Tag Archives: fundraising

by | September 24, 2012 · 5:36 am

Adam Hirsch (PPI-CY ’12) Takes On New Role as Development & Communications Associate

PPI’s new Development and Communication Associate and former International Fellow, Adam Hirsch, leading a girls Twinning in Cyprus in 2012

We are excited to announce that Adam Hirsch, former International Fellow for PPI-Cyprus, recently joined the staff at the Washington DC office as the newest Development and Communication Associate! Here in Washington, DC, Adam will work with Director of Development Amy Selco to research new funding opportunities, build relationships with donors, manage fundraising activities, write grants, and coordinate PPI’s public profile. Previously, Adam worked as the Game Operations Assistant Manager at the University of San Francisco, where he oversaw the operational details of all events at the University’s athletic facilities. Adam also has worked for the Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Raiders. In 2009, Adam received his Masters of Science in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco. Adam completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2007, majoring in Business Management. Read our interview with Adam below to learn more!

Can you tell us more about your new position?

I am very excited to be part of PPI’s small but first-rate development team. In addition to doing development work at our DC office, I will be working closely with all of our international sites helping them identify local fundraising opportunities so that they can become more independent and sustainable. I feel that my past experience abroad will help me to better understand the unique challenges our overseas programs face. In addition, I will try to utilize my past experience with media and art to reinvigorate our communications. It is important that we effectively share our story so that people understand the great impact PPI has around the world.

What are some of your best memories of your work with PPI overseas?

There are so many great memories, but some of the best have to be the close personal relationships I built. PPI-CY worked with some of the kids over three years- we watched them grow up on and off the court. I had the privilege of working with some great coaches, and I gained valuable experience leading a non-profit through big challenges. There is really nothing like spending every day bringing smiles to the faces of young children who need it.

Since leaving Cyprus in May, I have stayed in contact with PPI-CY coaches and kids. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures from their summer camp online. I’m very happy with where the program is now, and where it’s heading. I’m happy that I was able to contribute to it.

What insights will you bring from your past experiences with PPI to your new role?

I am very excited to see my role as an International Fellow evolve. Being a former PPI Shapiro Fellow, I hope I can continue to positively affect the organization on a global level. I learned so much living in a culture different from our own. Seeing the world from another perspective was a life-changing experience.

What are you excited to explore in your new city?

I am very excited about living in Washington DC. There is so much going on here that I cannot wait to get involved in. I recently completed a program with the Atlantic Council entitled “Young Turkey/Young America“, which brought a group of 30 young professionals from Turkey and America together to foster transatlantic dialogue on foreign policy issues and strengthen America and Turkey’s relationship. I am excited to see how I can use my experiences in international politics to increase PPI’s impact across the globe.

Now that you’ve met PPI-CY alums Adam Hirsch and Gunnar Hagstrom, check out stories from their first days on-site back in 2010 as International Fellows here.

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by | April 19, 2011 · 1:11 pm

Program Activity Discussions Held with PPI-SA Stakeholders

Mrs. Pillay did not sit long. As soon as this photo was taken, she was up and coaching the coaches! We love the passion.

For the next several days, PPI-SA staff will head out to our schools to host area school representative and principal indabas.  The word indaba in Zulu means “matter of affair,” or “piece of news,” which is perfect for our agenda as we hope to have all of our PPI-SA school stakeholders discuss program activity and share ideas on how the program can be strengthened.

School representatives (another powerhouse school rep posing with Operations Manager Ryan Douwie) also coach and ref at our area games.

PPI-SA is connected with 34 schools in seven different areas. To ensure effective communication and program activity, school representatives are selected by the school’s principals to aid our coaches and area coordinators with attendance and general program activity. Many of our school reps stay throughout the hour and 30 minute practice, three days a week. We also ask each school to fundraise a certain amount to help with program costs, which help us purchase basketballs, whistles, stop watches, and transportation for our games and City Wide Tournaments. Recently, Mrs. Pillay, the school rep from our lone all female school, raised almost R11,000 (about $1,700) by selling baked goods, traditional Indian food and jewelry, as well as raffling baskets filled with brand new shoes (provided by PPI-SA), basketballs and goodies. One basket was so popular a parent gave R800 ($125) towards the purchase.

Area Coordinator Nasiphi Khafu has formed strong relationships with school representatives of the City area.

We do not expect every single school representative to be able to fundraise this much money, though the efforts Mrs. Pillay displays for PPI-SA are incredible.  We set targets for each school dependent on their ability to pay, given where they live and the students they serve. Mrs. Pillay’s school is right in the heart of central Durban while most of our schools are situated in either township or rural settings, varying the amounts each school is asked to fundraise.

