Consortium of Foundation Libraries

Friday Roundup

2012-02-17T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Fewer Americans have employer- based health insurance; Gallup.com, February 14, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Americans got their health insurance from an employer in 2011 (44.6%) than in 2010 (45.8%), continuing the downward trend Gallup and Healthways have documented since 2008. As employer-based health insurance has declined, the percentage of Americans who are uninsured has increased, rising to 17.1% this year, the highest seen since 2008.

2. Risk of preterm birth rises for Hispanic women the longer they're in the U.S.; U.S. News.com, February 9, 2012
Brief Introduction: The longer Hispanic women live in the United States, the more likely they are to have a preterm birth, a new study says. Researchers analyzed data from 2,141 Hispanic women with a prior live birth who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.

Education
1. Suspended from school in early grades; Washington Post, February 12, 2012
Brief Introduction: Thousands of elementary students were suspended from public schools last year in Washington and its suburbs, some of them so young that they were learning about out-of-school discipline before they could spell or multiply.

2. Detroit to Parents: Time to get involved in education; NPR.org, February 7, 2012
Brief Introduction: In Detroit, officials say they are trying everything they can to revive the city's public school system, from replacing dilapidated buildings to hiring new school leaders. Detroit Public Schools is also focusing on a neglected piece of the education equation: parents.

Race
1. Labor force growth slows, Hispanic share grows; Pew Research Center, February 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Hispanics will account for three-quarters of the growth in the nation’s labor force from 2010 to 2020, according to new projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One major reason is that the Hispanic population is growing rapidly due to births and immigration. At the same time, the aging of the non-Hispanic white population is expected to reduce their numbers in the labor force.

2. Why Latinos aren't saving for retirement; Forbes.com, February 14 ,2012
Brief Introduction: While all populations found retirement planning to be an overwhelming task, Hispanics felt the least prepared. A hefty 54 percent say they felt “not very” or “not at all” prepared. This compares with 50 percent of African-Americans, 48 percent of white and 44 percent of Asian respondents who said they did not feel prepared.

What's new in Philanthropy

2012-02-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. eBay buyers, sellers give record $63 million to charity in 2011; Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
Brief Introduction: The auction site enabled its users to give a record $63 million, or $120 a minute to charitable causes last year, according to a statement released Monday. The company's PayPal division also processed $3 billion in transactions for more than 200,000 nonprofits.

2. President looks to extend Promise -Neighborhoods Program; Chronicle of Philanthropy, February 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: President Obama said today he wants to increase spending on Promise Neighborhoods projects—which offer an array of “cradle to college” services to young people and families in troubled communities. The president’s plan calls for $100-million for Promise Neighborhoods next year, up from about $60-million in 2012.

3. IRS makes finding charity status easier; Chronicle of Philanthropy, February 7, 2012
Brief Introduction: The Internal Revenue Service has developed an online database of 400,000 nonprofits that have lost their tax-exempt status for failing to file tax returns. Previously, the IRS released information about groups that had lost their tax-exempt status only by state, which made it difficult to find groups by other criteria. The new Exempt Organizations Select Check is updated monthly and is on the same Web page as the agency’s main database of all nonprofits that can accept tax-deductible donations.

Legislative Information Resource List Now Available

2012-02-10T11:24:00.003-05:00

If you are attending the Foundations on the Hill event, you may find this legislative information resource list of interest. This document has three pages of free resources for government information that can help you find the authoritative information you need before you meet with your legislative representative.

Friday Roundup

2012-02-10T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Hospitals mine patient records in search of customers; USA Today, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The non-profit facility is one of a growing number of hospitals using their patients' health and financial records to help pitch their most lucrative services, such as cancer, heart and orthopedic care. As part of these direct mail campaigns, they are also buying detailed information about local residents compiled by consumer marketing firms — everything from age, income and marital status to shopping habits and whether residents have children or pets at home.

2. New York City defends health ads that frighten the viewer; The New York Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The city’s health department uses no sugar-coating in its latest ads, which feature images of overweight people whose mobility is impaired to warn of the dangers of ever-growing portions of unhealthy food and soft drinks.

3. For diabetes patients, oases in the food desert; Chicago Tribune, February 1, 2012
Brief Introduction: Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009, Moore, 58, has reduced her blood glucose levels significantly through healthy eating and daily exercise. But a lack of supermarkets in her North Chicago neighborhood makes it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet — a crucial ingredient in controlling the disease.

Education
1. School reform organization gets average grades; Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Over the last decade, a nonprofit teaching academy with strong political ties has launched an education revolution inside Chicago Public Schools, tearing down and rebuilding some of the city's worst-performing schools.

2. Settling school disputes before they escalate; Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Such programs have been around for decades, but at Maclay, peer mediation has only recently become one of many strategies to reduce the number of violent incidents. Since the program began in 2010, it has steadily helped lower the number of instructional days lost to suspensions but has yet to make strides when it comes to physical altercations.

Race
1. For some black women, economy and willingness to aid family strains finances; Washington Post, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Across the country, black women are bearing a heavier responsibility for family and friends than their white counterparts, even as they struggle to emerge from an economic downturn that has hit them harder. A survey by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that black women have more trouble paying their bills or getting a loan than white women. And they are trying to regain their footing in a world where more than half feel as though they do not have the skills and education to compete for a job.

2. Diversified Americans resisting census race labels; The Seattle Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: When the 2010 census asked people to classify themselves by race, more than 21.7 million — at least 1 in 14 — went beyond the standard labels and wrote in such terms as "Arab," "Haitian," "Mexican" and "multiracial."

What's new in Philanthropy

2012-02-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. New Gates Foundation tourist attraction in Seattle much more than a "museum of philanthropy"; Washington Post, January 31, 2012
Brief Introduction: The center opens Saturday in Seattle, just steps from the Space Needle and Experience Music Project, two of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. While it’s not exactly a “museum of philanthropy,” it’s also not just a public promotion of the Gates Foundation’s work.

2. On mega pledges from years past, donors make big payments in 2011; Chronicle of Philanthropy, February 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Some of America’s biggest charitable donors don’t appear on the current Philanthropy 50 even though they were still writing big checks to charity. The list doesn’t include people who are paying off pledges made in previous years, and in 2011 several of the nation’s big donors were busy making payments, not new commitments. Among those philanthropists are Warren E. Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Ted Turner.

3. Kauffman Foundation Super Bowl ad calls on entrepreneurs; CNN, February 1, 2012
Brief Introduction: Not many people know the Kauffman Foundation, but after this Sunday a lot more will have an idea. The $2 billion nonprofit that focuses on fostering U.S. entrepreneurship is running its first ever TV ad, and it's doing it during the Super Bowl.

Friday Roundup

2012-02-03T04:00:00.001-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Cancer screenings in U.S. lags goals, ethnic disparities revealed; Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2012
Brief Introduction: Researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday that percentages of Americans receiving recommended screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer in 2010 did not reach targets -- with racial and ethnic populations lagging noticeably behind.

