The Generosity NOW Podcast

Faith-Driven Impact: with Tim Macready

Eric and Laurie are joined by Tim Macready for a conversation about faith-aligned investing. Tim shares his journey from managing a billion-dollar pension fund in Australia to establishing Brightlight in the US, aiming to bridge the gap between investors' values and their portfolios. We explore the challenges and rewards of integrating faith with financial strategy, and how Tim's work is paving the way for a new era of impact investing. Join us to discover how values-driven investment can make a global impact.
About Tim
 As Head of Global Multi-Asset Investing, Tim works with faith-based and values-driven investors to help them explore and implement practical steps. Tim's career has been focused on applying faith to investment portfolios. He graduated from Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) with a Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Studies, and then completed his Master of Divinity through the Australian College of Theology. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and has passed advice examinations in both Australia and the United States.
Tim was previously Chief Investment Officer for a $1bn+ pension fund in Australia, before working with others to launch a values-driven investment advice and management firm in Australia. In 2022, Tim relocated to the United States and formed Brightlight, an EverSource Wealth Advisors Team, to support the growing movement of investors seeking to align their faith and portffolio. Tim's work in faith-driven and impact investing has gained global recognition, with his portfolios and research receiving awards both in Australia and globally.
On the weekend, he can often be found in the mountains - hiking, snowboarding, or cycling. Until leaving Australia, he was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Australia and served on several denominational governing bodies and other faith-based ministries. Tim and his family are looking forward to finding a church community in their new home.
Resources Mentioned
Website: www.brightlightimpact.us
Email: timmacready@brightlightimpact.us
Faith Driven Investor: https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/
Faith Driven Investor Marketplace: https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/marketplace
Master Your Money: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Your-Money-Step-Step/dp/0802481612
Purposeful living; Financial Wisdom For All of Life https://www.gtp.org/resources/ebooks/purposeful-living/
Global Impact Investing Network: https://thegiin.org/

Helping Hands; With Shannon Hawkins Morris

On this weeks episode, we kick off or summer series highlighting some of our favorite episodes from season two. Eric and Laurie interview Shannon Hawkins Morris, Vice President of Helping Hands. They discuss the history and purpose of Helping Hands, a ministry that provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need. Shannon shares examples of projects they have supported, such as providing shoes for children in low-income schools and helping pastors with medical expenses. They also discuss the Corporate Assistance Program, which allows businesses to set up giving funds for their employees and community. The episode highlights the importance of due diligence and the peace of mind it provides to givers.
 
About Shannon Hawkins Morris
 
Shannon has a life-long dream to serve at an organization with a humanitarian mission! As Vice President at Helping Hands, a registered 501c3 charity organization dedicated to God’s calling to serve others. Helping Hands has the privilege of providing direct assistance to qualified individuals in need and charities, both locally and internationally. Shannon has a passion for people and strives every day to make a positive difference in the world by connecting with and serving others.
 
Episode Takeaways
Helping Hands is a ministry that provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need.
They qualify projects through a due diligence process to ensure that the funds go to true needy situations.
Helping Hands supports a wide range of projects, including providing shoes for children in low-income schools and helping pastors with medical expenses.
The Corporate Assistance Program allows businesses to set up giving funds for their employees and community.

Season 2 Wrap up; Highlights from our favorite episodes.

In this episode, Eric and Laurie wrap up Season 2 of the Generosity Now podcast by highlighting some of their favorite episodes. They express gratitude for the podcast's global reach and encourage listeners to share their favorite episodes with others.
 
The highlighted episodes include discussions on inheriting wealth, setting a financial finish line, generosity as a gateway to intimacy with God, complex giving, and the power of increasing generosity year after year. 
 
Highlighted Episodes
Being Part of God's Story Through Generosity; With Cody and Kealan Hobleman
Journey of Generosity: with Dana Wichterman
Solutions Series: Complex Asset Giving with Jeff Waldron
Navigating WealthTransfer: With Rachel McDonough
 
Takeaways
The Generosity Now podcast has listeners in 84 different countries.
Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite episodes with others.
Inheriting wealth requires taking time to process and make wise decisions.
Setting a financial finish line and having a plan for generosity is important.
Generosity is a gateway to intimacy with God.
Complex giving requires careful planning and stewardship of assets.
Increasing generosity year after year is beneficial and can be seen as a muscle that grows with use.
Quotable
"Slow down, take a moment, take some time, process it"
 

Using Business to Lift People Out of Poverty: With Musana

On this episode, Eric and Laurie are joined by Andrea and Haril Kazindra, co-founders of Musana, along with Sam Mitchell, a supporter of Musana.
 
