«We Want to Help Greek People Quietly»: On the eve of its 11th annual gala, the Hellenic Initiative expects to raise $2.5 million to help Greeks in need and to support entrepreneurs.
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«Θέλουμε να βοηθήσουμε αθόρυβα»: Η οργάνωση Hellenic Initiative προσδοκά να συγκεντρώσει 2,5 εκ. δολάρια για να βοηθήσει τους Έλληνες που έχουν ανάγκη
By DODY TSIANTAR
The Hellenic Initiative, a non-profit philanthropic group dedicated to shaping Greece’s future, got its start in 2012, when Greece was in the middle of a worsening economic crisis. Today, 11 years later, the Greek economy has recovered and the organization’s efforts, by many scorecards, have been a resounding success.
Its annual fundraising gala in New York City, scheduled for Saturday December 2 at Cipriani on Wall Street, is already sold out—930 people will be in attendance and $2.5 million dollars is likely to be raised. Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and the Washington Mystics, is going to be honored.
On the eve of what is expected to be another successful gala, Hellas Journal spoke with acting interim director, Peter Poulos, about the initiative’s mission, its success stories, and its goals for the future.
“Our job at the Hellenic Initiative is not to tell Greeks how to do things, that’s not our goal; it’s not our mission, not our ethos,” said Poulos in a conversation over Zoom. “We want to help Greek people quietly.”
The initiative, says Poulos, who was the organization’s original executive director, has been quietly spreading its assistance, financial and otherwise, to many aspects of Greek society, primarily helping people in crisis and investing in promising entrepreneurial start-ups.
“All of the money we raise makes its way back to Greece,” he said. “We have no endowment. After costs, every cent we raise goes to the community….to entrepreneurs, to families that need money and support.” So far this year, the organization has given out $900,000 worth of grants – and expects to distribute another $300,000 before the end of the year.
Indeed, Poulos says that roughly 65% to 70 % of the funds raised by the initiative get spent on projects in Greece that relieve pain and suffering and on entrepreneurial and economic development efforts. The remaining 30 percent of the funds raised cover costs and operational expenses. Typically, nonprofits operate more on a 50-50 split.
The initiative is committed to keeping costs down so more money makes its way back to Greece. To that end, this year the organization is trying something new. In the past, it would bring Greek popular entertainers, such as Sakis Rouvas, to perform at the gala and draw more patrons. But it opted not to do so this year, so more of the funds raised would be spent on efforts in Greece instead of used to cover the costs of bringing the musicians to the United States and hosting them.
Two-pronged initiative
The initiative’s mission in Greece consists of two pillars. The first focuses on giving money to organizations that assist Greeks in need—Greeks that are hungry, homeless, etc. It has worked, to name but a few groups, with “Ολοι μαζοι για το παιδι,” the Athens Food Pantry, and Ithaca Laundry, a nonprofit group with the very original idea of loading up vans with laundry and shower facilities and parking them in areas where homeless congregate.
A portion of the funds raised at this year’s gala will specifically be donated to the group’s summer youth academy, a training program dedicated to helping underprivileged youth.
The grants are given for three years to associations and groups that are carefully screened by a team at Hellenic Initiative. Each group is also required to submit an application for accreditation, a document that forces the groups to explain what it is they do and how they operate. “The process actually helps organizations figure out what the best practices in the nonprofit world are,” explains Poulos.
The second pillar of THI’s efforts is dedicated to helping Greece’s economy grow by identifying and supporting promising Greek entrepreneurial efforts. To that end, THI organizes events, like the Venture Fair usually held in Greece in June, that matches entrepreneurs to investors. It also gives out cash prizes between $10,000 and $25,000 dollars each. This year’s prize winners will be announced on December 14.
To be considered for a prize, entrepreneurs have to apply—and this year the effort drew 125,000 applicants. The winners were whittled down by a team of experts and HI’s staff to 80 finalists—and in the end, 10 lucky winners will receive the grants.
“We want to be supportive of good ideas and contribute, through that, to the growth of the country,” Poulos adds. “We are tired of Greece’s biggest export being its people. One of the biggest problems is that there are not enough job opportunities. This is one way to change that.”
Past recipients have been in the technology, hospitality, and agricultural sectors. RT Safe (https://rt-safe.com/), one grantee, for example, is a medical company that personalizes care in radiation oncology using 3D technology to make models of individual’s heads to help brain surgeons develop precision before they perform the actual surgery. Another clever idea supported by THI: a company that repurposes pastitsio noodles into sustainable straws.
The Hellenic Initiative is also now hosting a silent auction to raise money, offering artworks, fine wine, travel opportunities, and sports tickets. Bids are currently being accepted through December 2. Click here for more information
In the past, The Hellenic Initiative’s glamorous fundraising gala focused the publicity spotlight at least, more on the glitz and less on the substance of what the group does. But scratch beyond the gorgeous gowns and black ties, and you’ll discover the group’s noteworthy mission to draw Hellenes from around the country and the world to unite in a pure commitment to help people in need in their homeland and to support efforts in Greece to provide job opportunities and economic growth.
As the mission statement on its website says: “We are committed to Greece, faults and all. And we are dedicating our time, resources, and networks to secure a different future… This is about investment, not handouts. We are focused on impact and outcomes.”
And humbly, the organization admits that it does not have all the answers, but its hope for the future of Greece is solid. “We know that across our global community, we have what it takes to create a 21st-century powerhouse, both within Greece and across the diaspora. And we will build it together.”
This year’s gala on December 2 will kick off that effort for 2024.
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