Plywood 2022 Impact Report

A NONPROFIT IN ATLANTA LEADING A COMMUNITY OF STARTUPS DOING GOOD.

THIS BOOK WAS DESIGNED

BY PLYWOOD PEOPLE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

IMPACT REPORT 2022

PEO NEED PEO

OPLE D OPLE

Contents.

FRONT DOOR

016

EVENTS

022

PLACE

030

PROCESS

040

PARTNERS

058

ADVISORS

064

THE FUTURE

072

003

T H A N K YO U T O T H E T E A M T H AT B R O U G H T T H I S I M PAC T R E P O R T T O L I F E .

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R A N D D E S I G N B Y CA R O L I N E W I E D E M A N N P R O J E C T M A N AG E M E N T A N D C O P Y W R I T I N G B Y K AY L A S TAG N A R O P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K AT E H E N S L E Y P H I L L I P S A N D S AVA N N A H S H AW T H A N K YO U T O O U R C O N T R I B U T O R S : AYS H A P E N N E R M A N , D I A H A N N T H O M A S , C L AU D I N E M I L E S , B R I A N O ’ N E I L , A L F O N S O R O G E R S , N AT E B U T L E R , B R A N D E N H A R V E Y, TUERE BUTLER, JEFF SHINABARGER, AND T H E P LY WO O D C O M M U N I T Y. T H A N K YO U T O O U R B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S : DAV I D A L L M A N , C H R I S B L E D S O E , C H R I S CA R N E A L , A N D R E W CA S E , C H A N E L D O K U N , J I M D U D L E Y, DAV I D FA R M E R , J O E L I V E R S O N , LY D I A M AYS , R I C K M E R C E R , C L AU D I N E M I L E S , N I KO L L E R E Y E S , J O N AT H A N R I C H , A N D A P R I L S TA M M E L .

004

ARE WE DOING ENOUGH? 005

A letter from our Founder.

A

n impact report answers one question: Are we doing enough?

This question haunts me. How do I prove that what we are doing is worth the contributions from so many of you? This is the problem with an impact report.

These pages exist for us to prove to you that what we are doing is worth your investment, so we do everything we can to show off our work through stories, photos, headlines, exclamation points, and pie charts. We angle all of our language to show that what we do matters. So, get ready for a blitz of all the things we got right.

But, the truth is that everything doesn’t work. Some programs don’t fill up. Expectations are not always met. Great ideas don’t gain the traction deserved. Anticipated projects take longer than expected. And every year, some things come to an end.

I always wonder if we could be doing more?

This is what I do know to be true: When Plywood People ask you to help, we will stick to our word. We will do the hard work. Our team will give every project our best. And we can’t control the outcomes.

In this book, you won’t see all the personal touches that every person on this team gives every day to make others’ dreams come to life. The time people show up at fundraisers, launch parties and raise a glass of cheer. The care of our team will never show up in the numbers, but it is felt in the permeating heart of our community. To put a number on the actual relationships formed and problems addressed through Plywood is limiting to the actual impact.

I can’t prove we are doing enough, but I do know if Plywood disappeared, we would all be at a loss.

So, here is what we are going to do for you. This impact report will share real stories of real people with real impact. Sometimes we look around the community and think the people we serve are doing more than we could ever do ourselves. So, we do our best to introduce them to you. Because when you invest in Plywood, you invest in hundreds of other.

Are we doing enough? That’s your question to answer.

Sincerely, Jeff Shinabarger Founder, Plywood People.

006

JEFF SHINABARGER

KAYLA STAGNARO

TUERE BUTLER

FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Our team.

007

CAROLINE WIEDEMANN

ANNA ARMSTRONG

MCCLAINE WELLEM

CREATIVE AND MARKETING LEAD

EVENT COORDINATOR

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

MAIYA PROSPERE

LATASHA BROWN

2022 FELLOW

2022 FELLOW

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Plywood is a nonprofit in Atlanta leading a community of startups doing good.

009

OUR VALUES

Earn the right to be heard.

We will be known by the problems we solve.

Choose a lifestyle of excessive generosity.

Make every space better.

Promote rhythms for sustainable lives.

Commit to being anti-racist, as a team, as an organization, and as individuals.

OUR MISSION

We exist to help our community make problems go away that impact our culture, the hurting, poor, oppressed, and underresourced people.

OUR MANTRA

Better is possible.

OUR VISION

The good idea capital of the south.

OUR ECOSYSTEM

010

Financials.

A S W E E N T E R A N E W Y E A R , W E E X P E C T G R E AT E R I M PAC T A N D B I G G E R T H A N E V E R G R OW T H . P LY WO O D I S I N T H E B E S T F I N A N C I A L S TAT E T O DAT E . W E A R E S U S TA I N I N G A N D G R OW I N G A S A N O R GA N I Z AT I O N . W E H O P E T H E S E F I N A N C I A L S S H OW W H E R E W E A R E H E A D E D A N D I N S T I L L C O N F I D E N C E I N P LY WO O D. W E A R E S U P P O R T E D B Y T H I S C O M M U N I T Y, A N D W E A R E S O T H A N K F U L F O R YO U A N D YO U R I N V E S TM E N T.

2021 Actuals.

REVENUE $ 1,185,809.76 EXPENSES $ 890,797.20

6.30% EVENTS

1.21% OTHER $ 14,398.82

$ 74,656.76

17.30% PROCESS $ 205,110.30

16.73% PLACE $ 198,383.99

011

58.46% DONATIONS $ 693,259.89

2022 Budget.

REVENUE $ 1,503,315.00 EXPENSES $ 1,501,738.00

1.81%

8.38% EVENTS

OTHER $ 27,147.00

$ 126,000.00

21.40% PROCESS $ 321,768.00

53.88% DONATIONS $ 810,000.00

14.53% PLACE $ 218,400.00

2.0M

Revenue Growth. *Projected for 2022

1.5M

1.0M

2020

2021

2022*

012

013

Putting numbers to the impact.

E AC H Y E A R , P LY WO O D S E T S A G OA L T O I N V E S T T I M E , C O N N E C T I O N S , A N D M O N E Y I N T O O T H E R O R GA N I Z AT I O N S . W E D O O U R B E S T T O T R AC K T H I S OV E R T H E C O U R S E O F T H E Y E A R , B U T O F T E N T H O S E M O M E N T S CA N S E E M S M A L L T O O U R T E A M B U T I M PAC T O T H E R O R GA N I Z AT I O N S F O R A L I F E T I M E .

130

social innovators served monthly

1124

organizations were invested in through mentoring, training, scholarships and meaningful

$193,000+

was contributed to other organizations in the form of scholarships, grants, and training.

32k

followers across Social Media (Instagram, Twitter, + Facebook)

20+

partner events hosted at PlywoodPlace

1000+

podcast downloads every week

265,000

minutes of social entrepreneurship training watched free online this year.

98

thought leaders platformed through events

014

Be here.

Be you.

Belong.

- Brene Brown, Atlas of the Heart

The front door.

