Entries Posted in"General Site"
VPF Featured at EPIP Conference
The 2013 EPIP National Conference was held from April 4-6 in Chicago, and featured the inaugural Innovations Gallery. Conference attendees were invited to present their research with regard to innovative solutions to giving and philanthropy. VPF members, Emily Kessler and Nichole Martini, showcased the power of collective giving in their submission. Responses were positive, inspiring several conference goers to plan for their own giving circles in their communities from Baltimore to Oakland, CA.
Read moreNews from our Previous Investees
Concrete Safaris Our 2009 investee, Concrete Safaris empowers children to be healthy leaders through outdoor education and exercise programs that enrich the mind, body, community and environment, giving them the tools they need to reach their goals. Their theme for 2012 was Big Rocks, and this year they’re kickin’ it in with People Power. Since creating the program in 2008, Mac Levine, Concrete Safari’s founder and Executive Director, has had over 1,200 kids participate in their programs. Mac is currently looking for a few wonderful new board members and has some fantastic volunteer opportunities as well. You can reach her [...]
Read morePMC Update
VPF’s Project Management Committee has been extremely productive since beginning our work with Corona Youth Music Project in January 2013. Together with CYMP’s Project Director, President and CEO, Alvaro Rodas, we have established several areas in which our team can assist CYMP achieve its 2013 goals. Our first project, identifying and implementing a new bookkeeping system, was overseen by VPF PMC member Bill Pullano in a quick and efficient manner. Bravo Bill! Our second project has been lengthier and more detailed: designing and implementing a system for evaluating and measuring CYMP’s programs. We’ve had several meetings with Alvaro, discussing and [...]
Read moreWe have a winner!
The results are in! VPF members chose the Corona Youth Music Project to be our 2013 investee. Please join us on Wednesday, November 28th from 6:30-8:30pm for Awards Night when we will gather together with members and friends to congratulate Corona Youth Music Project and Alvaro Rodas on becoming our 2013 investee. Stay tuned for more information.
Read morePitch Night 2012
On Monday, November 5th, VPF’s members and guests gathered at the home of Richard Marker to hear presentations from our three investee finalists. Richard, as many of you may know, is the Co-Principal of Wise Philanthropy™ and Founder of NYU’s Academy for Grantmaking & Funder Education. He graciously stepped in at the last minute to host our Pitch Night event, when our original hosts, Cultural Strategies Initiative (CSI) and Demos, had experienced a week-long power outage as a result of Hurricane Sandy. We are particularly grateful to Richard for his hospitality. Likewise, we offer our deep thanks to CSI and Demos [...]
Read moreHurricane Relief Resources
The NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund is committed to a viable and sustainable New York City. We are heartbroken by the amount of loss and devastation our city and state has endured, along with our neighbors in New Jersey, Connecticut and all along the Eastern seaboard. To that end, we have compiled a list of resources for those of you who want to help or need help as a result of the recent hurricane. Be well and be safe. Donations: For general recovery efforts: Red Cross for flood relief United Way of NY The Mayor’s Fund to Advance NY Council on [...]
Read moreNYC VPF New Directors Announced
Dear NYC VPF Members and Friends, We are writing today to introduce ourselves as your new Co-Directors of the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund. In June 2012, the VPF Board voted to turn over leadership responsibilities from Jason K. Babbie to Heidi Klaimitz and Emily R. Kessler. We thank Jason for his tireless commitment to VPF and for continuing to remain on the board to guide us through this transition. Many of you already know Heidi, who has been an active member of the VPF board since November 2008. Heidi has also served as Co-Chair of the Grants Committee and as [...]
Read moreFunding for the Arts
by Heidi Klaimitz In 2012 VPF members voted to support unique, innovative ideas that address the arts in New York City. In a city known for its unmatched diversity of ideas and talents, New York City has the highest concentration of nonprofit (and for-profit) arts organizations of any city in the United States. A 2011 study by Alliance for the Arts drawn from data submitted by 1,133 nonprofit cultural organizations in New York City that apply for funding annually from the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs and/or the New York State Council on the Arts – ranging in budget size [...]
Read moreNot “Business as Usual” For So Many
(As reported by VPF member-investor, Deborah Sprague of NYC Get Inspired) Just like everyone ready this post, I’m concerned about our environment, our people and our economies – it can all be very overwhelming. We don’t always have the time to dig deeply into the things that are important to us – but I have a little more time on my hands so I’m digging deeper and I’m feeling more optimistic and hopeful lately. So why am I optimistic? Recently, I read through several reports on the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) website. For the past ten years, CECP has [...]
Read moreVPF cocktail party and video
On June 24th, VPF held a cocktail party for all of its current member-investors. It was a fun evening filled with old members and new, and even a representative from our current investee, Brooklyn Young Mothers’ Collective! The night was hot, but we stayed inside and cool with wine, food, and conversation. One of our newest member-investors, Deborah Sprague, created a groovy video of the evening, which can be viewed from our Facebook page. Check it out! (and don’t forget to become a Facebook fan of the VPF page – lots of updates and news is posted there). Happy summer!
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