2. CDC: Home births rise nearly 30 percent in U.S.; USA Today, January 26, 2012
Brief Introduction: Births taking place outside of the traditional hospital setting increased 29 percent between 2004 and 2009, from 0.56 percent of all births to 0.72 percent — almost 30,000 births — according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Education
1. Michigan kindergarten funding requires full day; Detroitnews.com, January 30, 2012
Brief Introduction: In September, public schools must offer all-day kindergarten to receive full funding for each kindergarten pupil, under rules approved last year by the Legislature. Districts still can offer half-day programs but will lose half of their per-pupil funding for each student. That's a costly proposition for most districts, which get an average of $7,810 in state aid for each child and are battered by repeated cuts in state aid.

2. Michigan to host first ever Digital Learning Day Wednesday; Mlive.com, January 30, 2012
Brief Introduction: The state Department of Education is participating in a national campaign designed to celebrate innovative teaching and highlight practices that make learning more engaging for students. The department, in partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, announced Monday it would be a state host for the first-ever Digital Learning Day campaign on Wednesday, kicking off Michigan’s “Year of the Digital Learner.

Race
1. Segregation of blacks at record low, think tank report says; Los Angeles Times, January 30, 2012
Brief Introduction: Segregation of African Americans in the United States has declined to its lowest point in more than a century, but social and income disparities persist, according to a Manhattan Institute report released Monday. The report, coming days before the nation prepares to observe Black History Month, tracks how housing has changed over time. It was written by two fellows of the conservative think tank: Harvard University economics professor Edward Glaeser and Duke University professor Jacob Vigdor.

2. Telenovelas provide platform for public health messages; PBS.org, January 25, 2012
Brief Introduction: On the Los Angeles set of "Encrucijada: Sin Salud No Hay Nada," the title says it all: "Crossroads: Without Health, There Is Nothing." Like most storylines in this emerging brand of Spanish-language soap opera, or telenovela, Alicia's dramatic past and harrowing future are intertwined with more basic things, like the importance of visiting the doctor regularly, catching cancer in its early stages and planning for end-of-life care. Last year's pilot season tackled everything from diabetes to melanoma to dental care -- with each storyline crafted to deliver public health messages to a notoriously difficult-to-reach audience.

What's new in Philanthropy

2012-01-31T14:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Drugmakers join Gates Foundation in tropical-disease fight; Bloomberg.com, January 30, 2012
Brief Introduction: GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), Sanofi and other health-care companies are joining forces with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, governments and institutions to fight so-called neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy.

2. Department of Justice, MacArthur Foundation provide $2 million to support juvenile justice reform; Sacramento Bee, January 26, 2012
Brief Introduction: In a new private-public partnership, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are jointly providing $2 million to support innovative and effective reforms in treatment and services for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

3. Gates Foundation moves to close $750 million gap in global fund; Nytimes.com, January 26, 2012
Brief Introduction: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said Thursday that it had stepped up its commitment to an international fund to fights AIDS and other diseases, pledging an additional $750 million to the organization.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/26/4217319/department-of-justice-macarthur.html#storylink=cpy

January Podcast: Copyright with Lesley Ellen Harris

2012-01-28T15:34:00.000-05:00

For this month's podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Lesley Ellen Harris (www.copyrightlaws.com) about copyright issues for librarians working in nonprofits. In this short podcast, Lesley shares helpful knowledge and tips that would be of great interest to the listener concerned about copyright. Here are the links to the podcast files (same file, different formats):

WAV
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/LEHarris_Copyright_WAV.wav
MP3
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/LEHarris_Copyright_mp3.mp3

Many thanks to Ms. Harris for her participation.

Friday Roundup

2012-01-27T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Minority males in California: Oakland hearings explore health of population; Huffingtonpost.com, January 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Today's hearing is being convened by the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California. Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, D-Oakland, said he formed the committee to examine the adverse conditions that some black, Latino and Asian boys experience and their effects on state resources and agencies. It also will look at the connections among issues like health, foster care, truancy, school dropouts, unemployment and incarceration.

2. Appendicitis racial disparities mostly unexplained; Chicago Tribune, January 18, 2012
Brief Introduction: Poverty and unfavorable health insurance account for only a small portion of the gap in the number of white versus Hispanic or black children who end up with a burst appendix, according to a new study.

3. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Education
1. Black, Latino students perform at levels of 30 years ag o; HuffingtonPost.com January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: Educators are expressing alarm that the performance gap between minority and white high school students continues to expand across the United States, with minority teenagers performing at academic levels equal to or lower than those of 30 years ago.

2. Many Michigan kids living in poverty, report finds; Detroit Free Press, January 24, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Michigan teens are having babies or dropping out of school, and educational benchmarks for some of the state's youngest students have improved, according to the new Kids Count report.

Race
1. Survey paints portrait of black women in America; The Washington Post, January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: In a new nationwide survey conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation, a complex portrait emerges of black women who feel confident but vulnerable, who have high self-esteem and see physical beauty as important, who find career success more vital to them than marriage. The survey, which includes interviews with more than 800 black women, represents the most extensive exploration of the lives and views of African American women in decades.

2. More Americans uninsured in 2011; Gallup.com, January 24, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic Americans continue to be the most likely to be uninsured, with more than 40% going without health coverage in 2011, the highest Gallup has found for any key group since it began tracking in 2008. More than 30% of low-income Americans were uninsured in 2011 -- a figure that has been rising since 2008, when it was 26.4%.

What's new in Philanthropy

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. How SOPA anti-piracy bill could affect nonprofits; Huffingtonpost.com, January 18, 2012
Brief Introduction: A number of high-profile websites, including Wikipedia and Reddit, have shut down Wednesday to protest proposed anti-piracy legislation, and some experts say that nonprofits could benefit from joining the “blackout.”

2. Nonprofits boosting Boston's coffers; Boston.com, January 21, 2012
Brief Introduction: The city’s deep reservoir of nonprofits often do not pay property taxes, but make contributions to compensate the city for the cost of public safety and other municipal services. Their payments usually vary widely, and Menino has consistently called for heftier sums across the board. Last year, city officials established new guidelines asking nonprofits to make payments based on property values. The officials believe the program is the only one of its kind, and say it has drawn national attention for its potential to bolster strained municipal budgets.

3. Philanthropy beat: Million-dollar donations climb; Star Tribune, January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: The super-rich opened their wallets wider last year, when the number of $1 million-plus donations nationwide nearly doubled over 2010. Gifts of $1 million and more to nonprofits jumped from $3.6 billion in 2010 to $5.4 billion last year, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which compiled the data.

Friday Roundup

2012-01-20T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

2. Detroit Residents' stress still higher than healthy; The Sacramento Bee, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: Although reported stress levels have dipped in Detroit since last year, Detroit residents still experience high stress levels, reporting an average stress level of 5.2 on a 10-point scale. This stress level is higher than what they considered healthy (3.6 on a 10-point scale). Even with lowered reported stress levels, 75 percent of Detroit residents report that the economy is a significant cause of stress. And 73 percent said work is a significant cause of stress. And more than one-third (38 percent) said they are dissatisfied with their work, a number that is substantially greater than reported by Americans nationally (25 percent).

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/11/4179962/detroit-residents-stress-still.html#storylink=cpy

Education
1. AP interview: Winfrey celebrates 1st graduates; Boston.com, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Winfrey spoke Friday on the eve of the first graduation at her school. Of the 75 students who started at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007, 72 who will graduate Saturday. All are headed to universities in South Africa and the United States to pursue such studies as medicine, law, engineering and economics.

