News about grants, gifts
During its December meeting, board members of the Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, approved community grants totaling $236,000 in the final round of funding for 2015.
Nineteen organizations received $180,000 in grants from the Lake County Community Fund, including Calumet Astronomical Society, Campagna Academy, Down Syndrome Association of NWI, Dunes Learning Center, Girls on the Run of NWI, Hessville Commerce and Community Creative, South Shore Arts, Stewart House Urban Farm and Garden, and Volunteers of America of Indiana.
Five service agencies received grants totaling $22,500 
from the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls as part of the twelfth cycle of its award-winning girls grantmaking program. Through the Girls Advisory Board, the fund educates a new generation of young women about the importance of philanthropy, community service, and the positive difference each girl can make in the lives of others.
McDonald Hearing Aid Center has awarded over $100,000 in hearing devices to local heroes. The 20 recipients were nominated by family members, friends, and neighbors because of the tremendous contributions they have made to their communities.
GameStop has collected $2.8 million in support of the annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign.
As part of its ongoing commitment to support education and prepare U.S. students for later academic success, Hyundai Motor America expanded its partnership with MIND Research Institute with a $1.0 million commitment. These funds will support the Hyundai ST Math Initiative, benefiting approximately 50 additional schools by 2018.
News about people, groups
The Rasmuson Foundation has elected Jason Metrokin as a member of its Board of Directors, and reorganized its management team, resulting in the promotions of Sammye Pokryfki, Aleesha Towns-Bain, and Cassandra Stalzer, as well as the hire of Deborah Bitney.
To culminate the organization’s 35th anniversary year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) visited the New York Stock Exchange on December 30, 2015, to ring the NYSE Opening Bell. Attendees included MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church and MADD New York volunteers and staff.
Gina Ross Murdoch has joined the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) as President and CEO. She will lead MSAA in their strategic growth, programmatic expansion, and corporate development efforts.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation will host a luncheon, Better Together 2016, with entrepreneur Daymond John on Feb. 15. John is coming to the Gulf Coast to share the story of how he honed his own entrepreneurial mindset and to offer insights on transforming a good idea into lasting success that leaves a mark on the community.
News about opportunities, initiatives
Catholic Charities USA will host a national webinar with Corporation for National Service’s Senior Corps program staff on Jan. 11th. The focus will be on integrating evidence-based programming into Senior Corps work.
The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy will host a webinar focusing on non-cash donations on Tuesday, Jan. 19th.
The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is accepting applications from nonprofits for its annual Service Week program. During Omega Service Week, the institute provides fellow nonprofits working across the spectrum of social, economic, and environmental issues with 2-day, 2-night self-led working retreats on Omega’s campus in Rhinebeck, New York.
Melanoma Foundation of New England, a non-profit aimed at reducing the incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now offering cities, non-profits, and private businesses the opportunity to obtain weather resistant, low maintenance sunscreen dispensing units for the benefit of their communities. This sunscreen distribution program, called Practice Safe Skin, offers an effective preventive measure to help visitors avoid sun over-exposure in public and private recreation areas including playgrounds, ski areas, beaches, civic buildings and amusement parks.
On Monday, January 18th, through the Music National Service Initiative and with support from volunteers at Google, Smule, Plus 1, and CNCS, people across the country will honor Dr. King’s message with positive action through music. Music National Service Initiative invites all to sing with friends by downloading their MLK song list or Smule’s “Sing!Karaoke” app.
Registration is now open for the Vermont Climate Economy Summit: IDEAS to ACTION which will be held on Feb. 22 in Randolph, VT. Participants will review a platform developed by the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council and consider action to create jobs, build national reputation, and attract young people to Vermont.
MobileCause will host its “Rapid Response Fundraising” webinar on Wed., Jan. 13th. The webinar will teach nonprofit leaders the best practices for effective multi-channel fundraising.
If you are interested in having your organization’s news announced in the next News Bits, please send announcements or press releases to news@philanthropyjournal.com.
