The GREAT iDEAS EDUTAINMENT FOUNDATION (GiEF) is a fully tax deductible non-profit organization (EIN 80-034-6358). We greatly appreciate your philanthropic contributions and can assure you that it is money well spent.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. This Chinese proverb captures the essence of our beliefs.

Our Program

With a focus on young adults, we offer unbiased financial literacy information and life skills training to people in underserved communities. We present relevant information in a fresh and edu-taining format. Through contributions, we generally offer these services free of charge or at greatly reduced rates. We teach life skills such as: strategies for sound money management, interviewing skills, and the value of higher education. We also teach the basics of banking, investment planning, homeownership planning and a host of other relevant financial literacy topics. We do NOT promote or endorse the products or services of ANY financial institution nor do we provide or recommend the financial planning services of ANY institution. In essence, we simply teach people to fish in a more engaging way.

What we are

An organization that teaches individuals how to get what they want in life through proper planning and hard work. Our goal is to maximize that hard work with relevant information that is both practical and actionable. GiEF is the non-profit arm of GREAT iDEAS EDUTAINMENT LLC.

What we are not

We are not an organization for laggards or for those seeking a handout. We fully understand that some are uncomfortable in poverty, but unwilling to take action; these are not the people we serve. We only serve individuals who are uncomfortable enough to do something about their situation. GiEF exists for those who simply need guidance, encouragement, and actionable information presented in a way that is relevant to them. We help everyone we serve to develop a roadmap to their own definition of success.

"We offer a hand-up, discourage a hand-out, teach people to stand up, so that they can stand out." - From our free song entitled: Financial Literacy Music.Com

Our mission

To bring actionable financial literacy information and practical life skills to people in underserved communities and to low-income people of faith in order to empower them to play the most significant role in improving their lives.

About our Founder

Johnny Deas understands the value of hard work and believes strongly in giving back to the underserved. Having grown up in underserved communities, Johnny is deeply familiar with what it takes leave poverty behind. This MBA, former Marine officer, former Marine enlisted man, former professional boxer, and successful entrepreneur created GiEF to reach and teach the underserved in ways that are relevant to them.

"Sure we fight poverty, but we are more about fighting the mentality that allows poverty to flourish. I believe that the most effective charity is the kind that empowers individuals to no longer need charity." - Johnny Deas / Founder GiEF

About our Chairman

Bryan Lewis is the former Deputy Director of the Office of Financial Education for Citigroup. Bryan is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on issues of financial literacy for both adults and children.

Bryan has long been a community advocate, and he shares Johnny’s passion for community service. He has a history of working with schools and community organizations to increase the exposure of young people to financial education.

Bryan holds a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the University of Maryland and an MBA with a major in Finance from the University of Miami. He brings award-winning experience and years of non-profit expertise to GiEF. His primary objective is to ensure that donations are leveraged to bring maximum value to the GiEF cause.

"We are simply a non-profit foundation dedicated to teaching individuals how to empower themselves." - Bryan Lewis / Chairman

Why we do what we do

• Because the need is great: There are roughly 40 million Americans living in poverty and billions more living in poverty throughout the world.
• Because poverty is global: Our information is available around the world.
• Because poverty is not necessary: We believe that nearly everyone has what it takes to leave poverty behind.
• Because poverty is real: Here is how poverty is defined in America for 2008

Persons