2. Black students in Jefferson Parish unfairly arrested, complaint says; Nola.com, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: A complaint filed Wednesday on behalf of four Jefferson Parish public school students and their families accuses the school system of unfairly subjecting African American students to arrests and seizures. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the 20-page complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.

3. Arizona governor wants searchable teacher-discipline database; Education Week, January 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she wants to encourage greater involvement by parents in their children's education, and evidently that includes giving parents easy access to teachers' disciplinary records. The Republican governor proposed creating "searchable database" for parents" that would allow them to research the licensing background and disciplinary actions teachers have faced. She also says she wants to change the process through which teachers can be decertified.

Race
1. For many Latinos, race is more culture than color; The New York Times, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: More than 18 million Latinos checked this “other” box in the 2010 census, up from 14.9 million in 2000. It was an indicator of the sharp disconnect between how Latinos view themselves and how the government wants to count them. Many Latinos argue that the country’s race categories — indeed, the government’s very conception of identity — do not fit them.

2. Latino families battling childhood obesity; Minnesota Public Radio, January 16, 2011
Brief Introduction: Samantha is among the millions of Latino children who weigh too much. In urban and rural areas across the United States, Latino children are more likely than their non-Latino white peers to be overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Nearly 40 percent of Latino children in the United States are overweight or obese.

What's new in Philanthropy

2012-01-17T04:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Gates Foundation study: annual teacher evaluations not enough; Reporternews.com, January 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Once-a-year evaluations aren't enough to help teachers improve, says a report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And school districts using infrequent classroom observations to decide who are their best -- and their worst -- teachers could be making some big mistakes, according to the second part of a multi-year study from the foundation.

2. N.J. to test nonprofit- run schools in urban districts; The Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Nonprofit organizations can apply to develop and run public schools in three New Jersey cities under a 10-year pilot program approved by this week. Gov. Chris Christie, who championed the Urban Hope Act, signed the bill on Thursday, three days after state legislators passed the measure. The act allows nonprofit groups to apply to the state to operate “renaissance” schools in Camden, Newark, and Trenton.

3. Cynicism and Philanthropy; The Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2012
Brief Introduction: The next time you’re inclined to donate lots of money to a good cause, consider this: Others might suspect a selfish motive. What’s more, the longer a do-gooder is in the spotlight for the deed, the more likely people are to assume motives of self-interest.

Learning Session Scheduled for January 30th at 1PM - Lessons of a first time digitizer

2011-12-19T19:49:00.000-05:00

Session Description: Lessons of a first time digitizer

Most presentations provide "best practices" in undertaking digitization projects. In this case study, disclosures of two incorrect approaches will be discussed leading to a final correct outcome. This program is specifically geared toward solo librarians who have little or no experience in undertaking a digitization project. Please note that this presentation will not cover digital preservation.

Presenter Biography: Jackie Kilberg has been a corporate librarian for over 25 years. During that period she served on the audit, membership and employment task force committees for the SLA New York Chapter. While working as the research associate and corporate archivist for The McGraw-Hill Companies in New York City, Jackie was involved in several library and archival associations. As a member of the Business Reference and Services Section of ALA's Reference & User Services Association, Jackie moderated programs at two national conferences featuring McGraw-Hill reference products. This past June, Jackie presented at the SLA National Conference on becoming an accidental archivist and has addressed this topic at NCSU. Jackie and the McGraw-Hill Corporate Archives have been featured in the Society of American Archivists - Business Archives Section newsletter and Metropolitan Archivist magazine.

Jackie was also a board member for the McGraw-Hill Women's Networking and Success and the Society of American Archivists - Business Roundtable Section. Since relocating to North Carolina in August, Jackie, a certified competent communicator of Toastmasters International, is now Vice President of Membership and Public Relations for Cary Club Toastmasters and has currently joined the Society of North Carolina Archivists. While looking for new employment opportunities, Jackie is volunteering at her daughter’s middle school library, conducts database evaluations for Lexis-Nexis, provides pro-bono career advisory services to SLA colleagues and continues to write articles for the SLA New Chapter Newsletter.

Make sure to mark your calendars for January 30th at 1:00PM (ET) so that you can call in to learn more. The registration deadline is January 25th.

*A 15-min Q&A is scheduled after the 30-minute learning session. Please do not use a speakerphone to call in. Remember to write down the call-in information and passcode that will be shown in the confirmation message once you submit your registration.

Register for this learning session by January 25th.

Friday Roundup

2011-12-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. 1 of 7 state residents lacks health insurance; The Seattle Times, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: The number of people in Washington state without health insurance has risen sharply since the end of 2008 and is expected to reach 1 million by the end of the year, according to a new report from state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler

2. Wisconsin gets OK for some Medicaid cuts; Businessweek.com, December 9, 2011
Brief Introduction: Gov. Scott Walker's administration received preliminary approval Friday from the federal government for some Medicaid cuts it sought to balance a budget shortfall, but a final determination won't come until later, raising the possibility 53,000 people may lose coverage in the meantime.

Education
1. Judge rules Colorado education law unconstitutional; Reuters, December 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: A Colorado judge ruled on Friday that the state's education law is unconstitutional because it underfunds public schools and fails to provide a "thorough and uniform" education to all students.

2. Safety violations found at Head Start Centers; Boston.com, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's the kind of stuff that gives moms nightmares: a machete near a play area, household chemicals accessible to preschoolers, and instructors teaching without a criminal background check. These violations and others were found at Head Start centers across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department.

Race
1. Black women were hit hard with job losses in economic crisis; Washington Post, December 11, 2011
Brief Introduction: According to a recent study by the National Women’s Law Center, black women have lost more jobs during the recovery — 258,000 — than they did during the recession — 233,000. Put another way, black women represented 12.5 percent of all women workers in June 2009. But between then and this June, black women lost 42.2 percent of jobs lost by women overall.

2. New Frisco ISD program tackles black student's low test scores; CW33, December 12, 2011
Brief Introduction: African-American students within the Frisco Independent School District do just as well as their White and Hispanic peers on state TAKS tests. But when it comes to college entrance exams, the failure rate for black students in FISD is almost twice as high.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-12-13T04:00:00.001-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Controlling trillions, women drive charitable giving; Reuters.com, December 12, 2011
Brief Introduction: Because they live longer than men, women could oversee more than $41 trillion passed from generation to generation during the next 50 years, according to the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University, which researched the Bank of America report. For most women, however, philanthropy is much more than writing a check.

2. The joys of nonprofit re-gifting; The Nonprofit Quarterly, December 12, 2011
Brief Introduction: As part of an annual urban studies class at the University of Pennsylvania this semester, students not only got the chance to assume the role of philanthropists but they also got $100,000 to back up their choices. According to NewsWorks, this was the first year that an anonymous donor made a gift to the university in support of the program, which, along with many other smaller gifts, included $20,000 for a neighborhood-based nonprofit with an operating budget of $160,000.

