On this week’s episode, we are taking a break from our real estate focus as I interview Suzy Myers Jackson, who is the Executive Director of SparkYouth NYC (formerly The Catalog for Giving) a not-for-profit that supports the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC. I have been a proud board member of the organization for over 20 years. You will learn not only about the importance of giving back, but also how to ensure your gift makes the greatest impact. Suzy will also cover how she has grown the organization, which might give you some ideas on how to build your own business.

 

SparkYouth NYC was founded in 1994, inspired by the idea that donors would like to support the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC—local organizations that are transforming young lives. Over the years SparkYouth has funded and provided technical support to more than 75 emerging programs, which in turn have served thousands of young people with programming in arts, sports, academics, mentoring, technology and more. We ignite growth in community-based programs to expand opportunities for the young people of New York City. We believe that creating crucial opportunities for young people transforms lives. For over 25 years we have vetted and invested in the best emerging youth development programs. 94% of these programs continue to grow and thrive. We believe that NYC's children are its most precious resource. Investing in young people from under-resourced communities creates a better NYC for all of us.

 

Suzy was the longtime Executive Director of Opening Act, a theater-based youth development and social justice organization, where she grew the organization’s reach from 3 to 57 of NYC’s most high-need public schools, increased revenue by 80 fold, developed a national profile for the organization, and supported programmatic impact, becoming a leading organization in Social Emotional Learning outcomes. Suzy has developed multiple campaigns and professional development workshops that have been adopted and implemented by organizations across the country to raise funds, deepen relationships with key stakeholders, and apply the creativity and collaboration of the arts to build a thriving organizational culture. Her unique leadership style is centered around the improvisational tenet of YES AND, which encourages all members of a team to bring their best selves and most innovative ideas to the table, building off one another’s strengths to achieve a shared mission.

Suzy has been a featured speaker at Columbia and NYU, and a consultant for such organizations and corporations as Harlem Educational Activities Fund, HBO, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Youth INC, Brandworkers, STEM From Dance, and INCLUDEnyc.

For more information on SparkYouth NYC, please visit: https://www.sparkyouthnyc.org.