Carl Nassib: NFL star to philanthropy entrepreneur

Wealth Transfer and Future Philanthropy

• Carl Nassib predicts a "massive transfer of wealth" to younger generations in the next 5–10 years, positioning them as the world's largest philanthropists.
• Mobile donation frequency has tripled over the last seven years, with $500 billion donated to charities last year.
• Nassib forecasts that future donors will exclusively expect to donate via mobile devices, creating a critical need for modernized nonprofit infrastructure.
• Current trends show declining donor and volunteer engagement; Raise's "North Star" goal is to reverse these specific trends.

Raise App and Business Strategy

• Raise was founded to bridge the "massive technological gap" between older nonprofit leadership and younger, mobile-native donors.
• The platform addresses the friction of traditional giving (e.g., writing checks, filling out HR forms) by allowing instant donations and automated company matching via a mobile wallet.
• Six percent of all charitable donations in the U.S. currently come from businesses, a figure Nassib argues is significantly underutilized.
• The app serves three user types: individuals, nonprofits, and businesses (specifically targeting blue-collar workers and Gen Z employees who value impact).
• Nassib highlights "DAFs" (Donor-Advised Funds) as a growing vehicle, offering a "Raise Wallet" feature for users to hold funds for strategic distribution in future quarters.

NFL Career and Personal Journey

• Nassib played seven seasons in the NFL for the Buccaneers, Browns, and Raiders after walking on at Penn State as a 5'9" freshman and earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior.
• He broke the Penn State single-season sack record in just 10 games during his senior year, proving his philosophy that "success is where preparation meets opportunity."
• After being fired on international television (via Hard Knocks) following his second season with the Browns, he was rehired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he became a team captain.
• Nassib retired in September 2023, marking the first time in 22 years he did not have a football season to anticipate.

LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Historical Context

• In 2021, Nassib became the first openly gay active player in NFL history (over 100 years of league history) after coming out via a viral, celebratory Instagram video.
• The video included a commitment to donate $100,000 to The Trevor Project to ensure the announcement was framed as a celebration rather than a plea for sympathy.
• Nassib aims to shift the cultural narrative so that future LGBTQ+ youth never have to enter a "closet" due to fear of persecution.
• Statistics cited indicate LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to harm themselves, but the risk drops by 40% if they have at least one affirming adult in their life.
• Nassib reports increased calls to The Trevor Project (up 700%), describing the organization as a well-oiled crisis intervention machine led by CEO James Black.

College Sports and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)

• Nassib serves as the youngest board member on Penn State's Board of Trustees, a role he took to advocate for student-athlete financial wellness.
• He describes the current NIL landscape as the "wild, wild west" due to a lack of foresight regarding financial regulation and predatory agents taking 15% of deals.
• Nassib advocates for NIL education to move the financial learning curve forward by four years, allowing athletes to make mistakes with manageable sums ($5,000–$50,000) rather than massive NFL contracts.
• He notes that while he would have "crushed it" in the NIL era, he lacks bitterness and views the change as a positive step for athletes who previously could not even afford meals while on scholarship.

Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship

• Nassib draws a parallel between the NFL lifestyle (total consistency, no vacations for 22 years) and his current entrepreneurial focus, emphasizing that humility and performance maintenance are transferable skills.
• He cites Tony Robbins' concept of compound interest as a pivotal financial lesson, noting a wave of NFL players are now seeking his help to understand these concepts.
• Nassib observes that many athletes mishandle finances upon retiring, reinforcing the need for proactive education within the NFL and collegiate systems.
• He has invested in a coffee company and remains active in the New York City business community, having recently purchased a home there.