December 16, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Caroline Carver
Director, Media & PR
(760) 583-1042
caroline.carver@philanthroproductions.org

PHILANTHRO PRODUCTIONS DONATES 100 PERCENT OF EVENT PROCEEDS TO PARTNER CHARITY FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE EVENT

Benefiting Upward Bound House, Philanthro’s First-Ever Social Mixer a Groundbreaking Success

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 16, 2008) – Philanthro Productions, a non-profit organization creating unique opportunities for young adults to engage in charitable giving, today announced results from its first-ever Wine and Cheese Social Mixer. The event raised awareness and funds for Upward Bound House (UBH), a non-profit that aims to eliminate homelessness among families with children in Los Angeles through housing, supportive services and advocacy. Philanthro raised over $3,200 and engaged 130 people at the intimate Duncan Miller Gallery in West Los Angeles, Calif. on December 4.

“This is the third straight event where we have donated 100 percent of event proceeds – ticket sales, raffle and donations – directly to our charity partner,” said Matt Lew, 26, CFO of Philanthro Productions. “Being able to donate the entirety of event revenues truly resonates with our target audience of young professionals, who value efficiency and transparency in the non-profit organizations they elect to support.”

Funds generated at the event will go to support UBH’s Adopt-an-Apartment program. Philanthro will purchase apartment furnishings for a family in transitional housing and organize volunteers to decorate the apartment early next year. Beginning in January, visit philanthroproductions.org for details on this opportunity.

“In addition to engaging young professionals with a great event, Philanthro brought awareness of Upward Bound House and homeless families in LA to an entirely new audience,” said David Snow, executive director of UBH. “We look forward to a continued relationship through our Adopt-an-Apartment program and beyond.”

Snow attended the Wine and Cheese Social as a special guest speaker and introduced Kimberly Valentine, a graduate of UBH’s Family Place Program who has now transitioned into a permanent job and home with her two children. In addition to educating patrons about UBH and offering a targeted networking opportunity, the event entertained with a charity raffle, open wine bar and cocktails, live DJ, and a stunning display of Chema Madoz's black and white photography.

For the first time ever, Philanthro has secured post-event donations for its partner charity – UBH will receive a portion of the gallery’s art sales as well as extra funding from Rundown.com as they receive new subscribers.

As its first event outside the Hollywood club scene, the mixer was a groundbreaking success for Philanthro Productions. Philanthro will continue with this momentum in the new year, developing new and unique opportunities for young adults to give back in 2009.

About Philanthro Productions (www.philanthroproductions.org):
Philanthro Productions is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to get more young adults involved in charity by hosting first-rate parties in partnership with leading non-profits. Philanthro's goal is to eliminate the trade-off for young adults between going out with friends and giving back by creating unique opportunities for charitable giving where there were none before.

About Upward Bound House (www.upwardboundhouse.org):
Upward Bound House is a community-based, social service agency located in Santa Monica, California. It is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1991 to help mitigate the affordable housing crisis on the Westside of Los Angeles County and specifically, its impact on two vulnerable populations: homeless families with minor children and very low-income seniors.