The PM Podcast — That Kid From Iowa: A Conversation with Brent Grinna

Host: Jay Frost
Guest: Brent Grinna, Founder & President of EverTrue
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the personal and professional journey of Brent Grinna, from a small Iowa farm to becoming the founder of EverTrue—a platform transforming nonprofit fundraising. Through a candid conversation, Grinna recounts formative rural experiences, influences of sports and mentorship, the leap into finance, and how a realization about outdated alumni systems led to the creation (and scaling) of EverTrue. The interview explores themes of community, adaptability, relationships, and innovation in philanthropy and technology.

Early Life: Roots on an Iowa Farm

[01:41-06:04]

Brent grew up on a remote, 160-acre farm in the "driftless region" of Northeast Iowa—an atypically hilly part of the state.
The farm's history: Started as a dairy farm by Brent’s grandfather, with 50 dairy cows; later, corn and soybeans. The family eventually rented out most land but continued small-scale animal husbandry for 4H.
Brent: "People picture Iowa as this sort of flat expanse of corn, which it mostly is. But in our specific corner of the state, the last glacier sort of missed us... it's much more hilly than you might expect, more maybe Vermont-esque..." [01:56]
Participation in 4H Club was a significant leadership experience. Brent recalls being club president and recites the 4H pledge.
The family raised pigs for the county fair and 4H—an experience Brent describes as "bittersweet, depending on how connected you were to the pigs." [05:09]

Community, Diversity, and Schooling

[06:07-09:08]

Brent attended Postville Community School, a small K-12 school (~50 students per grade).
The town underwent unexpected demographic changes: a kosher meatpacking plant brought Hasidic Jews from NY/Israel, followed by immigrants from Mexico, Central America, Russia, and Ukraine.
Brent: "All of a sudden, there was an influx of members of the Hasidic community... and then a tremendous amount of immigration... I remember in sixth grade, all of a sudden we had a new classmate named Slava Leontief... I thought it was the coolest thing on earth." [07:06]
This early exposure to diversity profoundly influenced Brent's worldview.

Athletic Drive and Leaving Iowa

[09:08-15:40]

Sports were central: "It was pretty much sports, school, farm, the end. Very, very little variety." [09:08]
He credits his high school coach Chris Evers and his mother for encouraging him to dream beyond Iowa.
Mom's effort: mailed 50 VHS highlight tapes to colleges; this put Brent on Ivy League coaches’ radar.
Narrowed down choices to Ivy League schools and the Air Force Academy; ultimately chose Brown after connecting with Coach Phil Estes.
Brent: "Some would consider Brown the absolute polar opposite [of Air Force Academy]. So that probably tells you something about me..." [11:43]
Parental influence: Inspired by parents who spent seven years in Florida, reinforcing a vision that "there’s definitely a bigger, you know, very exciting world out there." [13:13]

Brown University Years

[15:40-21:25]

Chose Brown for its flexibility and a personal connection with his football coach.
Studied International Relations with a focus on Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian—directly shaped by growing up amid diverse communities.
Played football all four years, eventually captaining the team. Sports provided an instant community but also limited broader campus involvement.
No ambitions for pro sports: "I was very pragmatic... there are people who show up with NFL dreams. I was not one of [them]. Really looking at it as my ticket to opportunity and relationships." [21:25]

Mentorship and the Path into Finance

[21:25-30:20]

A pivotal networking night at Brown introduced him to John Skinner (investment banker) who demystified the profession and set Brent on the path to recruiting in that sector.
Chose William Blair & Company in Chicago over a bigger firm (Lehman Brothers), valuing relationships and cultural fit.
"A lot of people are like, you clearly go to Lehman Brothers... But I really connected with those folks in Chicago, and it felt a little more my speed." [25:41]
Immediately leaned into relationship-building, founding the Brown Club of Chicago and reconnecting alumni.

Service, Alumni, and the Spark for EverTrue

[30:20-35:49]

Brent’s drive for connection continued via alumni events, leading to encounters with influential professionals—including Sam Ankoff of Madison Dearborn Partners, resulting in a pivotal career move to private equity.
"It was just like this constant recurring theme of just relationships, the kind of impact that a single relationship that you aren't planning... those relationships compound over time." [30:56]
Observed that alumni networks were fragmented; this realization would later inspire EverTrue.

Harvard Business School and EverTrue's Genesis

[35:49-43:15]

While at HBS, Brent volunteered for his Brown reunion fundraising and discovered data fragmentation (Excel sheets, outdated info) in alumni management.
"They’re coded as lost alumni in the spreadsheet. They’re not lost. They know exactly where they are, and so do I." [35:49]
Independent study led to developing prototypes merging CRM and social data on mobile—EverTrue’s core idea.
Brown's VP of Alumni Relations, Todd Andrews, agreed to pilot the concept, providing crucial validation.
Brent presented EverTrue at the HBS business plan contest, receiving early encouragement from VCs and deciding to pursue it as a real venture.

