Our Blog

Maggie Place, Chair, Strategic Operations Committee, (and current President-Elect!) shares her perspective on identifying the right board and volunteer service opportunities.

Meet Libby Ellman, first-year member of our board on our Communications and Spruce Council committees, an avid reader and fan of the Gayborhood’s Graffiti Bar who finds inspiration in her fellow young leaders at Spruce making a big impact.

Meet Brian Balduzzi, Vice Chair of our Development Committee, a self-proclaimed foodie, board game lover, and former member of the American Theatre Critics Association which bestows the prestigious Tony Award for Regional Theatre.

Jake Maroney, committee member for DVLF’s Our Night Out, a monthly event for the LGBTQ+ community to network and raise money, shares the history of ONO and details on their upcoming event.

Meet Zara Waters, our Communications Committee Vice Chair who’s passionate about Philadelphia’s food scene, the arts, and advocating for resources and access for the city’s youth.

Learn more about our Events Committee Vice Chair Mary Pat Wixted, a mom of two and avid tea drinker in her fourth and final year on the Spruce Board.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, Campbell’s Soup Company’s Chef Gerald Drummond joined us for a virtual cooking event to raise money in support of Spruce’s mission to provide grants to youth-serving nonprofits.

Basil Jackson, Host of the So I Was Thinking Podcast, shares how taking care of yourself can ultimately help you become a better philanthropist and volunteer.

Meet Amaryllis Owens, our President and a former voice actress who’s favorite Philly cheesesteak spot is outside of Philly.

Meet Cara Hackett, Chair of our Communications Committee, a Broadway regular, and a Questlove fan—she’s been involved with Spruce for almost four years, from the grantmaking to showing up to uplift our grantees onsite whenever there’s the chance.