.SCROLL DOWN FOR NEXT PARAGRAPH
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In many cases, Greg has spoken about philanthropy with students of different ages at schools around North America (from middle school & high school to college & graduate school). In some cases, this has taken place during a guest lecture or assembly at a school. In other cases, it has taken place at a retreat or a conference. On multiple occasions, he has worked with programs for teen philanthropists &/or those programs have utilized the books & workbooks in their efforts (i.e. Youth Volunteer Corps of Kansas City). In some cases, the groups have done both (i.e. McDonald's got copies of The First Thirty & the companion workbook, A Place To Sit, for every student in a teen philanthropy program in Illinois and had Greg serve as 'off-site mentor' to the group). In one meaningful example, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro got copies of The First Thirty for each student in its Teen Grantmaking Council, and Greensboro Chamber of Commerce got each student a second copy to give to someone in their community who makes a difference & set a great example.
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