Annenberg Foundation Spotlights Nonprofits At Peer-to-Peer Event

The Los Angeles region is home to more than 30,000 active nonprofit groups and 2,000 grant-making foundations.

"We are honored that Peer to Peer is a significant event for Los Angeles that has served as a catalyst for the declaration of the first official Nonprofit Day," said Leonard Aube, executive director of the Annenberg Foundation. "Peer to Peer is a thank you to leaders whose hard work and dedication deserve acknowledgement and celebration. In this setting, nonprofits and funders exchange ideas and resources that will help strengthen the sector."

Hosted by George Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis, the Annenberg Foundation event offered an opportunity for nonprofits to learn new ways to expand the reach of their organizations, to meet others in the nonprofit community as well as key funders, and to be entertained by Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Robert Gupta and singer/songwriter Michelle Branch.

"The theme for the 2011 Peer to Peer program was The Art of Human Engagement Through Effective Storytelling, which is at the heart of what we teach with the 'Fast Pitch' program," noted Diane Helfrey, founding partner and executive director, LASVP. "We were thrilled to partner with the Annenberg Foundation on this event, which provided the perfect forum for our finalists to share their messages with a large audience, including potential donors and volunteers. Being able to communicate the essence of your organization in a compelling and succinct manner is an invaluable skill."

Judges for the "Fast Pitch" were Eileen Heisman, president and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust; Nike Irvin, vice president of programs for California Community Foundation; Warren Olney, producer and program host at KCRW and Jake Winebaum, Internet entrepreneur and founder of numerous Internet businesses and the business incubator and investment firm Blue Waters Research.

Peer to Peer was held at Club Nokia at L.A. Live thanks to the generosity of AEG and the STAPLES Foundation and AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke. The event also received the support of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., the Los Angeles Business Journal and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Peer to Peer was produced by Academy Award-winner Bruce Cohen and Bruce Cohen Productions.