8.10.15 US Nonprofit News

Aug 10, 2015 | News, Philanthropy Journal

The Valspar Foundation donates $20,000 to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh to support STEM education and career development programs for students, The Western Center on Law and Poverty has compiled the Western Center Sources Reference Guide, Partnership With Native Americans has launched a 100-day supply drive for Native Americans living on remote and isolated reservations, and more.

News about grants, gifts

Anne Welsh McNulty and The Aspen Institute announced the 8th annual John P. McNulty Prize laureates, a group of extraordinary leaders who bring the spirit of innovation that characterized their success in the private sector to address some of the most intractable problems facing our world today. The winner, who will be announced in November, will receive $100,000 and each of the other laureates will receive $10,000.

The Awesome Foundation Miami has chosen the July 2015 winner of $1K: WHEELS. South Miami-based WHEELS has a goal of getting more people riding their bikes for transportation and recreation during the week of Nov 11-15, 2015.

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest travel and leisure company, announced that its first year of supporting The Nature Conservancy through its Carnival Foundation helped the conservation organization further some of its critical preservation activities. Highlights include: building new coral nurseries in the Caribbean, transplanting 20,000 corals in the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands, and installing new pilot reef enhancement structures to provide greater habitat for fish and a potential area for future coral growth in Grenada’s Grenville Bay. These achievements were made possible through the Carnival Foundation’s $2.5 million gift over a five-year period starting in 2014, supporting The Nature Conservancy’s global marine protection priorities.

Donations to benefit the families of the four Marines and one sailor killed in the July 16 attack on a military operations center in Chattanooga will be matched by the First Tennessee Foundation, up to a total of $15,000. Donations to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga brought to any First Tennessee Bank branch throughout Tennessee by Aug. 14 will be eligible for the match.

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) has announced the next three Foundation Nurse Scholars who will participate in the Future of Nursing Scholars program, an initiative created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to increase the number of PhD prepared nurses in the United States. The Foundation is a founding funder of the Future of Nursing Scholars program and has committed $600,000 to a total of eight students over three consecutive cohorts to support transformational leadership in nursing through education, research, and policy.

LifeRideMaintaining its long-standing tradition of supporting HIV/AIDS charities, Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, has partnered with amfAR, the Foundation for Aids Research, for the sixth annual Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR. This year’s Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR, beginning in Denver on August 3rd and ending in San Diego on August 15th, will maintain the brand’s spirit of adventure and commitment to amfAR’s cause in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Rallying at 10 retail stores along the route, Kiehl’s will donate a total of $150,000 over the course of the ride. Customers nationwide also have multiple opportunities to donate to the cause.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has awarded $155,000 in college scholarships to students across the country. The MassMutual Scholars program is a national scholarship program for eligible students interested in careers in the insurance and financial services industry. This year, MassMutual awarded $5,000 scholarships to 31 high-achieving college students to help them pursue their higher education dreams.

This back-to-school season Old Navy asked kids at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country what it means to be #Unlimited. The result? An inspirational song and music video featuring some of AwesomenessTV’s biggest stars. Tees from the music video as well as the music video itself can be purchased online; part of the proceeds, as well as any in-store donations, will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of America and Canada.

The nationally acclaimed military charity Operation Troop Aid (OTA) is proud to announce its new partnership with ROK Mobile to launch the ROK Mobile/Troop Aid–Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit Program. As part of its alliance with OTA, ROK Mobile will donate $2 from each new subscription per month to OTA and the Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit.

Amy and Brian France have committed $1M to the Providence Day School, Inc.’s Charging Forward Campaign. Amy and Brian hope this donation will encourage widespread commitments across the community support of education.

Shutterfly, a company with a long heritage in helping families share life’s joy, has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise awareness on the benefits of using photos (known as reminiscence therapy) with people living with Alzheimer’s disease. This month, aided by experts at the Alzheimer’s Association, Shutterfly will launch a new resource page that offers 10 tips for putting together meaningful photobooks for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Additionally, for every Shutterfly “family memory” photo book sold this summer, the company will donate $1 to the Alzheimer’s Association. Shutterfly’s support began in June with a $25,000 donation to help fund Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

The Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been named a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. TCI joins an elite group of 69 cancer institutions nationwide that have earned this designation, which is based on scientific excellence, robust clinical research, and beneficial community impact. The designation includes a five-year, $8.5 million grant that will support research programs, recruitment of top academic researchers, and enhancements in community engagement. The funding complements $79 million in current cancer research grants earned by TCI investigators.