Early Startup Hustle and Scaling

[43:15-47:35]

Hustled entry to a venture event (as a volunteer, not a paid attendee), where he met mentor Walt Doyle (entrepreneur, Wear).
Received public attention from a Boston Globe article, which helped attract first customers, employees, and investors, albeit all at once.
"It was the least well managed startup launch in history but at that point it was like sort of I was in it, I was doing it." [44:31]
Joined Techstars Boston, recruited key co-founders, and evangelized EverTrue's mission around the integration of mobile, CRM, and social.
"Sixteen years later, I’m still talking about those three things, except I’m also talking about how AI is going to make it possible to take things to the next level..." [46:41]

Expansion, Acquisitions, and Remote Work

[47:35-51:51]

Pandemic prompted EverTrue's move to a fully remote company (now based in Puerto Rico).
EverTrue merged with and acquired several mission-aligned firms (ThankView, PledgeMind, Solas Group, Fund Driver, DonorSearch) to build a comprehensive, integrated platform covering donor relations, stewardship, analytics, and impact reporting.
Emphasized the vision of creating "an end to end system" that covers every stage from donor identification to demonstration of philanthropic impact.
Brent: "Now it’s this combination of mission aligned, founder-led businesses that are serving over 15,000 nonprofits." [51:34]

Reflections: Challenges, Satisfactions, Vision

[52:05-58:28]

Hardest part: Navigating team transitions as the company scaled. Loyalty and friendship made these changes personally challenging.
- "The balance of having sort of deep commitment and loyalty to a team... but then having to go through those changes where people that become friends... move on." [52:05]
Most satisfying: Witnessing EverTrue’s technology facilitating tangible, life-changing philanthropic impact—especially when beneficiaries reflect his own roots.
- "The more that we can bring that to our team... the more motivating and inspiring it is for us... because we know that we can multiply those stories if we can get our work even more right than it is today." [54:01]
Looking ahead: Excited by the possibilities unlocked by AI, growth into new nonprofit sectors, and continuing to foster authenticity and personalization in donor experiences.
- "Every time there’s a new technology, people think that's going to be the thing that fixes it all... How do we learn from those past waves... to ensure that as we harness AI, we are elevating personalization, not just faking it, that we are improving the authenticity, not just pretending it's authentic?" [56:49-58:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On growing up rural:
"It was me, my parents, and my two younger brothers with our nearest neighbors being... not a mile away, but not half a mile away." — Brent Grinna [01:56]
On diversity in his hometown:
"I thought it was the coolest thing on earth, to have the opportunity to all of a sudden meet people from all over the world in my little town." — Brent Grinna [07:06]
On mentorship:
"I can trace back to you and me talking today to a guy taking me under his wing, you know, on a cold February night in 2002." — Brent Grinna [30:56]
On discovering a tech gap in nonprofits:
"They're coded as lost alumni in the spreadsheet. They're not lost. They know exactly where they are, and so do I." — Brent Grinna [35:49]
On the EverTrue startup launch:
"It was the least well managed startup launch in history." — Brent Grinna [00:25, 44:31]
On mission:
"When we can connect that philanthropy to the life changing outcomes... that is what motivates me." — Brent Grinna [54:01]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

[01:41] – Early farm life, 4H, and upbringing
[07:06] – Diversity in school and community influences
[09:08] – Athletic pursuits, college trajectory
[15:40] – Choosing Brown and academic interests
[21:25] – Mentorship's impact, investment banking
[30:56] – The importance of relationship-building
[35:49] – Discovery of alumni data fragmentation; inception of EverTrue
[43:15] – Turning research project into EverTrue pilot and startup
[47:35] – Company pivot to remote work, acquisitions, and expansion
[52:05] – Challenges of company growth and transitions
[54:01] – Fulfillment from impact and connecting donors to outcomes
[55:38] – The future: AI and lessons from past tech revolutions

Tone & Style

The episode is honest, humble, and practical—matching Brent’s Midwestern roots and pragmatic approach. There’s a strong sense of gratitude, continuous learning, and relentless focus on relationships and impact throughout.

For more on Brent Grinna and EverTrue, visit EverTrue.com and grinna.org.

