The PHILO Project

ies and neighborhood groups are now competing for attention with organizations that can afford the kind of high quality videography and editing that draws attention to their websites, helps them attain funding from foundations, corporations and individuals and provides absolutely essential content for crowdsourcing funders. But such professional video services are expensive; for small organizations such as local dance and theatre companies, fresh food distributors, literacy programs and the like, they are simply out of reach. That’s where The PHILO Project comes in. The PHILO Project is a not-for-profit organization serving the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware region that provides free professional video for small organizations that could otherwise never dream of affording such highly sophisticated services – video that may be used for fund-raising, brand awareness, internet outreach, crowdsourcing, and training. PHILO Project services include:

• Professional videography
• Video editing and Motion graphics
• Scripting
• Interviewing
• Voice-over
• Planning and consultation


HOW DOES PHILO WORK? Unlike other professional video services, PHILO is funded by foundations, corporations, and individuals. Such expenses as salaries, equipment, licenses, accounting and insurance are paid for through these funders so that PHILO can offer its high-end services to eligible organizations at no cost to the client. Once their eligibility requirements are met and their application is accepted, the process is completed in five simple steps:

1. PHILO meets with a representative from the organization to determine its needs, what kind of video they want and how they plan to use the finished product (fund raising, brand awareness, publicity, training, public service announcement, archival video, etc.). At this meeting, the client also receives sample releases for anyone appearing or speaking on camera.

2. At a mutually appointed time, PHILO goes to a determined site and shoots video and interviews. In some cases, this may involve more than one scheduled “shoot.”

3. Once the client has signed off on the script, PHILO edits the work. This includes voice over, titles, credits, music, and animation where applicable.

4. DELIVERY. The completed video piece is then submitted for basic final edits including proofing of graphics. Once the PHILO video is accepted, the client obtains full copyright and assumes legal responsibility for its contents. To avoid time bottlenecks and to make certain other organizations have a chance to participate in the PHILO program, client organizations agree that their videos will be completed with five to ten business days. What Are the PHILO Criteria? To become a client of The PHILO Project, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant is a Philadelphia area registered 501(c)3 or equivalent affiliated agency

• The applicant is involved in a truly charitable enterprise that aids and improves the larger community. Although the organizations PHILO serves is deliberately designed to be broad, just being a 501(c)3 does not automatically make an organization eligible. The decision to award PHILO services will largely depend on the organization’s mission. For instance, a private club may be a non-profit, but it may not necessarily help the underserved or disadvantaged. Just offering a few scholarships or having a few poor or minority students involved in a program is not enough to make a program eligible

• The applicant must submit a Federal Tax Form 990 or equivalent to determine financial requirements. This may be submitted either online or by mail


• The 990 must show that applicant has total revenues of not more than one million dollars per year (based on line 12 of the form 990)


• The applicant must submit a copy of their organization’s most recent operating budget


• Once a PHILO Project video is completed for a client, that client may not apply to PHILO again for two years from that date


In addition to the above criteria, perspective client organizations also agree to:

• Complete the video project within seven to ten business days

• Obtain any and all releases necessary, especially where minors are concerned


Not-for-profit organizations that MAY APPLY include:

• Agricultural organizations
• Dance companies
• Children’s advocates
• Education programs
• Environmental and sustainability organizations
• Feeding and food projects
• Health and disability organizations
• Historic and preservation organizations
• Housing and homeless advocates
• Music programs and ensembles
• Neighborhood organizations
• Non-partisan good-government groups
• Non commercial sports groups
• Theatre companies
• Veterans groups
• Visual arts organizations
• Youth programs

Other groups not involved in these activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Not-for-profit organizations that MAY NOT APPLY include:

