Meet Joseph (Joe) Bednarek! GFC’s Senior Director of Global Grantmaking and longest-serving team member shares why he has stuck around and why this work is so important to him. 

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE FROM AND ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I grew up in Indiana. I studied international relations as an undergraduate and decided to join the Peace Corps after college. I went to Ukraine for the Peace Corps and have been involved in that region ever since.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

Going to my first Chicago Cubs game.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH GFC? WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS LINE OF WORK, AND WHY HAVE YOU STUCK AROUND?

This is my 12th (!!) year at GFC. I applied for the job in 2010 because the job involved supporting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Europe and Eurasia, so it looked like a great match for me. I’ve stayed for so long because I still believe in the original mission of GFC, which is to help grassroots NGOs do their work.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING?

The most challenging part and the most satisfying part are the same: travelling for GFC. The challenging part is being jet-lagged, getting food poisoning, and seeing extreme poverty and hearing heartbreaking stories while on the trips. The most satisfying part is seeing how our grassroots partners are changing lives and seeing my relationships with those partners turn into friendships over time. Our grassroots partners are amazingly inspirational!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE GFC’S WORK IS IMPORTANT?

Because grassroots NGOs know what’s best for their communities. And they can make a huge difference if they are able to get enough resources.

#FunFacts About Joe

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY GROWING UP?

Millennium Falcon. “You haven’t heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in under 12 parsecs.”

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

Secretary of State.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

Play cards with my family and friends.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

Our family dog, Lilly. She’s a mini bernedoodle.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Flying. Of course.