FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nonprofit Fundraising Expert in Spotlight at FirstErie Community Foundation-Jefferson Event June 29
Erie, Pennsylvania (June 28, 2023) – Sara Lomelin, a globally renown proponent of the power of collective giving, is headed to Erie as part of a lecture sponsored by the Erie Community Foundation and the Jefferson Educational Society. The two organizations have come together to bring nonprofit fundraising experts like Lomelin to Erie.
Lomelin, founding chief executive officer of Philanthropy Together and a speaker at high-profile conferences and events, including TED 2022, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29 at the Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St. The event is free and open to the public. She will explain why collective giving is important and how it can benefit communities, and then show attendees how to take action.
Lomelin’s work is at the helm of a growing movement of people-powered philanthropy to resource grassroots nonprofits, shift power dynamics and promote widespread philanthropy. Philanthropy Together is a five-year global initiative to grow and strengthen the global giving circle movement.
“We are so pleased to welcome Sara Lomelin to Erie, and to collaborate with the Jefferson Educational Society,” noted Erie Community Foundation Executive Director Karen Bilowith. “She is a true expert in the field.”
Added Jefferson President Ferki Ferati: “I’m excited to meet Sara Lomelin and learn about her revolutionary model of people-powered philanthropy. I think a lot of Erie-based nonprofit organizations and donors will appreciate hearing about this new and effective way of giving.”
For more information about the program or to make reservations, visit the Jefferson website at www.jeserie.org or call 814.459.8000.
Sara Lomelin is a connector of people and ideas, a relationship builder and a firm believer that everyone can be a philanthropist. A self-proclaimed philanthropy disruptor, Lomelin has traveled the world speaking about the power of collective giving at high-profile conferences and events, including TED 2022, where she delivered her talk, “Your Invitation to Disrupt Philanthropy.” As founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, she is developing a movement of people-powered philanthropy to resource grassroots nonprofits, shift power dynamics and promote widespread philanthropy.
Prior to Philanthropy Together, Lomelin served as senior director of Leadership Philanthropy at Opportunity Fund, now Accion Opportunity Fund, the largest nonprofit small business lender in the United States. Previously at the Latino Community Foundation, she served as vice president of Philanthropy for eight years and created the Latino Giving Circle Network, the largest network of Latinx philanthropists in the U.S. with 22 circles and 500 members.
She currently serves on the National Council of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the Board of Directors of Giving Tuesday and Battery Powered.
Media coverage of the Lomelin event is welcomed; Jefferson and Erie Community Foundation spokespersons and the presenter will be available for comment at the event. For comments in advance, please contact:
Angela Beaumont Olivia BurgessDirector of Programming Philanthropic Services OfficerJefferson Educational Society Erie Community Foundation814.459.8000 oburgess@eriecommunityfoundation.org