The PM Podcast — That Kid From Iowa: A Conversation with Brent Grinna

Host: Jay Frost
Guest: Brent Grinna, Founder & President of EverTrue
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

Early Life: Roots on an Iowa Farm

[01:41-06:04]

Brent grew up on a remote, 160-acre farm in the "driftless region" of Northeast Iowa—an atypically hilly part of the state.
The farm's history: Started as a dairy farm by Brent’s grandfather, with 50 dairy cows; later, corn and soybeans. The family eventually rented out most land but continued small-scale animal husbandry for 4H.
Brent: "People picture Iowa as this sort of flat expanse of corn, which it mostly is. But in our specific corner of the state, the last glacier sort of missed us... it's much more hilly than you might expect, more maybe Vermont-esque..." [01:56]
Participation in 4H Club was a significant leadership experience. Brent recalls being club president and recites the 4H pledge.
The family raised pigs for the county fair and 4H—an experience Brent describes as "bittersweet, depending on how connected you were to the pigs." [05:09]

Community, Diversity, and Schooling

[06:07-09:08]

Brent attended Postville Community School, a small K-12 school (~50 students per grade).
The town underwent unexpected demographic changes: a kosher meatpacking plant brought Hasidic Jews from NY/Israel, followed by immigrants from Mexico, Central America, Russia, and Ukraine.
Brent: "All of a sudden, there was an influx of members of the Hasidic community... and then a tremendous amount of immigration... I remember in sixth grade, all of a sudden we had a new classmate named Slava Leontief... I thought it was the coolest thing on earth." [07:06]
This early exposure to diversity profoundly influenced Brent's worldview.

Athletic Drive and Leaving Iowa

[09:08-15:40]

Sports were central: "It was pretty much sports, school, farm, the end. Very, very little variety." [09:08]
He credits his high school coach Chris Evers and his mother for encouraging him to dream beyond Iowa.
Mom's effort: mailed 50 VHS highlight tapes to colleges; this put Brent on Ivy League coaches’ radar.
Narrowed down choices to Ivy League schools and the Air Force Academy; ultimately chose Brown after connecting with Coach Phil Estes.
Brent: "Some would consider Brown the absolute polar opposite [of Air Force Academy]. So that probably tells you something about me..." [11:43]
Parental influence: Inspired by parents who spent seven years in Florida, reinforcing a vision that "there’s definitely a bigger, you know, very exciting world out there." [13:13]

Brown University Years

[15:40-21:25]

Chose Brown for its flexibility and a personal connection with his football coach.
Studied International Relations with a focus on Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian—directly shaped by growing up amid diverse communities.
Played football all four years, eventually captaining the team. Sports provided an instant community but also limited broader campus involvement.
No ambitions for pro sports: "I was very pragmatic... there are people who show up with NFL dreams. I was not one of [them]. Really looking at it as my ticket to opportunity and relationships." [21:25]

Mentorship and the Path into Finance

[21:25-30:20]

A pivotal networking night at Brown introduced him to John Skinner (investment banker) who demystified the profession and set Brent on the path to recruiting in that sector.
Chose William Blair & Company in Chicago over a bigger firm (Lehman Brothers), valuing relationships and cultural fit.
"A lot of people are like, you clearly go to Lehman Brothers... But I really connected with those folks in Chicago, and it felt a little more my speed." [25:41]
Immediately leaned into relationship-building, founding the Brown Club of Chicago and reconnecting alumni.

Service, Alumni, and the Spark for EverTrue

[30:20-35:49]

Brent’s drive for connection continued via alumni events, leading to encounters with influential professionals—including Sam Ankoff of Madison Dearborn Partners, resulting in a pivotal career move to private equity.
"It was just like this constant recurring theme of just relationships, the kind of impact that a single relationship that you aren't planning... those relationships compound over time." [30:56]
Observed that alumni networks were fragmented; this realization would later inspire EverTrue.

Harvard Business School and EverTrue's Genesis

[35:49-43:15]

While at HBS, Brent volunteered for his Brown reunion fundraising and discovered data fragmentation (Excel sheets, outdated info) in alumni management.
"They’re coded as lost alumni in the spreadsheet. They’re not lost. They know exactly where they are, and so do I." [35:49]
Independent study led to developing prototypes merging CRM and social data on mobile—EverTrue’s core idea.
Brown's VP of Alumni Relations, Todd Andrews, agreed to pilot the concept, providing crucial validation.
Brent presented EverTrue at the HBS business plan contest, receiving early encouragement from VCs and deciding to pursue it as a real venture.

