347. Starting + Growing a Global Nonprofit: One Relationship at a Time - Afam Onyema

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Overview

Meet Afam. This nonprofit founder who turned down multiple law firm offers to serve Nigerians. He’s built GEANCO Foundation from the ground up by cultivating authentic relationships - one person at a time. In addition to surgical missions and other medical care, GEANCO provides tuition and support to young female victims of terrorism and gender inequality. With no previous fundraising experience, Afam garnered support from many celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Benedict Cumberbatch, Charlize Theron and many more. Tune in for this heart-wired conversation about the power of relationships to save and change lives.

💡Learn

Overview of The GEANCO Foundation
The process of building an org from the ground up
How nonprofits can work successfully with celebrities & public figures

Today’s Guest

Afam Onyema, Co-Founder and CEO, The GEANCO Foundation

“People want to be kind and people respond to kindness in a way that is powerful, that saves lives and changes lives.”

— Afam Onyema, Co-Founder and CEO, The GEANCO Foundation

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Afam’s story and journey to where he is today (4:10)
Early stages of building the organization (9:40)
Challenges in the early days (15:00)
Lessons learned about the power of philanthropy (21:00)
How GEANCO Foundation successfully partners with celebrities (27:00)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Afam’s life (40:40)
Afam’s One Good Thing: Be kind and serve. (46:00)
Connect with Afam and Geanco (48:10)

Powerful quotes

“It's really basing that connection on friendship, and then vouching for me. And then just beginning to build slowly from there.” -Afam

“Your own personal belief and passion was enough to get people in the door and then they've stuck with you.” -Jon

“The minute you start a foundation, you’re inundated with no’s and rejection.” -Afam

“You learn persistence and you learn humility.” -Afam

“I am just the most non-transactional person you'll ever meet, I just really believe in building relationships.” -Afam

“I just love that part of the work of building relationships and coming in being in this town, which is fiercely transactional. Cutting against the grain, I think actually appeals to some of these big names.” -Afam

“Whoever I work with, whoever we meet, whether it be someone who gives us $10, or $1 million, or someone who can go on a medical mission, or help us with our scholarships, they are my partner, and they're my family and I treat them as such.” -Afam

“Take ownership, and bring an energy.” -Afam

“One of the great blessings of this job is I have true friends and yeah, some of them might be Marvel Superheroes or television hosts but I just treat them as human beings.” -Afam

“People want to be kind and people respond to kindness in a way that is powerful, that saves lives and changes lives.” -Afam

“Have a plan.” -Afam

“Be kind and serve every day. That's what I lead with, whether it's I'm driving, I get cut off, whether I'm sitting with a Marvel superhero, or a billionaire, or one of our scholarship girls, how can I serve in that situation? How can I serve you in this conversation?” -Afam

“You'll try and you'll fail and you'll try again. That's the joy of life.” -Afam