PARSA: Empowering Iranian-Americans, supporting Persian arts and culture, and building a better future for all

Payvand.com - What is your favorite Iranian-American organization? What Persian cultural event have you participated and appreciated in the last few years? Which cultural cause is very important to you?

Did you know that one particular group, PARSA Community Foundation, has played a big role in supporting Iranian-American groups and activities in the past few years? In fact, according to a report published in September 2009, PARSA has granted over one million dollars since its inception in 2006!

PARSA Community Foundation Hits One Million Dollar Grant Mark

REDWOOD CITY (September 29, 2009) - PARSA Community Foundation reached a historic milestone this week: it passed the one million dollar mark in grants. From summer camps that support Iranian-American youth leadership to cultural programs that promote the rich historical and artistic legacy of Persia, from documentary films that explore motherhood in Iran to organizations that support civic participation in America, PARSA CF has funded, supported, and nurtured a diverse range of organizations dedicated to promoting Persian culture and supporting Iranian-Americans. The historic million dollar milestone has been reached through its competitive semi-annual grants program and donor advised fund grants. (read more)

PARSA Community Foundation

Annual Awards 2009: Tickets on Sale! Sunday, October 18 at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay

On October 18, PARSA Community Foundation will hold the Light the Way, the 2009 annual awards ceremony honoring the Volunteerism and presenting Action Award and Philanthropist of the Year Award recipients. This event is also dedicated to the Iranian-American children who are engaged in community services.

Tickets are now on sale at City Box Office! Please click here to purchase tickets.

MC: Yara Shahidi, actress
Performance: Tara Kamangar, pianist and composer

4:00 – 5:00 pm Refreshments
5:00 – 7:00 pm Program

PARSA has contributed to many organizations devoted to empowering Iranian-Americans, supporting Persian arts and culture, and building a better future for all.

While PARSA has been providing critical funding and support for various organizations and programs, most Iranian-Americans may not know about this great organization, since PARSA's contributions may not be directly visible. But without PARSA's grants, many of these programs may not have been possible.

PARSA Community Foundation is inclusive to the global Iranian and Persian language-speaking community, and it provides grants to nonprofit charitable organizations for work in:

PARSA's goal is to bring Iranian-American donors and grant seekers together, and to fund projects that will serve the interests of the community. The grants are awarded semiannually, through a formal application and review process, during Norooz and Mehregan grant cycles.

In the past few years over 40 organizations have received grants from PARSA including the following:

PARSA's annual awards ceremony is being held on October 18 in San Francisco. This event Light The Way: Our Children Today, Our Guides Tomorrow is dedicated to recognizing Iranian-American youth volunteers.

PARSA will be celebrating the service and volunteerism of the next generation. Most of our kids are involved in community service of some kind. They represent the force for good that we need to project from our community. They are the shining lights that will transform our community into a powerful one. It's their work that will define what the larger community thinks of Iranian-Americans and what we have contributed to America.

PARSA's October event offers an excellent opportunity for recognizing our young generation while becoming familiar with PARSA's work and offering our support to this fine foundation. Hope to see you there!