Episode Outline

The Give Impact ladies sat down with Andy Mermans, President of The Merancas Foundation to talk all things Philanthropy! Philanthropy is a powerful tool for creating positive changes in society, addressing pressing social issues, and empowering communities. The impact of philanthropy can be profound, reaching across so many different sectors. Listen to see how Andy impacts the community through philanthropic capital.

Full Episode Show Notes are Available on our website at https://www.giveimpact.org/podcast-

0:34 Welcome Back!

2:38 Intro to Andy Mermans & the different places he’s lived

4:11 Maya invites Andy to share one authentic thing about himself, he shares that he’s a pragmatic person!

5:12 Liz shares how Give Impact is engaged with the Merancas Foundation as a client

5:44 Maya invites Andy to pull an affirmation card. He shares, “I am willing to see my sameness with others, this opens my awareness to oneness”

8:07 Liz and Andy school Maya on the different forms of Philanthropy

10:01 Andy explains what inspired him to get involved in Philanthropy and how his past and family led him to become the leader of the Foundation

20:48 Maya asks Andy to share what causes are closest to his heart

Personal: Women’s reproductive rights, local museums, schools, public radio

Professional: Affordable Housing, Education, Well-Being (Health, Safety, Food)

24:27 Andy shares how the Foundation chooses which projects and organizations to support

· Confidence in leadership

· The ability to articulate how the initiative will move the needle or be additive to a program that they already support

27:00 Andy talks about the Foundations two-stage process on how to inquire about funding

· Are we a match program -open year-round/ short online process

· Grant requests- Invite only

28:35 Andy shares who the Foundations long standing grantees are! Shout out to:

· Habitat for Humanity

· Roof Above

· Planned Parenthood

33:03 Andy drops a gem, “We take risks, so the community can benefit from those risks”

34:56 Liz asks Andy to share a story or experience that has filled his cup with his impact

38:52 Courtney thanks Andy and shares her experience of how she’s seen the men at Roof Above (fka: Urban Ministries Center) be impacted from his support

40:18 Andy shares about the tagline, “Making a difference one at a time”

42:24 Maya asks Andy what kind of legacy he hopes to leave behind

43:35 Andy expresses gratitude for Give Impact

47:10 Liz asks if there are any listeners who are interested in the land banking concept, to message us at Give Impact to inquire!

50:00 Andy gives advice to emerging philanthropists or people looking to make an impact through their dollars. “Go with your gut, don’t overstudy a problem” “Don’t ask for permission from others, if it’s right for you, it’s right for you”

It’s our special 5-Year Anniversary Episode! Yes, that’s right, Give Impact just turned 5 & we are gearing up to celebrate in October. But before we do, we sat down at the table to reflect on our favorite moments, our hopes for the future of Charlotte, changes we’d like to see in the community, the journey ahead, and more! Plus, someone at the table shares a big secret.

Full Episode Show Notes are Available on our website at https://www.giveimpact.org/podcast-

0:29 Welcome Back!

1:03 The table acknowledges turning 5 years old. Only 50% of small businesses make it to 5 years!

2:50 Courtney is asking the questions this time, and she takes a moment to share her gratitude for Give Impact

4:03 Liz explains what Give Impact does and how we work

9:33 Liz and Maya describe the specialties that they both bring to the table and the team dynamics

11:17 Maya shares “It is both important to get excited, but it also has to make sense so, I try to bring a balance of both”

12:15 Maya drops a gem “It’s so important just to check in with self often, and not get lost in the mission and end goal”

15:29 Courtney invites Liz and Maya to share a favorite story, moment, or experience from the past 5 years

16:23 Liz expands on Maya’s memory and tells the story of having her with her at the North Carolina Affordable Housing conference for the first time

19:40 Liz shares one of her favorite memories of working on the Plaza Presbyterian and Arts+ project

24:12 Courtney asks, what advice would you give to someone who wants to make a real meaningful difference in the community. Maya and Liz dive in.