Andrea and Haril share their journey of starting an organization in Uganda to lift children out of poverty. They discuss the importance of using business to make a positive impact and the shift from traditional charity models to sustainable social enterprises. Musana has grown to include schools, hospitals, and economic empowerment programs, all sustained by locally generated income. They emphasize the need for communities to be empowered and for donors to invest in long-term solutions rather than providing direct aid. Sam Mitchell, a supporter of Musana, shares his own journey of faith and generosity.
 
About our Guests
 
Andrea's journey began in 2008 when she co-founded Musana, stepping into the role oflegal guardian for 80 children. Over the subsequent 16 years immersed in Ugandan life, she cultivated invaluable insights into community collaboration, essential for driving the success of grassroots initiatives.At the helm of MCDO as Co-CEO, Andrea assumes a multifaceted role, steering strategic vision, fostering growth, and cultivating a vibrant organizational ethos. Musana, under her stewardship, has evolved into a powerhouse of impact, boasting 14 sustainable enterprises spanning education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. These ventures, including schools, hospitals, restaurants, and guesthouses, provide livelihoods for 650 dedicatedUgandans.As Musana's chief advocate, Andrea champions fundraising, development, and oversees operations across the US and the UK. Her unwavering dedication to empowering local communities resonates through her passion for nurturing grassroots change agents.Andrea holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from theUniversity of Colorado Boulder–Leeds School of Business. She fervently believes in business-driven solutions, advocating for investments in low-income communities over conventional handouts.Beyond her professional endeavors, Andrea finds joy in the simple pleasures of nature, travel, and the cherished role of motherhood.
About Haril 
For the past 16 years, Haril has been at the forefront of fostering sustainable business solutions within Ugandan communities. Having experienced poverty firsthand, he staunchly believes in the importance of self-reliance and independence over dependency on charity.In his capacity as Co-CEO, Haril wears many hats, casting the vision of the Musana model to local communities, overseeing enterprise implementation, managing operations, serving as the primary spokesperson, nurturing organizational culture, and supporting fundraising efforts. Under his leadership, Musana has flourished into a distinctive sustainable model, boasting 14 enterprises spanning education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.These endeavors, encompassing schools, hospitals, restaurants, and guesthouses, provide livelihoods for 650 dedicated Ugandans.
About Sam
Sam and his wife, Beth, reside in Lexington, KY, where they raised their four children, became involved in the community, and where Sam worked at Valvoline for 26 years. Sam’s community engagement includes working closely with Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of theBluegrass, and serving on the board for Transylvania University and the Dean’s AdvisoryCouncil at the University of Kentucky Gatton School of Business. When their kids were younger, coaching soccer teams and leading their Sunday School classes were highlights. He considers himself the primary beneficiary of hosting a men’s Bible Study for the last 20+ years.Sam also loves spending time outside, especially snow skiing and getting out on the lake inTraverse City, Michigan, with family and friends.Sam’s business career started in commercial banking, followed by nine years in brand and category management at Clorox in Oakland, CA, leading to his time at Valvoline. In 2002, Sam was named president of Valvoline, which, at the time, was a division of Ashland, Inc. After a period of significant growth in the retail and international businesses, Sam was named CEO and led Valvoline through an IPO spin process, becoming an independent company trading on theNYSE (“VVV”). He retired from Valvoline on September 30, 2023. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami University and an MBA from the University ofChicago Booth School of Business. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’sAdvanced Management Program.
Takeaways
Using business to make a positive impact can lift people out of poverty.
Shifting from traditional charity models to sustainable social enterprises empowers communities and promotes self-reliance.
Investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs can create long-term impact.
Donors should focus on investing in initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and empower local communities.
Generosity goes beyond financial giving and includes sharing time, resources, and expertise.
Building strong teams and cultures is essential for sustainable success.
Whole life stewardship involves utilizing labor, influence, finances, and expertise to make a difference.
The impact of generosity extends beyond the immediate beneficiaries and can transform entire communities.
The goal is to create a world free of dependency and full of dignity.
Radical sending and radical going are essential for making a generous kingdom impact.
Abiding in Christ is the source of bearing much fruit and making a lasting impact.
Sound Bites
"You could use business to lift the poorest people out of poverty."
"The donor is investing into these enterprises that are the lifeblood of their economies."
"Every time I'm really scared to do something is usually when I give God the opportunity to show what he can do."
Resources mentioned
www.musana.org