PEOPLE ARE INTRODUCED TO PLYWOOD IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. USUALLY, IT’S THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE FOUNDER OF OUR ORGANIZATION, A PODCAST EPISODE, OR EVEN THE LITERAL FRONT DOOR OF PLYWOOD PLACE. WHENEVER SOMEONE ENCOUNTERS PLYWOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HOPE THAT THEY WILL FEEL WELCOME AND COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.

017

Sound on.

W I T H OV E R 2 2 0, 0 0 0 D OW N L OA D S , T H E S E P O D CA S T S A R E R E AC H I N G I N D I V I D UA L S AC R O S S T H E WO R L D. B O T H P O D CA S T S A R E A D D R E S S I N G T H E F E LT T E N S I O N S O F T H E P LY WO O D C O M M U N I T Y, F R O M WO R K L I F E B A L A N C E T O T H E W E I G H T O F L E A D I N G A N O R GA N I Z AT I O N .

The Plywood Podcast L AU N C H E D I N 2 0 2 1 / 2 1 E P I S O D E S A N D C O U N T I N G TOP 3 EPISODES NFTs, Community, and Entrepreneurship with Greg Mike Creating the Modern Village with Dr. Key Hallmon (The Village Market) Becoming an Entrepreneur with Danielle Coke (Oh Happy Dani)

1 2 3

Love or Work Podcast L AU N C H E D I N 2 0 1 8 / 1 5 7 E P I S O D E S TOP 3 EPISODES

1 2 3

Sex and Work | Cristina + Andy Mineo Mental Health and Living without Secrets | Tripp + Hannah Joiner Crosby Sex Therapy with an Expert | Laurie Watson

018

019

PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE A

s the world slowly opens up again with hopes for a life without the challenges of a pandemic.

I’ve pondered the lessons learned during our time in lockdown. My thoughts included isolation from daily interactions with people. Our rhythms were interrupted, faces were hidden behind masks, silence took over the normal musical soundtrack provided by the hustle and bustle of city living. Playgrounds were empty, businesses lacked foot traffic. We had shut ourselves in and out of the world and for that we suffered. We became victims of this isolation, loneliness, tension, depression, loss of norms, business activity and community. Most importantly, we were fatigued by the daily mental and physical pains resulting from the pandemic. In the midst of this realization, I recognized we had a new power emerging, it became evident we cannot sustain this life alone. People need people…

We were created to live in community, amongst one another, connected to one another. Life in general is hard, and when challenges and obstacles are thrown in the mix it becomes more difficult. History has proven that we as humans are able to withstand the hard, the difficult, the challenges when we ban together and stand with one another. There is a power, comfort and assurance that comes with belonging. Stronger together means so much more to me these days. Why? Because I’ve seen the beauty of community within the walls of Plywood Place.

I’ve witnessed the impact of people connected on a basic level of just being with others. I relish the light that emerges when people exchange common courtesies.

I relish the light that emerges when people exchange common courtesies.

May of 2020, the doors of Plywood Place reopened to establish a home base for those needing not only a place to work but a place that offered community for those who shared a desire to have others around them. Organic relationships grew out of the day to day interactions. At Plywood, a genuine concern for one another took root when someone missed a week, and an absence was noticed. The camaraderie formed when the folks within Plywood’s walls shared portions of their lives and support was established. For some, Plywood Place has been a lifeline, for others Plywood Place serves as a built-in family unit where everyone knows your name, knows where you like to sit, and what days you most frequent. The uniqueness of this community and how we are intertwined spreads like wildfire! Commuters are becoming more than people who hold monthly memberships, they are friends. Participants of the Plywood Process have become more than clients, they are seen as contributors to the fabric of our organization.

Countless stories over the past two years have emerged from the people of Plywood. Stories that amplify how they were nurtured, encouraged, championed, held accountable, comforted, referred, and celebrated all due to the connection to each other. It was my former boss, the beloved Congressman John Lewis, who taught me how powerful it is to truly see people, to hear people, to connect with people because it’s a necessity for our mental and physical well-being.

He always spoke of the beloved community. Now I better understand the importance and significance of his statement because we need each other. We are better and stronger together.

People Need People.

T U E R E B U T L E R , D I R E C T O R O F O P E R AT I O N S

020

“WE GATHER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WE CAN’T SOLVE ON OUR OWN. WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE, TO MOURN, AND TO MARK TRANSITIONS. WE GATHER TO MAKE DECISIONS. WE GATHER BECAUSE WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. WE GATHER TO SHOW STRENGTH. WE GATHER TO HONOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE. WE GATHER TO BUILD COMPANIES AND SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS. WE GATHER TO WELCOME, AND WE GATHER TO SAY GOODBYE.” The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

WAT C H V I D E O S F R O M P LY WO O D PRESENTS 2021

Plywood Presents 2021 I N 2 0 2 1 , O U R T E A M WA S FAC E D W I T H A T O U G H D E C I S I O N .

C U LT U R A L LY, W E N E E D E D T O I N V I T E E V E N T S B AC K I N T O O U R C O M M U N I T Y, I N A S A F E WAY. W E L I M I T E D AT T E N DA N C E , W E C H O S E T WO L O CAT I O N S S O P E O P L E C O U L D D I S TA N C E , A N D W E C R E AT E D T H E B E S T E X P E R I E N C E W E P O S S I B LY C O U L D ! T H E E V E N T S O L D O U T, P R OV I N G T H AT P E O P L E N E E D E D T O B E B AC K TOGETHER. • • • • •

Hosted at Plywood Place and Monday Night Garage Five (Pre)Presents Workshops with 75 attendees diving deep into felt tensions 13 incredible Speakers, 8 workshop facilitators, 4 welcoming hosts.

350 people in attendance! $10,000 awarded to the Plywood Presents Idea Competition Finalists: The Hope Booth, Rise Up, Co-Created, The Drinking Coach, and ATL Collective.

024

Inspiring moments.

THE HOPE BOOTH, 2021 IDEA COMPETITION WINNER Congratulations to Hope Booth, 2021 Idea Competition Winner!

Hope Booth is an unconventional initiative on mission to pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen, through the use of 3 minute interactive immersive experiences that deliver artistic messages of hope in the form of remodeled phone booths strategically installed around the globe; from street corners, to prisons, universities, hospitals, and everywhere in between.

Winning the Plywood Present Ideas Competition gave us the unique ability to debut the Hope Booth prototype at the world’s largest art expo in London in October 2021! This gave us the opportunity to scale our initiative, gauge impact, and allow hundreds of beta users to receive hope in a unique way.

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A L OV E O R WO R K DAT E N I G H T

P LY WO O D A R T I S A N M A R K E T

YAYA B O O K S

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Join us on August 17th + 18th, 2022 at The Eastern for Plywood Presents: People need people.

Get tickets now!

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People come here to make a difference out there.

P LY WO O D P L AC E I S A C O M M U N I T Y C E N T E R F O R C O - WO R K I N G, T R A I N I N G, I N N OVAT I O N , A N D E V E N T S I N AT L A N TA . P LY WO O D P L AC E S E R V E S A S HQ FOR OUR TEAM ALONG W I TH MANY OTHERS. I N 2 0 2 1 , P LY WO O D P L AC E S E R V E D T H E C O M M U N I T Y I N N E W WAYS !

