PARSA's Gala Celebration of Persian Heritage and Philanthropy Helps
Fund Grants for Arts, Culture, Education and Civic Integration
SAN
FRANCISCO (October 31st, 2007) - The PARSA Community Foundation
announced that $599,000 in funds for U.S. arts, leadership and civic
integration organizations was raised at its inaugural gala celebration
of Persian heritage and philanthropy. The spectacular PARSA CF event,
held in Atherton, California, also honored contributions to and by the
Persian community. The Volunteerism and Action Award was awarded to
Simone Otus Coxe of the Pluralism Fund, and the Philanthropist of the
Year Award was presented to Ali Saberioon, CEO of Sabco Oil and Gas
Corporation.
"We
are extremely pleased with the support PARSA CF has received as a new
foundation," said Noosheen Hashemi, founder and chairman of PARSA CF.
"Our goals are to enable collaborative giving for strategic
philanthropy and to encourage active civic participation by the Persian
community in the U.S. PARSA allows us to honor our Persian heritage
and give back to the country in which we now live."
The
Persian-themed event was enlivened by a star-studded roster of guests,
including prominent Iranologist Richard Nelson Frye, Yahoo! co-founder
David Filo, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Academy Award-winning
actress, director and producer Goldie Hawn. Equally impressive was the
list of honorary co-chairs: Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Senator Dianne
Feinstein, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Tom Lantos, San
Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad, San
Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris, and well-known San
Francisco philanthropists Ann and Gordon Getty.
The blending of
Persian heritage and modern diaspora culture and philanthropic
practices was evident throughout the gala with colorful displays
including typical Persian and fusion cuisine, a traditional wedding
display, Persian rugs, modern interpretations of traditional dancing
and Persian cats. A live auction followed the cocktail reception and
gourmet dinner with all proceeds benefiting PARSA CF's platform and its
grantees, which, in the past, have included Iranian Alliances Across
Borders, National Iranian American Council, The Oriental Institute of
the University of Chicago, and Promises Films.
PARSA CF is the
first Persian community foundation in the world. PARSA CF's mission is
to increase philanthropic activity within the Persian diaspora.
Combining Persian traditions of charity with cutting edge philanthropic
practices, PARSA CF encourages strategic giving and active civic
participation through education, tax-efficient vehicles, and
recognition of community service. PARSA CF awards semi-annual grants
to enterprising non-profits in the United States focused on
preservation and advancement of arts and culture, leadership
development, and civic integration.
Volunteerism and Action
honoree Simone Otus Coxe is the board president of the Pluralism Fund,
a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the development of
pluralistic civil societies in majority Muslim countries, in particular
Iran. For five years Ms. Coxe and the Pluralism Fund have worked
tirelessly to bring greater cultural awareness to causes of human
rights and civil society in Iran. Ms. Coxe resides with her family in
Palo Alto.
Ali Saberioon, president and chief executive
officer of Sabco Oil and Gas Corp., a Houston-based exploration and
production company, was honored with PARSA CF's first annual PARSA
Philanthropist of the Year Award, which is given to a member of the
community who has made significant contributions to the Iranian
American community as well as to the community at large and who engages
in innovative philanthropy with substantial voluntary and financial
commitments. Mr. Saberioon's contributions over the years have been
broad and varied and include a $10 million medical relief grant to the
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, active
involvement as a board member of the Asia Society, and prominent
leadership in various Persian organizations.
"The global
Persian diaspora is estimated at four million people, most of whom have
left the homeland in the past 30 years in search of civic freedom and
opportunities for self-actualization," noted PARSA founder Hashemi.
"We have the great privilege to create a philanthropic legacy for our
generation to take all our blessings -- our intellect, our
entrepreneurism, our creativity --and turn them into a perpetual force
for good. We are very gratified that PARSA CF and our inaugural gala
have begun to shine a light on the ancient Persian values of tolerance,
charity and hospitality."
About
PARSA Community
Foundation:
PARSA
Community Foundation is the first Persian community foundation in the
United States and the leading Persian philanthropic institution
practicing strategic philanthropy and promoting social entrepreneurship
around the globe. Managing the largest independent endowment fund
dedicated to Persian philanthropy, PARSA CF provides tax-advantaged
vehicles to donors and makes grants to nonprofit organizations. PARSA
CF provides a platform to enable collaborative giving, philanthropic
education and purposeful networking. The organization is a
nonpartisan, nonreligious, and nonprofit, registered as a 501(c) (3)
entity in the United States. PARSA Community Foundation does not make
grants in Iran. www.parsacf.org