Early Startup Hustle and Scaling

[43:15-47:35]

Hustled entry to a venture event (as a volunteer, not a paid attendee), where he met mentor Walt Doyle (entrepreneur, Wear).
Received public attention from a Boston Globe article, which helped attract first customers, employees, and investors, albeit all at once.
"It was the least well managed startup launch in history but at that point it was like sort of I was in it, I was doing it." [44:31]
Joined Techstars Boston, recruited key co-founders, and evangelized EverTrue's mission around the integration of mobile, CRM, and social.
"Sixteen years later, I’m still talking about those three things, except I’m also talking about how AI is going to make it possible to take things to the next level..." [46:41]

Expansion, Acquisitions, and Remote Work

[47:35-51:51]

Pandemic prompted EverTrue's move to a fully remote company (now based in Puerto Rico).
EverTrue merged with and acquired several mission-aligned firms (ThankView, PledgeMind, Solas Group, Fund Driver, DonorSearch) to build a comprehensive, integrated platform covering donor relations, stewardship, analytics, and impact reporting.
Emphasized the vision of creating "an end to end system" that covers every stage from donor identification to demonstration of philanthropic impact.
Brent: "Now it’s this combination of mission aligned, founder-led businesses that are serving over 15,000 nonprofits." [51:34]

Reflections: Challenges, Satisfactions, Vision

[52:05-58:28]

Hardest part: Navigating team transitions as the company scaled. Loyalty and friendship made these changes personally challenging.
- "The balance of having sort of deep commitment and loyalty to a team... but then having to go through those changes where people that become friends... move on." [52:05]
Most satisfying: Witnessing EverTrue’s technology facilitating tangible, life-changing philanthropic impact—especially when beneficiaries reflect his own roots.
- "The more that we can bring that to our team... the more motivating and inspiring it is for us... because we know that we can multiply those stories if we can get our work even more right than it is today." [54:01]
Looking ahead: Excited by the possibilities unlocked by AI, growth into new nonprofit sectors, and continuing to foster authenticity and personalization in donor experiences.
- "Every time there’s a new technology, people think that's going to be the thing that fixes it all... How do we learn from those past waves... to ensure that as we harness AI, we are elevating personalization, not just faking it, that we are improving the authenticity, not just pretending it's authentic?" [56:49-58:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On growing up rural:
"It was me, my parents, and my two younger brothers with our nearest neighbors being... not a mile away, but not half a mile away." — Brent Grinna [01:56]
On diversity in his hometown:
"I thought it was the coolest thing on earth, to have the opportunity to all of a sudden meet people from all over the world in my little town." — Brent Grinna [07:06]
On mentorship:
"I can trace back to you and me talking today to a guy taking me under his wing, you know, on a cold February night in 2002." — Brent Grinna [30:56]
On discovering a tech gap in nonprofits:
"They're coded as lost alumni in the spreadsheet. They're not lost. They know exactly where they are, and so do I." — Brent Grinna [35:49]
On the EverTrue startup launch:
"It was the least well managed startup launch in history." — Brent Grinna [00:25, 44:31]
On mission:
"When we can connect that philanthropy to the life changing outcomes... that is what motivates me." — Brent Grinna [54:01]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

[01:41] – Early farm life, 4H, and upbringing
[07:06] – Diversity in school and community influences
[09:08] – Athletic pursuits, college trajectory
[15:40] – Choosing Brown and academic interests
[21:25] – Mentorship's impact, investment banking
[30:56] – The importance of relationship-building
[35:49] – Discovery of alumni data fragmentation; inception of EverTrue
[43:15] – Turning research project into EverTrue pilot and startup
[47:35] – Company pivot to remote work, acquisitions, and expansion
[52:05] – Challenges of company growth and transitions
[54:01] – Fulfillment from impact and connecting donors to outcomes
[55:38] – The future: AI and lessons from past tech revolutions

Tone & Style

For more on Brent Grinna and EverTrue, visit EverTrue.com and grinna.org.

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That Kid From Iowa: A Conversation with Brent Grinna

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Summary

The PM Podcast — That Kid From Iowa: A Conversation with Brent Grinna

Episode Overview

Early Life: Roots on an Iowa Farm

Community, Diversity, and Schooling

Athletic Drive and Leaving Iowa

Brown University Years

Mentorship and the Path into Finance

Service, Alumni, and the Spark for EverTrue

Harvard Business School and EverTrue's Genesis

Early Startup Hustle and Scaling

Expansion, Acquisitions, and Remote Work

Reflections: Challenges, Satisfactions, Vision

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style

Summary

The PM Podcast — That Kid From Iowa: A Conversation with Brent Grinna

Episode Overview

Early Life: Roots on an Iowa Farm

Community, Diversity, and Schooling

Athletic Drive and Leaving Iowa

Brown University Years

Mentorship and the Path into Finance

Service, Alumni, and the Spark for EverTrue

Harvard Business School and EverTrue's Genesis

Early Startup Hustle and Scaling

Expansion, Acquisitions, and Remote Work

Reflections: Challenges, Satisfactions, Vision

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style