Our Blog

Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Libby Ellman

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.

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Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Brian Balduzzi

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.

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The History & Impact of Our Night Out

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.

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Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Zara Waters

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.

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Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Mary Pat Wixted

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.

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Cooking for a Cause — Recap

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.

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Oxygen Mask: Focusing on Self-Care in Order to Help Others

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.

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Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Amaryllis Owens

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

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Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves: Cara Hackett

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.

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Doing Good is Good for You

Monique Phillips, Director of Community Engagement at Women of Color in Pharma, shares why young professionals should count their volunteer skills amongst just their job skills when it comes to professional achievements.

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