TPRF Real Stories

September 21 is celebrated as the UN International Day of Peace. In support of this annual event, The Prem Rawat Foundation’s Independent Fundraising Team is offering support to groups or individuals who wish to host awareness or fundraising events about TPRF. We are hoping to focus on the Peace Education Program (PEP). For more info on this program click here: PEP

Lansing Michigan City Hall 2006

Newly released PEP brochures and a short DVD will be among materials available to assist in your efforts. There will also be a special blog you can use to post information about your plans and to inspire others to participate. In addition, there will be a map to enable people to find and connect with events in their area. You can also find information and updates on TPRF’S Facebook Page.

If you haven’t already chosen an activity for Peace Day, please visit www.tprf.org for event ideas that may be of interest to you. Look under “How to Help.”

To date, we’ve heard about a display at a City Hall lobby in Michigan featuring an auction of an original painting; a two day celebration at the Echo Valley Farm in Wisconsin; plans for an event in Woodstock, New York; and several other activities around the world. We know many more will be added to this list before September 21!

Many organizations and individuals have announced their plans for Peace Day. You might consider networking with other celebrations on the topic of peace as an alternative to organizing your own event, while still presenting information about TPRF and PEP.

Your event will be an independent local initiative sponsored by you and your team, rather than TPRF. The TPRF Independent Fundraising Team will be available to support and offer guidelines to assist you. Your first step in getting that support will be to fill out the form at the link called Submit Event Information.

Again, whatever kind of event you choose to host, the information on this form will help us greatly in supporting your efforts and in getting your event listed on our map.

Stay tuned for email and video updates in the weeks leading up to September 21.

Best wishes and have fun!

Candice Wilmore

candicewilmore@tprf.org

Top right photo: Echo Valley Farm in Wisconsin

Boston Area Independent Event

Bruce Keenan acts as chief financial advisor to TPRF, donating his time and valuable experience as a non-profit financial executive. He founded the Himalayan Children’s Charities (HCC) in 1999. The 501(c)3 organization provides quality education to orphaned and abandoned children in Nepal. Bruce grew the organization from two donors in 1999 to 180 supporters in 2010, who contributed over $110,000 in charitable donations. HCC currently supports over 70 children in Nepal.  Thirteen of these children are currently studying at the college level. Keenan is also the founder and President of Hearts for Horses, a non-profit horse rescue organization based in Clarkesville, Georgia. Prior to his charitable work, Bruce enjoyed a highly successful business career as a CEO, financial executive, and entrepreneur.

TPRF: Please tell us about the various causes you support through your family foundation, the Keenan Foundation.

BK: We are required by the IRS to donate at least 5% of the total assets of the foundation each year. The Keenan Foundation supports TPRF, Himalayan Children’s Charities, Hearts for Horses (www.heartsforhorses.org), and other organizations that support animals, like the Humane Society.  Several years ago we purchased a van for the local Humane Society so that puppies scheduled to be euthanized in Georgia shelters could be transported to northern states in the U.S. where they are adopted.

My main focus is on Himalayan Children’s Charities (www.hccnepal.org) where we help educate, care for, and support orphaned and abandoned children in Kathmandu, Nepal. I go there twice a year to check on the kids and staff and to develop/update our programs. We are one of the few charities working in Nepal that educates our students through to a bachelors or technical degree.

TPRF: What prompts you to support these causes? Is it partly due to a family tradition?

BK: Good question. It is not a family tradition. My father was an accountant and my mother worked part-time as an assistant librarian, so they never had the funds to do much charitable giving. I think it comes from my inner connection that encourages me to see that we are all in this together, and it gives me satisfaction to help others that are not as fortunate as I am. My wife, Susan, and I were able to attend the opening of the Food for People facility in Nepal, and we have been supporters of the program ever since.

It is incredible to be able to witness the impact that a healthy meal has on a child’s life and on the entire community.

TPRF: Why do you support TPRF? 

BK: I support TPRF because of the vision the Founder had when he created the organization. Providing dignity, peace and prosperity to people around the world through various programs is what excites and inspires me. I am honored to be able to make a contribution to Prem Rawat’s vision and work. I also like the fact that a high percentage of the donated funds are used to deliver critically urgent humanitarian services.

