Never Been Promoted Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

John Carroll, founder of City Leadership, joins Thomas to discuss the incredible work he’s doing in Memphis, Tennessee, to drive community impact through generosity. John shares how his organization measures Return on Generosity (ROG) and helps nonprofits and philanthropists create long-term, sustainable change. His entrepreneurial approach to solving social issues is both innovative and inspiring, providing a roadmap for how others can make a difference in their cities.

About John Carroll

John Carroll is the founder of City Leadership, an organization focused on helping the good guys do more good. Based in Memphis, John and his team work with local schools, nonprofits, and philanthropists to strategically solve some of the city’s most pressing issues, from education to poverty. John’s vision is to create a tipping point of generosity that leads to systemic change. With over 14 years of experience running his nonprofit like a business, John has built a model that can be replicated in cities across the U.S.

In this episode Thomas and John discuss:

• Return on Generosity (ROG)
  John introduces the concept of Return on Generosity, explaining how City Leadership measures the impact of donations in a similar way to how businesses measure return on investment (ROI). By showing donors the tangible effects of their contributions, City Leadership encourages more people to invest in their community.
• The Role of Philanthropy in Education
  John talks about the work City Leadership is doing in Memphis schools, from helping students get into college to providing long-term support beyond graduation. His team works to change the predictive future of students in poverty, giving them the tools and resources needed to break the cycle.
• Entrepreneurship and Generosity
  As an entrepreneur himself, John explains how entrepreneurship and generosity go hand in hand. He encourages business leaders to integrate generosity into their daily operations, emphasizing that it’s not just about financial giving but also about sharing time, expertise, and resources.
• Scaling Generosity Beyond Memphis
  John shares how City Leadership is exploring opportunities to expand their model beyond Memphis. By consulting with other cities, the organization is helping to create a nationwide movement of generosity that drives systemic change in communities.
• Challenges and Success Stories
  From building a unified teacher recruitment system to fostering long-term educational success, John shares several success stories from his work in Memphis. He also opens up about the challenges of scaling generosity and the rising costs associated with creating lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Generosity Drives Change
  John emphasizes that true change happens when people give not just money but also their time, skills, and resources. By measuring the impact of generosity, City Leadership is helping to create a culture of giving that benefits both the giver and the recipient.
• Education Is the Key to Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
  Through long-term investment in students, City Leadership is working to break the cycle of poverty in Memphis. John’s approach focuses on providing education and support from pre-K through college, ensuring students have the resources to succeed.
• Entrepreneurship Is About Problem-Solving
  For John, entrepreneurship is about creating solutions to problems that don’t yet exist. He encourages other entrepreneurs to think beyond profit and consider how their businesses can contribute to the greater good.

“Generosity is somet

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