Without a doubt, our school representatives are essential for our program to run effectively.  This week’s indabas allow school representatives and principals from varying areas to see and hear how each program is run.  All are able to share ideas and concerns while we as PPI-SA staff can communicate happenings on our end.  We’ll report back soon with news from the indabas.

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by | March 1, 2011 · 6:15 pm

PeacePlayers International – South Africa Teams Up with the South African National Lotteries Board

PPI – South Africa is pleased to officially announce a new partnership with the South African National Lotteries Board. The SA Lotto will fund a variety of organizational expenditures in 2011 and have committed R564,070 (approximately USD 80,000) towards doing so. Items funded include staff salaries and related benefits, participant’s life skills manuals, staff uniforms and personnel training and development.

“The agreement with the SA Lotto is a testament to PPI – SA’s persistence through the challenging economic times of the past few years,” says S’bongiseni Vilakazi, PPI – SA’s Managing Director. “In addition to the funds received, we are confident that we can also leverage our new partnership with the SA Lotto to attract new domestic funding partners.”

Coupled with the new partnership with the Australian Agency for International Development announced in January, 2011 looks to be a bright year for the organization. PPI-SA is excited to officially begin programming with our 69 primary school teams and 8 community based high school teams on March 7th.

Some of the more than 1,000 children with whom PPI-SA will work this year.

About PeacePlayers International- South Africa: PeacePlayers International – South Africa (PPI – SA) is a non-profit organisation that uses the sport of basketball to teach life skills to children and youth. This year, PPI-SA will have 1,000 participants, ranging in age from 10 to 25, who come from disadvantaged communities within the eThekwini municipality. Using a year-long curriculum, the organization teaches its school-going children critical life skills that they need to develop into effective adults, and especially to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. PPI-SA employs out of school youth in the communities where we work and trains them as basketball coaches and life skills peer educators, while also providing them with instruction and guidance in the skills necessary to enhance their chances of securing and keeping employment. For more information, please visit www.peaceplayersintl.org.

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by | January 18, 2011 · 11:21 pm

Thanks to Zac Emanuel and the Emanuel Family!

If you’ve been watching this space much recently, you’ve probably read about one of several recent Bar or Bat Mitzvah projects that children across the U.S. and Canada have organized to benefit PeacePlayers International.

Zac Emanuel

Today, we’d like to highlight one of the most successful such initiatives that PPI has seen to date, organized by Zac Emanuel of Providence, Rhode Island. Seeking an opportunity to combine several of his passions, Zac and his parents learned about PPI through a website called The Mitzvah Bowl, which highlights all kinds of potential Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects for socially minded young people.

Zac’s now in the process of organizing a 3-on-3 tournament in his hometown to raise funds and awareness for PPI. In preparation for the event, he set up his own fundraising page on Razoo.com, and pointed his friends and family there to give them an opportunity to support PPI’s work.

“As Golda Meir said, ‘We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.’ That works for both sides…It is this effort – to educate and get rid of hatred through basketball - that lead me to choose [PPI] as my Mitzvah project. Your donations will help bring these kids together to show them that fighting is not the answer. Your donations will help bring peace to these areas, perhaps now, and definitely in the future, when the kids that have experienced PeacePlayers International teach their kids.”

- Zac Emanuel, on his Razoo fundraising page

After only a few weeks, the response has been truly overwhelming. After launching just after the New Year, by January 18th Zac has raised well $4,859 for PPI! That’s a fantastic contribution, nearly enough to support one team for an entire semester – and with his tournament scheduled for the Spring, he’s not done yet.

The video Zac chose to embed on his project page.

PPI is deeply grateful to Zac, his parents, his family – which generously agreed to sign on as a “Title Sponsor” for the project – and all those who have decided to help this amazing young leader realize his vision.

We look forward to updating you again on this project as it continues to progress!

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by | January 10, 2011 · 3:58 pm

Razoo.com’s on a Roll

Reed Lipman is just one of the young leaders currently working to support PeacePlayers International.

The other week, you read here about Reed Lipman and the Lipman Family, who traveled to Israel for Reed’s Bar Mitzvah and stopped in on PPI – ME’s program activity while they were there. Last week, over on the Sixth Man, we spotlighted Daniel Shane, who’s also working on behalf of PPI – ME for his Bar Mitzvah, and whose work was featured in the Canadian Jewish News.