3. Gates working with China on poverty, hunger and nuclear power; Bloomberg.com, December 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: A partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology announced Oct. 26 aims to start work “quickly,” Gates, the foundation’s co- chairman and Microsoft Corp. chairman, said at a briefing in Beijing today. The two sides are still in talks on how to make the accord “come to life,” he said.

Friday Roundup

2011-12-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Study: More evidence links specific genes to ADHD; USA Today, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Variations in genes involved in brain signaling pathways appear to be linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. The findings suggest that drugs that act on these pathways may offer a new treatment option for ADHD patients with the gene variants, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers said.

2. Too few doctors may be telling parents their kids are overweight; Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Parents can sometimes be clueless about the fact that their kids are too heavy, but doctors may not be steering them in the right direction. A study finds that less than a fourth of parents recollect their healthcare providers telling them their children were overweight.

Education
1. Study: Phys. Ed., recess mandates boost school physical activity time; Education Week, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Schools are more likely to offer students 150 minutes of physical education per week if located in a state or district that mandates that level of P.E., according to a study published online today in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

2. Education a fresh start for those in poverty; Marionstar.com, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Wiseman, 20, is among students enrolled at Marion County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates. Its students refer to it as their second chance, and sometimes as their only hope as many struggle to not fall into a cycle of poverty.

Race
1. Postal service cutbacks to hurt blacks; Chicago Tribune, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: The U.S. Postal Service's announcement Monday that it plans to close 252 mail processing centers and trim 28,000 jobs to fend off possible bankruptcy is part of a growing trend of shrinking government employment opportunities. For its workforce, which is disproportionately composed of African-Americans, the news means a lot more than the prospect of slower mail delivery.

2. Nudging Latinos toward math and science; Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: For Chicago-area educators such as Adrianzen, empowering Latino boys and girls to enroll in and excel in math and science classes is important to combating relatively high absenteeism and dropout rates, low college enrollment rates and disproportionately low numbers of minorities working in STEM careers.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. MBAs lend their skills to nonprofit boards; Bloomburg Business Week, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Programs like the one Bell participated in, known as Board Fellows, are becoming increasingly common on business school campuses throughout the country. The initiatives are a way to get young people—a demographic that most nonprofit boards have trouble connecting with—involved with boards at an early stage in their careers. On average, only six percent of nonprofit boards have members under the age of 35, according to a 2008 Urban Institute study of nonprofits with annual expenses between $500,000 and $5 million

2. Five fascinating philanthropists; Barrons.com, December 3, 2011
Brief Introduction: Barron's is profiling five of these innovative philanthropists, looking at the entrepreneurial spirit that propelled them to think of new solutions for social problems. None of our picks are headline-grabbing billionaires using $100 million grants to wipe out a disease, but each is deploying grants and sweat equity in such an original way that it changes the world.

3. CPS vies for Gates Foundation funding; Chicago Tribune, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Chicago Public Schools have signed a charter school compact agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in an effort to increase funding for charters and improve collaboration between charter and neighborhood schools.

Friday Roundup

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. More kids skip school shots in 8 states; Usatoday.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: More parents are opting out of school shots for their kids. In eight states now, more than 1 in 20 public school kindergartners aren't getting all the vaccines required for attendance, an Associated Press analysis found.

2. Medicare in America: "It has to get better"; CNN Money, November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: As administrator of Medicare and Medicaid, Donald Berwick has been in charge of paying for the health care of nearly one in three Americans. He has also had an important role in implementing last year's health reform law, which uses the Medicare system as a big lever to change how doctors and hospitals do business, in hopes of containing costs.

3. Pastor fights HIV stigma in Southern town; CNN.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's a problem all across the Bible Belt. In 2007 -- the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the rate of diagnosed AIDS cases in the Southeastern United States was much higher than in other regions of the country: 9.2 per 100,000 people, versus 2.5 in the Midwest, 3.9 in the West and 5.6 in the Northeast.

Education
1. Detroit schools face fines over truancy; UPI.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: The Detroit News reported Monday the documents it obtained show the financially struggling school district could lose about $25.9 million because attendance fell below the state minimum of 75 percent on 46 days last school year.

2. Homeless children snap their dreams; Detroit News, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: When asked what she wishes for, Julie, a 10-year-old resident of a homeless shelter, said she wants her mother to feel better. Nine-year-old Dearon, also a shelter resident, wants to go to college. Diamond, age 7, hopes to make her mother proud. The children were among 15 Detroit kids living in the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries shelter who articulated their hopes and dreams by taking photographs as part of the nationally acclaimed Pictures of Hope project.

Race
1. As public sector sheds jobs, Blacks are hit hardest; The New York Times, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: Mr. Buckley is one of tens of thousands of once solidly middle-class African-American government workers — bus drivers in Chicago, police officers and firefighters in Cleveland, nurses and doctors in Florida — who have been laid off since the recession ended in June 2009. Such job losses have blunted gains made in employment and wealth during the previous decade and undermined the stability of neighborhoods where there are now fewer black professionals who own homes or who get up every morning to go to work.

2. Ruling on Ala. immigration law averts exodus, groups say; USA Today; November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: Civil rights groups say a judge's decision to halt part of Alabama's strict illegal immigration enforcement law averted a Thanksgiving weekend exodus of Hispanics from the state. Some portions of Alabama's law, known as HB 56 and described by supporters and critics as the harshest state immigration law in the country, were already blocked by a federal judge. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson took an additional step by ordering the state to stop denying manufactured home registration permits to people who couldn't prove their U.S. citizenship.

3. Black and Hispanic N.J. residents less likely to own homes following housing crisis, U.S. Census reveals; NJ.com, November 26, 2011
Brief Introduction: Sixty-five percent of Garden State householders live in homes they own. But for black households, that number drops to 40 percent. For Hispanics, the home ownership rate is even lower, at 36 percent, even as the community’s population has exploded in the last decade, according to data from the 2010 Census.

December Podcast: Mr. Paul Brest, President, Hewlett Foundation

2011-12-01T02:04:00.000-05:00

For this month's podcast, I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Paul Brest from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Mr. Brest shared information that included his view of strategic philanthropy, creating a learning culture in his organization, and lessons learned during his career. This is an excellent interview and well-worth your time to listen:

MP3
WAV

Many thanks to Mr. Brest for his participation.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-11-29T07:55:00.002-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Policy Making Billionaires; Nytimes.com, November 26, 2011
Brief Introduction: Over the past 30 years, as the gap between wealthy and poor grew ever wider, total philanthropic giving almost tripled, according to annual estimates published by the Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. In an age of widening partisanship and plummeting trust in government, this outpouring of philanthropy has produced a distinct breed of philanthropist: The policy-making billionaire.

2. To advance their cause, Foundations buy stocks; Nytimes.com, November 24, 2011
Brief Introduction: Earlier this year, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation invested $10 million to acquire a stake in Liquidia Technologies, a biotechnology company working on new ways to deliver vaccines. The foundation bought its shares using a program-related investment, or an investment that can be counted toward federal requirements that it pay out 5 percent of its assets each year.