Kids and Generosity; with Josh and Kaitlin Saenz

In this episode, Eric and Laurie sit down with Josh and Kaitlin Saenz to discuss the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of generosity and whole-life stewardship with our children. Josh and Kaitlin share their journey from youth ministry to running a donor development organization, all while homeschooling their two boys.
About Josh and Kaitlin
Josh and Kaitlin both attended Biola University (Josh studied Biblical and Theological Studies, Kaitlin studied Elementary Education and minored in Bible) and love helping people live their fullest potential in the Kingdom of God. Josh has worked in pastoral ministry, marketing and business development, and serves as a lay elder at Park Church. Kaitlin has worked as a teacher, Executive Director of Family Ministries at Park Church, and currently coaches church and nonprofit leaders. Together, Josh and Kaitlin run a fractional donor development company, Compel You, serving Christian nonprofits in fundraising solutions. They live in Denver, CO and with their two sons, Josiah and Levi, who they homeschool. For fun they love to travel, entertain and ski as a family.
 
Resources Mentioned
 
Compel You: www.compelyou.com

Cultivating a Lifestyle of Generosity in Children: With Matt Bell

In this episode, Eric and Laurie are joined by finance author and speaker,  Matt Bell. Matt discusses the importance of teaching children about money and generosity. Matt shares his personal journey of financial struggles and how it led him to a saving relationship with Christ.
They discuss practical skills for teaching kids about money, such as earning, planning, giving, saving, investing, and spending. They also emphasize the compounding impact of generosity and the importance of teaching children that everything belongs to God. The conversation highlights the role of parents as gatekeepers, teachers, and role models in shaping their children's financial habits. The episode explores the importance of teaching generosity to children and how parents can model and cultivate a lifestyle of giving by becoming intentional in teaching their children about money, stewardship, and generosity. 
About Matt Bell
Matt began his career as a radio journalist, with his work featured on National Public Radio, the NBC Radio Network, and several other networks. His reporting earned national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and United Press International.
Today, Matt is a full-time personal finance writer and speaker. He serves as Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, America's best-selling investment newsletter written from a biblical perspective. Matt is the author of five personal finance books: Money, Purpose, Joy; Money Strategies for Tough Times; Money & Marriage; The Grad's Guide to Money; and his newest book, Trusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of God-Honoring Money Management. Matt has been featured by many media outlets, including USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, the Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows.
Matt holds a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from DePaul University, where he wrote a thesis about the emergence of America's consumer culture and its influence on people's beliefs and behaviors. Originally from Chicago, Matt and his wife, Jude, now live with their three children in the Louisville area.
Resources Mentioned
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JP4S7G/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=6156acce-7375-4ed4-a687-a7e793c6ab30&ref_=ap_rdr
Website: https://mattaboutmoney.com/

Harnessing the power of the marketplace to achieve profound social impact; With Helen Hayes