The Valspar Foundation has donated $20,000 to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and career development programs for students. Over the past three years, Valspar has provided a total of $70,000 to the Carnegie Science Center to help introduce students to STEM education and encourage them to pursue careers in related fields.

News about people, groups

The Association of Junior Leagues International announced that Carol Scott has been named President-Elect of the 114-year-old women’s volunteer organization, which has more than 150,000 members in 292 independent Junior Leagues in the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK. Ms. Scott, who was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, CA, has more than 15 years’ experience as a children’s museum executive.

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), a not-for-profit organization that brings together automotive and manufacturing companies, suppliers, and service providers to help them develop common solutions to industry concerns, is expanding efforts to improve the social and environmental performance of the supply chain by making its comprehensive collection of tools and training available in Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, and Italian. In addition, AIAG’s supply chain sustainability workshop content is now being updated for delivery in Brazil, Mexico, and China later this year.

Pascale CharlotThe Awesome Foundation Miami welcomes a new trustee! Pascale Charlot is a Haitian-American from Brooklyn who embodies the immigrant sense of optimism, curiosity, and tenacity that fuels her passion for possibility. She is also inspired by a world where all people meaningfully participate with an interest in the intersection between democracy, social mobility, and empowerment for all young people. She is also the Ashoka U Changemaker Campus Change Leader at Miami Dade College, where opportunity changes everything.

More than 1,300 BBVA Compass employees fanned out across the Sunbelt the week of July 24th for Bank It Forward, the bank’s five-day blitz of generosity that allowed it to do good in unexpected ways. Team members showed up unannounced at hospitals, food banks, gas stations, fire stations, grocery stores and other locations to hand out gift cards, pay bills and deliver various items of need.

Animals and young patients were brought together at Children’s Hospital of Orange County to announce the arrival of the San Diego Zoo Kids television channel. Funded by a generous gift by businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, San Diego Zoo Kids is a closed-circuit television broadcast channel that features entertaining and educational programming about unique and endangered animal species. It is available on TV monitors in every patient room and in waiting areas.

Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness, is proud to announce the appointment of Beth Skidmore as Director of Development. A new position in the organization, the Director of Development supervises the development department staff, including the donor relations and grants managers.

FrontStream Holdings LLC, the foremost provider of philanthropy solutions for nonprofits and corporations, has acquired BiddingForGood. This move is the latest in a series of strategic moves made by FrontStream and is consistent with their commitment to the development of a completely comprehensive platform for nonprofits and corporations.

The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is proud to announce that Angela Titus has been promoted to Executive Vice President. In her new role, Ms. Titus will be responsible for the organization’s staff and operations as well as maintaining its fiscal strength. Previously, Ms. Titus served as the Vice President of Impact and Marketing and was responsible for strategic planning, community engagement, marketing and community programs.

National Executive Service Corps (NESC), a nonprofit professional services firm, is pleased to announce that Mark Evens has been appointed Senior Vice President of Executive Search, Connecticut, effective July 1st, 2015. In this capacity, Mr. Evens will oversee all aspects of NESC’s Executive Search business in the region.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is excited to announce additions to its Washington, D.C., office, which will strengthen a team that gives voice to Latinos on media and telecommunications policy before decision makers on the Congressional level, at the Federal Communications Commission and at other federal agencies. Andy Lomeli, a former NHMC Policy Fellow, will rejoin NHMC as its Policy Associate. After five years with NHMC and two years as Policy Director, Michael Scurato has been promoted to Vice President of Policy. Finally, NHMC’s current Google Policy Fellow, Daiquiri Ryan, will extend her tenure with NHMC.

Janet Pitt has joined OWL’s Board of Directors. Pitt has more than 10 years of experience promoting a wide range of causes.  She has worked with UNESCO and other world heritage organizations, helping to strategize U.S. involvement; she has facilitated introductions to various bilateral ambassadors, and is involved in efforts to create an International Museum and Education Center for Women Artists in the Middle East.

Race for the BaconThe 4th annual Patrick Cudahy(R) “Race for the Bacon” 5k Run and Walk made its triumphant return yesterday, and everyone at the race was a winner. Patrick Cudahy, a brand of Smithfield Foods, dished out loads of fun, entertainment and excitement for all in attendance. A portion of race proceeds benefits the JDRF of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Jill Rademacher has joined Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) as its chief donor experience and engagement officer, SVCF announced. In this role, Rademacher will be responsible for enhancing SVCF’s world-class donor services program, which enables donors to deepen their learning, giving and engagement with issues that reflect their values. She will also develop outreach strategies to attract and serve individual and institutional funders, and create opportunities for connections between donors’ philanthropic missions and SVCF’s strategic priorities for serving the community. SVCF works with more than 2,000 individuals, families and companies to facilitate their charitable goals.

