5.22.17 US Nonprofit News

May 22, 2017 | News, Philanthropy Journal

WBUR’s 2017 Gala raised approximately $750,000 to support independent news and programming, Miranda Lambert will host the MuttNation March on June 8th to help spread awareness for shelter dog adoption, Comfort Cases has been chosen as the May Charity of the Month by Sticky Fingers, and more.

News about grants, gifts

BancorpSouth Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded $180,000 in Affordable Housing Program funds to the city of Vicksburg for the repair and rehabilitation of 25 homes in the Marcus Bottom neighborhood. Twenty homes are completed.

Columbia Law School received a $15 million gift from the Jerome L. Greene Foundation to support public service opportunities, clinical programs, and financial aid. The foundation’s gift is its largest single grant to the Law School, and the latest in a longstanding commitment to Columbia by the foundation’s late benefactors, Jerome “Jerry” L. Greene ’26CC, ’28LAW and his wife and partner in philanthropy, Dawn M. Greene.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded more than $7.5 million in literacy grants to nearly 870 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools to support adult, family and summer literacy programs within a 20-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center across the 44 states Dollar General serves.

The Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Corp awarded a Community Grant to Josiah Quincy Elementary School located in the Chinatown area of Boston, MA. The grant will help fund a Makerspace learning area in the school’s library and will help purchase STEM books, Lego’s, science kits, robotics, and additional art and technology projects for students.

The Community Chest raised $90,000 at the Annual Spring Gathering held at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, New Jersey.  The funds raised will go toward the organization’s annual campaign to award competitive grants to 25 nonprofit organizations providing services to approximately 50,000 people in need in the area.

WBUR’s 2017 Gala at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge raised approximately $750,000 to support independent news and programming on 90.9 WBUR, Boston’s NPR News Station.

The Gruber Foundation awarded $1.5 million to an astronomer who explores populations of distant stars, a biologist who investigates how cells repair damaged DNA, and a neuroscientist who studies the formation of synapses that facilitate sight.

Benefit Chicago invested $12 million to six Chicago-area organizations to train and employ adults with autism, support retail development in Pullman and along the 63rd Street Corridor, provide 300 North Lawndale residents with training and transitional jobs, expand the operations of a vertical hydroponic produce company, and build projects that support youth and families in underserved Chicago neighborhoods.

More than $35,000 was raised at the GEMS World Academy Chicago Gala on April 29th, benefitting 11 local charities.

Medical Teams International loaded $1 million in critical medical supplies at its headquarters building in Tigard, Oregon, to be shipped to Syria. The supplies include bandages, IV supplies, diagnostic tools, surgical supplies, gowns and over-the-counter supplies.

GameStop collected nearly $1.2 million as part of its World Autism Month in-store donation campaign.

News about people, groups

David Aldridge has been elected to the board of directors of the CDC Foundation.

John Hancock Real Estate and CRG are developing a 1 million square foot state-of-the-art industrial building in the Atlanta suburb of Locust Grove. The building will be available for occupancy in early 2018.

Thomas R. Yarboro was presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s most prestigious national recognition, the Jeremiah Milbank Gold Medallion award, at its National Annual Meeting in Dallas. 

The Boston Foundation and Tisch College for Civic Life at Tufts University hosted a forum and discussion on the importance of civics education in Massachusetts on Thursday, May 18 at the Boston Foundation.

Jazz at Lincoln Center named the top three high school jazz bands in the nation that took the highest honors at the prestigious 22nd Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The first-place winner was Tucson Jazz Institute from Tucson, AZ. The second-place winner was Denver School of the Arts from Denver, CO and third-place winner was Dillard Center for the Arts from Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Moore’s Marinades and Sauces is once again partnering with Operation BBQ Relief to raise necessary funds for Operation BBQ Relief’s operations and help inform nationwide communities of the impact it has on the lives of those affected by disasters. In support of the positive work of Operation BBQ Relief, Moore’s has pledged to donate $0.10 for every bottle of marinade or sauce purchased, doubling its 2016 pledge to $20,000 this summer.

Foundation Source announced the completion of a year-long renovation of its award-winning online platform for 1,300 private foundations.

The Southeast Michigan American Heart Association hosted the Detroit Heart Walk on May 20 at Wayne State University. The Heart Walk helped raise the necessary funds to continue life-saving research and education, featuring a timed 5K, kid’s zone, fitness activities, and family friendly entertainment.

The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls hosted the 2017 Making a Difference Luncheon on May 5th where over 300 people gathered to support the organization. In recognition of their 20th anniversary, The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls launched the Go Girl Fund, with hopes that supporters will give in order for the organization to continue in their mission for many years to come.

Comfort Cases has been chosen as the May Charity of the Month by Sticky Fingers. The award winning bakery and café, owned by Doron Petersan of Cupcake Wars fame, will donate $1 for each charity-themed cupcake sold in the month of May, National Foster Care Month.

News about opportunities, initiatives

Global Youth Connect will host their Brooklyn summer fundraiser on June 24 to support human rights programming around the world.

Miranda Lambert will host the inaugural MuttNation March on June 8th. Fans and their mutts are encouraged to join in on the celebration and help spread awareness for shelter dog adoption.

The African American Policy will celebrate several champions of intersectional justice on June 10th 2017 at the “Say Her Name: 20 Years of Intersectionality in Action Gala,” which will be held on at Columbia University’s Lerner Hall.

Recruitment begins for a Keck School of Medicine of USC study of the first smartphone app to combine clinical data, MRI imaging and genetic data for people with multiple sclerosis.

The Carter Center is hosting a discussion on anxiety disorders with Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellow Andrea Petersen and Carter Center Mental Health Program staffer Rebecca Palpant Shimkets on June 15.

Border Angels’ June Water Drop will be held on June 17 inviting volunteers to fight against US immigration policy.

Topanga Days will kick off its three-day family-friendly festival and fundraiser for the Topanga Community Center on May 27th, drawing people together with musical acts and plenty of activities that are fun for all ages.

Banfi Wine, has partnered with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, donating $1 of every bottle of Riunite Lambrusco sold between Memorial Day and July 4th to the foundation.

The 16th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball will bring together the community on June 3rd to raise funds and awareness for a proven solution that helps homeless and low-income individuals overcome barriers to employment.

Together, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the Women’s Research & Resource Center at Spelman College, and the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, are convening leading researchers, advocates, practitioners, and policy makers for meaningful discussion at the “From Persistence to Power: Facts, Truth, and Equity for Women” research forum on June 7th. 


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.

Related Posts

Knowing Your Soil: Local Cafes Leverage a National Network to Tackle Hunger

One World, Everybody Eats (OWEE) is an example of knowledge sharing and empowerment among a network of similar nonprofit organizations. Community cafes start with a well-tested framework and supportive network of established cafes in order to create a unique version of the OWEE model in their community.

Why Gen Z is Compelled to Do Good

As Gen Z age into the workforce and gain financial independence, nonprofits must adapt their fundraising initiatives to fit the profile of these new potential contributors.

Categories