3. Great way for boomers to prepare for nonprofit work; Forbes.com, November 22, 2011
Brief Introduction: Today, Civic Ventures, a nonprofit think tank that focuses on boomers and encore careers with social purpose, announced a program with the Santa Clara, CA-based chip maker to offer all of Intel's U.S. employees who are eligible to retire the chance to apply for Encore Fellowships – paid, part-time, yearlong assignments working at local nonprofits.

4. Donations inch back up after recession decline; Usatoday.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: Giving totaled $291 billion in 2010, according to the 2011 annual report by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. That's up 3.8% from 2009 and follows two consecutive years of declines.

Friday Roundup

2011-11-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. New study shows health insurance premium spikes in every state; WashingtonPost.com, November 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance have risen faster than incomes in every state in the nation, according to a report released Thursday. The District of Columbia had the highest annual total premiums, including both the employer’s and the worker’s share. In 2010, they averaged $5,644 for a single policy and $15,206 for a family version — a rise of 51 percent and 41 percent, respectively, since 2003.

2. Feds provide $6M for rural health care in 6 states; Chicagotribune.com, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Six states in the Mississippi River Delta region are getting more than $6 million in rural health care grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than half of it is going to Mississippi. Nearly $3 million in rural development grants will pay for the first urgent care center in Mound Bayou, Miss., and almost $700,000 will create an electronic intensive care unit system among five hospitals in Mississippi's poorest rural counties, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday.

Education
1. Congress blocks new rules on school lunches; New York Times.com, November 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: Congress on Monday blocked rules proposed by the Agriculture Department that would have overhauled the nation’s school lunch program. The proposed changes — the first in 15 years to the $11 billion school lunch program — were meant to reduce childhood obesity by adding more fruits and green vegetables to lunch menus, Agriculture Department officials said.

2. States strengthening teacher evaluation standards; Boston.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: President Barack Obama's recent use of executive authority to revise the No Child Left Behind education law is one of several factors driving a trend toward using student test scores, classroom observation and potentially even input from students, among other measures, to determine just how effective educators are. A growing number of states are using these evaluations to decide critical issues such as pay, tenure, firings and the awarding of teaching licenses.

Race
1. Perceived racism may impact Black American's mental health; St. Louis American, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: For black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could lead to some physical health disparities between blacks and other populations in the United States, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Black Americans' psychological responses to racism are very similar to common responses to trauma, such as somatization, which is psychological distress expressed as physical pain; interpersonal sensitivity; and anxiety, according to the study. Individuals who said they experienced more and very stressful racism were more likely to report mental distress, the authors said.

2. Arizona educators clash over Mexican American studies; Latimes.com, November 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: A state law adopted this year aims to outlaw divisive ethnic studies, and Huppenthal will soon decide whether the Tucson district's program violates the law and should be eliminated. In a state known for cultural clashes, the debate over the future of Mexican American studies in Tucson is particularly charged, prompting raucous protests and a host of accusations — of brainwashing, of sloppy academics, of racism.

3. A hard life for one Latina teenager; Latimes.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: She is 16 years old, and a native-born Georgian. She has a learner's permit and would like to take the driving class that would allow her to get a license — that elusive prize so many of her foreign-born friends will never have. The class costs $230, but the money from her two jobs is spoken for. Since her stepfather, an illegal immigrant named Abigail Carrillos, returned to El Salvador to avoid a forced deportation, she has stepped up as the family's main breadwinner.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-11-22T04:00:00.002-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. For job hunters, digital merit badges; Nytimes.com, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Now the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is putting millions of dollars into a competition to spur interest in a new type of badge — one that people can display not on their clothing but on a Web site, blog or Facebook page while they are looking for a job.

2. St. Paul Library gets $165,000 technology planning grant; StarTribune.com, November 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: The St. Paul Public Library will begin designing a digital learning lab for middle and high school students, thanks to a $165,000 planning grant it received on Thursday. When the plan is completed, the library will have to apply for a separate grant this spring to build the lab. The planning process will be funded by a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation . The library was one of 12 organizations in the nation to receive that grant.

3. Study: cyberbullying associated with greater psychological distress than bullying at high school; Boston.com, November 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: High school students who are bullied online are more likely to report symptoms of depression and suicide attempts than students who were bullied only at school, according to a survey of students in the communities west of Boston published today. The survey, funded by the MetroWest Health Foundation, was distributed at 22 high schools west of Boston in the fall of 2008. Researchers surveyed more than 20,000 students using written questionairres.

4. Middle-class areas shrink as income gap grows, new report finds; Nytimes.com, November 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: The portion of American families living in middle-income neighborhoods has declined significantly since 1970, according to a new study, as rising income inequality left a growing share of families in neighborhoods that are mostly low-income or mostly affluent. The study, conducted by Stanford University and scheduled for release on Wednesday by the Russel Sage Foundation and Brown University, uses census data to examine family income at the neighborhood level in the country’s 117 biggest metropolitan areas.

Friday Roundup

2011-11-11T04:00:00.002-05:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. In developing world, poor still means thin; Reuters.com, November 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Although "first-world" health problems like obesity and heart disease are gaining ground in developing nations, a new study finds they are mostly afflicting the rich and middle class while poor people remain undernourished and underweight.

2. Low-income state workers begin to gain access to Children's Health Insurance Program; The Washington Post, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: At least six states have opened their Children's Health Insurance Program to the kids of low-income state employees, an option that was prohibited until the passage of the 2010 health-care law.

Education
1. Analysis: is student loan, education bubble next?; Boston.com, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: First the dot.coms popped, then mortgages. Are student loans and higher education the next bubble, the latest investment craze inflating on borrowed money and misplaced faith it can never go bad?

2. In Tennessee, following the rules for evaluations off a cliff; The New York Times, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Last year, when Tennessee was named one of the first two states to win a federal Race to The Top grant, worth $501 million, there was great joy all around.

Race
1. City to provide housing to poor, pregnant women; Boston.com, November 4, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an effort to drive down the number of deaths among black and Latino infants in Boston, the city today launched an initiative to lessen the stress on pregnant women by providing them with housing, counseling, and other critical support.

2. Rage ensues as study shows soda ads target minorities; NYDailyNews.com, November 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: In her Harlem neighborhood, the barrage of soda ads is constant. “Pepsi and Coke are everywhere,” said Rashida Jones, 34, a mother of three. “As a parent, I can’t control what my children see. They even show the ads on tv during cartoons.” A recent study shows Jones - a black woman whose kids are 10, 14 and 15 - isn’t alone. The study found that young blacks and Hispanics are bombarded with soda ads at a higher rate than white children.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-11-08T04:00:00.001-05:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. At G-20, Bill Gates addresses leaders about helping poor; WashingtonPost.com, November 4, 2011
Brief Introduction: Organizations representing the world’s poor have had a fitful relationship with the Group of 20 world leaders. They arrive en masse to hold news conferences and usually get a nice mention of food security and health in any communique, but they mostly see their larger aims shoved aside by whatever crisis has hit major banks or currencies. Enter Bill Gates, literally. In what may mark a signature breakthrough, the Microsoft chairman and Gates Foundation philanthropist was given 90 minutes before a group that’s become a kind of executive board for the global economy.

