The PERIS Foundation, the Graves Foundation, and the Family Behind Both.

With dedication and determination John and Denise Graves built their kitchen-table start up, Convey Compliance Systems, into a 150-employee company. Then, in 2014, sold it for over $150 million. John, a long time IT professional, and Denise, a dedicated youth volunteer, never imagined they would accrue such wealth. Keeping all of the money just didn’t sit right with them.

So, shortly after the sale, and aided by their eldest son Bill, they launched the John and Denise Graves Foundation (also known as Graves Foundation) - determined to improve the lives of youth by supporting education, community building, housing, and youth development in and around Minneapolis.

In doing so, they joined a growing movement of wealthy individuals choosing to give away their wealth rather than pass it all down through generations. A movement given powerful momentum by Warren Buffet, the billionaire investor, who in 2006, famously made his philianthropic pledge. Buffet committed to giving away a huge portion of his fortune and, with fellow billionaires Bill and Melinda French Gates, founded The Giving Pledge to encourage other billionaires to do the same.

John Graves estimates that before they die, he and Denise will have granted around $100 million to the Graves Foundation, an amount their son Bill says will represent the vast majority of the Graves family wealth.

The Graveses passion for philanthropy began long before they amassed wealth and with the Graves Foundation, they have ensured they can continue to make a real difference - now and for years to come.

One of their key initiatives has been supporting young people aging out of foster care, a group at higher risk of homelessness. As the current Executive Director of the PERIS Foundation, I am very close to this initiative, and to the family.

The PERIS Foundation was created by the Graves Foundation, in large part, to maintain and operate PERIS Hill, an innovative affordable housing community comprised of 30 units of affordable housing, and 15 units of deeply affordable, supportive housing.

While the 30 units of affordable housing help address Hennepin county’s shortage, it is in the 15 additional units that the Graves family are truly breaking the mold. Available only to youths aging out of the Minneapolis foster care system, these units are not only deeply affordable, but also come with on-site mental health, employment, and financial counselling in addition to basic needs support (like food and health care products). The hope is that when offered the support they need, those aging out of foster care will more successfully make the transition to self-supported adulthood - breaking the persistent foster-to-homelessness continuum.

The Graves Family are an inspiration. Their passion for giving back and determination to make a difference led directly to the founding of the Graves Foundation, the PERIS Foundation, and Peris Hill. They’ve already had a huge impact on the community they hope to serve. And by being willing to experiment, and, quite literally, put their money where their heart is, they may very well have changed the way cities all over the country look at housing, and supporting those in need.

Written by Carla Godwin - Director | PERIS Foundation