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80+

Home to Commuter members each month on average

10

offices filled by small teams leading businesses and nonprofits across the city

20

individuals with dedicated desks

20+

partner events hosted at Plywood Place (from Bolst Real Estate to Essence Magazine)

10,000+

cups of Thrive coffee served to the community

328

hours booked in the conference rooms

55

Day Passes

30

Hosted vendors for P l y w o o d ’s 1 s t A n n u a l A r t i s a n Market

T H O S E W H O CA L L P LY WO O D P L AC E H O M E :

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Make every space better.

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AT P LY WO O D P L AC E , W E A R E A LWAYS M A K I N G I M P R OV E M E N T S T O C R E AT E A B E T T E R E N V I R O N M E N T F O R O U R C O M M U N I T Y. T H I S PA S T Y E A R , W E A D D E D A R O O M P H O N E B O O T H , C O N V E R T E D O U R L I B R A RY T O A Z O O M Z O N E A N D A D D E D A M U R A L B Y A L O CA L ART IST TO OUR CONFERENCE ROOM.

I H AV E A D R E A M M U R A L B Y AYS H A P E N N E R M A N

ROOM PHONE BOOTH

ZOOM ZONE

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THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF A

fter 11 years in the corporate world, Chef Diahann found herself in the kitchen cooking and serving others. She knows firsthand how difficult it is to juggle a career while also providing for a family, and she’s on a mission to help others spend more time together by providing custom meal planning and preparation. While also cooking for families, she caters events and teaches cooking classes for the greater Atlanta community. Chef Diahann is a hospitality professional with 15 years of experience in contract management, supply chain operations, and finance.

Tell us about the problem you are solving.

The Divine Chef Experience allows clients to personalize and customize a menu to their family’s liking. In the current day and age, we all could use a little more time together!

Talk about the moment that you knew your work and your purpose were aligned?

The moment that I knew that my work and my purpose were aligned was around 2017 when I realized that everything that I was doing was way more than just food. It was about giving families their quality time back during dinner time and helping them to understand that food was an amazing source of energy and fun.

When it came down to it, most of my clients would tell me how my services helped change their lives, allowing moms a chance to do something for them.

The kids got a chance to have a meal ready and it not be: dad eating cereal, the kids eating Chickfil-A, and the mom just eating whatever she can.

That’s when I realized that this was more of a calling than just something I was doing with food. It really is about helping people align their needs over dinner time by giving them their time back.

What is something you are most proud of in relation to your work?

The thing that I am most proud of in relation to my work is that I truly do realize that my ultimate goal is always to serve others. Serving people through my food has been an amazing way to do that.

Money comes and goes, but people remember how they were treated when they had an event or experience with me. That’s why I call it the Divine Chef Experience. It’s really about relationships vs. money. This business also allows me to work with other nonprofits like Love Beyond Walls and Plywood. I get a chance to serve others through my unique gift, which is the creation and curating different food experiences.That’s what makes me really proud, that I can put aside the fact that there’s a need for money, because there is something great that I’m providing that just happens to be tied to food.

What has been the hardest part of bringing your idea into existence?

Another goal that I have is to have a nonprofit food truck that serves the less fortunate. So one of the most difficult parts is the reality that it takes money.

I think that the time I have to work on that project gets blinded by the time that I actually have to work in my actual business that is making me money to be able to fund my future nonprofit. It’s easy to get sidetracked on the route to your ultimate goal. In the midst of that, the business has been successful, but it’s really hard to see that eight years later, I still have not started this nonprofit. Hopefully I’m closer, but things keep coming up, and I think that that’s really hard for me.

How does community play a role in your work?

In the last three years, community has played a major role in my work. Prior to 2017, I worked alone, and I didn’t think I needed to have a community around me in order to do what I wanted to do. I went through a cohort with The Village Micro Fund, I realized that I needed like minded people around me. I realized that I needed a community in order to grow, and honestly, in this entrepreneur role, to stay sane.

Community plays a large role in how I maneuver, and how I make plans for the future. I can honestly say that I didn’t think I needed a community in order to build my business, but I understand now that it is essential to have a community around you that is nurturing, that will hold you accountable, but also, that you can learn from.

CHEF DIAHANN THOMAS

OW N E R A N D E X E C U T I V E C H E F O F THE DIVINE CHEF

036

Share about one turning point in your project.

I believe one turning point in my project or business was when I realized that in order to touch more families and make a bigger impact, I was going to need to expand. I didn’t really want to do that. I have always just wanted to stay in my little bubble and do what I do, but I’ve realized that the gift and the purpose that I have of helping dismantle the supermom piece. Moms think they have to do everything, but you can’t all do that and keep the communication lines open during dinner time, which I think is very, very important. So, I think that my turning point was when I realized that I needed to expand and to hire people, but also understanding that I needed to hire people that had their own goals, that really want to not necessarily work in my business, but had such a passion about their goals that they were going to show up. From that point, the growth began to happen.

How has Plywood played a role in your story?

Plywood has played a very unique role in my story. I was introduced to Plywood through Village Micro Fund, and I came into Plywood Place to be on their preferred vendor list.

When I arrived, I realized that this needed to be a part of my story. It needed to be a piece of what my next venture was. I really think that it was truly divine in so many different ways. The community within Plywood - the networking, the relationships, all of those things play a big part in your growth within your business and within your purpose.

I am a very spiritual person, so I feel like getting a chance to be in one of the offices at Plywood Place was destined, no matter if it was right before the pandemic hit. Initially, when I was going into this space, I didn’t really realize what I was going to use the space for. I also realized that I wanted to help nonprofits, and that’s when I came up with, “If I donate my services to any nonprofit, I’ll be able to give them an experience that allows them to afford a nicely catered event”. That’s really where it started, but what it’s become is so much more. It’s more like a family. I’m not there a lot, but when I am at Plywood, it feels very intimate. I feel like if I had an issue or if I had a challenge that I could come to Plywood.

Joining the Layers program in 2022 has been so essential for me in this next step of where I’m going. Plywood provides avenues for people, like myself, who are for profit, but still understand how we can assist the community or assist nonprofits in whatever avenue of business we might be in.

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T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T

THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF THE DIVINE CHEF

Cheryl Strayed

Process.

A S P LY WO O D H A S G R OW N A S A N O R GA N I Z AT I O N , W E ’ V E B E E N C H A L L E N G E D T O C R E AT E SYS T E M S T H AT A L L OW U S T O S E R V E O T H E R S T H E B E S T W E CA N . W E R E A L I Z E D T H AT T H E R E WA S A J O U R N E Y T H AT M O S T P E O P L E F O L L OW E D W H E N E N C O U N T E R I N G P LY WO O D W I T H A N E W I D E A O F A P R O J E C T, S O W H E N W E C O N N E C T E D T H O S E D O T S , T H E P LY WO O D P R O C E S S E M E R G E D. T H E P R O C E S S I S M A D E U P O F PAT H , F O U N DAT I O N S , A N D L AY E R S .

PATH FOUNDATIONS LAYERS

BRANDEN HARVEY BRANDEN HARVEY BRANDEN HARVEY

S

FOUNDER OF GOOD GOOD GOOD

B

randen Harvey celebrates the good in the world.

