Name: Jim Pitofsky
Title: Director of Education
Organization: Arizona Community Foundation

Vital Stats: 43; Born in New Rochelle, NY; Married with one son, and another son arriving very soon!

First or Most Interesting Job: First job was when I was 7 and I regularly cleaned out ashtrays at a shoe store for a dime. My most interesting ALMOST job, was when I was 9 - I auditioned to play Phillip Spaulding on the soap opera, "The Guiding Light". I got the part, and then the woman who was to play my mom got a movie role, and the new mom no longer looked like me. So, I lost the job before it started. Kevin Bacon eventually played the role! But, as my wife says, "Six Degrees of Jim Pitofsky" just doesn't have the same ring to it! My two fun, off-the-beaten-path "jobs" were when I sang in Will Smith's "The Pursuit of Happyness" (you can spot me for a millisecond when they pan through a gospel choir), and when I toured Europe as a tennis coach of U.S. ranked junior players who were playing some of Europe's best players. In both cases, I felt so lucky to be there, and I can't believe they paid me anything.

Hobbies/Favorite Pastime: I love music and I love to sing; I'm a news junkie; I love to travel (but that happens less now with a 2-year-old); I cut coupons regularly; I have played tennis most of my life; and I LOVE doing anything with my family.

Your Path to Philanthropy: My path to philanthropy has been an unexpected one, because I was sure I was going to be a lawyer. I completed my Public Interest Law degree at Georgetown, and I realized that if I wanted to stay true to my ideals, I would have to raise money for my salary at a public interest law organization. I learned of the Echoing Green Foundation, which provides seed capital and technical assistance to social entrepreneurs. When I learned that they accept proposals addressing any social change issue, I surprised myself a little by proposing the creation of an education organization, rather than a law-related one. The organization I started as an Echoing Green Fellow named IDEALS became vastly bigger than I expected - it was adopted by a national organization, our pilot site was singled out by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a service-learning model, and we provided statewide trainings on systemic reforms at the school and district levels throughout the country. I was loving my work, and then the Echoing Green Foundation called and asked me to serve as their Vice President, leading the support for all the social entrepreneurs world-wide. Later, I felt honored to be the first former Fellow to lead the Foundation, as the Acting President, for more than a year. While there, I also served on the initial Board for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Since then, I have led or have served as the #2 for other national and local non-profits, mostly around education, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and corporate and community engagement.

Favorite Quote or Motto: "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

Organization Spotlight:

Name: Arizona Community Foundation

The Arizona Community Foundation and its affiliates network form a partnership of donors, nonprofit organizations and the community working together to support community needs. While most funds support charitable activities in Arizona, grants can be made nationally as well. The Arizona Community Foundation was started over 30 years ago.

The ACF story is a good-news story about generous donors, the many nonprofit organizations which benefit from our grants and our dedication to making life better in the communities we serve. Gifts to ACF represent the strength and generosity of many people working together. This includes individuals and families, businesses, private foundations and other charitable organizations.

The mission of the Arizona Community Foundation is:

To build a legacy of giving that empowers and aligns philanthropic interests with community needs.

To do this, we will:

 ° Always be deserving of the trust of those we serve.
 ° Encourage the growth of philanthropy.
 ° Foster a culture of collaboration.
 ° Provide expertise in identifying Arizona's philanthropic needs and facilitate giving.

In the tradition of community foundations everywhere, each year ACF awards millions of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations, government agencies and educational institutions. Grants cover a wide range of focus areas including arts, culture and humanities; community, neighborhood and economic development; education and scholarships; health and human services; environment and species protection; law, justice and public safety; and scientific research. While most grants are made in Arizona to serve local community needs, grants may be made nationally as well for the betterment of our nation.

To learn more about the Arizona Community Foundation and its history, click here.