We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tobie Spears. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tobie below.

Tobie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

Corporate America has ‘giving’ all wrong. One of the most important things I’ve learned through my humanitarian work is the importance of corporate giving. I get it. When you listen to the news you hear all the heavy things that are going on in the world. Wars, famine, disease and suffering. It may feel like you are only one company and that you can’t make a difference. I want to reassure you that you can! In today’s dynamic corporate landscape, fostering employee loyalty and happiness goes beyond traditional perks and benefits. Research consistently shows that employees are more devoted and satisfied when they work for companies with robust social responsibility programs. These initiatives not only align with employees’ values but also create a sense of purpose and pride in their work. By demonstrating a commitment to social and environmental causes, companies not only attract and retain top talent but also cultivate a positive workplace culture and enhance their brand reputation. Therefore, I urge all organizations to consider the profound impact of integrating corporate giving into their business strategies, as it not only benefits employees but also drives long-term success and sustainability.

When the co-founder of Big Red Jelly, Josh Webber, wanted to align with a charity the team did a lot of research. They interviewed about a dozen different non-profits. They wanted to help other human beings with some of their basic needs and to grow with the organization. Thankfully, Be Humanitarian checked all of those boxes, and so it was a natural fit. They decided to sponsor kiddos with Be Humanitarian and make sure that they are receiving the nutrition and education they wouldn’t otherwise receive. Employees have picture frames of the smiling kiddos around the office. Josh said that as soon as he starts worrying about himself, it’s really hard to be motivated. “Then, I think about Be Humanitarian and the kids that we support in Guatemala and I have instant motivation. It’s easier to be motivated. I’m more creative. I execute better. I’m more driven. I have more energy. I think businesses would be wise to find a purpose that’s greater than themselves because it will motivate you. It will motivate your people. It will add to your vision. It will create a legacy. Your people will work harder and they’ll feel better about that work.” There are countless examples of companies that are giving together and succeeding together with their corporate giving programs.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

We lead humanitarian tours to Guatemala to promote our mission to inspire volunteers to become global citizens and take a hands-on role in the world around them. We believe our duty is to improve the lives of those in need. We aim to improve the future of some of Guatemala’s most impoverished people. By working alongside them we help to break the poverty cycle by providing nutrition, education and self sustainability. Join us, and your trip can be tax-deductible.

12 years ago, my husband and I, together with our young daughters, drove 3000+ miles from our home in Utah, to the small country of Guatemala. During that trip, we absolutely fell in love with the country. After we returned a few months later, I talked to my daughters and told them that this was something we needed to do every year. Shortly after that, I started leading volunteers to do good work in Guatemala. Traveling to Guatemala was soul food and such a deep lesson in gratitude and appreciation for the ease of living in the states.

We are most proud that we are able to pay school tuition for kiddos who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend school, provide thousands of meals a month, donate books, backpacks, water filters, wood burning stoves, school supplies, and crucial donations to the community. Our biggest goal is to build our community center where we can create income opportunities for the families in our programs. We are fundraising to build the community center and are always open to new ideas. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in collaborating.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting and running a grassroots nonprofit requires daily resilience and tenacity. In small nonprofits, hearing “no” is common, but I persist, believing a “yes” will come. Supporting our community in Guatemala means standing by them through both good and challenging times. We have many children in our program, and it has been a delight to see them grow in self-confidence and self-esteem. Through education, we’ve seen a light in their eyes.

We’ve witnessed young girls who never had the opportunity for education flourish once given the chance to learn. Children who previously had no prospect of attending school have fallen in love with learning. We’ve seen kids from families where parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents could not read or write develop a passion for literacy. Resilience is needed every day.

In Guatemala, I have been joined by incredible volunteers. Together, we worked to restore The Sewing Center with rain pouring down our backs and built gardens under the hot sun so families can be self-sustainable and save money on produce. We have hiked active volcanoes to explore the country’s beauty. We’ve woken before dawn to release baby turtles back into the ocean as part of our conservation efforts, knowing these little creatures may live hundreds of years longer than we will.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Years ago, before we were an official nonprofit, individuals and business owners often told me that if we were registered, we would receive more donations. Naively, I decided to start a nonprofit by myself, unaware of the challenges ahead. I visited two attorney offices, where I learned that the paperwork would cost $3,000 to $5,000. Determined to save money, I decided to handle the paperwork myself.

Unfortunately, starting a nonprofit is not as simple as “if you build it, they will come.” In Utah alone, there are over 13,000 nonprofit organizations, many of which operate internationally. There is a need in every corner of the world, meaning nonprofits require support to continue their important work.

When we started our nutrition program, we could afford to provide breakfast three times a week for 19 students, funded entirely out of our own pockets. With no initial sponsors, donors, or outside help, my husband and I used our own money as capital. I began advertising our need for sponsors so we could expand our efforts.

Over the years, we have nearly doubled the number of children in our program. We now provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with covering educational costs. Thanks to monthly sponsor donations, we can pay for tuition, school uniforms, and supplies, supporting these children in obtaining an education that will change the trajectory of their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://behumanitarian.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be.humanitarian
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behumanitarian.org
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobie-spears-behumanitarian
• Twitter: @BeHumanitarian2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeHumanitarian
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/be-humanitarian-pleasant-grove?osq=be+humanitarian
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@behumanitarian

Image Credits

Carolina Lindsay Photography
Cami Lynn Photography
Hayley Rojas Costales