2. Nonprofits get creative; WashingtonPost.com; November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Nonprofits have had to become ever more creative as the economic slowdown lingers — and their work is only just beginning. Two of the region’s largest philanthropic organizations, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announced plans to phase out their charitable giving. Corporations are becoming much more selective in their philanthropy. And foundation budgets remain largely stagnant — they are handing out fewer grants — amid fears of continued budget cuts from the federal government.

3. Students could save millions on open-source texts; The Seattle Times, October 31, 2011 Brief Introduction: College students in Washington state will be the first beneficiaries of a state project to make inexpensive, open source textbooks available for the most popular college classes. But the $1 million the state invested in creating educational materials for 42 classes will benefit more than just students in Washington. That money was matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

4. The MacArthur Foundation examines the link between housing and human and community outcomes; The Nonprofit Quarterly, November 4, 2011
Brief Introduction: Some of us thought it was quite a coup when the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation landed Mike Stegman as its director of policy and housing. Stegman was a phenomenal researcher on housing and community development at the University of North Carolina before a stint as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. And he’s been generating some great stuff at MacArthur.

November CFL Podcast Interview: Dalia R. Levine

2011-11-07T12:37:00.003-05:00

For this month's podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Dalia R. Levine who is the Enterprise Information Architect for the Ford Foundation. In this interview, she discusses information architecture and its value within the information environment.
MP3:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/DaliaRLevine_Ford_Podcast_MP3.mp3
WAV:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/DaliaRLevine_Ford_Podcast_WAV.wav

Many thanks to Ms. Levine for her participation.

Friday Roundup

2011-11-04T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Public health program urges smokers in KY city to switch from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco; Washington Post, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: The James Graham Brown Cancer Center and the University of Louisville are aiming their “Switch and Quit” campaign at the city of Owensboro. It uses print, radio, billboard and other advertising to urge smokers to swap their cigarettes for smokeless tobacco and other products that do not deliver nicotine by smoke.

2. 11,000 may rejoin state's Basic Health plan; The Seattle Times, October 26,2011
Brief introduction: About 11,000 people who were kicked off the state's Basic Health insurance program for the working poor in March because of their immigration status will be allowed to re-enroll after a federal court judge said the state likely had violated their constitutional equal-protection rights.

Education
1. Colorado faces nation's only statewide tax vote to raise taxes for Education; Huffington Post, October 30, 2011
Brief introduction: The nation's only statewide tax vote on the November ballot asks Colorado voters whether they want to temporarily raise taxes to generate $3 billion for classrooms and colleges – a proposal that has stirred fierce opposition because of the stagnant economy.

2. Higher education costs continue to soar; CBS News.com, October 26, 2011
Brief introduction: The College Board says average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose an additional $631 this fall, or 8.3 percent, from a year ago. Nationally, the cost of a full credit load has passed $8,000, an all-time high. With room and board, the average list price for a state school now runs more than $17,000 a year.

Race
1. Report shows African-American, low-income children in California at highest risk of secondhand smoke; Scope, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: Although smoking rates in California have steadily declined since 1998, nearly 2.5 million children in the state are still at risk of secondhand smoke, according to a recent report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

2. Miscommunication about asthma leaves Latinos gasping for answers; Fox News Latino, October 27, 2011
Brief introduction: Miscommunication, more than unhealthy lifestyles, are contributing to high rates of the respiratory condition among Hispanics, the American Lung Association said earlier this month.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-11-01T04:00:00.001-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. The biggest gift in the world; Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: In the past year, Buffett has carried his philanthropy to a new extreme and, in the process, sparked a revolution in the world of giving. Through his launch of the Giving Pledge in June 2010, a joint venture with his partner-in-patronage Bill Gates, Buffett has unlocked billions of dollars for philanthropic causes. The Pledge has touched off a national debate about how much is "enough" when it comes to giving, and created the most powerful movement in American philanthropy since Andrew Carnegie released his famous "Gospel of Wealth" treatise in 1889.

2. Interactive: How many Canadians give, and other trends in Canadian philanthropy; Globe and Mail, October 30, 2011
Brief Introduction: An interactive diagram that provides information about Canadian philanthropy.

3. New center draws job seekers; Delmarvanow.com, October 31, 2011
Brief Introduction:In just a few months, the Job Center@Delaware Libraries, an estimated $2.7 million employment services project, has helped hundreds of Georgetown library patrons with in-house counseling and educational programming, Internet access to employment resources and unlimited computer use for resume and correspondence preparation. Job Center@Delaware Libraries also received $800,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a matching contribution through the Delaware Division of Libraries.

4. What these 3 MacArthur Foundation winners do is genius; Detroit Free Press, October 31, 2011
Brief Introduction: A historian, a chemist and a biologist who balance lecturing, teaching, research and raising kids were among 22 people named MacArthur Foundation fellows last month. The national award comes with a no-strings-attached $500,000, and the awardees have come to be deemed geniuses.

Friday Roundup

2011-10-28T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Education

1. Senate panel approves bill that rewrited education law; The New York Times, October 21,2011

Legislation rewriting the No Child Left Behind education law finally gained traction this week, and the Senate Democrat whose committee passed the bill said on Friday that progress became possible because lawmakers were irritated by the Obama administration’s offering states waivers to the law’s key provisions.

2. Texas trails most states, many countries in young adults with degrees; Statesman.com, October 21, 2011

Texas trails most other states and many developed countries in the percentage of young adults with a college degree, and demographic changes suggest the underperformance will worsen as time goes on. About 32 percent of Texans ages 25 to 34 have earned an associate's degree or higher, compared with 41 percent for the nation as a whole. Massachusetts ranks first among the states at about 54 percent, and South Korea led an international sampling at 63 percent.

Health
1. Study: Foreclosure crisis threatening America's health; USA Today, October 22, 2011
A new study finds that falling behind on your mortgage payments hurts more than just your finances, as the stress and financial strain that come with the struggle can also harm your physical and psychological health. People who reported that they had fallen behind on their mortgage between 2006 and 2008 reported more depressive symptoms, more food insecurity and were more likely to say they weren't taking prescription medications as prescribed because of cost.

2. Massive free health clinic serves more than 1,000 on first day; Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2011
More than a thousand people on Thursday took advantage of a massive free clinic that opened at the L.A. Sports Arena. The outreach event, which goes until Sunday, is expected to treat more than 5,000 patients for tooth decay, high blood pressure, diabetes and other medical needs. It is organized by CareNow, an L.A.-based nonprofit that assists urban areas with healthcare needs.

3. Change your neighborhood, improve your health; Time.com, October 20, 2011
When a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offered a program in the 1990s to move families out of poor neighborhoods, it created a unique opportunity not only to improve people's day-to-day lives, but also to study how a change in environment might impact their health over the long term. Now, more than a decade later, the researchers have found that families who moved to lower-poverty neighborhoods had lower levels of obesity and diabetes than those who stayed behind. What's more, the improvements in health were as significant as those that typically result from targeted diet and exercise interventions or the use of medications to treat diabetes.