One other boy is currently working on behalf of PPI – ME, Zac Emanuel. We plan to introduce him to you shortly, but first, we wanted to take a minute to point you towards the hub of all of PPI’s grassroots fundraising activity right now, Razoo.com. Razoo lets you set up a simple, fun webpage to support your favorite nonprofits, including PeacePlayers International, giving you the tools to recruit your friends and family as fellow activists.

Right now, both Zac and Reed are working through Razoo to take their Bar Mitzvah projects to the next level, but the site is a great tool for any community fundraiser, be it a Bar Mitzvah project, a 3-on-3 tournament, a bar night, or more.

So if you’re interested in taking action to support PPI, check out what Razoo has to offer. Ready to get started? Download PPI’s “Host Your Own Event” kit or contact Brian Cognato at bcognato@peaceplayersintl.org to get the ball rolling!

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by | December 1, 2010 · 1:41 pm

Who doesn’t love a Pub Quiz?

Shannon and Meghan tally up the scores of the pub quiz participants.

Ah yes, the Pub Quiz, a bastion of Northern Ireland’s great culture and nightlife. The Pub Quiz combines three very important pillars of Northern Ireland’s shared character: good craic, wit, and crazy random knowledge of things like Michael Jackson’s middle name (Joseph) and the name of the fastest growing plant on Earth (Bamboo).

According to a 2009 survey by The Publican, there are 22,445 pub quizzes held in the United Kingdom every week. One of this week’s 22,445 pub quizzes was a fundraiser hosted by PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland on Monday at Benedict’s of Belfast (also the weekend employer of PPI-NI Coach Training and Engagement Coordinator Joanne Fitzpatrick). The proprietors of Benedict’s were kind enough to allow PeacePlayers to host the event at their pub, as well as donate several plates of tapas to the hungry contestants, and the use of their sound system for the event. Thank you Benedict’s!!!

Left: Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (Right?); Right: French President Nicholas Sarkozy

All the questions for the quiz were created in-house by PPI-NI’s office staff of Rory O’Neil, Shannon Brown, Meghan Houlihan, Gareth Harper, Joanne Fitzpatrick, and Darryl Petticrew. Questions fell into one of seven categories: general knowledge, sports, food & drink, pop culture, current events, music, and everyone’s favorite: movie quotes.  There was also a bonus “PeacePlayers question” each round (like what does “B.E.E.F.” stand for?). Each team was also issued a sheet of paper with the pictures of ten random famous faces and was asked to guess their identities. It was probably the first and last time that French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (Kelly Kapowski from “Saved by the Bell”) would be pictured on the same sheet of paper.

While PPI-NI Fellow Rory O’Neil was the primary MC for the quiz, the Current Events portion was delivered by BBC broadcaster and PPI-NI Board Member Jim Fitzpatrick. Jim’s participation in the quiz highlighted the many contributions that PPI-NI’s local Board of Directors have on PeacePlayers here in Northern Ireland, and also brought a sense of credibility to the Current Events section of the quiz.

BBC broadcaster and PPI-NI Board Member Jim Fitzpatrick reads the Current Events questions at the PPI-NI Pub Quiz on Monday night.

First place went to the “Brothers Polly + Jason” (including PPI-NI coaches Declan and Dean Polly); 2nd place went to team “Mouth, Sir”. As it is in most Pub Quizzes, we couldn’t let the team who finished last walk away empty-handed, so PPI t-shirts were given to the participants from “Team Conors” and “Fat Kids Always Win at Seesaw” (which consisted of two PPI-NI LDP participants). In the end, PPI-NI coaches, board members, friends, Benedict’s staff, and patrons just in for a pint helped raise over £200 for PeacePlayers International – Northern Ireland. In a time when even a few quid can go a long way, PPI-NI is truly grateful to everyone who came out to support the on-going work of PeacePlayers International.

We’d also like to thank the Belfast Giants, PPI Board of Directors Chairman Trevor Ringland and Tony Macaulay for generously donating some exciting prizes to our raffle, which included tickets to a Belfast Giants ice hockey game, an Ulster Rugby Jersey, and a copy of the best-selling memoir PaperBoy.

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by | August 19, 2010 · 7:19 pm

Introducing Amy Selco, Director of Development

Amy Selco joined PeacePlayers International (PPI) as its new Director of Development in August 2010, beginning with a trip to Cyprus and Israel to meet PPI’s local staff. She will now work closely with PPI’s Executive Director, its in-site Managing Directors and its volunteer leadership to help the organization continue to expand its base of support and enhance its worldwide impact. Amy comes to PPI after five years as the Director of Development at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. We sat down with Amy to ask her a few questions about what motivated her to make the switch from the stage to the court, and what her plans are for PPI’s future.

