7.6.15 US Nonprofit News

Jul 6, 2015 | News, Philanthropy Journal

The Navient Foundation awards grant to Luzerne County Head Start, the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation appoints new Executive Director, Catholic Charities USA’s Annual Gathering to take place in September, and more.

News about grants, gifts

Wells Fargo sponsored an “unselfie” photo booth at the Pacific Coast Builder Conference on June 24th and 25th in support of HomeAid America, a building industry charity and one of the nation’s largest builders of housing for the homeless. As part of this promotion, Wells Fargo donated $25,000 to the charity. Wells Fargo has been a long-time supporter and contributed over $1,000,000 to launch the expansion of new chapters nationwide over the past 15 years.

ArtsWave has nearly $10.4 million in grants and initiatives to create a vibrant regional economy and bring people together through the arts. ArtsWave continues to be the largest united arts fund in the country, both in contributions and in number of donors.

The Account Control Technology Foundation announced the 50 winners of its annual $1,000 college scholarships.

With deadly drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis on the rise, more than 20 philanthropists from New York and Boston have come together to fund a $20 million project at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to help combat the global epidemic.

SmartyPants Vitamins‘ 1-for-1 nutrient grant program with Vitamin Angels has supported the delivery of more than one million grants to those in the U.S. and abroad who are suffering from undernutrition in the form of vitamin A deficiency.

On June 17th, the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, together with over 100 community leaders, nonprofit agencies and Chester County citizens, recognized its 2015 grant award recipients. This year, 25 agencies received a quarter million total in grants.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has awarded $155,000 to eligible non-profit organizations through its annual Community Service Awards program. The awards, which include six $5,000 awards, ten $10,000 awards and one $25,000 award, are given on behalf of MassMutual financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to non-profit organizations in their local community.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage (the Center) has announced its 2015 grants in support of the Philadelphia region’s cultural organizations and artists. Marking the Center’s 10th year of grantmaking, a total of more than $9.6 million will provide funding for 12 new Pew fellowships, 34 project grants, and three advancement grants.

Hunter DouglasHunter Douglas Inc., the leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions in North America, announced that it has donated $300,000 to Habitat for Humanity International to aid the people of Nepal following the two catastrophic earthquakes.

Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Parker has given a $600 million gift to formally launch The Parker Foundation. Based in San Francisco, the foundation builds on Mr. Parker’s historical philanthropic support and will aggressively pursue programs in three areas: Life Sciences, Global Public Health and Civic Engagement.

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has received a gift of $100 million from prominent San Diego developer, philanthropist, and Sanford-Burnham honorary trustee Conrad Prebys. This is the largest donation ever made by Prebys and will be used to further implement the Institute’s 10-year strategic vision to accelerate the delivery of innovative new treatments that will have a tangible impact on improving human health.

In the wake of the devastation caused by recent historic floods in Texas, the Capital Area Food Bank, whose mission is to create access to good, healthy food for people in every community, continues to organize disaster-relief efforts in Austin, TX, and has an ongoing need for donations. As a contribution to these enduring relief efforts, Smithfield is bringing a 25,000-pound protein donation to the Capital Area Food Bank in Austin. H-E-B, a longstanding Smithfield retailer and dedicated supporter of the food bank and its community, is partnering with Smithfield to bring this protein to the affected areas.

The Navient Foundation, a Navient company-sponsored philanthropic organization, awarded a $22,000 grant to Luzerne County Head Start, a United Way agency dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for low-income children and their families.

Cancer knows no boundaries and remains the second leading cause of death in women – two reasons The Mary Kay Foundation supports research of cancers affecting women at top medical schools and research facilities across the nation with a new slate of grants totaling $1.3 million.

News about people, groups

DMW Fundraising, a division of DMW Direct that provides non-profits with best-in-class direct response fundraising solutions, received recognition at two direct marketing awards ceremonies: the NEDMA Awards for Creative Excellence and the Benjamin Franklin Awards for Direct Marketing Excellence (the “Bennys”). At both ceremonies, DMW Fundraising accepted accolades for their direct response campaigns.

New York Life announced today that Michael Burke has joined the company as chief operating officer, New York Life Foundation and corporate vice president in the Corporate Responsibility Department.

Easton, Make a Wish FdnEaston, a 12 year-old boy fighting a cardiac condition, experienced the “staycation” of his dreams. When the young country music enthusiast was asked what his ultimate wish was, no one was surprised that he wanted to stay in his home state and attend the CMA Music Festival. Thanks to Kretschmar Deli(R) and Make-A-Wish(R), his wish came true. Easton and his family were treated to four days of fun in Nashville, including an all-star concert at LP Field and a private concert featuring the Kretschmar Future Legends of Country.

Demonstrating continued sustainability leadership, SunPower announced today that its E-Series and X-Series Solar Panels manufactured at the company’s facilities in France are Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM Silver, administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

The Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) honored six oncology practices from throughout the United States with 2015 Clinical Trials Participation Awards (CTPA) at the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago. The CTPA was first awarded in 2003 to recognize community-based practices for excellence in implementing high-quality clinical trials programs and to also increase awareness and participation in clinical trials among physicians.

Todd Wagner, CEO and founder of Chideo, announced the acquisition of Prizeo – a celebrity-based charitable fundraising platform – expanding his commitment to blend entertainment and technology to revolutionize the philanthropic space. Prizeo will serve as a sister company to Chideo, strengthening the cause network’s already impressive roster of exclusive content, experiences, celebrities, and charities, all to raise awareness and funds for hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the globe.

