Brian Grasso, CEO of Simple Charity, on the Impact of Generosity on College Campuses Across the Country (Ep. 68)

The Finish Line Podcast

Brian Grasso is the CEO and founder of Simple Charity. When he was in high school, Brian was drawn to the intersection of the gospel and global poverty. He, along with a number of other high school students, set a goal to raise $100,000 through a variety of fundraisers to fuel organizations working in that space.

That effort continued to grow into the nonprofit that Brian leads today, which operates at college campuses across the country. Simple Charity inspires Christian students to grow in solidarity with people experiencing poverty and injustice through multiple creative programs and initiatives. And deeply entwined with their message is the invitation to radical generosity.

Brian had plenty to say on topics including:

• The challenges and benefits of reaching college students with the message of generosity
• The opportunities that exist today in reaching students
• How Simple Charity approaches vetting ministries
• How to stay grounded and energized when working in the nonprofit sector
• How he stays rooted in the Word

QUOTES TO REMEMBER

• “We have a God who is generous towards us who wants us to live the good life of grace and abundance, and part of that life is caring for the poor.”
• “It’s such a wonderful blessing to do meaningful work with people that you enjoy”
• “The word of God has the power to transform our hearts”
• “God wants us, rather than what we can do for him.”
• “There is always enough time to do the things that are most important. What changes is what is most important.”
• “Every seed that’s planted is an opportunity to see God work.”
• “The most important thing is seeking the Kingdom of God”
• “Solidarity with the poor starts by learning from the poor, by seeing their abundance.”

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

• Crazy Love by Francis Chan
• Heart for Africa (see our interview with COO Janine Maxwell)
• Biblingo
• The Great Opportunity
• Generous Giving (see our interviews with cofounders Todd Harper and David Wills and CEO, April Chapman)
• Journey to Generosity (JoG) with Generous Giving
• All Access International (see our interview with founder, Lane Kipp)
• When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert)
• The Finish Line Community Facebook Group
• The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group

BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW

Matthew 25:35-40 | I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you and when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

2 Corinthians 8:9 | He Became Poor

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Proverbs 31:10-31 | The Woman Who Fears the Lord

Matthew 5:3 | Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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