Jim Van Eerden
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Van Eerden is a Co-founder and Managing Director for The Helixx Group. He is a brand strategist, media producer, and specialist in developing “blended value” enterprises. His commentary involving media and non-profit work has appeared in USA TODAY and other publications, and he has been a speaker at the National Press Club (USA) and forums internationally, including a recent guest lectureship at Harvard on the subject of "Philanthropy 2.0.". He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina
with his wife and eleven children.
in Milwaukee, and soon after attended Grove City College
where he was named a Presidential Scholar. He completed a graduate study certificate at St Peter's College, Oxford
, has an M.A. in philosophy, and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University
. He is currently a candidate for a D.Min. from Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary. He is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Grove City College
,where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2010.
, which administered more than $6 million in water grants, he disagreed with fellow Board Member Matt Damon
on the charitable strategy, which became a point of public comment, He has also served as a member of the board of governors for Opportunity International
, and originated the idea of The Centurions Program for Wilberforce Forum. His work consulting for PepsiCo
executives is connected to the launch of PepsiCo
’s Refresh Everything project, and his work as a co-founder of MISSION Product Holdings alongside Mia Hamm, Serena Williams, Steve Nash and other elite athletes to help create a new consumer goods category ("athletecare" products) has become a case study of how to launch a blended value enterprise.
Van Eerden is credited with leading and co-founding a variety of national charitable initiatives, including The M Awards (a recognition program for high school student-athletes who show exemplary community service); GlobalFast (an international movement of fasting and prayer "to end poverty as we know it"); QH2O (a national restaurants campaign whereby restaurants “adopt” a global community lacking safe water); and Free Think U, an online network for Socratic, contrarian college students who can earn college scholarships by taking themed online courses.
(2003). He has since served in Executive Producer roles for several award-winning feature films – including Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004), The Ultimate Gift
(2007), and The Perfect Game
(2010) as well as the documentary feature film Running the Sahara
(2009), which he executive produced with Matt Damon
, War Child (2009), and directing viral promotions and screenings for niche films like the political documentary I Want Your Money
(2010) and the Catholic film by Roland Joffé
, There Be Dragons
(2011).
Van Eerden is Chief Editor for Life(n) BOOKS and in that capacity has done
the Publisher's Preface for a variety of popular books, including The Ultimate Gift (Spanish Edition) by Jim Stovall
; SECURE: Discovering True Financial Security in Turbulent Financial Times by Rick Dunham; Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius; and A Peace of My Mind by Stuart Briscoe
.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
with his wife and eleven children.
Education
Van Eerden graduated from Marquette University High SchoolMarquette University High School
Marquette University High School is a private, all-male, Jesuit, Roman Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of both the National Catholic Educational Association and the Jesuit...
in Milwaukee, and soon after attended Grove City College
Grove City College
Grove City College is a Christian liberal arts college in Grove City, Pennsylvania, about north of Pittsburgh. According to the College Bulletin, its stated three-fold mission is to provide an excellent education at an affordable price in a thoroughly Christian environment...
where he was named a Presidential Scholar. He completed a graduate study certificate at St Peter's College, Oxford
St Peter's College, Oxford
St Peter's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, located in New Inn Hall Street. It occupies the site of two of the University's oldest Inns, or medieval hostels - Bishop Trellick's, later New Inn Hall, and Rose Hall - both of which were...
, has an M.A. in philosophy, and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
. He is currently a candidate for a D.Min. from Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary. He is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Grove City College
Grove City College
Grove City College is a Christian liberal arts college in Grove City, Pennsylvania, about north of Pittsburgh. According to the College Bulletin, its stated three-fold mission is to provide an excellent education at an affordable price in a thoroughly Christian environment...
,where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2010.
Philanthropy
As Chairman of the H2O Africa FoundationH2O Africa Foundation
The H2O Africa Foundation has merged with WaterPartners to form Water.org. Water.org was co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White of WaterPartners in July 2009....