• Colleges and universities
• Partisan political parties and entities
• Private businesses
• Private and parochial schools
• Religious organizations
• School districts (including individual and charter schools)
• Unions
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, religion or sexual orientation (PHILO guidelines are based on those of the City of Philadelphia). HOW MANY VIDEOS DOES PHILO PLAN TO PRODUCE EACH YEAR? As currently envisioned, PHILO will produce between 22 and 24 video projects for that same number of organizations per year. What will PHILO Project contributors be funding? Foundations, corporations and individuals contributing to PHILO will be funding the following:

• Salaries
• Development and outreach coordination
• Video, lighting, editing, and office equipment
• Equipment maintenance
• Insurance
• Legal services
• Accounting services
• Website construction and hosting
•Promotional materials
•Printing
• Community outreach

What Region Does PHILO Serve? To be eligible for The PHILO Project, the organization must be located in the Philadelphia region (sometimes referred to as the Delaware Valley).This includes Philadelphia and much of its five suburban counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Berks plus parts of South Jersey and Northern Delaware. The map on the website - http://www.philoproject.org/#!page3/cee5 - indicates which organizations fall within this region. Those INSIDE the blue circle qualify for application to PHILO. Those O

WHO ARE THE PHILO PROJECT PRINCIPALS? Gerald Kolpan, Chief Creative Officer

Gerald Kolpan has enjoyed success in several fields. As Features Reporter for WTXF - TV for over two decades, his work was seen throughout the Philadelphia region and worldwide on both the FNC and CNN news channels. Before coming to television, Gerald created articles for newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, the Milwaukee Journal, the Miami Herald and both the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. Beginning in 1979, Gerald gained national notice as a contributor to the National Public Radio news program All Things Considered. His witty commentaries and unique feature reports were favorite "kickers," often closing the nightly broadcast. His two novels, Etta (Random House, 2009) and Magic Words (Pegasus-W.W. Norton, 2012) have received critical acclaim from such diverse sources as Kirkus Reviews, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chicago Sun-Times and OK! Magazine. In 2014, Gerald will be a featured interviewee for a PBS American Experience documentary on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Gerald has earned numerous honors for his work, including 8 Middle Atlantic Emmy awards in such categories as best feature story, best feature series, best medical and science reporting and best television news writer. He has won Philadelphia Magazine's Best of Philly award and was chosen as a member of the Philadelphia Daily News TV Dream Team. He has also won awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association and the Associated Press. In more recent years, Gerald has turned his attention to video production and editing. He has worked on shooting, writing and/or editing assignments for such clients as the 422plus Project, which aimed to improve conditions along the Route 422 corridor, and numerous pieces for Rapid Learning Institute, an online business learning site. Most recently, Gerald shot, wrote, edited and produced four PHILO Project pilot videos for: Mighty Writers - the famed writing and literacy organization for children and teenagers; BalletX - Philadelphia’s premiere modern dance organization, and The Attic - the city’s premiere organization to aid LGBT youth, and the West Philadelphia Fresh Food Hub – that neighborhood’s mobile market

Beryl Rosenstock: PHILO Project Board Chair

Beryl Rosenstock has enjoyed a long and varied career in Philadelphia’s non-profit and cultural community. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Beryl has long been
a public relations consultant to many non profits,and has served as marketing and communications director for such institutions as The Philadelphia History Museum (formerly the Atwater Kent Museum); The National Museum of American Jewish History; The Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium; the International Business Consortium; The Business Owners and Managers Association of Chicago; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Prior to her career in the non-profit world, Beryl was an editor at both Random House and McGraw Hill in New York City. Beryl has also served on the boards of the Mid City YMCA; the Center City Residents Association and the Morris Animal Refuge