TPRF: You’ve put yourself in a position to spend your time doing what you want to do. What is a typical day like in the life of Bruce Keenan?

BK: I do actually get to choose what I do each day, and the actions I choose are to try to have a positive effect on the world around me. I feel very blessed to have the life that I have been given and want to express my gratitude through my actions.

TPRF: What are your plans for the future?

I am taking it a day at a time. Currently, I’m working with TPRF as a financial adviser and would like to continue assisting in that way. I like this organization and the people I get to work with.  It is a joy and pleasure to contribute to TPRF.

Photos by Bruce Keenan. All Rights Reserved.

Helping Orphaned and Abandoned Children in Nepal

Isolda Basic reads an original work of prose on the theme of finding peace.

The performance was already underway when we arrived by taxi at the Felt Club, a modern looking but otherwise nondescript venue in the Quartere San Lorenzo district of Rome this past Friday (June 22) evening. Our host, Loredana La Rotonda, found me in the lobby, family in tow, trying to identify myself to the maître d’. She led us to the darkened showroom, where a woman onstage was reciting an original prose work to a background of electronic music and projected visual images. My Italian is quite limited, but I did catch repeated references to the word “peace.”

The audience sat in rapt attention and applauded vigorously. I immediately thought of an updated version of beatnik-era poetry readings, with the audience highly focused, drinking in the author’s intent and meaning. One woman wept at her table. The reading was followed by a musical interlude with guitarist Pino Siciliano and keyboardist Monica Borra with multi-media imagery, additional readings, and more music. Just before the break, a recent video was shown about the success of TPRF’s Peace Education Program (PEP) in a Texas prison. The PEP prison program has also taken root in Italy, and this event was the culmination of a series of arts events in June to raise funds for TPRF’s work.

Pino Siciliano performs masterfully on guitar

I was informed during the break by Daniela Missori, one of the local organizers, that there had been two previous multimedia musical events at this same club this month on behalf of TPRF, along with an ongoing art exhibition on its walls. The artwork was provided by its creator, noted artist and photographer Emilio Gentilini. On this evening, he sold a large painting for 1000 euros which he is donating in full to TPRF.

The event was a combination musical concert, poetry reading, and art exhibition. Included in the multi-media potpourri were videos about the Foundation’s Peace Education Program.

Local fundraisers came up with an innovative approach for staging events by working out a joint venture with the club operators. By offering up an appealing mix of entertainment at no charge to the club, the venue and much of the promotion (they have a huge mailing list) were provided for free by the club and a revenue sharing arrangement was worked out on the modest cover charge and drinks sold. Other than the cover charge of 5 euros, the show was essentially free to the public, which was a big factor in attracting attendees, most of whom, I was told, had not been aware of the work of TPRF before the show.

I enjoyed meeting a number of the volunteers during the break, some of whom I had met or communicated with over the past several years. Many of them had traveled here from as far away as Turin and Florence to participate. The enthusiasm and energy of the volunteers was palpable, no doubt fueled in large part by Prem Rawat’s visit to Italy earlier this month.

Daniela Missori and Antonella Romeo, two of the principal organizers of the Rome event series

In spite of the high-energy atmosphere, it got to be past 11 p.m. and I spotted my daughter fast asleep on a lobby chair. The Rome night-lifers were heading back into the clubroom for more music (two more groups were scheduled to play), others were catching late trains home, and my family of four all piled into Loredana’s car for the ride back to Mazzano. A full day!

I understand that there may be a more detailed feature story shortly about this and other initiatives in Italy by the organizers themselves, so please stay tuned!

I can honestly say that writing and editing the TPRF blog for the past 18 months has been an exciting, enjoyable, and unpredictable journey.We began with a mandate to cover the developing story of the third Food for People facility planned for construction in the small village of Otinibi, outside of the metropolitan city of Accra in Ghana, West Africa.  I had very little experience with social media, a slight familiarity with TPRF’s proprietary Food for People program, and no background information on the country or people of Ghana.