As the founder of Good Good Good — he hosts the podcast Sounds Good, he’s the editor-in-chief of the Goodnewspaper, a printed newspaper full of good news, and has built an online community over more than 500,000 world changers. He’s been written about in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Men’s Health, Mashable, and Forbes.

What is the problem you are solving?

There’s a lot of heartbreak, pain, and injustice in the world. It can feel really overwhelming to know how to deal with it. At Good Good Good, we help people feel more hopeful and do more good.

There’s this beautiful quote from Mr. Rogers where he says, “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.’”

And, it’s absolutely true. We have found it time and time again that Mr. Rogers and his mom were correct.

There will always be people who are helping.

The first way that we help people feel more hopeful is by sharing stories of the helpers. No matter what injustice is happening in the world, there are always people who are helping. We highlight those stories because it’s encouraging to know that there are people responding to the things that overwhelm us.

We never want to stop there. At Good Good Good, we exist to help people feel more helpful and do more good. And so, on the “do more good” side of things, we always make sure that we’re sharing practical action steps on how our community can get involved, take action, and make a difference. And sometimes that’s just by supporting the helpers who are on the front lines of doing good. And sometimes it means taking a step up and doing some good in deeper, more comprehensive ways. But ultimately, we want to reduce the feeling of overwhelm by simplifying and giving clear action steps on what to do next.

Talk about the moment that you knew your work and your purpose were aligned?

I spent years traveling the world as a professional photographer, specifically a humanitarian photographer. But there was a time before that where I was a wedding photographer, a highschool photo photographer, and even a sports photographer for a minute. I loved the sense of telling stories, but I was coming to recognize that there were particular stories that I was more drawn to more. And that’s how I pivoted into being a humanitarian photographer, because I wanted to help to tell stories of people making a

042

difference, people creating solutions to problems.

Once I was doing that professionally, full-time, I came to recognize that it wasn’t the photography intersection that was exciting to me, it was purely talking about the problem and the solution and celebrating that sense of hopefulness. And that was what was encouraging to me.

Around that time, I pivoted, and I said I don’t need to just be a photographer anymore, I can tell stories in a variety of ways, and now we do that in all kinds of weird ways at Good Good Good, whether it’s our print newspaper, or in writing on our website, or in a podcast, or through social media, or sometimes even photography. Once I disconnected the medium from the message, and once I honed in on what kinds of stories I wanted to tell, that was when I felt that connection.

What is something you are most proud of in relation to your work?

I’m really proud of the work that we do to help people feel more hopeful. Most of all, the thing that brings me the most fulfillment is getting to work with an amazing, talented team at Good Good Good and to give them a job that feels meaningful, exciting, and hopeful. It’s hard work, it’s really challenging, , but it is really energizing to build a company that aligns with your values.

What has been the hardest part of bringing your idea into existence?

I think it’s really, really hard to create a company with integrity. I see other companies all the time who take shortcuts. It is more challenging to live by a set of ethics that align with our values, yet I think it’s more fulfilling in the end. I think it gives us much more longevity than perhaps competitors who are taking shortcuts and are maybe living into different values.

How does community play a role in your work?

Community is everything for us. We would not have made it through the pandemic without a community of people who believe in our work, who want to support our work. The company would not have been founded without a community of supportive people in my life. Ultimately, we know that we’re never going to be the biggest media company in the business, we’re not even going to be the biggest good news media company in the business, but what we are going to have is this strongest

relationship with our community, and we are going to support them better than anybody else. And that’s all that we care about at the end of the day.

Share about one turning point in your project.

There’s been a turning point in every one of the projects I’ve worked on in my professional career.

About two years in, if you’ve been plugging away publicly with the work you do very consistently sharing “this is what we’re doing”, “this is how we’re helping you”, “this is how we are providing value to you, our audience”. We do that for about 2 years, there’s this breaking point that happens where all of a sudden people get it. They have been given enough examples of what you do that they can talk about it, and they can talk about you, and they can promote you better. You have been out there long enough that you show up on Google and social media searches. And you’ve been out there long enough that people know you’re here for good. And that’s when the opportunities start coming in. And so in my experience, making it through that 2, 3 year mark is where the magic starts to happen very consistently. And that’s what happened for Good Good Good too.

How has Plywood played a role in your story?

So Plywood has been there since the beginning.

I’d heard of Plywood before, but it wasn’t until we launched on Kickstarter I took notice. All of a sudden, I got a big donation to our Kickstarter campaign from some Jeff Shinabarger. And I’m like, “who’s this guy?” One of our bigger incentives on the Kickstarter was “hey, you can support the Good Newspaper, and Branden will come speak at your conference for free.” I think Jeff was just trying to get a deal (which I respect). And get a deal he did, but that donation was really helpful for us in founding Good Good Good. Then getting to be at Plywood that first year was incredible, to find other people who were on this exact same journey and get connected to them. It was unreal. I didn’t know there were other people out there who were asking the same questions, thinking the same things.

Since then, I’ve gone through almost all of the Plywood Process (Path, Foundations, and Virtual Layers), and it has been so great to connect with other people, to ask important questions, to ask hard questions, and to get connected in all of this.

Plywood has played a huge role in our story.

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WE EXIST TO HELP PEOPLE FEEL MORE HELPFUL AND DO MORE GOOD.

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TH PATH PAT TH PATH PAT TH PATH PAT

START HERE!

Path.

PAT H I S A N I N T E R AC T I V E S E V E N - W E E K ONL INE COURSE DESIGNED TO HELP P R O B L E M S O LV E R S D E C I D E W H I C H D I R E C T I O N T O TA K E T H E I R I D E A . T H I S C O U R S E G I V E S I N S I G H T O N T H E “ W H O, W H Y A N D H OW ” U P O N B U I L D I N G A N O R GA N I Z AT I O N , N O N P R O F I T O R F O R P R O F I T. PA R T I C I PA N T S A R E A S K E D T H E HARD QUEST IONS AND INTRODUCED T O A C O M M U N I T Y O F S U P P O R T.

96 participants enrolled in 2021

AYSHA PENNERMAN AYSHA PENNERMAN AYSHA PENNERMAN F O U N D E R O F I M PAC T F U L B R U S H

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ysha Pennerman, an artist and muralist with a mission to serve people and communities through her creative practice. T​​urning what’s ordinary or overlooked into a colorful and culturally relevant source of pride.

After experiencing the positive impact murals can have on people and spaces when leading community mural projects at a men’s shelter and a women’s center, it sparked her to launch Impactful Brush, Inc. A non-profit with the mission to empower and fight blight in underresourced communities through murals and art activations, involving community and youth participation.

In her spare time, she’s enjoying her family time with her husband and two sons, defeating them in Super Smash Bros or Mario Kart on a consistent basis.

What is the problem you are solving?

Impactful Brush helps communities that lack the resources to beautify their neighborhoods.

We do this through murals and art activations.

We involve members of the community in the process which helps provide art accessibility, a sense of community ownership, and a way of bringing people together.

Talk about the moment that you knew your work and your purpose were aligned?

