What do you get when 101 people compete in field day events on behalf of 14 local nonprofit organizations? The Harrisburg Hoopla! Combining fun with philanthropy, this inaugural event raised $5,500 for local nonprofit organizations earlier this month.
The event gave participants a chance to relive memorable middle school days and compete in fun events such as potato sack race, three legged race, tug-o-war, and more. Everyone put aside adulting for the day and supported a great cause with fun events, live music by Big Hoax, and food/beverages from Kona Ice, Arooga’s, Popped Culture, Get Smok’d BBQ, and It’s all Greek to You.
“I had an absolute blast, and really liked how the event brought so many nonprofit organizations together. Can’t wait for next year!” said one participant.
Harrisburg Hoopla is an event of the Emerging Philanthropists Program (EPP), a partnership between The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP).
Each of the 14 teams that competed represented a local charity of their choice. The top three teams will be donating part of the event proceeds to their selected charity as follows:
- The Has Beens | Samara – The Center for Individual and Family Growth: $1,650
- BSSF | Capital Area Girls on the Run: $1,100
- Pigs Might Fly | Joshua Group: $550
The remaining $2,200 will go to the Emerging Philanthropist Program, funding annual grantmaking and next year’s Harrisburg Hoopla event.
“This event was a ton of fun! I will definitely be back next year!” quoted another competitor.
The goal of Harrisburg Hoopla is to unite the local community, boost our economy, and raise money for local nonprofit organizations through friendly track and field competitions.
About the Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP)
The “Harrisburg Hoopla” field day is an event founded by EPP. This program teaches young professionals the process and importance of grant making in the nonprofit community, while providing resources and educational opportunities for Harrisburg’s developing leaders who wish to be actively engaged in giving back to their community. The experience culminates with class members applying their newly learned community and grantmaking skills by awarding a grant to a nonprofit organization. Participants choose the funding area based on their community needs assessment. After a competitive grantmaking process, a one-time $5,000 grant is awarded to a local nonprofit organization. To date, the Emerging Philanthropist Program has granted $15,000 to local nonprofit organizations. The Emerging Philanthropist Fund is an endowment fund used to ensure the $5,000 awards become sustainable for future participants. Given the need in our communities, our long-term goal is to grow the award amounts and enable future participants to award grants to multiple organizations. Click here for more information on the Emerging Philanthropist Program. Click here to Like Harrisburg Hoopla on Facebook.