Bruce A. Schimmel, Board Member

Bruce Schimmel is a well-known philanthropist and publisher. A graduate of the University of Rochester, Bruce received his Masters degree in English Literature degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1981, he founded the Philadelphia City Paper, the city’s leading alternative newsweekly. Since selling the publication in 1996, Bruce has been an award-winning writer, public radio producer and educator, as well as a tireless activist for many Philadelphia-based community groups. He currently teaches writing, media production, and media/artist ethics at the University of the Arts, the Youth Study Center and the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts Bruce has been highly involved in many area non-profits including WXPN Radio, Youth Radio, Urban Nutrition Initiative, the Food Trust, Museum Without Walls and Laurel Hill Cemetery among others. He also established the Schimmel Fellowship for Innovative Journalism at his alma mater, the University of Rochester. Bruce also serves on the boards of Tree House Books, Philadelphia Dance Project and the Philadelphia Cable Access Corporation (PhillyCAM). Bruce has won numerous awards for his work from such organizations as the NFCB (Golden Reel), Public Radio News Directors Association, National Endowment for the Arts, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Keystone Newspaper Publishers, Delmarva Associated Press, and a Special Commendation for Arts Advocacy, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Denise Goren, Board Member

Denise Goren is a graduate of Simmons College in Boston and received her law degree from Temple University School of Law. Most recently, Denise was Vice President, Public Policy for Michael Baker Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering firms. Denise served as Deputy Mayor for Transportation, City of Philadelphia, in both the Wilson Goode and Ed Rendell administrations. She is nationally recognized as an expert on transportation issues. Erwin A. Carner, EdD, MSW, Board Member

Erwin Carner is a graduate of Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania. He has had a long career in both psychology and business, serving as Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University hospital and as a principal of Both Point Pleasant Management and Post Acute Partners, prominent companies in eldercare. A longtime resident of Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy section, Erwin is also the former Chairman of the Board of The Attic Youth Center, the region’s premiere center for LGBT youth and a PHILO Project client. David W.Brown, Board Member

David Brown is a graduate of Duquesne University and earned his Masters degree at Palmer Theological Seminary. David brings broad and varied experience to PHILO. He is currently Managing Director of The Marketing Collaborative: a non-profit advertising and public relations organization dedicated to strengthening other non-profits through creative marketing strategies. Prior to that position, David was Vice President of Marketing and Community Outreach for the United Heathcare Community Plan, Pennsylvania. David has vast experience in the media and advertising worlds. He was Board of Advisors Chairman of WURD Radio and has also worked for the STAR Group, Public/Private Ventures, Beach Adbertising, Inc. and Earle Palmer Brown & Spiro. He is also well known for his work in the community, serving on the boards of the After School Activities Partnership, Mighty Writers, Philadelphia Film Society, and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia. Joan S. Weiner, Board Member

Joan Weiner has been an educator and volunteer in Philadelphia for over 35 years. A librarian and information specialist, Joan received her undergraduate degree in history from Temple University and her Masters degree in Library Science from Drexel University. Joan served as a public school librarian and information specialist for the School District of Philadelphia, first at Roberto Clemente Middle School and then at Benjamin Franklin High School. For over twenty years, Joan has been a volunteer baker MANNA, the Philadelphia area non-profit that provides nutrition for citizens with disabilities and chronic illness. The PHILO Project Advisory Council

Erwin Carner, Ph.D: Cambridge Management Co. (retired)

Barbara Chandler Allen: Fresh Artists

Thom Cardwell – Philadelphia Film Alliance

Larry Ceisler: Principal, Ceisler Media

Dominic Colaizzo: National Chairman, Aon Insurance Risk Solutions Practice

Charles Hardy III, Ph.D.: Professor of History, West Chester University

Annette John-Hall: Writer and former Metro Columnist, Philadelphia Inquirer

Roger C. LaMay: General Manager, WXPN Radio, University of Pennsylvania


WHAT IS PHILO'S NON-PROFIT STATUS? The PHILO Project achieves its non-profit status through The Culture Trust Greater Philadelphia; a Pennsylvania registered 501(C)3, which serves as PHILO’s fiscal agent. The Culture Trust Greater Philadelphia serves organizations of all sizes and disciplines, in addition to individual artists and entrepreneurs active in arts, heritage, and creative fields within Greater Philadelphia. THE PHILO PROJECT MISSION STATEMENT

The PHILO Project provides professionally shot, lighted, written and edited video free of charge for small non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area that could otherwise never afford them.