Race
1. SC voter ID law hits some black precincts harder; Boston.com, October 19, 2011
South Carolina’s new voter photo identification law appears to be disproportionately affecting minority voters in one of the state’s largest counties and black precincts elsewhere, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. For instance, nearly half the voters who cast ballots at a historically black college in Columbia lack state-issued photo identification and could face problems voting in next year’s presidential election, according to the analysis of precinct-level data provided by the state Election Commission.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-10-25T04:00:00.001-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Facebook teams up with Department of Labor, nonprofit groups to launch social jobs partnership; Scribbal, October 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Facebook has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), DirectEmployers Association (DE) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) to create the Social Jobs Partnership. The main aim of the initiative is to get unemployed Americans back to work by harnessing the power of social networks.

2. GlaxoSmithKline , Bill Gates -backed vaccine cuts Malaria infections by half; Forbes.com, October 18,2011
Brief Introduction: A vaccine invented at drug giant GlaxoSmithKline and funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation cut the rate of malaria infection in small children roughly in half, providing real hope of cutting the toll from a mosquito-borne disease that infects 250 million people a year and kills 800,000 children annually in sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Nonprofits bear burden of Illinois' unpaid bills; Bloomberg Businessweek, October 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: Illinois ranks first nationwide when it comes to nonprofit groups reporting late payments from the government, according to a survey last year by the nonpartisan Urban Institute. More than 80 percent of Illinois groups say their money doesn't come on time.

Grantmaking in 2009: average grant by category

2011-10-24T01:09:00.006-04:00

2009 Foundation Grants: average grant by category

Foundation Giving Trends, a 2011 report produced by the Foundation Center, was recently released and covered grantmaking data for the 2009 year. In regards to the average grant amount awarded per category, the report determined that Human Services was ranked the lowest, with an average of $68,794 per grant and a median of $25,000. The category ranked the highest was International Affairs, Development, Peace, and Human Rights with an average of $311,376 per grant and a median of $50,000.

Top funders by category in 2009:

1. Arts and culture:
The American Art Foundation, Inc.

2. Education:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

3. Environment and animals:
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

4. Health:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

5. International Affairs, development, peace and human rights:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

6. Public Affairs:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

7. Civil Rights and Social Action:
Ford Foundation

8. Science and Technology:
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

9. Social Sciences:
John Templeton Foundation

10. Religion:
Lilly Endowment Inc.

Friday Roundup

2011-10-21T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. "Supercommittee" decision may lead to cuts funding for public health initiatives; Washington Post, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: Federal funding for medical research, disease prevention and a host of public health initiatives could be sharply reduced if the congressional “supercommittee” fails to agree on a deficit-reduction package, triggering automatic cuts. Public attention has largely focused on possible cuts to entitlement programs for seniors and the poor, Medicare and Medicaid, but health advocates are raising an alarm about many other smaller programs they say need to be protected.

2. Health insurance set up for the masses; Philly.com, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: The federal government is taking on a crucial new role in the nation's health care, designing a basic-benefits package for millions of privately insured Americans. A framework for the Obama administration was released Thursday.

Education
1. Education funds sought to uncover cheating; Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: New York state education officials, in an attempt to boost confidence in test scores as they become part of teacher evaluations across the state, want to spend $2.1 million to hunt among millions of students' tests for evidence of cheating.

2. Education bill draws fire from rights groups; Washington Post, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A top Senate Democrat rolled out his plan Tuesday to revamp the main federal education law, but it immediately drew fire from civil rights groups that argued it would ease pressure on schools to provide quality education to all children, regardless of race or income. Under Harkin’s bill, the federal government would no longer require all students to meet achievement goals — a cornerstone of the current law. Instead, Harkin proposes to require that schools show that students are making academic progress.

Race
1. 5 diseases more common in minorities; ABC News, October 13,2011
Brief Introduction: Although more and more people are living longer with colorectal cancer, new research has found that black people with the disease aren't living as long as whites.

2. LAUSD agrees to revise how English learners, blacks are taught; Los Angeles Times, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: The Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to sweeping revisions in the way it teaches students learning English, as well as black youngsters, settling a federal civil rights investigation that examined whether the district was denying the students a quality education. The settlement closes what was the Obama administration's first civil rights investigation launched by the Department of Education, and officials said Tuesday that it would serve as a model for other school districts around the country.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-10-18T04:00:00.001-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Federal security funds granted to hundreds of N.Y. nonprofits from 2006-2009 total in millions;NY Daily News, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: Hundreds of New York nonprofit groups have gotten a slice of nearly $2 billion in national Homeland Security grants this year by claiming they face a "high risk" of a terror attack.

2. Infographic: How the top 50 nonprofits do social media; Huffington Post, October 15,2011
Brief Introduction: I get asked a lot if nonprofits are using social media effectively. After taking a look at the Nonprofit Times list of 100 top nonprofits based on income, the craigconnects team decided to look at who was proactively and effectively utilizing social media in August and September of 2011. Do the highest earning nonprofits use social media the most effectively? How are people responding and interacting? The deal is, with social media use on the rise, we decided to check this out and created an infographic to show the results.

3. A quest for hybrid companies that profit, but can tap charity; The New York Times, October 12,2011
Brief Introduction: A new type of company intended to put social goals ahead of making profits is taking root around the country, as more states adopt laws to bridge the divide between nonprofits and businesses. California is the latest state to adopt a statute permitting what is called flexible-purpose corporations, new companies that are part social benefit and part low-profit entities. The companies are now allowed under laws in more than a dozen states and two Indian tribes.

4. Job's wife backs education causes; Wall Street Journal, October 10,2011
Brief Introduction: Ms. Powell Jobs has become a leader in education policy, advising nonprofits and politicians, says Ted Mitchell, chief executive of NewSchools Venture Fund, whose board Ms. Powell Jobs joined five years ago. The Jobs family has donated millions of dollars to the group, he says, and her work "is even more effective because she does this work quietly, constantly, with incredible integrity and great insight."

Friday Roundup

2011-10-14T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Dietary supplements risky for older women, study finds; Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an analysis of about 39,000 women tracked over 19 years, researchers led by a team at the University of Minnesota found that those who took multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper and especially iron died at higher rates during the course of the study than those who did not take supplements.

2. Physicians treating Latinos have high hurdles to jump, study shows; UCLA, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Research out of UCLA and the City University of New York has found that primary care physicians who treat Latinos are less likely than physicians treating primarily white patients to believe they can provide high-quality care. Among the reasons: inadequate time with patients, patients' lack of ability to afford care, patients not adhering to recommended treatments, and difficulties in communicating.

Education
1. Proposal stirs charter school debate: choice vs. quality?; Detroit Free Press, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A legislative proposal to lift the state cap on charter schools would provide parents unprecedented options for K-12 education, but some critics fear it would litter the state with ineffective, profit-minded operators.

2. DPS special ed program gains; Detroit Free Press, October 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: It took two years of state pressure and the threat of losing millions in funding, but Detroit Public Schools has reformed its special education evaluation system to comply with state and federal laws. As a result, more of the 12,000 disabled students across the district are getting more time in regular classrooms, a goal shared by state education officials.

Race
1. Downsides of cancer rarely seen in black media; Reuters, October 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Since people often get medical information from the media, Fishman and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia looked at whether there might be racial differences in how the media cover cancer care.

