News about grants, gifts
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation awarded 125 grants last year totaling $5.4 million. The Foundation provides vital support for our region through its funding for community health center clinics, nursing education, community organizations and targeted initiatives aimed at improving the lives and health of area residents, especially the underserved.
Kohl’s Department Stores is donating $100,000 towards flood relief efforts in Texas and Oklahoma. Kohl’s is providing this donation to the American Red Cross, which is delivering much-needed emergency supplies and services in the impacted areas. In recognition of volunteer hours, Kohl’s will donate additional corporate grants to the nonprofit organizations being supported by Kohl’s associates.
CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange has awarded 391 Global Navigator scholarships totaling more than $1.6 million to high school students to study abroad in summer 2015, the program’s pilot year. The student scholarship recipients, known as Global Navigators, will each take part in one of the 30 four-week language, culture, and leadership programs this summer in one of 16 locations around the world.
Global cosmetics company, Revlon, presented a $1 million donation to Dr. Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, at a June 3rd luncheon celebrating his achievements in cancer research and improving women’s health.
Arizona Milk Producers, in partnership with United Dairymen of Arizona, Shamrock Farms and the D-backs, plan to donate nearly 15,000 gallons of milk to families in need through the Great American Milk Drive. United Dairymen of Arizona will be making a large donation of more than 13,000 gallons of milk, which makes their total donation to Arizona food banks more than 25,000 gallons in two years.
Stan Ross and his wife, Joan “Jodi” Ross, supporters of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, culminate in a multi-million gift to advance research across the entire spectrum of brain health at Ohio State’s Neurological Institute. Pending approval of the university’s Board of Trustees at its June 5th meeting, their $10 million pledge will establish the Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross Center for Brain Health and Performance.
The VWR Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to giving back to the science community, approved 16 grants totaling over $140,000 since February of this year. The Foundation supports organizations and programs that are in alignment with its three strategic priorities – research, health and well-being, and science education.
Business leader and University of Southern Californa (USC) Trustee Rick J. Caruso and his wife, Tina, have donated $25 million to endow and name the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, one of the nation’s largest and most highly ranked for research and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
News about people, groups
Lutheran Services of Florida has named Stacy Martin Chief Philanthropy Officer for the organization. Martin was previously the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C.
The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU is pleased to announce the hiring of Ana Martinez as Director of Development. Martinez is a nonprofit fundraiser and development expert with a proven track record of creating successful initiatives.
Twenty-five young sustainability professionals, completing the Climate Corps Bay Area (CCBA) program, shared their success in implementing climate change resiliency programs at the annual CCBA Symposium on June 10th. Cooperatively, CCBA Fellows have implemented over 100 greenhouse gas mitigation projects that collectively reduce 16,000 metric tons of emissions annually.
MCON 2015, a two-day experience for corporate, nonprofit and public leaders is thrilled to welcome lead singer Marc Roberge of O.A.R. to speak as the headliner for Day 2 at MCON 2015. Roberge has been a long-time advocate for causes, including Children’s Scholarship Fund, Heard the World, the Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and more. Earlier this year, he met with U.S. Congress members to discuss the role of the arts in society as a part of Arts Advocacy Day.
From Friday, June 12 – Sunday, June 14, thousands of volunteers hosted Alex’s Lemonade Stands from coast to coast during Alex’s Lemonade Days in an effort to raise $1 million for the kids’ cancer fight. The stands provide a fun and easy way for supporters of all ages to raise awareness and funds while learning the important lesson of giving back.
The Giving Pledge, a multi-generational, global initiative created by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates that encourages billionaires to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes, has added ten new individuals and families to the pledge since May 2014, bringing the current total of signatories to 137. The ten new signatories are: Judy Faulkner, Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman, Gordon and Llura Gund, Elie and Susy Horn, John W. Jordan II “Jay”, Brad and Kim Keywell, Ruth and Bill Scott, Hamdi Ulukaya, Sunny and Sherly Varkey, and Sir Ian Wood.
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is pleased to announce that James M. Anderson, Esquire, has been elected as the Chairman of their Board of Directors. Mr. Anderson is an attorney in Mississippi and the Managing Member of Anderson Crawley & Burke, pllc, a law firm headquartered in the Jackson, Mississippi area.
Partnership with Children hosted its annual Spring Gala on June 4, 2015 at threesixty° in New York City. Mark Dowley, Chief Strategy Officer at MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated and Chairman of DDCD & Partners, and Marianne Gambelli, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Horizon Media, were honored for their career and community leadership. The Anne Vanderbilt Award for Achievement was presented to Board member Kenneth Mortenson for his distinguished service.
Officials from the Agriculture Department, Magnolia Health and the Mississippi Department of Education Office of Healthy Schools launched a statewide summer food service program to provide more than 2 million healthy meals to impoverished areas across the state. The Summer Food Service Program will provide more than 37,639 meals a day in Mississippi – two meals a day per child – for a total of 2.53 million meals throughout the summer of 2015.
Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), the leading service provider for children and adults with autism on Long Island, was selected as a National Association of Special Education Teachers School of Excellence for the second year in a row. DDI’s Children’s Day Program, which serves children from ages 5 through twenty-one, was selected for this honor.
The US section of the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has appointed Mr. Jason Cone as its new executive director. Mr. Cone, who officially began his new tenure on June 1, has an extensive background in crisis and advocacy communications.
On June 3, Forbes hosted its fourth annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy in New York City with the goal of accelerating solutions to global problems and increasing philanthropic efficiency. Bill and Melinda Gates, Co-Chairs and Trustees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, were presented with the Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy. Dr. Paul Farmer, Co-founder of Partners In Health was presented with the Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Entrepreneurship.
Jason’s Deli and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were honored by the Cause Marketing Forum for their “Strike Through Cancer One Dime at a Time” alliance. They were awarded the 2015 Gold Halo in the Best Health-Related Campaign Category for outstanding efforts to do well by doing good.
The Inaugural Congressional Leadership Development Program Class
The Islamic Scholarship Fund and the Muslim Public Affairs Council have partnered to launch the Congressional Leadership Development Program (CLDP). The CLDP is the nation’s first program that gives American Muslim students the opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill.
On June 6th, the Greenwich International Film Festival Changemaker Honoree Gala honored longtime UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Harry Belafonte and Mia Farrow as the inaugural Changemaker Honorees, in recognition of their work to use film and advocacy to create positive social change. The festival, which aims to bridge film, finance and philanthropy, dedicated a portion of its proceeds to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF this year.
The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls welcomes Brie Knight as their new Director of Development. Brie received her M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University as well as her certification in Nonprofit Management. She has over nine years of non-profit administration and consultant experience in the fields of environment, communications and performing arts.
News about opportunities, initiatives
Jonathan C. Lewis will be teaching Making Social Entrepreneurship Happen this September. An intensive, two-week class offered by the NYU Reynolds Program in Social Entrepreneurship and the NYU School of Professional Studies, this class is about social entrepreneurial problem-solving and developing some of the practical, nitty-gritty skills required for a value-centered career.
On Thursday, June 18, former Rams linebacker Chris Draft and the St. Louis Rams will host a Tackling Cancer event at Rams Park for St. Louis area cancer survivors and caregivers. The event will feature physical activities and discussions for both the cancer survivor and caregiver.
For the third consecutive year, the Association Forum of Chicagoland and USAE weekly newspaper are pleased to announce the launch of the Forty Under 40 Awards program, which recognizes 40 professionals of trade and professional associations, association management firms, and charitable or philanthropic entities who are 39 or younger and who demonstrate strong leadership skills, leadership potential and a commitment to the association industry. Applications for Forty Under 40 Awards will be accepted through July 31.
KCETLink Media Group, a leading national independent non-profit public broadcast and digital network, has received 19 nominations for the 57th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. The 57th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards will be presented on Sunday, June 28.
On Saturday June 27th, School on Wheels students, tutors, and supporters will attempt to set a world record for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Albert Einstein! Join them in raising money for the School on Wheels’ programs which provide educational opportunities to homeless children. Who knows—your support might help someone become the next Albert Einstein!
For travelers who want to deepen the experience and are searching for an alternative to backpacking, Projects Abroad offers a range of Culture & Community programs that take cultural exchange and adventure to the next level.
Through an exclusive collaboration, Audi and TOMS have designed a limited-edition Alpargata shoe that will be available to Audi buyers during the Summer of Audi Sales Event. From June 3 through August 4, customers who purchase or lease a new or Certified pre-owned Audi vehicle will receive an offer for a pair of exclusively-designed TOMS featuring the four rings. In turn, through TOMS innovative giving program, 55,000 shoes will be donated to children in need.
#EqualityForward
American Apparel has announced a collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). Beginning June 1st, the apparel company will offer a limited edition #EqualityForward t-shirt and tank top that feature their interpretation of HRC Foundation’s classic symbol and 15% of the proceeds will support the work of HRC Foundation.
The National Father’s Day Council will honor three outstanding fathers for their success in balancing accomplished careers and the demands of fatherhood at its 74th Annual Father of the Year Awards benefit luncheon on June 18th. Proceeds of the event will benefit Save the Children.
Everfest, an upcoming mobile app for festival organizers, will be forever free for nonprofit festivals. The Everfest app will go beyond your standard lineup and schedule, replacing clunky PDFs with interactive GPS-enabled maps and adding a unique experience layer that will connect organizers, attendees, artists, and sponsors.
The AIDS Services Foundation Orange County will be hosting an Open House on Saturday June 27th to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Chicago Artists and Arts Organizations are invited to participate in Chicago Artists Month 2015, the 20th annual citywide celebration of Chicago’s vibrant and diverse arts community, on October 1st through November 15th, 2015. Event proposals will be accepted July 13th through the 24th.
Move America Forward is hosting Troopathon 8, a month-long fundraising event to send care packages to the troops overseas for the Summer. After the month-long drive, Troopathon culminates in an 8-hour live broadcast. This year’s broadcast will go live from Move America Forward’s headquarters and operations center in Sacramento, CA.
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.