Somehow, these obvious drawbacks did not inhibit the expansion of the TPRF blog from a single story into an international forum reflecting stories of enormous hope through efficient and inspired humanitarian initiatives undertaken by TPRF and its partner organizations around the world.

Otinibi FFP Before Grand Opening

Our first posts covered the Ghana Food for People projectin detail beginning when the facility was an undeveloped piece of land awaiting governmental approval of the documents transferring title of ownership to the local charity set up to manage and run the FFP.  We have literally watched the facility rise up out of the ground, culminating in a triumphant opening one year later.  The FFP in Otinibi has materialized thanks to the dedication of mostly local volunteers, an expert construction team, funding from TPRF, and donations from individuals following the story on the Internet.

Five hundred children and adults will be fed nutritious meals every day in Otinibi. The same thing happens at two other Food for People centers which opened in 2006 and 2009.

The logistics and effort required to establish and keep the FFP facilities operating boggles the mind. Yet it is happening.  It is a privilege and a joy to make these stories about people who benefit from the Food for People program and the individuals who volunteer to make these daily miracles occur available to our readers.

Six months after our first post, we decided to open up the scope of the blog to other feature stories while still reporting on the progress of the project in Ghana. We covered the other two Food for People facilities located in the villages of Bantoli, India and Tasarpu, Nepal. I began to see the profound effect the program has on the people it touches.

Now, children go to school instead of doing manual labor (like crushing rocks to support their families.)  The nutritious daily meals allow the children to grow and develop normally. Plus, they learn proper sanitation habits and enjoy watching educational television programs while eating.

With healthy bodies and the opportunity to learn in school, these children have a vastly improved chance to realize their dreams later in life.  And something more.  I have seen through these stories that Food for People is an oasis for these children, a place where they can flourish and enjoy their precious childhood.

The Food for People program is only one example of TPRF’s life-changing work.  We regularly cover stories about  TPRF’s Peace Education Program in prisons, independent fundraising efforts, disaster relief, clean drinking water initiatives, and other humanitarian efforts undertaken by TPRF’s carefully-selected partner organizations.

Relieving Drought in Ethiopia With Partner IRD

The voice of the TPRF blog that we searched for in the beginning has become the many voices of hope and positive change as stories continue to stream in from around the world.

As Prem Rawat’s message of peace continues to reach more people, we hope to keep pace by allowing more voices to tell their stories spontaneously in an even greater diversity.

The new blog will present stories from regular contributors, expressions from blog subscribers, people involved in the work of TPRF, and others involved in independent humanitarian efforts. In time, regular contributors and TPRF partners will be able to post directly to the new blog template as stories break.

Photos Courtesy of IRD and Premsagar Nepal

Supporting Education in Nepal

TPRF: Please describe your role on the Fundraising Team.

CW: I joined the team early in 2012 and am having a ball. My role now is to help the Independent Fundraising Team to support anyone who has an idea about an event they’d like to organize to raise funds for TPRF. I spend a few hours a week speaking or emailing with my teammate, Bruce Sutherland, going over things like templates and guidelines we can offer to support events such as concerts or dinners.

I’ve learned there are volunteers that have been involved in fundraising activities for TPRF long before this team was formed. It’s been so exciting to find out about these “under the radar” efforts to offer support in any way possible, and to help highlight the various independent fundraising efforts happening so that more people can hear about what’s being done out there.

TPRF: What are some of the specific tools the team has created and assembled to help people do independent fundraising?

CW: I’ll let my teammate, Bruce Sutherland, answer that one.

BS: The How Can I Help tab on the TPRF website is the best place to start finding out how to begin an independent fundraising initiative. The Guidelines for Fundraising and Awareness Events article gives a good overview of frequently asked questions people have about organizing an event. A variety of materials are available, including three DVDs: The Food for People Story, Dignity Peace Prosperity, and The Peace Education Program. These DVDs provide excellent descriptions of TPRF’s activities.

A TPRF brochure and a Food for People brochure are also available in both English and Spanish. The http://www.BenefitGolf.net website is a resource that offers in-depth material on how to organize a golf tournament, including a list of advisors that can assist in planning an event. The “Organizers Forum” link on the Benefit Golf website offers a wealth of information and answers for people interested in organizing events.

