Nonprofit organizations gather at Philanthropy fair
Written by Jennifer Nesslar, Oct 4, 2013, 0 Comments
The Philanthropy Fair will host nonprofit organizations and community opportunity on Thursday, Oct. 3.
The idea for the fair was conceptualized in 2011, when Greg Holden, who was the chair of the St. Pete Young Professionals at the time, approached graduate student Sarah Morrow. He wanted to bring nonprofits and young professionals together over a happy hour. Morrow decided to elaborate on Holden’s idea as chair of the event.
“I figured, if we’re going to get these nonprofits to come out, why not make it a bigger event?” Morrow said.
She contacted the USF St. Petersburg MBA Program about hosting the event on campus, and the first Philanthropy Fair was held in March 2012.
Nonprofit organizations at the Philanthropy Fair are grouped into five categories: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment/Animal Service, Healthcare and Social Service. Morrow structured the event this way so participants can walk into the room and find nonprofits according to their interests.
“The goal of the event is to bring together local nonprofits and community members, and allow them to network all in one place,” said Morrow, who is working toward a business administration master’s. “Each nonprofit has a different set of needs, so there really is something for everyone at this event.”
The fair is sponsored by the St. Pete Young Professionals, a networking division of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce for professionals ages 22 to 40.
Morrow graduated in 2008 from USF Tampa with a bachelor’s in business administration. After graduation, she spent four years fundraising for The Florida Orchestra. She joined the St. Pete Young Professionals during this time as well.
“I was new to St. Pete and it was a great way for me to meet career-minded people my own age who lived and worked here,” Morrow said of the networking group.
In 2011, she became a member of the division’s executive committee. Through connections at the chamber, she was hired at Sterling Research Group, a local market research company, a year later.
Morrow plans to graduate from USFSP with her master’s in spring 2014.
The event is free for students, nonprofit organizations and community members.