Amy (center), with husband Kevin (right) and son Noah (left).

PeacePlayers International: What about PeacePlayers International interested you?

Amy Selco: I first became interested in PeacePlayers after a friend-of-a-friend introduced me to Brendan. Brendan and I were generally talking about fundraising issues, and the more and more I spoke to him about the work that PeacePlayers was doing, it opened my eyes to a really impactful, interesting, innovative way to make a difference in the world. What was so attractive to me was its “international” but still narrow and focused scope, and also the opportunity to work with those people who are our future – kids.  I’m a mom (I have a two-year-old) and as both a mom and as someone who has had a nonprofit career, I find myself more and more drawn to solving some of the world’s problems so that it is a better place for children – my own and everyone’s.

PPI: How do you feel about your new role? What do you think you can contribute to the organization?

AS: The more I learn about PeacePlayers, the more impressed I am at how dedicated, how committed, and how hard everyone is working to make the organization and product better. I think my role is really to help develop what’s already good.  There is already a great funding base, but I think we could use some help keeping us going in the right direction, helping us make the right strategic decisions about where we are spending our time fundraising. I also think I can work with the board to maximize their efforts and also help our board improve funding opportunities.

PPI: Can you walk us through your development experience so far? What insight will you bring from your past experiences to PPI?

The Round House Theatre, now in its 33rd season, is one of the leading professional theater companies in the Washington, DC-metropolitan area, staging over 200 performances each season at its main stage theater in Bethesda and its black box space in Silver Spring.

AS: At Round House, I oversaw all fundraising efforts, from individuals and corporate to foundations and special events.  I was also on the management team, so I was very involved with strategy and strategic planning.

I first got my feet wet in the nonprofit world when I worked at Ithaca College, which is my alma mater.  I got involved with a strategic planning process there that was very broad, very big picture, and from that I became really interested in how you manage a large nonprofit, so I went to graduate school and got a masters in Higher Education Administration at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  That degree was very much a “nonprofit management” degree.  Though it was focused on higher education, it was really quite broad – I learned about strategic budgeting and leadership. Very “big picture.”

Then I used those skills: I interned at the Graduate School of Education Annual Fund and I found I was quite interested in development.  I worked in Alumni Affairs at Harvard.  I moved to Minneapolis for my now-husband to go to grad school, and I worked at a major professional theater there before joining Round House.

PeacePlayers will be the smallest place I’ve ever worked. That seems to be a trend of mine – I’ve gone from large, large, companies and organizations and have gotten smaller and smaller and smaller.  I’m finding it more and more impactful.  I’m really drawn to a lean and mean organization that’s doing good without tons of overhead.

Amy (left), with PPI - Middle East's new Development Associate, Rifka Miyara (right), in front of the Arab-Jewish Community Center of Jaffa, a key PPI - ME partner.

PPI: What were the most challenging aspects of your previous positions?  How have those experiences influenced you now?

AS: A challenge that we all have is balancing opportunity with resource.  Even when I worked at Harvard, there was a resource issue, “resource” meaning not just dollars, but also human resources. How do we best allocate our time to maximize all the opportunities out there? Having a strategy and following that strategy and still being flexible enough to deal with change, that’s always a challenge. That’s actually why I’m in the nonprofit world – I really enjoy trying to figure out how we can do the most with what we have, or the best with what we have. I’m a problem solver, whether it is specifically a “fundraising challenge” or a management challenge.

PPI: Do have any personal goals for your new position with PeacePlayers?

AS: Absolutely! I’ve always had an international interest. Personally, to really be engaged in an international effort is very rewarding.  Also, again, it is personally rewarding to know that the work we are doing is making a difference in the lives of children and in our community.  Finally, I am a working mom, and figuring out how I am going to be successful both at work and at home is something I’m really going to work on.

PPI: How do you think you’ll adjust to fundraising with an international organization?

AS: The international aspect is both intriguing and really challenging from a fundraising perspective.  The global impact is very alluring to a lot of people, but when it comes to funding decisions, I think it’s a big challenge for people to commit to giving internationally.  The trend seems to be giving more “in your own backyard.”  So that’s a big challenge that I know PeacePlayers is already dealing with that we’ll have to reconcile. I have some ideas about how we can make it feel more “in your backyard.”  I think it comes down to personal interactions with the program so that it feels human and not something that far away.

PPI: Did you ever play basketball?

