HUNT was born October 6, 2016 on Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking the East River and Manhattan. We drive revenue to non-profit organizations, host live appeals and auctions, and consult on ways to skyrocket fundraising. Our philosophy is value driven, mission based, and donor centric. Making a difference is necessary. HUNT Philanthropy donates a percentage of yearly revenue to organizations that are meaningful to us.
LUCAS HUNT is our President, lead consultant, and a celebrated American poet. He graduated from World Wide College of Auctioneering, has a Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation from the National Auctioneer’s Association, and has helped raise hundreds of millions for hundreds of organizations since 2011. Lucas loves velvet.
ANNIE PHAOSAWASDI is our Creative Director, a fundraising host, and Harvard graduate with rigorous training in design, landscape, and architecture. She handles business development, marketing and visuals, virtual and hybrid productions. She serves on the board of a non-profit that promotes design and environmental awareness through mentorship and outreach. Annie is our Vanna.
PAUL FLOREZ-TAYLOR is our Head Auctioneer, a consultant, and a graduate of World Wide College of Auctioneering. His affable and extroverted personality creates an authentic and exciting atmosphere—which helps shatter fundraising goals at galas. Paul is a widely published author, and has held sales and editorial positions at Marvel, Alyson Books, Hachette and HarperCollins. Paul likes fencing.
RASHAD SMITH is a fundraising host and Brooklyn native, who recognizes the power of community, and wants to share it with his generation. He serves as Vice President of his block association. Rashad’s community building has extended to non-profit work in Harlem. His fondest role was mentoring high school students on the intricacies of finance and entrepreneurship through the NASP-NY Fast Track program. Rashad spots celebrities.
JOE FORISH is a fundraising host who played sports and went to summer camp thanks to non-profit organizations. Joe serves on the board of a non-profit that gives children the opportunity to experience teamwork, leadership, and
nature through sports. He likes to work with organizations that give disadvantaged children a better opportunity to create lifelong memories. Joe knows finance.
RACHEL STERNLICHT is a fundraising host, and New York transplant from a small New England fishing town. Her background spans both Renaissance dramaturgy and wealth management operations, with many archipelagos in between. She is passionate about nonprofit fundraising, especially in education and the arts, and approaches all causes in need with curiosity, compassion, and conviction. Rachel runs rooms.
TIMBERLY WHITFIELD is a fundraising host who grew up in Africa, and hosted the award-winning TV series New Morning. Timberly was a programming executive and producer for A&E, holds a Masters from Columbia’s School of Journalism, and served as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. She is currently Chief Creative Officer of Tovah Time Productions, writing and developing projects for TV. Timberly loves laughing.
Select Clients
FOOD, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT: Volunteers of America, Habitat for Humanity, Bowery Mission, DOE Fund, Back on My Feet, Wellness in the Schools, SUS, Global Good Fund.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Teach for America, Save the Children, Big Brothers Big Sisters, New York Edge, CEI, Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, NY Junior Tennis and Learning.
FAMILY SERVICES: Make a Wish, Children’s Aid, Heartshare, Help Us Adopt, Family Services Westchester, Children’s Hope India, NY Junior League, JCCA, Gigi’s Playhouse, Bancroft.
HOSPITALS AND HEALTH: St. Jude, David Lynch Foundation, Southampton Hospital, JED Foundation, Hudson River Healthcare, Harboring Hearts, Newport Mental Health.
MEDICAL RESEARCH: American Cancer Society, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, National MS Society, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation.
SCHOOLS: Calhoun, Friends Seminary, Metropolitan Montessori, Chelsea Day, Harvey School, Garden Academy, Franklin Lakes Education Foundation, Delbarton, PG Chambers.
HIGHER EDUCATION: Columbia University, United Negro College Fund, Fashion Scholarship Fund, Marymount Manhattan, CUNY, Latino U College Access, Bard, SUNY Maritime.
MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES: Museum of African American History, Chicago Children’s Museum, ICP, Exploratorium, Katonah Museum of Art, MOFAD, Untermeyer Gardens.
ARTS & CULTURE: Dramatists Guild Foundation, American Repertory Ballet, Irish Arts Center, Poetry Society of NY, Florida Grand Opera, Aspen Institute, Word Without Borders.
THEATER AND MUSIC: The New Group, TFANA, Shakespeare on the Sound, Acting Company, 2nd Stage, Kaufman Music Center, National Sawdust, Third Street Music School.
ADVOCACY: RFK Human Rights, CASA, Mobilization for Justice, Immigrant Justice Corp, Equality California, PFLAG, Stonewall Community, Womankind, The Asia Foundation.
ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMALS: Outward Bound, Fresh Air Fund, World Science Festival, BK Bridge Park, Hudson River Park, Global Wildlife, Zoo Tampa, Wolf Conservation Center.
INTERNATIONAL: Charlize Theron Africa Outreach, Team Rubicon, World Bicycle Relief, Smile Train, Pedro Martinez Foundation, Yamba Malawi, Global Good Fund, Caritas Cubana.
JEWISH AND FAITH: Friends of Museums in Israel, 92nd Street Y, JCC Mid-Westchester, St. Ignatius Loyola, Urban Promise, St. Paul’s Catholic, Cristo Rey, Montfort Academy.
CORPORATE: CBS, Delta Airlines, Samsung, Heinekin, Interscope Records, Jameson.
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