I used to be a graphic designer for a commercial real estate company. I didn’t feel fulfilled there, but it was there where I realized I could use my creativity to serve others in a more meaningful and impactful way. It happened when they asked me to lead mural projects for their community service days. I planned, recruited creatives, and helped design meaningful concepts for the communities we were serving.

Seeing how the people we were serving were impacted by these projects forever changed my outlook. Something as simple as a colorful wall can give someone hope, courage, and strength. That’s when I knew my purpose was aligned. From then on, I wanted to create more purposefully with helping and empowering people in mind.

What is something you are most proud of in relation to your work?

I am proud of the lasting impact the work leaves. Murals can be a spark in improving communities in many ways. A spark of empowerment, a spark to be the change their community needs, a spark to heal, a spark to build better futures, a spark to learn, a spark to keep going. Tupac said it best, “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”

What has been the hardest part of bringing your idea into existence?

As a new organization, we’re experiencing the growing pains that come with the “startup” territory. The challenges we are currently facing is funding and finding the right people.

How does community play a role in your work?

Community plays a pivotal role in our work. In all our projects it’s important that we reflect the voice of the community we are serving. One of the best ways we do this is by inviting that community to take part in the planning and creation of the work. Without community, there would not be an Impactful Brush.

Share about a turning point in your project.

Having people so willing to support, help, and hold me accountable to building the organization has been a great turning point in growing Impactful Brush.

How has Plywood played a role in your story? Can you speak to your experience with Path?

Being at Plywood has been an amazing experience. I’ve grown so much as a person, creative, and a leader. The community here is like no other. I’ve made so many great connections with great people. It feels good to know I’m not in this alone. Being in Path and Foundations has provided me with knowledge, a better foundation, accountability, and motivation to build a great organization.

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ONSFOUNDATI TIONSFOUND FOUNDATIONS

PATH

Foundations.

F O U N DAT I O N S I S A T R A I N I N G EXPERIENCE FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS A N D N O N P R O F I T L E A D E R S . W I T H OV E R 2 0 H O U R S O F WO R L D C L A S S T R A I N I N G, PA R T I C I PA N T S R E C E I V E 1 - O N - 1 A DV I S I N G, A P E E R - R E S O U R C E G R O U P, A P H YS I CA L G U I D E B O O K T O CA P T U R E LEARNINGS, AS WELL AS A PLAN TO C R E AT E A N D R E F I N E A B U S I N E S S P L A N .

40 participants enrolled in 2021

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A L F O N S O R O G E R S , D I R E C T O R O F D E V E L O P M E N T, V E T E R A N S E M P OW E R M E N T O R GA N I Z AT I O N “The work that I do on a daily basis is to foster and establish relationships within the community to bring resources to the Veterans we serve at VEO. I am most proud when the resources, whether it is money, volunteer work or in kind donations finds its way directly to a Veteran to make their minute, hour, day or life better.

Plywood has played a role in my story by connecting me with so many amazing nonprofit leaders. Having the connection to this cohort [through the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator] allows me to bounce ideas off of them, receive real time feedback to issues and find creative solutions to problems that I may be having.”

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FOUNDATIONS

Layers.

L AY E R S E X I S T S T O P R OV I D E M O N T H LY C OAC H I N G A N D R E S O U R C E S F O R I N D I V I D UA L S A N D T H E I R B U S I N E S S E S , T H R O U G H G R O U P A DV I C E , B U I LT- I N AC C O U N TA B I L I T Y A N D AC C E S S T O A S T R O N G N E T WO R K O F P LY WO O D A DV I S O R S . L AY E R S I S A C O N S I S T E N T D E E P D I V E I N T O E AC H O T H E R ’ S WO R K , O F F E R I N G T H E V E RY B E S T O F W H O W E A R E T O W H AT ’ S B E I N G B U I LT.

• 21 participants enrolled in 2021 • 10 nonprofits focused on impact growth • 11 business leaders focused on exponential growth • 55 participants enrolled in 2022

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BRIAN O’NEIL BRIAN O’NEIL BRIAN O’NEIL EXECUT IVE DIRECTOR OF THIRD LENS M INISTRIES

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rian O’Neil serves as Executive Director for Third Lens Ministries. Prior to going into ministry, Brian worked in the banking, insurance, and real estate development industries. Since serving on his first mission team in high school, Brian has had a consistent passion for serving God’s people both internationally and locally. Brian graduated from Auburn University with a degree in International Business with a specialization in Finance. He has extensive experience working in ministry finance, as a church administrator and board member for several non-profits. Brian and his family worship and serve at Church of the Highlands in Auburn, AL. He is married to Caroline and the father of four beautiful children.

What is the problem you are solving?

Third Lens started with the goal of solving two problems. First, non-profit organizations generally struggle with building projects because they lack experience with the process.

Secondly, professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry often feel limited to volunteering on a project, locally or on a short-term mission trip, by swinging a hammer, which may not align with their natural talents in design or project management. Ultimately, we found that the two problems solve one another and Third Lens has become the platform that connects industry professionals with humanitarian projects across the globe.

to a bluff above the village we were staying in.

The view outlined the farming community and in the center was a nearly complete Wellness Center that would provide necessary medical care and education to the surrounding areas. At that moment, I realized that God had rekindled a passion for mission work from my youth and was using my talents to impact the lives of others. That’s when I knew.

What is something you are most proud of in relation to your work?

I am glad my kids have been able to see the work we are doing in their formative years. My life was irrevocably changed at 17 years old when I visited Venezuela on a mission trip. My fear for our youth is that so many in America grow up in a digital world without ever having an unmet need. They don’t know what hunger pains feel like. It took me traveling to South America to change my worldview and begin to look at poverty and suffering through a new lens. My world was shattered in all the right ways so that I could live with empathy and compassion. I pray my legacy is giving them the chance to see the world through this lens.

What has been the hardest part of bringing your idea into existence?

The time away from my wife and kids. One of our core values is Family First. It’s there as a constant reminder that our staff is committed to not sacrificing our families on the altar of ministry because I have done a horrible job of it in the past. My wife is a saint! First, for allowing Talk about the moment that you knew your me to quit my job and pursue this crazy idea. work and your purpose were aligned?

Then, for allowing me to travel all over the world and work late hours to grow the ministry.

Our first project was a medical clinic in the But most importantly, for always forgiving me middle of the mountains of Honduras with an when I overdo my travel schedule and am not Atlanta-based partner, Mission Predisan. After a fully present when I am home. I could not have grueling week of being on-site and helping with done this without her support and endless some critical needs, a couple of us took a hike grace.

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Share about one turning point in your project.

The pandemic affirmed our ministry model and pushed Third Lens to a new level. While the world was shutting down, our processes and technology for overseeing projects remotely allowed us to continue moving forward. We had been using Zoom for several years already and that allowed us to stay connected with our in-country contacts for updates. Our true turning point was in April 2020 as the world was truly shutting down.

We contacted each of our partners to check-in and see how they were responding. At that moment, I was inspired to ask each leader to dream big and imagine a world post-COVID. Instead of pausing our work, why not take this season to lean into believing the best was yet to come and planning for the future. The result was a new process called Project Launch, whereby Third Lens helps our partners take all the necessary steps to launch their next capital campaign with conceptual designs, renderings of the buildings, and validated budgets. That Spring alone we launched 12 new projects while in quarantine.

