Karen Spiro
Karen Spiro’s broad experience in special events, corporate sponsorship, individual giving and marketing has benefited a wide range of nonprofit organizations, providing her with a wide-range of contacts and connections as a long-time participant in Philadelphia’s arts and culture scene.Combining her skills in fundraising and event production, Karen founded EVENTures in 1993 in order to help nonprofit and corporate organizations plan, market and fundraise through a variety of events and programs. Her particular interest in partnerships between the profit and nonprofit sectors led Karen to study corporate sponsorship with IEG and to learn the best ways that companies can partner with nonprofits and their causes for mutual benefit.With a comprehensive background and interest in the spheres of art, design, health care and business, Karen has maintained a long and successful career. She is known for producing several successful Beaux Arts Balls – one of Philadelphia’s premier annual fundraising events – which raised funds for the Foundation for Architecture. Her understanding of the potential for special events to promote an organization’s mission and goals is at the core of her ability to move from concept to delivery, executing the event plan while working with board members, volunteers and staff and managing vendors and venues.Karen recently completed a two-year project to mark the 150th anniversary of the Philadelphia Zoo. Other projects that have profited from Karen’s ability to integrate event planning, marketing and fundraising include: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Kids Come First Summit, which focused on the transformation of children’s health care, and the centennial celebration/fundraiser for the South Philadelphia High School Alumni Association.She is an active member of the board of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and has been affiliated with Philadelphia Mural Arts and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, among other organizations.Karen studied at New York University and Philadelphia College of Art, now a school of the University of the Arts. She also holds a degree in nursing from Community College of Philadelphia. “I feel equipped to handle anything an event throws at me.” Karen also manages an art consulting firm, Primarily Portraits, that specializes in matching portrait subjects and artists in a congenial atmosphere.