TPRF: Bruce, please describe the different types of independent fundraising events you have seen going on.

BS: We’ve had live concerts featuring rock, folk, new age and bluegrass music; golf tournaments and dinners; a backyard tea and croquet tournament; a charity cyclists bike ride; a cocktail party; an autumn organic produce fair; art auctions; a “Star Wars” fundraising event; plus ethnic dinner and dance parties.

These events take place not only in the United States and North America but also in cities around the world.

TPRF: Candice, please share your experiences and observations from your activities on the Fundraising Team.

CW: I was looking for a new volunteer role, and when I read about the opening for a volunteer on this team, I felt very compelled to apply. The process of being interviewed and considered was so warm and helpful in making me understand what would be expected.

So far, I’ve felt nothing but absolute acceptance by the other team members, and from other members worldwide, whom I may never know, other than sharing our mutual joy and excitement at being involved in such a great opportunity.

It seems to me that TPRF is widening its scope in ways that everyone will be so amazed to watch as new initiatives unfold. It’s just plain FUN to be part of it. That’s always been my main reason for participating. It increases that fun factor in my life, over and over again.

Editor’s Note: Independent fundraising events are not sponsored by TPRF, but are organized by the initiative of volunteers. In 2010, independent fundraising events raised $70,000 and the amount doubled in 2011 to $140,000.

Photos Courtesy of  Mercy Corps, Scott Webb, IRD, and Premsagar-Bantoli

Independent Fundraising Events Support TPRF Humanitarian Initiatives

2012 marks the second consecutive year TPRF has partnered with The Adventure Project (TAP) to raise funds for their excellent water well mechanic training program. The program creates new jobs and re-establishes access to clean water in areas where water wells are broken. Becky Straw is a “clean water activist” and co-founder of The Adventure Project.  This is her World Water Day contribution to our blog, reporting on the success of TAP’s partnership with TPRF in 2011.

Last year, something remarkable happened. Four days before World Water Day, my new nonprofit, The Adventure Project, asked The Prem Rawat Foundation a last-minute, crazy question: “Would TPRF match what we raise in 24 hours?” Without hesitation, TPRF jumped on board, and turned March 22 into one of the best days of the year.

Over 150 people joined us in spreading our message on World Water Day, and over 400 people generously donated to match TPRF’s grant. Collectively, we raised over $23,000 for a revolutionary water program in India, implemented by WaterAid, in partnership with a local NGO, Gram Swaraj Samiti Ghosi (GSSG). This program trains and empowers local leaders to become well mechanics, fixing broken wells in their communities.

One year later, I am proud to report that WaterAid has successfully established two well mechanic shops in the Kako and Ghosi blocks in the Jehanabad district of Bihar. As of February 29, 12 new mechanics have repaired 85 hand pumps, restoring access to clean water for 12,386 people in need!

The two shops in Kako and Ghosi are thriving, serving a total of 10 communities. The shops are equipped with water quality test kits, tools and spare parts necessary for repair work, as well as a cell phone to receive repair requests and a motorcycle for transport to the repair sites. This is an innovative and enterprising way to ensure rural communities have access to sustainable water services.

Twelve mechanics have been trained in hand pump repair, pipeline fitting, and use of GPS technology. The mechanics provide an additional benefit in educating communities about maintaining their hand pumps to prevent breakdown, by establishing volunteer village water and sanitation committees.

The twelve mechanics are committed to rapid response times, with a goal to fully repair hand pumps within 24 hours of receiving the request, when possible. Of the repairs conducted to date, 54% have been completed in less than 12 hours, 91% in less than 24 hours, and only 9% between 24 and 48 hours after receiving the request (these are often major repairs requiring extensive labor or spare parts.) Furthermore, in the past three months alone, the shops have averaged 27 repairs per month. Of the total fee the community pays, 60% of the repair charge goes to the mechanics for their labor and 40% goes to the center to cover operating costs.