Social Finance is excited to announce that Laurene Sperling, president of the Sperling Family Charitable Foundation, has joined the Board of Directors. She directs the foundation’s strategic philanthropy in several program areas including education, child and youth development, early childhood, health care, and poverty alleviation.

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) today announced that Hackensack University Medical Center (HackensackUMC) has joined as a business member. HackensackUMC is the first hospital to join ASBC, which works on policy changes that move the economy towards more social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The Military Officers Association of America has been recognized by the American Society of Association Executives with the 2015 Summit Award for its Military Caregiver Assistance Program, which incorporates several programs and services that provide practical, meaningful assistance to more than 1 million military family caregivers of disabled veterans.

Open HouseFred Jordan Mission‘s “Wheels of Hope” Job Training Program for Welding will hold its first Open House. This program provides job training for men and women, many of whom have been homeless, gang members, and ex-offenders.

Members of Battery Powered, the philanthropic program of The Battery SF, joined together to explore what it will take to end worldwide extreme poverty over the next 15 years. Battery Powered galvanized this commitment in light of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. The UN has targeted 2030 as the date for the eradication of extreme poverty. As part of their efforts in this giving theme, Battery Powered has released a short documentary, Ending Extreme Poverty, the latest installment in the Battery Powered Views film series.

The Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation has appointed Brian Rusch as the new Executive Director of the foundation, whose mission is to inspire young people to build a world of peace within themselves, peace between people, and peace among nations.

News about opportunities, initiatives

The BoardSource Leadership Forum is the nation’s largest annual convening of nonprofit board leaders. Every year,  more than 800 board members, chief executives, staff, and nonprofit professionals gather for two days to discuss the newest thinking and best practices in nonprofit governance. This year, the Forum will take place on November 9th and 10th at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

Joe Garecht, author of The Non-Profit Fundraising Formula and founder of the Fundraising Authority, and Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE, principal of Clarification, will be hosting the Get Your Donors to Stay, Upgrade, and Give Year After Year: The Donor Retention Master Class webinar on July 8th between 1 and 2:30 PDT.

The 10th Annual Golf Outing, a fundraising event for the Detroit Friendship House will take place Saturday, September 12th. To participate, sign-up or become a Hole Sponsor.

Cards for Causes launched its giving initiative in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina ravaged coastal Louisiana. Since then, the greeting card distributor has given 20% of every card purchase to the charity of the customer’s choice. Its founders are hoping to reach their $1 million goal within a year.

Catholic Charities USA’s Annual Gathering is the preeminent gathering for Catholic Charities professionals, volunteers, and partners to advance their work, strategize about poverty reduction, and celebrate their shared identity. Attendees will come away with innovative program ideas, templates for future work, and new skills to reduce poverty in communities across the country. This year’s Gathering will take place September 10th through 11th in Omaha, Nebraska.

Megan Weintraub, Director of Digital Engagement at Oxfam America, Maria Polinsky, Director of Development at the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and Susan Galeas, President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will be speaking on Year-End Campaigns: Strategies That Work, July 16th at 2pm EDT.

From June 22nd – July 31st, Men’s Wearhouse is hosting their eighth annual National Suite Drive – providing consumers with the opportunity to give back by donating gently-used men’s & women’s professional attire at any of their 900 locations and rewarding them with a 50% off coupon.

The 10th Annual Nonprofit Leadership Management Conference will take place on September 9th through 11th at Stanford University. In its tenth year, the Nonprofit Management Institute has helped over 2,500 nonprofit leaders to learn, network, and lead their organizations into the future.

Pet Alliance of Greater OrlandoThe Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando announced three new locations where free spaying or neutering and rabies vaccinations for pets living in income-qualified families will be offered through its mobile veterinary clinic on July 1st, July 8th, and August 12th.

America’s Promise Alliance and Pearson announced a three-year collaboration to increase U.S. high school graduation rates to 90 percent and prepare millions more young people with the skills necessary to succeed in college, work and life. State convening organizations can apply for one of three $200,000 grants funded by Pearson. The organizations selected will positively impact young people on their pathway to graduation and beyond by facilitating cross-sector collaboration, leveraging state assets, communicating progress and lessons learned, and developing programs that can be replicated and scaled.

Alaska-based nonprofit and tribal executives interested in Rasmuson Foundation’s Sabbatical Program have until October 1 to apply. Now entering its 12th year, the program offers awards up to $40,000 to cover salary and expenses incurred during a two- to six-month sabbatical.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Training Grants program with a total $11,521,000 available for awards in four focus areas: Cybersecurity, Hazardous Materials, Countering Violent Extremism and Rural Preparedness.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the American Conference on Diversity’s Lead for Diversity (LFD) Institute, formerly known as Anytown. The organization has worked with more than 120 schools and 3,200 student delegates throughout New Jersey to enhance their leadership and social skills and empower them to work in diverse workplaces, schools, and communities. This year’s 20th anniversary LFD celebration week will kick off July 12th to 17th, with corporate volunteers working with students and advisors on Action Plans, enjoying the traditional “song fest,” and more.

Sandy Hook Promise is excited to note that country stars Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, and Chase Byrant will be playing in Hartford, Connecticut on July 17th. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Sandy Hook Promise and their unrelenting work to promote mental wellness, combat social isolation, and prevent gun violence to #‎ProtectOurKids.

Swiss Diamond, in collaboration with Goodwill, has launched a nationwide pan buyback program to give back to communities. From July 1 through September 30, consumers may bring in one pan of any brand to receive $20 off purchases of Swiss Diamond products valued at $80 or more.


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.

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