Summer Institute for Authentic Learning and Leadership

Bridget Tharp is Chief Advancement Officer at The PAST Foundation. Bridget leads fundraising strategy and relationship building for the organization. She joined PAST in 2026 after 12 years of experience in fundraising and strategic communications. Before PAST, her work included fundraising roles for various education and human service nonprofits such as Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Columbus College of Art & Design, and BGSU. She most recently led a fundraising team for the former nonprofit, Columbus Speech & Hearing.

She holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from University of Toledo and BS in Journalism with a minor in Women's Studies from Bowling Green State University. 

Bridget is a foster parent and a current board member of Alicia's Closet, a free store and support community for foster and kinship families. She is a former board member of The Contemporary Theater of Ohio (CATCO) and See Kids Dream, a service-learning program that prepares youth to be community philanthropists. When she isn't working, you can find her at a community event with her partner, sewing, backpacking, or supporting her kids' Cub Scout unit.