Water issues have always been close to my heart. I have spent the last five years of my career focused on evaluating water programs in developing countries. It always pains me to see so many broken wells throughout Africa and India, watching in dismay as mothers and children walk past broken wells to collect water from dirty rivers. The Gates Foundation estimates one third of all wells are currently broken, often because there are no spare parts or trained mechanics.

This partnership with The Prem Rawat Foundation gave us hope that there are organizations and citizens who believe in enterprising solutions to ending the water crisis. I cannot thank TPRF enough for all their support, inspiration and shared belief in investing with dignity.

Thank you,

Becky Straw

Co-Founder & Chief Adventurist | The Adventure Project

130 7^th Avenue #354 | New York, NY 10011  | 774.238.7761

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Photos by Esther Havens

It all started with a short conversation between Prem Rawat and his long-time associate, Charan Anand, whose enthusiasm for golf is only exceeded by his enthusiasm for Prem Rawat’s humanitarian work and his message of peace. Out of this conversation, a worldwide, independent initiative grew to raise funds for TPRF with charity golf tournaments. The ripple began in Los Angeles five years ago, with one tournament held that year.

On February 25, 2012, the 33^rd charity golf tournament to benefit TPRF, organized by local groups of independent volunteers, will take place at Hill Crest Country Club in Hollywood, Florida. (www.florida.benefitgolf.net) Tournaments like this one now flourish in cities around the world, in addition to numerous cities across the United States.

To date, these local groups, working on their own without financial support or official affiliation with TPRF, have raised almost $400,000 after expenses. The local charities donate the profits from these events to support TPRF’s humanitarian aid programs like Food for People, the Peace Education Program, and many other life-enhancing initiatives.

Charan Anand

When asked what gave him the idea to start these golf tournaments, Charan Anand replied:

“For my exercise, I used to practice yoga and play tennis. Then I became interested in golf. I came to understand that charity golf tournaments are a popular vehicle to raise funds for humanitarian causes. So David Mankoff and I, along with some wonderful volunteers, put together the first two tournaments in Los Angeles a few years ago. It just grew and grew from there. Now there is a strong team of people in place organizing benefit tournaments in their areas and providing support to others who want to do so.

“It’s hard to believe, but the 33rd international golf tournament is coming up in South Florida. I clearly see the possibility for more and more people who love this sport to participate in the golf tournaments for the benefit of TPRF’s humanitarian initiatives providing food, water, and peace for people around the world.”

Elliot Galanter is a business owner and TPRF volunteer residing with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Elliot and a group of volunteers are now planning their fifth annual golf tournament to raise funds for TPRF, the 33^rd international tournament mentioned above. He was first inspired to help with these tournaments when he had a conversation with Charan Anand in 2007 about golf tournaments as a vehicle for people to enjoy the game and make a difference in people’s lives.

“Charan Anand was always the voice of optimism, no matter what the obstacle,” Elliot said. “He told me that all we need is ‘information and inspiration’ (a quote from Prem Rawat) and we can do anything!’ And that has been our experience. Since those early days, we have formed a core advisory team and implemented a new website (www.benefitgolf.net) to help volunteers start golf tournaments in their communities.

“The golf tournaments are a wonderful platform to introduce people to TPRF. Charan Anand’s tireless efforts have produced great results across the globe.”

Indie Fundraising Events--Great Fun for a Great Cause

Last week, we began to explore how TPRF became involved in Social Media. This week, the journey continues with Steve Kowarsky’s account of how Social Media is expanding public awareness of TPRF’s work and its message of “Dignity, Peace, and Prosperity.”

Steve is an accomplished software and telecommunications executive who lives in Long Island, New York. He is a member of TPRF’s nine-person management team consisting of six volunteer and three paid positions. Steve’s focus is managing TPRF’s Social Media presence.

The America’s Giving Challenge that launched TPRF into social networking occurred at the end of 2009. What has happened since?

SK: The most remarkable thing was the viral growth of our flagship Cause named “TPRF: Food for People.” When the contest ended, we had recruited about 4,200 new members, and we thought that was pretty good. But the growth continued, and a few months later, it skyrocketed. We now have almost half a million members in that Cause! And the total of contributions raised via Social Media is over $430,000.