How has Plywood played a role in your story?

Plywood has played an integral role in my personal development as a leader. When I started Path back in 2018, Third Lens was making an impact but I was struggling with taking the next steps in fundraising, storytelling, and scaling the organization. At the Retreat, I started to connect with the Plywood Community and hear from Advisors who specialized in areas I was weak. Many of the ideas for what our ministry is today were birthed on PLYWOOD IS A that retreat and PLACE WHERE refined by peer I GO FOR feedback in my INSTRUCTION, Layers group.

Plywood is a FEEDBACK, place where I go COMMUNITY, for instruction, NETWORKING, feedback, community, AND networking, and INSPIRATION. inspiration.

JEFF SHINABARGER

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Our partners.

P LY WO O D I S M A D E P O S S I B L E B Y O U R PA R T N E R S . T H E S E PA R T N E R S A R E M A D E U P B Y T H R E E U N I Q U E G R O U P S : C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S , G I V I N G PA R T N E R S , A N D P R O C E S S PA R T N E R S .

Process Partners.

I N 2 0 2 1 , W E PA R T N E R E D W I T H S E V E R A L O T H E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O B R I N G T H E P LY WO O D P R O C E S S T O T H E I R P E O P L E .

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Giving Partners.

T H E G E N E R O S I T Y O F O U R G I V I N G PA R T N E R S I S U N M AT C H E D. H E A R F R O M A F E W O N W H Y T H E Y S U P P O R T P LY WO O D W I T H T H E I R T I M E , CONNECTIONS, OR FINANCIAL GIF TS.

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I B E L I E V E I N T H E M U LT I P LY I N G E F F E C T O F P LY WO O D P E O P L E ’ S WO R K . I K N OW T H AT A S I N G L E G I F T T O P LY WO O D I S THEN REINVESTED INTO SO MANY C R E AT I V E , B R AV E A N D B R I L L I A N T D R E A M E R S W H O A R E T R U LY T R A N S F O R M I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y. IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE T O B E A S M A L L PA R T O F T H AT T R A N S F O R M AT I O N . ” EL IZABETH BURDET TE, DIRECTOR O F C L I E N T E N GAG E M E N T, S I G N AT U R E G E N E R O S I T Y

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I S U P P O R T P LY WO O D B E CAU S E I K N OW T H AT M Y I N V E S TM E N T I N T H I S O R GA N I Z AT I O N H A S A C O M P O U N D I N G P O S I T I V E I M PAC T O N CATA LY Z I N G G O O D WO R K S I N T H E WO R L D. E AC H G I F T I G I V E , O F T I M E , M O N E Y, O R C O N N E C T I O N S , I S M U LT I P L I E D B Y T H E WAY P LY WO O D S T E WA R D S T H E R E S O U R C E S I T RECEIVES.” C H A N E L D O K U N , AU T H O R , C OAC H A N D P LY WO O D B OA R D M E M B E R

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P LY WO O D I S B O T H A “ S PA R K ” A N D A “ L AU N C H PA D ” F O R M E A N I N G F U L IDEAS TO MAKE OUR CI T Y AND WO R L D A B E T T E R P L AC E ! P LY WO O D BRINGS SUPPORT TO THE FOUNDER TEAMS AND THEIR IDEAS TO A D D C O M M U N I T Y, I N S P I R AT I O N , MENTORING AND PROCESS. I S U P P O R T P LY WO O D B E CAU S E SHARING MY TIME, CONNECTIONS A N D M O N E Y I M PAC T S H U N D R E D S O F O R GA N I Z AT I O N S E V E RY Y E A R .

I WA N T T O B E I N T E N T I O N A L W I T H MY T I ME AND BENEFI T NON PROFI TS T H AT A R E E F F E C T I V E AT A M P L I F Y I N G T H E G R E AT E R G O O D. P LY WO O D H A S P R OV E N A C O M M I TM E N T T O D O J U S T T H AT. G R E G G I L B E R T, M A N AG I N G D I R E C T O R AT R O N A L D B L U E T R U S T W E A R E A LWAYS H A P P Y T O WA L K A L O N G S I D E P LY WO O D A N D I T S ENTREPRENEURS. THEY ARE A PA S S I O N AT E , C R E AT I V E , S K I L L E D G R O U P, W I T H H E A R T S T H AT A R E S O F O R AT L A N TA T H AT T H E I R E N T H U S I A S M I S C O N TAG I O U S .

A N D P LY WO O D I S S U C H A W E L LR U N O R GA N I Z AT I O N T H AT W E A LWAYS K N OW O U R T I M E W I L L B E T H O U G H T F U L LY P L A N N E D A N D T H AT O U R C O N T R I B U T I O N S W I L L B E VA L U E D. N I KO L L E & J O S É R E Y E S , M E TA L E A P C R E AT I V E

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Corporate Partners.

B E C O M E A N A N N UA L S P O N S O R O F A P LY WO O D E V E N T O R P LY WO O D P L AC E . T H I S I S A G R E AT O P P O R T U N I T Y T O F E AT U R E YO U R B R A N D I N S U P P O R T O F I M P O R TA N T WO R K .

C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S CA N S P O N S O R A H A P P Y H O U R , F U N D T H E IDEA COMPETITION, OR EVEN BRING A SURPRISE AND DELIGHT M O M E N T ( E X : G E L AT O F O R A L L ) AT P LY WO O D P R E S E N T S ! PA R T N E R S CA N A L S O F U N D O N G O I N G N E E D S AT P LY WO O D P L AC E L I K E A D D I T I O N A L P H O N E B O O T H S O R A M U R A L B Y A L O CA L A R T I S T !

Our 2021 partners.

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Advisors.

T H E P LY WO O D A DV I S O R S I S A C U R AT E D G R O U P O F S E A S O N E D E N T R E P R E N E U R S A N D N I C H E S U B J E C T E X P E R T S W H O W I S H T O S T E WA R D T H E I R E X P E R T I S E B Y A DV I S I N G T H E P LY WO O D P E O P L E C O M M U N I T Y. W E R E LY O N O U R A DV I S O R S I N A VA R I E T Y O F WAYS : F R O M S E R V I N G A S A C OAC H T O S O M E O N E I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y W H O N E E D S O N E O N O N E A DV I C E , A FAC I L I TAT O R I N O U R G R O U P S , O R A S A C O N T E N T P R OV I D E R T O O U R PA R T I C I PA N T S I N P LY WO O D ’ S P R O G R A M M I N G ( T H E P R O C E S S : PAT H , F O U N DAT I O N S , A N D L AY E R S ) .

P LY WO O D A DV I S O R S A R E A D E D I CAT E D G R O U P W H O S E I N T E R E S T I S T O S U P P O R T O U R C O M M U N I T Y O F S TA R T U P S D O I N G G O O D W H E T H E R W I T H T H E I R T I M E , C O N N E C T I O N S , A N D/O R M O N E TA RY G I F T S . W E R E M A I N G R AT E F U L F O R T H E S E R VA N T L E A D E R S H I P A N D G E N E R O S I T Y O F T H I S G R O U P.