In this conversation, Eric and Laurie, are joined by Helen Young Hayes, the founder and CEO of Activate Work. Helen shares her remarkable journey from being the daughter of Chinese immigrants to becoming a top portfolio manager and surviving the catastrophic United Flight 232 crash. She reveals the profound spiritual experiences that led her to reevaluate her purpose and catalyzed her mission to empower individuals through Activate Work's rigorous IT skills training and employment placement.
Helen also introduces the Colorado Inclusive Economy movement, a call to action for leaders to build a more equitable future, and shares how listeners can engage with this initiative. This episode is a testament to the power of generosity that extends beyond financial giving, encompassing a full-hearted commitment to creating opportunities and uplifting communities.
About Helen
Helen is the founder and CEO of ActivateWork. ActivateWork’s mission is to connect diverse, qualified talent to leading employers through rigorous skills training, community resources, and professional and life skills coaching. ActivateWork is the culmination of Helen’s past for-profit and nonprofit experience, harnessing the power of the marketplace to achieve profound social impact. By moving individuals to sustained economic mobility and professional success, ActivateWork creates triple wins for job seekers, employers, and the community.
The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Helen is a believer in and the embodiment of the American Dream. But the American Dream – a life of flourishing – is elusive, as generational poverty becomes the default for too many men and women from underrepresented populations. ActivateWork bridges the gap between individual potential and realized success by matching and placing individuals into self-sustaining careers and through intensive coaching of personal, professional, and financial skills. ActivateWork seeks not only to advance economic and professional success but to transform lives through the learning and mastery of new habits, mindsets, and disciplines.
Helen is a 20-year veteran of the financial industry. She was the portfolio manager of the flagship Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Overseas Fund, and related assets totaling approximately $50 billion at Janus Capital, a mutual fund company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. She also served as managing director of investments, heading up the 100-person research and investment arm of Janus Capital, encompassing equities, fixed income, money market, and trading.
In 2018, Helen was selected as one of the Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business for her leadership at ActivateWork (previously Activate Workforce Solutions). In 2021, she was awarded the Colorado Technology Association APEX Awards Talent Champion of the Year for launching ActivateWork’s tuition-free technology training and professional development program to create equitable paths in IT for individuals seeking careers and employers seeking talent.
Helen is the author and executive sponsor of the Colorado Inclusive Economy Movement, a CEO-led movement to build a community of shared opportunity and prosperity, and she is a governor-appointee to the Colorado Business Experiential Learning Commission and a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network.
Helen is a frequent speaker and writer on topics including workforce development, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, corporate culture, performance management, diversity and gender issues, economic development, and economic mobility.
Helen, her husband Matt, and her family have called Denver home for 30 years. Helen is an avid albeit average athlete and enjoys biking, swimming, running, skiing, and surfing.
Quotables
"I believe that I was appointed to be on the plane, um, to pray the prayers that the Lord answered."
"I know that I was appointed to be on the plane, um, to pray the prayers that the Lord answered."
"I credit my mom, really, with, um, the foundations of my faith journey."
"It truly is more joyful to give than it is to receive."
"The interesting part though, is not so much that I survived, um, although that is incredibly miraculous."
"I saw the Lord in a vision... And I woke up and I was instantly healed."
"We're really here just to be wise stewards."
"Generosity is not just about writing checks, but it's about answering, it's about listening, it's about meeting need."
Connect with Helen
Activate Work
https://activatework.org/
Janus Capital
https://www.janus.com/
United Flight 232
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_232
Colorado Inclusive Economy
https://inclusiveeconomy.us/
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For more information on Activate Work and the Colorado Inclusive Economy movement, check the show notes and visit our website at ncfgiving.com/rockymountains and generositynow.org.

Understanding Charitable Gift Annuities: With George Duffin

In this conversation, Eric and Laurie are joined by George Duffin, the Director of Charitable Gift Annuity Services at the National Christian Foundation (NCF). They discuss the concept of charitable gift annuities and how they can be a valuable tool for individuals and organizations in their giving strategies. George explains that a charitable gift annuity is a way to make a gift to a charity and receive money back for the rest of your life. He highlights the benefits of gift annuities, such as the charitable deduction, income tax preferred status, and the remainderment that goes to benefit the mission of the charity.
George also discusses the different ways that gift annuities can be funded, including cash, marketable securities, complex assets, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. He emphasizes that NCF is there to help organizations and individuals navigate the process of setting up and administering gift annuities, and that they have seen a significant increase in gift annuities in recent years. The conversation concludes with a reminder to not grow weary of doing good and to seize the opportunity to do good to everyone.
About George
George Duffin is NCF’s Director of Charitable Gift Annuity Services. A graduate of Morehouse College, George has spent decades in ministry and helping people make wise decisions with their charitable gifts.
Takeaways
Charitable gift annuities are a way to make a gift to a charity and receive money back for the rest of your life.
Gift annuities offer benefits such as a charitable deduction, income tax preferred status, and the remainderment that goes to benefit the mission of the charity.
Gift annuities can be funded with cash, marketable securities, complex assets, or qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
NCF is there to help organizations and individuals navigate the process of setting up and administering gift annuities.
Don't grow weary of doing good and seize the opportunity to do good to everyone.
Quotables
"A charitable gift annuity is a way to make a gift to a charity and in return you receive money back for the rest of your life."
"NCF wanted to create a win-win-win. A win for the person funding the gift annuity, a win for the charity receiving the remainderment, and a win for NCF."
"Gift annuities have become an amazing tool to help with the great wealth transfer."