Public Interest Projects

Public Interest Projects (PIP) "brings together the work of philanthropic institutions, nonprofit groups and other public interest organizations who share a vision and commitment to creating a just society. PIP was conceived and grew in response to the same needs it meets today.

"Donald K. Ross established PIP in 1983. Ross, who founded the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) in 1973, was often approached by foundations interested in making grants to new social justice projects he and others were developing. PIP served as the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity that would hold and manage these funds for a broad range of innovative public interest work on a project basis. Once established, these projects – such as Taxpayers for Common Sense, Trust for America's Health and the Environmental Support Center – often went on to become standalone entities.

"By the 1990s, PIP was overseeing a fast-growing number of grants and incubating a score of nonprofits. Moreover, these initiatives were being introduced by PIP to an increasing number of national, regional and local donors.

"PIP has since grown from a small, project-based fiscal sponsor working for other organizations to a formidable entity in its own right. PIP’s staff now manages six collaborative and partner funds, providing them with strategic direction, day-to-day management, administrative support and financial oversight. Combined, these collaboratives made more than $8.2 million in grants in 2007 to organizations around the country. PIP also manages 15 special projects and serves as fiscal sponsor to affinity groups and organizations that are closely aligned with its overall mission."


 * Michele Lord, Executive Director
 * Berta Colon, Deputy Director

Directors
Accessed August 2008:


 * John Gilroy (President) - Campaign for America's Wilderness, Pittsford, NY
 * Mark Colon (Vice President) - Attorney, New York, NY
 * Lisa Guide (Director) - Rockefeller Family Fund, Fairfax, VA
 * Gina Kim (Director) - GritTV, New York, NY
 * David Langdon (Director) - Public Policy Strategist, Albany, NY
 * Susan Stamler (Secretary) - United Neighborhood Houses, New York, NY

Other Select Staff
Accessed August 2008:


 * Tanya E. Coke, Program Manager: U.S. Human Rights Fund
 * Allison Johnson, International Organizer: Dream for Darfur
 * Channapha Khamvongsa, Program Officer: American Dream Fund
 * Julie K. Kohler, Program Manager: Communities for Public Education Reform; Director: Evaluation and Program Assessment
 * Nicky Lazar, International Director: Dream for Darfur
 * Jill Savitt, Executive Director: Dream for Darfur

Contact

 * Web: http://www.publicinterestprojects.org

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * M+R Strategic Services
 * Samuel Rubin Foundation