AS: That’s a very funny question – I’m five feet tall and not very athletic! (Laughs.) However, I did play basketball in eighth grade on the JV middle school team.  I still have my red high-tops, which will probably still fit me!  I did not play very well, but I enjoyed it. I also lived across from a playground with a basketball court when I lived in Cambridge.  My now-husband and I would do some shooting and he made me feel pretty good about my skills!

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by | March 22, 2010 · 3:07 pm

A Big Week for the Sixth Man

Leah Haberman, just one of the volunteers taking action in her own community to support PPI in recent days.

“The Sixth Man” is what we call our special blog for all of PeacePlayers International’s volunteer supporters. Over the past several days, “The Sixth Man” has been extremely active, as have PPI’s Sixth Men and Women – the volunteer activists who support PPI by taking action within their own hometowns. Among the latest news:

  • Led by PPI – Middle East Fellowship alumnus Danny Ourian, the Harlem Wizards and Safe Haven Hoops, a New York youth basketball organization, put on a night of “Trick Hoopz and Alley Oopz” to benefit PeacePlayers International at Columbia University’s Levien Gymnasium on Sunday, March 22nd. A great time was had by all, as the Wizards dribbled, jammed and danced – yes, danced – to support PPI. PPI owes a special thanks to Danny, as well as fellow alumni David Lasday and Mike Vaughan-Cherubin, for their hard work on PPI’s behalf.  Look for more information soon!
  • Theresa Verzosa, a former volunteer with PeacePlayers International in South Africa, raised funds for PPI – SA with her run in the National Half Marathon in Washington, DC. Joined by PPI – South Africa Fellowship alumnus Lael O’Shaughnessy, Theresa not only finished the half-marathon, but successfully reached her goal of raising $2,000 for PPI – SA! Check out her project page here.
  • PPI was thrilled to receive support from Leah Haberman, a young activist preparing for her Bat Mitzvah later this year. Learn more about Leah and her effort here.
  • PPI inducted the Irish Club of La Jolla High School into the Sixth Man and Woman Hall of Fame. Read about their accomplishments here.
  • Thanks to Razoo, PPI is currently in a heated battle known as “March Goodness.” In March Goodness, nonprofit organizations compete to earn small donations – as low as only $10 – with corporate-sponsored cash prizes going to the organizations that collect the most. PPI’s down right now, but far from out. Help us mount our comeback!

PPI would like to thank Danny, Theresa, Leah, the Irish Club of La Jolla, Razoo and our whole worldwide network of supporters for their outstanding commitment to our cause!

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by | March 16, 2010 · 8:03 pm

Join PPI’s Bracket Competition!

A shot falls in a PPI - SA's Tournament of Champions. The same drive on display in the NCAAs this March motivates ball players all around the world.

Swept up in the usual excitement this time of year? Looking for a way to participate that means more than usual, that puts the money so often lost in a March pool to good use? Well, PPI has set up its own bracket competition and is inviting its staff, alumni and other friends of the organization to participate – that means you!

The competition is totally free, but PPI is asking those who participate to consider making a $10 donation to its “March Goodness” campaign in lieu of an entry fee. “March Goodness” is a competition among nonprofits to try to generate the most online donations over the course of March Madness, with corporate grants up to $10,000 as prizes. The total amount raised doesn’t matter this round – only the total numbers of donations received – so even a small contribution can make a big difference.

PPI’s offering a prize pack with some PPI gear and a framed photo from its work abroad to the top bracket among those who participate in March Goodness. So don’t just sink your money in the office pool when you look to join the fun this March, use it to further the improve the futures of children in some of the world’s most deeply divided communities.

Click here to join PPI’s bracket competition. The password is “Peaceoo1.” To support PPI in March Goodness, click here.

Help more young people in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Israel and the West Bank, and Cyprus find their "One Shining Moment" with PPI.

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by | March 14, 2010 · 10:42 pm

Congratulations to the Third Members of the PPI Sixth Man and Woman Hall of Fame – The Irish Club of La Jolla High School

We may need to expand The Sixth Man and Woman Hall of Fame a little bit to make room for its newest member...

From our sister blog, The Sixth Man:

The Irish Club of La Jolla High School, led by Bo and Will Peterson, has supported PPI – Northern Ireland for several years, in any number of ways – from participating in St. Patrick Day parades, to hosting bake sales, to organizing concerts with authentic Irish bands, to performing what we understand was an uncanny Temptations impersonation in a local air band competition.

For their outstanding efforts, PPI has officially inducted the Irish Club of La Jolla High School into The Sixth Man and Woman Hall of Fame – our way of honoring those who have gone above and beyond to contribute to our mission of uniting children in divided communities through sport. Want to learn how you can get involved? Check out The Sixth Man for details.

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