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Advisors provided Facilitation for 6 Path Cohorts

14 16

Advisors provided content for Layers Advisors provided Content for Foundations

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Advisors matched to nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs for Advisor dinner

300+

With over hours donated by the Plywood Advisors.

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WORDS FROM PLYWOOD ADVISOR, NATE BUTLER

“The Plywood Advisor Program is definitely a necessity for the Plywood Community. It’s because there are people that have been there before. The same paths these start-up businesses [and nonprofits] are walking in - there are people that have already been there: They’ve answered the tough questions, they’ve gone through the tough seasons, they’ve weathered the storm, they’ve understood contracts, they understood different personality types, they’ve understood how to negotiate life issues. It’s the same thing, we’re basically talking about a mentor-mentee relationship, and quite honestly it’s never cool to have to walk some place alone.

Being a part of the Plywood advisor network has impacted my life: A) Because I’ve had an opportunity to meet such amazing, creative people and I know their ideas are going to shape policy, fashion, consumerism and more. B) I also get the opportunity to see the unbridled hope that they carry for change, which helps fuel my fire to continue to bring hope to the world.”

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laudine Miles is originally from East Providence, Rhode Island, and holds an English Degree from Hampton University, and an Educational Leadership degree from Georgia State University. Her career started at KIPP WAYS ACADEMY, a Title I. public charter in Atlanta. During her 10 years there, she served in several roles including: 6th grade Science Teacher, Grade Level Chair, Gifted Coordinator, Upper School Dean, and Dean of Restorative Practices. She’s won Teacher of the year and led her school to winning Charter School of The Year in 2016. Around this time Claudine got married, and had a son and decided it was time for a change.

In 2018, she left her beloved community to launch Restore More, which helps schools build capacity with Restorative Practices, Anti-Racism, and SocialEmotional Learning.

Talk about the moment that you knew your work and your purpose were aligned?

I knew my work and purpose were aligned when things seemingly started to click, and opportunities came easily. I wasn’t afraid to pursue them. I had a lot of self work to do before I could be the best leader for my team and the people we serve.

Coming from a healed place really matters in my line of work. Talking about tough stuff is kind of my jam, and helping people to do that in a way that promotes learning and healing is what I’ve been sent here to do.

What is something you are most proud of in relation to your work?

I am really proud of how we’ve been able to impact our community. We’ve given back to teachers, parents, schools, and nonprofits we believe in.

We’ve supported moms with cash during the holidays, we’ve passed two policies in Atlanta Public Schools, we hosted the White House Assistant Deputy Education Secretary at Plywood for a community dialogue, and we’ve built a strong team of 5 phenomenal leaders with 30 facilitators and that extends more opportunity to others, so these things stick out most.

What has been the hardest part of bringing your idea into existence?

Getting over my fear and self-doubt. Half the work is believing you can do it, once you get over that, pretty much daily, it gets easier. When I started Restore More, my co-founder Kim was still working

full time, so I spent a lot of time in those early days doing things that I thought were the right thing.

Most days I was just guessing or googling the next checklist for startups. What I think kept me going was the wild belief that this idea could become a thing, and that thing could impact more than just my former school community, but rather thousands of people.

How does community play a role in your work?

Community is everything in my work, it's who and what I do it for. Anytime Restore More works with a group of people, we are intentionally going to build community. I’m a firm believer that to do anything well within a community you must consider, listen, and advocate for those who are part of the community. It also means taking accountability if and when harm is caused and repairing it. I’ve taught the children of this beautiful West End community and supported parents in navigating the challenges of public education for years as an Assistant Principal. It’s this community that has helped me become a consultant that has expanded my impact from just one school to countless others across the country.

What prompted you to become a Plywood Advisor?

Plywood has given me so much, as a participant in Path and Foundations. Both programs have been crucial to my growth as a Founder, so it seems second nature to give back and do the same in return.

Do you feel the Advisor network is necessary and important to the Plywood Community? If so, why?

This community is vital, whether I’m thinking of problems or solutions I know someone in the Advisor network will have the answer.

How has being a part of the Advisor Network impacted you?

It’s allowed me to give back to a program that has done so much for me. It also keeps me super engaged with the Plywood Community as I often get to hear about all the GOOD happening right here in Atlanta. I love connecting with others in the network and thinking about how we can support each other.

CLAUDINE MILES CLAUDINE MILES CLAUDINE MILES CO -FOUNDER OF RESTORE MORE

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How to get involved.

FAC

COAC

TEA

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CILITATEFACILITATEFACILITA THIS PERSON LEADS GROUP DISCUSSION C OV E R I N G T H E C O N T E N T I N PAT H B Y P LY WO O D (O U R D I G I TA L C U R R I C U L U M ) , L E A D S A W E E K LY Z O O M C O N N E C T I O N CA L L , A N D A N S W E R S QUEST IONS. C O M M I TM E N T : 7 W E E K S , 2 - 3 H O U R S/ P E R W E E K ( P R E P & FAC I L I TAT I O N )

CHCOACHCOACHCOACHCO T H E A DV I S O R S W H O A R E I N T E R E S T E D I N C OAC H I N G CA N S E R V E T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R A N D O F F E R A S M A N Y H O U R S A S T H E Y WA N T T O T H E P LY WO O D C O M M U N I T Y B A S E D O N T H E I R E X P E R T I S E . C OAC H E S CA N A L S O S E R V E AT F O U N DAT I O N S T O B E PA I R E D W I T H A P R O G R A M PA R T I C I PA N T F O R A C O N V E R S AT I O N OV E R D I N N E R .

C O M M I TM E N T: 1 T I M E M E E T I N G, U S UA L LY 1 - 3 H O U R S

ACHTEACHTEACHTEACHTEA T H I S I N D I V I D UA L L E A D S A S E S S I O N A R O U N D A S P E C I F I C C O N T E N T T O P I C D U R I N G L AY E R S O R O U R F O U N DAT I O N S R E T R E AT. T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y I S F O R A S E A S O N E D PRESENTER WITH NICHE EXPERTISE. C O M M I TM E N T: ~ 2 H O U R S D U R I N G F O U N DAT I O N S O R L AY E R S , P R E P, P R E S E N TAT I O N , Q& A

P L E A S E C O N TAC T T U E R E B U T L E R ( T U E R E @ P LY WO O D P E O P L E .C O M ) F O R A P R E L I M I N A RY C O N V E R S AT I O N A N D Q U E S T I O N N A I R E .

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The future of Plywood is good.

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lywood has been serving startups doing good for 13 years. As the economy has hit record highs and jobs are boundless we have found that the startup scene is slower to have new beginnings, it’s just too easy to get a job these days. Meanwhile the rise in conceptual organizations over the last 5 years are all in need of training for their next season of growth. The rise of people and incubators serving entrepreneurs has never been greater, but few are focused on nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs. The combination of our experience and niche continues to make our story and services unique.

Big questions being asked from our community: Do I feel a sense of purpose in my current work or is there something better for me?

How to I find, keep and attract great talent?

What is the balance of working from home and finding a place to call work to create a sense of culture for teams?