I can’t help thinking that with half a million members, if each one contributed just $10, TPRF could raise $5 million.

SK: That’s what I thought, and that’s what many people think about when they first look at this. But to join a Cause on Facebook is just a one-click commitment, and I now understand that contributing money is a very big step from there. Still, this gives TPRF the ability to communicate with a lot of people, both via email and via their Facebook News Feeds. I’m certain there are people who have engaged with TPRF via this outreach. You never know. Any single person can make a real difference at any time, and even the simple, growing, positive awareness created via TPRF’s communication stream can have a helpful impact on the overall picture.

Also, with this kind of track record and reach, TPRF is an attractive partner for other organizations, and we’re beginning to see this happening. We just conducted a successful joint campaign on Causes with Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is much larger than TPRF, but they wanted to be associated with our Social Media success. And recently a company named SocialVest started a campaign on Causes called Help SocialVest give $10,000 to TPRF. That’s pretty cool. For each person who joins SocialVest (which is free and creates no obligation) TPRF gets one dollar!

What’s happening outside of Causes on Facebook and Twitter?

SK: TPRF’s Facebook presence is growing steadily. There are now three TPRF Pages, in English, Spanish, and Italian, with a total of almost 13,000 “fans” from all over the world.

Twitter so far is on a smaller scale, but we are putting energy into Twitter, and it is growing steadily with over 400 followers. Twitter is a smaller phenomenon than Facebook, but I still think it could be a very useful part of the mix.

Our Twitter Manager is a young man who lives in New Delhi, and he’s doing a wonderful job. Our Italian Page manager is a doctor. I don’t know how he finds the time, but he’s incredibly responsive. It’s very cool to be working with a global team and with people of this caliber.

Can you share a little bit of your personal experience of this activity with us?

SK: The Social Media area is a good fit for me, because it’s an evolving and unpredictable environment. Everyone involved is learning all the time. The rules change often, and unexpected new opportunities come up regularly. You can plan, but you also have to be flexible, responsive, and creative. I like that real-time response feeling, and I love the way the whole TPRF team recognizes when rapid response is needed and comes through.

One of the extraordinary aspects of TPRF is that it is primarily run by volunteers from the management level down to the grass roots. This post features an interview with Steve Kowarsky, an accomplished software and telecommunications executive who lives in Long Island, New York. He is a member of TPRF’s nine person management team consisting of six volunteers and three paid positions. Steve’s focus is managing TPRF’s Social Media presence.

How did you become involved in TPRF?

SK: I’ve been a supporter of TPRF from its inception, but until October 2009 I had not done much to participate in it. As a technology executive, I’m always looking for ways that developments in the world of technology can be used to support Prem Rawat’s efforts to bring his message to more people. TPRF President Linda Pascotto knew of my interest in this area, and she occasionally asked me to research one subject or another along these lines.

When Linda asked me in October 2009 about the potential of Social Media for TPRF, I had only been on Facebook for a year myself, but I was really appreciating the whole idea of Social Networking. Linda was asking my opinion about a contest that was being sponsored by Causes (a Facebook application) called the America’s Giving Challenge. I looked at it, and had one of those lightning bolt moments. I saw the whole thing—Facebook, Causes, and Twitter—as  places where Prem Rawat’s message could really shine. I saw the potential for his existing global network of supporters and admirers to plug in to Social Networking and create something that would be noticed and potentially lead to more interest in his message and his work.

I guess we’ve all had those lightning flash moments. But a lot depends on the practical follow up, doesn’t it? What happened next?

SK: I strongly encouraged Linda to get TPRF into the America’s Giving Challenge, and I just naturally flowed into coordinating a global effort in that contest.  The “Giving Challenge” was very successful, and then I just naturally flowed again into further developing the Social Media area for TPRF. Some other areas of participation I had been engaged with were winding down for me, and now being TPRF’s volunteer manager for Social Media has  become my main participation focus.

I’m very grateful to Linda for inviting me to do this.  I really appreciate the opportunity and try to do my best to help. I know that everyone on the team feels that way, which is one of the things that makes it such a pleasure.

What else can you tell us about the contest that helped launch TPRF’S Social Media presence?