Boston-based charity Team IMPACT is announcing their 700th match between the Lake Forest College men’s football team, in Lake Forest, Illinois and 9-year old, Brannon Moran. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by creating lasting and meaningful relationships with collegiate sport team-based support networks. Demonstrating the exponential growth within the organization, Team IMPACT has matched 103 children to collegiate teams in the past calendar year.

The Western Center on Law and Poverty has compiled the Western Center Sources Reference Guide, which serves as an expert source on issues related to health care, affordable housing, public benefits, and access to justice.

The White House released National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020, a report that details principles and priorities that will help reduce new HIV infections over the next five years. To highlight how individual states can help achieve national priorities, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research has released a new report, “Bolstering State Efforts to Implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Key indicators and recommendations for policymakers and community stakeholders”, that outline priority actions that will help all states achieve the goals outlined in the updated national strategy.

News about opportunities, initiatives

The Audre Lorde Project, based in New York City, presents Chillin’ & Grillin’, an annual FREE BBQ and community event that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTSTGNC People of Color community and unites its various groups for summer FUN! The 17th annual Chillin’ & Grillin’ will take place Sunday, August 16th between 12pm-6pm at Picnic House North, Prospect Park.

The Dignity Health Run Series is adding several new events to the 2015-2016 season, giving runners and walkers of all ages more opportunities to stay in shape while supporting important programs and services at Dignity Health hospitals throughout the Valley. Whether participating in one or all seven events, racers earn points toward prizes while having good, healthy fun in their communities. Events include runs and walks, as well as special events for kids, seniors and even dogs. Entertainment, refreshments and other activities are included.

Fifth Third Bank has partnered with Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) a new campaign called #howifight to support the foundation and raise money for the cause. For every tweet sharing how people stand up to cancer with the hashtag, #howifight, Fifth Third Bank will donate $1 to SU2C. Additionally, customers that open a new checking account could receive $150 and so will SU2C! Patrick Dempsey is taking part in the campaign as the spokesperson, showing his support to the cause and the initiatives as well.

The Florida Blue Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2016 Sapphire Awards recognizing excellence and innovation in community health leadership programming in Florida through September 18, 2015. Three categories of awards are available:  individual, program and organization. Approximately $360,000 will be shared among the honorees that are selected by an independent panel of national experts in nonprofit health and health care policy. Honorees will be announced at the 2016 Sapphire Symposium and Awards scheduled for April 20-21, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.

Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY) is hosting two Elixir Happy Hours on Friday, August 14th, 2015, 6pm and Friday, August 28th, 2015, 6pm at Boxer HK. One free drink for all GAPIMNY members!

NYC Black Pride in collaboration with GRIOT Circle, Audre Lorde Project and LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent presents its 4th Annual Salute to Our Seniors Program. This year’s program will be an intergenerational community discussion, “From Alabama to Ferguson ‘Do LGBTQ Black Lives Matter also?”, examining the current protests of police brutality and the absence of outcry when LGBT people of color are the victims. This event will take place Thursday, August 13th, 2015 from 11:00am-1:30pm at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center.

Partnership With Native Americans, formerly National Relief Charities, is proud to launch a 100-day supply drive for Native Americans living on remote and isolated reservations. As part of this initiative, the nonprofit will be collecting everyday items that address essential needs and low access to food, healthcare, education, animal welfare and household supplies.

Now through August 26th, Tom’s of Maine wants to hear what one thing you would do to better your community. Here’s how: Using the hashtags #OneWayToHelp #entry and your state hashtag (e.g. #NY, #CA), share with us in a few words on Twitter or Instagram how you’d help, or visit www.50StatesforGood.com to enter. Tom’s will randomly select one person from every state and the District of Columbia and then they get to give $20,000 to the local nonprofit of their choice.

In celebration of the next version of Windows, Windows 10, Microsoft is launching #UpgradeYourWorld. Microsoft is kicking it off by “upgrading” 100 non-profits and 10 global charities by contributing $10 million dollars. Nine have been selected, and the 10th is in your hands, and well, in everyone’s hands. People around the world can endlessly tweet their hearts out with the hashtag to nominate an organization of their choice.


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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