We build Events & Initiatives from the Ground Up

It's been 8 years since working with you, and first I'm appreciative that our paths crossed. During my time with Earp events, I was a jack of all trades from doing data entry of receipts, pulling together reports, and also dialing away at donor lists to see if folks wanted to come to the event. After my time in the Bay I spent the next several years in New York City as the Data Manager for the NYC Central Labor Council, and while New York is an amazing and wonderful city, I did miss the Bay Area. Eventually, I left both my job and the city in the hopes of joining a presidential campaign. Fate and the universe however had other plans, and after a few wrong turns I ended up back in Tennessee. Currently, I'm the National Data Manager for Faith in Action (formerly PICO) and looking forward to travelling the world and the seven seas when everything returns to normal.

Forest Barnes worked at Earp Events & Fundraising Fall 2016 as a fresh graduate from Cal. During his time working with Laurie he worked on many political campaigns and is most proud of his work with Jesse Arreguin and AC Transit. He also assisted with events for organized labor, including on the Contra Costa Labor to Labor Dinner and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council's Holiday Luncheon. After his time at Earp Events & Fundraising, Forest earned his Masters at UCLA in Urban Planning. He has worked at the California Bicycle Coalition promoting safe biking in the Central Valley in his hometown of Bakersfield. Now Forest is back in the Bay Area as a Transportation Planner with the SFMTA working with the taxi industry and ensuring accessible mobility options for older adults and people with disabilities. He is now a proud union member himself and is grateful for the time he spent at Earp Events & Fundraising working with and on behalf of those who seek a Just & Compassionate Society.

Meher worked for Earp Events & Fundraising as a Junior in UC Berkeley, taking her first deep dive into the world of campaign fundraising and event planning. During her year at Earp Events, Meher worked on a variety of events and campaigns, including the re-election of Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb and events with the Building and Trades Union of Contra Costa County.

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After Earp Events & Fundraising, Meher worked at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights in the San Francisco Bay Area, as a Development and Communications Associate, where many of the lessons learned at EEF came in handy. After LCCR SF, Meher moved to the Equal Justice Society in Oakland, where she works as the Civil Rights Program Associate. At EJS, her notable work includes a national convening on Voter Suppression and work on the Proposition 16 campaign in California.

I was part of Laurie's team between 2013-2015. The experience was different every day: Outreach phone calls, event set-up, coordination, on-site assistance, strategic thought-partnering--the list goes on! Today, I am a Director of Development at the University of California, Merced in the School of Natural Sciences. I connect donors, community members, and alumni to UC Merced. I facilitate and develop pathways for our supporters to contribute to the university in ways that are most meaningful to them.

I had the pleasure to fundraise for political candidates and ballot initiatives across the Bay Area during the 2018 elections with Earp Events & Fundraising. In those months, I was spending time out of the office either working in food service, saving for the coming year or filling out applications for Masters programs. During my time at Earp Events, I learned not only the technical and managerial aspects of event-planning and fundraising, but also how to work with dignity, joy and appreciation for myself, and for all of the people actively making their communities more equitable and just. Currently, I am approaching the final stages of my Master's thesis (which is on the removal of public transit fares during the pandemic), planning for the coming year, and making sure I build upon what I learned working with Laurie.

Joanna worked with Laurie in the late 90s to 2002, taking a break to raise her daughter. Joanna returned on a part-time basis from approximately 2005 to 2007, then went to work for Bay Area Legal Aid. She continues to help with events on an "as-needed" basis and enjoys the day-of event work the most! During her years with Laurie, Joanna worked in three different office locations, helped with political fundraising campaigns, fundraisers and anniversary events for labor, performing arts, housing and community development non-profits and many more. It is impossible to choose one favorite client or event because they have ALL been fabulous in their own way, with the common denominator being FUN!

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Joanna is now working as a credentialed Adult Education instructor, teaching ESL to immigrants, but is always willing to step in to help Laurie with an event or two! Mazal tov on 25 years of incredible work - pleased and proud to have been part of your amazing history, Laurie!

During my time with Earp Events & Fundraising, I worked alongside passionate organizations and individuals to bring awareness and resources to increase their impact on society. It was also an invaluable professional development opportunity as I learned the inner-workings of event planning and fundraising through a social justice lens. 

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Currently, I am with the San Diego Housing Commission as a Project Manager. I work with stakeholders to ensure strategic initiatives, such as the City’s strategic plan to address homelessness, are on track to accomplish its vision and goals. 

Guy interned with Earp Events & Fundraising in the summer of 2013 alongside Laurie and Nancy. In addition to helping prepare multiple fundraisers, Guy focused on revamping the company website and social media platforms. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he transitioned to the retail apparel industry, where he is a current Product Merchandiser for Banana Republic. Managing product strategy/development of the men's clothing line, Guy values the project management skills and attention to detail he garnered from his time at Earp Events & Fundraising.

I interned as an associate/staff during my freshman year in college from September 2019 - February 2020 which was 6 months. During my time at Earp Events, I learned and helped with logistics, communications, and in-person events. At the office, I processed invoices, transmittals, remittance letters, and updated our NationBuilder & NGP client database. I also searched for and called past, current, and potential (financial and in-kind) donors and participants. At the events, I helped set-up and manage the registration tables as well as take-down. My two favorite things while working at Earp Events was learning about the accomplishments of non-profits or political figures at the events and coming home with leftovers food or bouquets!

As an Associate at Earp Events & Fundraising, I helped to plan and organize numerous events and political fundraisers for local organizations, political campaigns, and charities, such as Dan Kalb for City Council, Barbara Lee for Congress, Sierra Club's David Brower Dinner, and more. I frequently updated our databases with potential clients and donors, and followed-up with future events and fundraisers. Although many of our events went virtual this year, I was able to attend the Alameda Labor Council's Unionist of the Year Dinner, as well as countless Zoom fundraisers for our clients. Currently, I'm a 3rd year Sociology student at the University of California San Diego

During my time at Earp Events & Fundraising I worked as an intern. With this role I got first-hand experience engaging with the complexities of event planning and fundraising for non-profits, local electoral campaigns and candidates, and progressive causes. I made hundreds of phone calls, sent mailings, input data, filed funds, worked events, researched, and learned under the dynamic leadership of Laurie Earp, one of the most energetic, determined, and warm people I’ve come across. Through the job experience I found deep value in consistent, open communication and attained transferable, organizational skills. Nowadays, I am finishing my last semester at UC Berkeley and have had the honor of leading the Blog department at the Daily Californian in addition to facilitating classes about purpose  — I was inspired to take up these positions after gaining the skills I did while at Earp Events & Fundraising.