Leading the MrBallen Foundation

Written By Laurie Gift Harris

Introduction

When former Navy SEAL John Allen, better known as MrBallen, decided to leverage his online influence (+9mm YouTube subscribers) to help victims of violent crimes, he needed a reliable partner to bring his vision to life. Enter GIFT Nonprofit Strategies, led by Laurie Gift, who also serves as the Executive Director for the MrBallen Foundation. Together, they built an organization from the ground up, focusing on rapid response philanthropy, comprehensive support for crime victims, and empowering nonprofit partners through education, training, and financial support.

Building a Foundation

Founded in 2022, the MrBallen Foundation aimed to provide dynamic solutions for victims of violent crimes. Despite starting with no established processes or even a bank account, GIFT Nonprofit Strategies quickly implemented a robust infrastructure. This included branding, marketing, grant writing, partner relations, and operational strategies, all managed in-house by Laurie and her dedicated team.

Strategic Initiatives and Executive Coaching

GIFT Nonprofit Strategies provided extensive executive coaching to the foundation’s grant recipients, covering crucial areas such as marketing strategy, board governance, board retreat participation, and program development. By offering tailored guidance and support, the foundation has empowered nonprofit leaders to enhance their organizational effectiveness and outreach. This coaching has enabled them to implement best practices, improve governance structures, and develop innovative programs that better serve their communities.

Collaborative Learning and Engagement

GIFT Nonprofit Strategies organized collaborative experiences for their partners to foster ongoing learning and engagement. Through bi-monthly one-hour Zoom call sessions, nonprofit partners could engage in discussions on fundraising, volunteer recruitment and retention, social media strategies, and self-care. These sessions have provided valuable knowledge and insights and created a supportive network where partners can share experiences and challenges, fostering a sense of community and mutual encouragement.

Rapid Response Philanthropy

One of the standout achievements of the MrBallen Foundation under the guidance of GIFT Nonprofit Strategies has been its rapid response philanthropy. In times of need, particularly following mass shootings in Tennessee and Texas, the foundation has ensured that its giving is characterized by consistency, integrity, credibility, and effectiveness. This swift and reliable response has made a significant impact during critical moments of crisis, providing immediate support to victims and their families when they need it the most.

Strategic Opportunities for Connection

Twice a year, GIFT Nonprofit Strategies organizes strategic opportunities for partner founders and executive directors to connect via Zoom. These sessions offer insights into the MrBallen Foundation’s direction and allow partners to share their experiences and learn from each other. This transparent communication fosters a sense of community and alignment with the foundation’s goals, ensuring that all partners are well-informed and engaged in the foundation’s mission.

Impact and Outcomes

The impact of the MrBallen Foundation, supported by GIFT Nonprofit Strategies, is profound. Since its inception, by managing all aspects of tech, branding, social media, and other digital assets from the ground up, we’ve seen:

  • $1.2mm, has been allocated to support victims of violent crimes.

  • Established 1200+ donors, generating a recurring revenue of $160k.

  • Established and grew digital media:

    • Reach: Facebook: 194.6k, Instagram: 309.1k

    • Followers: Facebook: 2,990, Instagram: 7,026

    • Interactions: Facebook: 14.8k, Instagram: 10.1k

Through these efforts and more, GIFT Nonprofit Strategies has significantly expanded the foundation’s reach and engagement, amplifying its mission to provide support and resources to victims of violent crimes.

Conclusion

Through the dedicated efforts of GIF Nonprofit Strategies, the MrBallen Foundation has grown into a beacon of hope and support for victims of violent crimes. Laurie Gift and her team have created a sustainable and impactful nonprofit organization by building a solid infrastructure, providing executive coaching, facilitating collaborative learning, and ensuring rapid response philanthropy. Together, they are rewriting the future for victims of violent crime, providing education, support, and restoration to help them move from hurt to hope.

Laurie Gift Harris