GenerationOn Supports Growth Plan by Hiring Veteran Development Head
Matthew Shapiro will lead enhanced fundraising for youth division of Points of Light Institute

New York City (Mar. 24, 2011) – generationOn, the national and global youth service movement launched by Points of Light Institute in October, has named Matthew W. Shapiro as its first Vice President, Development.  With over 20 years combined experience in consumer brand marketing and fundraising, he will lead efforts  to secure the increased revenue that generationOn needs to empower millions of young people to use their creativity, energy, and passion to solve real-world problems through volunteerism and service.

Shapiro comes to generationOn after 17 years in fundraising, the last ten focused on corporate-nonprofit partnerships.  Most recently, he was Senior Director, Business Development for United Way of New York City, where he expanded partnerships to include program support, fee for service, and public event underwriting, including American Express support for BoardServeNYC and Skanska as title sponsor of Bridge Walk.    

This fundraising work is complemented by seven years managing top consumer brands including Lysol, Lender’s, and Navy fragrances.  As a brand manager, Shapiro pioneered Lysol’s sponsorship of the national tour of an exhibition on microbes for children’s science museums and Lender’s role as official breakfast food of the New York City Marathon.  

GenerationOn serves as the national youth and education arm of Points of Light Institute and brings together, under one banner, the expertise of Children for Children, the LEAGUE, Kids Care Clubs, and Learning to Give .  It includes over 1,500 Kids Care Clubs and thousands of schools in all 50 states and around the world.  Its interactive Web site generationon.org includes programs, ideas, tools, and hands-on opportunities for kids to learn about the issues in their communities and become part of the solution to local challenges.  The Hasbro Children’s Fund is supporting the generationOn movement with a gift of more than $5 million over the next five years, the single largest commitment the Fund has made at one time to an initiative.

“Matt’s experience generating revenue growth in the business and nonprofit sectors makes him an excellent choice to help generationOn achieve its goals,” said Christopher Caruso, Executive Director of generationOn. “We look forward to his strategic leadership for this important movement.”

“I am thrilled to be joining generationOn and working to increase support for an organization with such a compelling mission,” said Shapiro.  “Research shows that engaging children in community service and service-learning helps reduce high-school dropout rates, increases school attendance and promotes civic engagement.”

Shapiro has also held fundraising positions with the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Newberry Library.  Shapiro holds a B.A. in history from Williams College and an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Chicago Booth Business School.  He lives in Manhattan with his wife and their two children, who attend public school.

Contact:  Kienan Lacey, (212) 850-4170, klacey@generationon.org

About Points of Light Institute

Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. The Institute has a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share the mission: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator, which includes generationOn and AmeriCorps Alums.  For more information, please visit www.PointsofLight.org. 

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