SK: It was a very cleverly designed competition. The winner was the entity that received the largest number of donations, not the largest amount of money. Prizes were awarded to daily winners, with grand prizes at the end of 30 days. It had already started by the time it came to our attention, but when I looked at the numbers that other participants were getting, I thought to myself, “We can beat that!”

The competition heated up every day, but even though TPRF started halfway through, it won most of the days from then on and came in second overall in a very close race. By the end, thousands of TPRF supporters all over the world were watching the scoreboard with fascination, like a sporting event, and rooting for TPRF. It was amazing to see the donations clicking in literally every few seconds at times. It was great fun for everyone, just an incredible experience of global cooperation, and it was very useful for TPRF. Including the prizes, TPRF raised about $250,000 in the “Giving Challenge,” almost all of it from $10 donations. The whole experience was very positive, and left everyone feeling good about the potential of Social Networking.

Next week, we’ll continue to explore Steve’s innovative application of Social Networking to expand awareness of TPRF’s humanitarian work and Prem Rawat’s message of peace.

Peter Novick, a retired Software Engineer, now spends a large chunk of his time as TPRF’s Grants Team Manager. In this capacity, Peter provides reporting, procedural, and accountability oversight for the Humanitarian Aid grants area.  In addition to other duties, he helps keep the grant program aligned with TPRF’s strategic objectives while overseeing and coordinating the work of Grant Reviewers and individual Grant Managers.

On August 31, Peter attended a unique event in Washington DC to raise funds and awareness for clean water in the Horn of Africa. Peter’s guest-blog offers a rare, ”upclose and personal” view of two partners involved in the Horn of Africa clean water initiative, as well as the impact of TPRF’s participation in the campaign.

 I want to tell you about a wonderful evening I spent at an International Relief and Development (www.ird.org) social gathering this past month. An attractive wine bar in Washington, DC provided an enjoyable, upscale backdrop for the event. I am fortunate to live in Bethesda, Maryland, just 30-45 minutes from some of our current and prospective TPRF grantees.

Titled “Friends and Philanthropy,” the purpose of the event was to raise awareness for clean water in the Horn of Africa.  TPRF recently provided a grant of $25,000 to IRD to support this initiative. IRD’s mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency.

Daniel Puls is the Chief of Advancement for IRD. Dan took me under his wing from the moment I arrived at the event. He could not have been a more gracious host. Most of the guests were IRD staff or major donors, and Dan introduced me to many of them.  I met Arthur B. Keyes Jr., President and CEO of IRD. In fact, Dan urged Mr. Keyes to join us in a game of bocce ball. He respectfully declined, but Dan and I did team up to play a few games against Dan’s lovely daughter Cassie and her boyfriend, both Georgetown University students.  We lost—but it was a close score—and we had a lot of fun!

I spent about 20 minutes talking with Adam Koons, Director of Relief, who planned to fly to Ethiopia in the next day or two.  I also spent time with Jeffrey Grieco (Chief, Communications), Jason Matechek (General Counsel), Amy Brauner (assisting Dan with our grant), and many others. The people at IRD and their supporters struck me as unusually warm, intelligent, knowledgeable, dedicated, inspiring, unpretentious, and fun.

Dan introduced me to Andrew Koval, President/CEO of MedPharm.  MedPharm provides high quality generic pharmaceuticals and health care products at substantial discount to government agencies, non-government relief and development organizations, PVOs and NGOs, the United Nations and other international organizations.  Mr Koval’s company donates millions of dollars of medical supplies to IRD.  He invited me to meet with him anytime.

I was surprised at how many people went out of their way to emphasize to me the importance of TPRF’s grant to IRD.  I appreciated it, of course, but I protested that our grant of $25,000 was such a small part of their budget, which is in the hundreds of millions. Dan and Adam and the others explained that foundations like TPRF provide critical seed money—early, quickly, and flexibly—to jump-start huge projects.  Larger sources of funding involve more bureaucracy, take longer, and are less flexible.  When major sources of funding see that foundations like ours have taken action, it prompts these donors to follow suit.

Coming Together for Clean Water