The key is involving the community!

26:00 Maya and Liz touch on history of the city and mistrust between the community and developers

29:21 Courtney reflects on her work in the community; “They needed a space to work on themselves. When a person is given that opportunity it’s incredible to what they can not only decide but what they can provide for themselves”

31:17 Liz shares, “learn to love yourself, learn to heal yourself; know that you’re worthy to focus on putting your oxygen mask on and taking what you need for yourself; and investing in your own physical and mental health so you can pour into others and be there for others”

32:59 Liz and Maya reflect on their hopes for the future of Affordable Housing in Charlotte

44:40 Courtney reflects on an experience when she and her grandfather gave to the community. Maya follows up on a story when Give Impact volunteered for Beds for Kids

49:35 Courtney asks Maya & Liz what their hope for Give Impact is for the next 5 years

51:53 The big secret of the table is dropped!!!! But you’ll have to listen to know what it is and from who 😊

55:07 Liz and Maya talk about their upcoming Dorton project!! The first development under the Give Impact brand

58:36 Thank you for our event sponsors: MECA Real Estate (Gantt Howell + Rob Pressley), Harmon Construction (Ty Harmon), and Redstone Equity Partners (Darren Swanson)

1:02:36 Liz closes us out with a quote, If I had to live my life over by Erma Bombeck

Episode Outline

The Give Impact ladies sat down with the smart, innovative, thought-leader Patrick Graham, Ph.D., Chief Executive Director of WeBuild Concord. Not only did we learn so many new things about our friend Patrick; we talked about the tools, strategies, and partnerships that are a benefit to affordable housing in North Carolina. Ways to combat gentrification, community-informed development, land trusts, priority-leasing models, and so much more!

Full Episode Show Notes are Available on our website at https://www.giveimpact.org/podcast-

0:28 Welcome Back!

0:36 Intro to Dr. Patrick Graham & how he grew up on hip-hop and grits!

8:01 Reflecting on his time at Crisis Assistance Ministry, Patrick reflected, “I came from more of a background of grace, but also in believing that people were human assets given the opportunity”

17:00 Patrick shares one thing people may not know about him, “I pride myself on being a dad”

18:12 Patrick drops a gem, “I still see that notion of resilience of grace is important in the work that we do, because we may miss opportunities and people if we don’t have that”

18:29 Liz pours into our listeners and reminds them that they are an asset

21:53 Maya invites Patrick to pull an Affirmation Card. “I let go of the shadow of the past by seeing someone for the first time with the eyes of love” affirmed!

25:52 Patrick shares his lens on today’s housing crisis and the important work he’s doing at WeBuild Concord to combat it

· ARPA Funds: money distributed to state and local governments, counties, and municipalities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to aid in COVID-19 recovery

33:19 Patrick discusses WeBuild’s partnership with Downhome Carolina to create a revolving construction fund, as a gap funding program to help Concord and its surrounding communities

36:00 Liz expresses, “Diversification is so important”

36:52 Maya asks Patrick which partnerships have been the most critical to his work

40:30 Patrick discusses how community engagement and input has influenced success in his housing projects, specifically in the Logan Community

43:03 Liz asks Patrick about the tools that they use to help encourage diversification of neighborhoods

45:07 Patrick drops another gem, “Build orgs that can still pivot when needed.” “We pride ourselves on being flexible, especially when it makes sense”

47:09 Liz and Patrick discuss WeBuild’s Land Trust model

51:28 Liz mentions WeBuild Concord’s prioritization measure as an anti-gentrification tool in communities

Check it out here: https://webuildconcord.org/priority-measure-for-home-purchase-or-rental-agreement/

52:56 Patrick ends by telling the listeners about the exciting projects they are working on like the Kerr Street Baptist Church conversion project into mixed use development, a Tiny Home village in Downtown Concord, & several single-family projects on donated land

You can donate at: https://webuildconcord.org/donate/