The annual “Global Day of Giving” is upon us this holiday season and what better way to give back to your community then joining in on #GivingTuesday and donating to one or more of your favorite local nonprofits.
Noozhawk is teaming up with local nonprofits to encourage you to take part in the international day of giving, which takes place on November 30th, 2021.
It is no secret that this past year and a half has been full of challenges. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofits need your support now more than ever.
Our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section provides all the resources you need to donate this holiday season, including a full Giving Guide with a list of local nonprofits who need your help this Giving Tuesday.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Harry Grammer, PhD, President of the Board of Directors of Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA), to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to supporting Alumni and their local communities – offering annual scholarships, awards recognizing alumni accomplishments, and through its numerous community programs.
Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA)
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: The name of our nonprofit is the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) and its mission is to develop and operate an educational and charitable organization that supports alumni from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in their efforts to serve their communities in the pursuit of developing intellectual, spiritual, altruistic, and professional capabilities. The alumni, who primarily work in human services-type activities, engage in varied charitable and educational programs, including, but not limited to:
- Providing a CareLine telephone service for alumni and the public to utilize during time of need. It came into existence as a way to assist with two local emergencies (the Thomas Fire and subsequent devastating mudslides) by offering free, temporary services for First Responders—many of whom experienced intense emotional, physical, and psychological stresses along with their own families. Approximately 125 trained mental health care professionals volunteer to respond to calls on this service.
- Grief Network – a support group that provides grief counseling and offers The Seed & Flame Grief Box, created by Patricia Danaher (2018 MA Mythological Studies), which is a beautiful living memorial to lost loved ones. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Jizo, each box contains a handmade figurine, a handmade planter pot, kimono fabric, seeds, incense, ribbon and a friendly guide to creating your own living memorial.
- The Offering of free, public programs and activities focused on educational and charitable events such as the Pondering Peace weekend.
- Providing need-based scholarship programs for students attending the Institute, (i.e., our 2021 Awards: “An Evening of Hope”).
Click here to view Highlights.
- Providing public discussion groups, forums, panels, and lectures on topics in the alumni’s fields of study, such as community writer’s symposiums, alumni film series, and mental health seminars. These events also offer the opportunity to connect with each other while “doing good” and/or learning, such as non-profit fund-raisers, community environmental cleanup projects, educational retreats, etc.
- Community outreach programs (particularly in under-served areas), such as junior high/high school student mentoring and tutorial programs.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service?
A: In 2011, an invitation went out from Pacifica Graduate Institute to all alumni inviting them to a Steering Committee meeting to explore the development of an Alumni Association.
Spearheaded by Dianne Travis-Teague, Pacifica Graduate Institute’s (PGI) Office of Alumni Relations, eighty alumni worked together that weekend to explore and envision what an Alumni Association might look like as it grew. Momentum from this meeting led to the establishment of an Executive Committee and additional meetings in 2012 and 2013 where breakout sessions explored the aspirations of the association and committees to best serve the needs and interests of alumni.
By 2013, the Executive Committee, in response to the widespread accord of fellow alumni for the association to become its own independent organization—decided to apply to become a separate, tax-deductible nonprofit organization. The Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) was incorporated as an autonomous 501(c)3 nonprofit on April 17, 2013.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your nonprofit?
A: Pacifica’s motto – “tending soul in and of the world,” inspired our alumni to extend this concept beyond the confines of Pacifica by supporting, developing, promoting community.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded and what are your greatest needs?
A: PGIAA is funded by donations from alumni and occasional grants for special events from various groups. The association has no dues for membership and depends upon the kindness and generosity of its alumni and other organizations for its funding. Unlike large educational institutions, the association has no corporate sponsors or athletic organizations that provide assistance.
Our alumni span the world, not just the United States. Most of our alumni serve in human services-type work areas such as providing psychotherapy, teaching, writing, film, the arts, and various nonprofit work. Support of our alumni in their human services work is given by sponsoring local gatherings of alumni in the communities where they live and work and create stronger bonds to help them serve.
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your nonprofit?
A: If there are positive impacts of Covid-19, it has been the untiring dedication of our team (supporting those in need). While our funding decreased significantly, we have learned to be creative, consistent and effective in our ability to continue all of our programs.
Q: In what ways does your nonprofit utilize it’s funding?
A: PGIAA in partnership with Pacific Graduate Institute sponsors free public programs that anyone may attend. These programs include the very popular Pondering Peace Program that was dedicated to remembering victims of violence in communities around the world.
PGIAA maintains a robust website where alumni and the public can connect and that the public can participate. It sponsors many events promoting peace, social justice, the promotion of racial equality, community involvement, support of service organizations, such as fire response crews, disaster response crews, etc. In response to recent events such as the California fires and mudslides, shootings around the globe, hurricane destruction, and other events, our alumni community have come together to find ways to service and support their communities. Information regarding our various programs is available on our beautiful and informative website.
Q: What types of fundraisers and/or programs does your nonprofit run?
A: PGIAA’s annual events such as the Coming Home weekend program and our solicitation to our alumni are the main fundraisers. COVID-19 has had a detrimental financially impact to many alumni. Many of our members ceased the in-person services they provide and experienced hardships, similar to many others around the world (i.e., trying to find alternative ways to provide services, or stop completely).
Q: Describe the changes made to staffing models and internal operations due to COVID-19. Are there changes expected to last beyond the short term?
A: There are no employees in our nonprofit. The PGIAA Board of Directors, who work in partnership with our beloved Dianne Travis-Teague (Alumni Relations Director) are all volunteers and serve a defined term on the board and are non-paid. They give their time to the association pro-bono and serve on the board per its bylaws. The Pacifica Graduate Institute donates to the association by employing the Director of Alumni Relations who devotes her time in service to all Alumni and stewards PGIAA through direct service.
Q: What makes your nonprofit different from others?
A: Most of our alumni work in the helping professions as psychotherapists, teachers, writers, artists, musician, etc. Our graduate institute is small so we do not have the various sports teams or large corporate connections that universities depend on to fund their alumni organization. In addition, like all such alumni associations, not all alumni of our institute are able or willing to be an active member of our alumni association. We are dependent upon the generosity of good people.
Q: What is one best kept secret or fun fact about your nonprofit that not everyone knows?
A: Our alumni members thrive when helping others and live the Association’s motto, “Through Soul Community Thrives.” We cannot say that this is always fun or whether it is a best kept secret. What we do know is that helping others, whether in crisis or not, feels good. Perhaps that is our best-kept secret (though we’d appreciate it if it weren’t so secret!).
Click here to support the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association’s (PGIAA) mission to assist alumni from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in their efforts to better their communities.