, which administered more than $6 million in water grants, he disagreed with fellow Board Member Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
on the charitable strategy, which became a point of public comment, He has also served as a member of the board of governors for Opportunity International
Opportunity International
Opportunity International is an organization that provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world...
, and originated the idea of The Centurions Program for Wilberforce Forum. His work consulting for PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
executives is connected to the launch of PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
’s Refresh Everything project, and his work as a co-founder of MISSION Product Holdings alongside Mia Hamm, Serena Williams, Steve Nash and other elite athletes to help create a new consumer goods category ("athletecare" products) has become a case study of how to launch a blended value enterprise.
Van Eerden is credited with leading and co-founding a variety of national charitable initiatives, including The M Awards (a recognition program for high school student-athletes who show exemplary community service); GlobalFast (an international movement of fasting and prayer "to end poverty as we know it"); QH2O (a national restaurants campaign whereby restaurants “adopt” a global community lacking safe water); and Free Think U, an online network for Socratic, contrarian college students who can earn college scholarships by taking themed online courses.
Media Production
Van Eerden first became involved in film production with the Academy Award nominated short film, most (film)Most (film)
Most is a 2003 Czech film directed by Bobby Garabedian and written and produced by American actor William Zabka. The music score was created by John Debney...
(2003). He has since served in Executive Producer roles for several award-winning feature films – including Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004), The Ultimate Gift
The Ultimate Gift
The Ultimate Gift is a film based on author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel released on March 9, 2007 in 816 theaters in the USA. The film was not well attended in the USA and produced low box office receipts, though DVD sales were quite high in relation to its theatrical receipts.-Plot:When his...
(2007), and The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game is a 2009 American drama film directed by William Dear, and based upon the 2008 book of the same name written by W. William Winokur...
(2010) as well as the documentary feature film Running the Sahara
Running the Sahara
Running the Sahara is a documentary feature film that chronicles the Ray Zahab, Charlie Engle, and Kevin Lin's attempt to run across the entire Sahara desert...
(2009), which he executive produced with Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
, War Child (2009), and directing viral promotions and screenings for niche films like the political documentary I Want Your Money
I Want Your Money
I Want Your Money is a 2010 American documentary film by filmmaker Ray Griggs.-Premise:The film examines and contrasts, from a conservative viewpoint, the differences between "Reaganomics" and "Obamanomics" as American economic and governmental policies, as well as their respective impact on life...
(2010) and the Catholic film by Roland Joffé
Roland Joffé
Roland Joffé is an English-French film director who is known for his Oscar nominated movies, The Killing Fields and The Mission. He began his career in television. His early television credits included episodes of Coronation Street and an adaptation of The Stars Look Down for Granada...
, There Be Dragons
There Be Dragons
There Be Dragons is a historical epic written and directed by Roland Joffé, a British filmmaker well known for directing The Mission, The Killing Fields and Captivity. It is a drama set during the Spanish Civil War which features themes such as betrayal, love and hatred, forgiveness, friendship,...
(2011).
Van Eerden is Chief Editor for Life(n) BOOKS and in that capacity has done
the Publisher's Preface for a variety of popular books, including The Ultimate Gift (Spanish Edition) by Jim Stovall
Jim Stovall
Jim Stovall is an American writer best known for his bestselling novel The Ultimate Gift. The book was made into the movie The Ultimate Gift, distributed by 20th Century Fox. The Ultimate Gift has a sequel out called The Ultimate Life....
; SECURE: Discovering True Financial Security in Turbulent Financial Times by Rick Dunham; Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius; and A Peace of My Mind by Stuart Briscoe
Stuart Briscoe
Dr. D. Stuart Briscoe is an evangelical Christian author, international speaker and the former senior pastor of Elmbrook Church, in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Elmbrook is the largest church in Wisconsin, averaging 7,000 in attendance per week, making it one of the 100-largest churches in the United...
.