How do I make a jump financially from my current size organization to the budget and team that I really need to grow?

What does success and impact really mean in my work?

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What does an ecosystem look like for the community we are leading?

This is an exciting time because these organizations have made it through a season unknown to all of us and looking for what is next. These types of questions require revamped programming and shifts in focus.

In looking to the future of the Plywood Community, we will continue to meet the needs of our people. Community has always been and will continue to be at the core of our culture.

The next Iteration of Plywood will: • Do extensive research on current programs.

• Renew programs for a post pandemic era.

• Launch the Plywood Impact Fund: community grant program for social entrepreneurs.

• Continue to grow Plywood Place.

• Partner with other communities to build new ecosystems.

The story of Plywood is continuing into our next decade and is not only an idea, but an essential element in our Atlanta ecosystem for “do good” organizations.

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Wear good.

W E A R G O O D A N D B E I N S P I R E D T O D O G O O D. W I T H E AC H N E W S E A S O N , O U R T E A M H O P E S T O S PA R K S O M E I N S P I R AT I O N T O YO U R WA R D R O B E , W I T H P O S I T I V E M E S S AG E S A N D N E W C O L O R - WAYS . S O C H E C K O U T W H AT ’ S N E W A N D S H O P T H E S WAG F O R YO U A N D YO U R S !

B E G R E AT H AT

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THE FUTURE IS GOOD TEE

D O G O O D B E G R E AT H O O D I E

G E T YO U R M E R C H !

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A Q U E S T I O N F O R T H E C O M M U N I T Y. D O I N G G O O D H A S B E E N A N A N T H E M O F T H E L A S T T WO D E CA D E S W I T H I N C U LT U R E , A N D W E A R E C U R I O U S T O L E A R N D E E P E R W H AT T H AT M E A N S A N D W H E R E W E A R E H E A D E D N E X T. W E WA N T T O H E A R F R O M YO U. H OW D O YO U D E F I N E DOING GOOD?

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FA I R , J U S T, A N D E Q U I TA B L E .

T E R RY R O S S

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L E AV I N G E V E RYO N E A N D O R E V E RY T H I N G YO U E N GAG E W I T H B E T T E R T H A N YO U F O U N D I T. RICK MERCER

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CONTRIBUT ING TO G E N E R AT I V E F L O U R I S H I N G. J U DY L E W I S

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D O I N G G O O D I S A B O U T C R E AT I N G A SOLUT ION TO A PROBLEM T H AT ’ S I N F R O N T O F YO U, B U T I T I S A L S O A B O U T C R E AT I N G T H AT C H A I N R E AC T I O N O F I N S P I R I N G O T H E R P E O P L E T O D O G O O D. T H AT ’ S W H AT M A K E S T H E WO R L D B E T T E R I N T H E E N D. BRANDEN HARVEY

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I DEFINE “DOING GOOD” BY THE P O S I T I V E I M PAC T T H AT I S C R E AT E D B Y O N E ’ S AC T I O N S . I B E L I E V E DOING GOOD IS BEST SEEN T H R O U G H AC T I O N S T H AT LEAD TO THE DESIRED P O S I T I V E I M PAC T. J O S H UA W H I T E H E A D

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I DEFINE GOOD BY T H E C H A N G E I CA N MAKE FOR OTHERS. IF W E ’ R E O N LY H E R E F O R A MOMENT THEN LET IT BE I M PAC T F U L .

C L AU D I N E M I L E S

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SOMETHING DONE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE, KEEPING T H E I R D I G N I T Y, C U LT U R E , AND UNIQUE POSITION I N T H I S WO R L D I N M I N D. S H AW N D R A O NW U C H E K WA

“AC T I O N S A N D O U T C O M E S FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS. A DA M T H O M A S O N

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DOING GOOD IS AN AC T I O N T H AT S TA R T S WITH THE SIMPLE IDEA OF BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT P O S I T I V E C H A N G E T H AT W I L L C R E AT E O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R P E O P L E , P L AC E S , A N D I D E A S T O G R OW. L ATA S H A B R OW N

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H AV I N G A N I M PAC T O N S O M E T H I N G/S O M E O N E T H AT I S G O O D F O R E V E RYO N E .

L AU R A G R E E N

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E VA L UAT I N G O N E ’ S A B I L I T I E S , TA L E N T S , A N D PA S S I O N S AGA I N S T T H E N E E D S O F T H E WO R L D A S B E S T YO U CA N .

WHERE THOSE INTERSECTIONS E X I S T, A P P LY E N E R GY T O T H O S E N E E D S T O T H E B E S T O F YO U R A B I L I T I E S . R E P E AT. KARL PETERSON

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A S A P E R S O N O F FA I T H , I T R E A L LY C O M E S D OW N T O L OV I N G G O D A N D L OV I N G P E O P L E .

DOING GOOD IS THE INTERSECTION O F T H O S E T WO C O M M A N D M E N T S .

I F W E T R U LY S E E K T O L OV E T H Y NEIGHBOR AS AN OUTPOURING OF T H E L OV E W E H AV E R E C E I V E D, I T R E Q U I R E S U S T O S AC R I F I C I A L LY G I V E O U T O F O U R A B U N DA N C E A N D L E V E R AG E O U R P O S I T I O N T O L I F T O T H E R S U P. BRI AN O’NEIL

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D O I N G G O O D M E A N S T H AT I T ’ S W H AT ’ S B E S T F O R T H E

C O M M U N I T Y. I T C R E AT E S A N I M PAC T B E YO N D P R O F I T. I T H A S L A S T I N G P OW E R F O R C R E AT I N G A BETTER FUTURE. BETHANY TRAN

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M A K I N G WAY F O R GENEROSI T Y OF SPIRI T T O WO R K I N T H E H E A R T S AND MINDS OF PEOPLE T O C R E AT E A M O R E B E AU T I F U L WO R L D. C H A N T E L A DA M S

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C R E AT I N G C H A N G E T H AT M A K E S T H E WO R L D A

M O R E E N J OYA B L E P L AC E F O R E V E RYO N E !

C H E Y E N N E J OYC E

How do you define doing good?

Answer here!

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When you give to Plywood, you invest in hundreds of organizations.

T H E R E A R E F E W WAYS YO U CA N J O I N U S I N T H I S WO R K . O U R T E A M C O N T I N U E S T O D O A L O T O F WO R K W I T H A S M A L L B U D G E T. T H E WO R K O N LY C O N T I N U E S W I T H YO U R C O N T R I B U T I O N .

Become a member of Plywood Place.

Host a board meeting, gather for creative sessions, or find a new

place to work from. Our hope is that this building is a hub for social innovation and inspires those who desire to do good. Memberships start at $50/month.

Become a Corporate Partner.

Each year we look for a limited number of like minded businesses to partner with us. Do you want to sponsor the Happy Hour at Plywood Presents or fund the Idea Competition for 2022?

Email Jeff@plywoodpeople.com

Become a monthly Partner.

At the heart of every sustaining nonprofit is a core of monthly donors who give their time, connections and/or finncial support.

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OUR WORK IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF YOU. PLEASE GIVE. PLYWOODPEOPLE.COM/GIVE