2. Hopkins researchers find place, rather than race, may be greater determinant of health; Stanford.edu, October 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Of all the variables that contribute to health disparities, where patients live may be more significant than their race, according to findings published in the latest issue of Health Affairs.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-10-11T04:00:00.001-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Philanthropy, now yielding financial returns; Forbes.com, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: For decades, giving for social benefit and investing for financial return have been practiced as separate and distinct activities. But today there are a range of philanthropic investment strategies available that simultaneously yield social and financial returns.

2. Study: Gates project spared 100K Indians from HIV; CBSNews.com, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: An estimated 100,000 people in India may have escaped HIV infection over five years thanks to one of the world's biggest prevention programs, an encouraging sign that targeting high-risk groups remains vital even as more donors focus on treatment, a new study suggests.

3. Organizations strive to solve the Latino childhood obesity epidemic; Fox News Latino, October 8, 2011
Brief Introduction: Salud America is a research network and online portal with a unique goal. The organization is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and encompasses a network of Latino scientists and policy makers that aim to prevent obesity among Hispanic children in the United States.

4. Teens help create model digital library; Chicago Sun Times, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Funded in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the project sprang from research on how digital media affect kids' literacy. "We are in one of those rare moments in time where what it means to be literate today, what it meant for us, is going to be different from what it means to be literate for our kids, " says DePaul University's Nichole Pinkard, who first envisioned the space.

Friday Roundup

2011-10-07T04:00:00.001-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. When the nurse wants to be called "Doctor"; The New York Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Dr. McCarver calls herself a doctor because she returned to school to earn a doctorate last year, one of thousands of nurses doing the same recently. Doctorates are popping up all over the health professions, and the result is a quiet battle over not only the title “doctor,” but also the money, power and prestige that often comes with it.

2. Physicians sue Washington State for limiting emergency room visits; Global Post, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: The American College of Emergency Physicians is suing the state of Washington over its new policy of paying for only three non-emergency trips to the emergency room per year for low-income Medicaid patients.

3. Workers in construction, mines, food service more likely to smoke; Chicago Sun-Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Construction workers, miners and food service workers top the list of occupations that smoke the most, according to a new government report. Experts say it might have as much to do with lower education levels as the jobs themselves.

Education
1. Illegal students face obstacles even after college; The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: When Rhode Island became the thirteenth state to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at public colleges, supporters heralded the move as one that would give students the kind of advanced education they need to succeed in the work force.

But students who are not here legally may still face a major obstacle even with the benefit of a college degree: Many have no immediate pathway to legal status and, under current federal immigration law, employers cannot legally hire them.

2. Once left behind, a single mom refuses to give up on her quest to read; Detroit Free Press, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Thirty-eight-year-old Luvanis O'Neal kept her secret for more than 20 years by hiding in silence behind a sweet, demure smile. It was easier being quiet. Nobody asked questions of the shy girl.

Race
1. Black population concentrated in South: Census; NBC Washington, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: The majority of the United State’s population that identifies itself as black or African American is concentrated in the southern states, according to a new report by the Census Bureau.

2. More Hispanics listed themselves as White on U.S. Census; The Beacon News, September 30, 2011
Brief Introduction: In a twist to notions of race identity, new 2010 census figures show an unexpected reason behind a renewed growth in the U.S. white population: more Hispanics listing themselves as white in the once-a-decade government count.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-10-04T04:00:00.001-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Three cars "for good" go to local nonprofits; JournalStar.com, September 28, 2011

Brief Introduction: The 100 Cars for Good promotional program was launched by Toyota in May, and nonprofits across the land competed to land a car. Local winners survived several rounds of cuts to make it to the final 500 -- and then each was assigned a day. On that day, they competed head-to-head with four other nonprofits of similar size, gathering votes via Facebook, Twitter, email and good ‘ol word-of-mouth.

2. The White House and National Science Foundation announce new workplace flexibility policies to support America's scientists and their families; WhiteHouse.gov, September 26,2011

Brief Introduction: Today, White House Council on Women and Girls Executive Director Tina Tchen, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John P. Holdren, and National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Subra Suresh announced the “NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative,” a 10-year plan to provide greater work-related flexibility to women and men in research careers. Among the best practices that NSF will expand Foundation-wide, are ones that will allow researchers to delay or suspend their grants for up to one year in order to care for a newborn or newly adopted child or fulfill other family obligations. — maximizing current policy to facilitate scientists’ reentry into their professions with minimal loss of momentum.

3. Meeting with Bill Gates, Nigerian president Jonathan re-affirms country's commitment to eradicating polio within two years; Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report, September 30, 2011

Brief Introduction: In a meeting at the presidential villa on Thursday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan told Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, "that he was determined to eradicate polio within two years after the crippling disease re-emerged earlier this year."

4. High school students gain college credits at Akron Early College High School at University of Akron; Cleveland.com, October 2, 2011

Brief Introduction: Early college high schools, aimed at low-income, first-generation college students, were developed and funded in 2002 by several organizations, including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. More than 230 schools have opened in 28 states, including 10 in Ohio.

October CFL Podcast: Melanie Sciochetti & Bruce Compton from Pew (Librarian/Archivist)

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

This month, I had the opportunity to interview Melanie Sciochetti and Bruce Compton from Pew. Melanie is a librarian and library manager and Bruce is an archivist and senior manager for their Research & Records department. They share how they have worked together with their team to provide excellent service to their colleagues. Bruce also shares valuable tips for librarians looking to improve their collaboration with their organization's archivist.

This turned out to be an excellent podcast interview and I thank Melanie and Bruce for their participation.

MP3 file:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/Bruce_Melanie_Interview_Pew_MP3.mp3

WAV file:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/Bruce_Melanie_Interview_Pew_WAV.wav

Friday Roundup

2011-09-30T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Hospital drug shortages deadly, costly; Forbes.com, September 24, 2011
Brief introduction: A growing crisis in the availability of drugs for chemotherapy, infections and other serious ailments is endangering patients and forcing hospitals to buy from secondary suppliers at huge markups because they can't get the medications any other way.

2. California leads U.S. in measles cases; Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2011
Brief introduction: As more parents forgo measles vaccinations for their children, the number of Californians contracting the highly contagious disease has reached a 10-year high, outpacing every other state in the nation.

Education
1. Obama turns some powers of education back to the states; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: Mr. Obama invited states to reclaim the power to design their own school accountability and improvement systems, upending the centerpiece of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law, a requirement that all students be proficient in math and reading by 2014.

2. 'Parent Trigger' law to reform schools faces challenges; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: The Compton Unified School District has challenged a group of parents who collected hundred of signatures in order to enact change at one of the schools using the 'parent trigger' law. The parents want the under-performing school shut down and a charter school to take its place.

Race
1. Many black men in cold climates lack vitamin D; US News, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: A new study suggests black men who live in areas of the United States with low sunlight are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than whites who live in the same places.

2. Black teachers unfairly targeted by CPS layoffs, union says; Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2011
Brief introduction: The Chicago Teachers Union says that while fewer than 30 percent of teachers in CPS are African-American, they represent more than 40 percent of those getting pink slips this year, either for budgetary reasons or because of enrollment declines. Latino teachers, who represent 15 percent of teachers in CPS, make up about 12 percent of layoffs, union officials said.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-09-27T01:36:00.003-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Increasing transparency to galvanize impact; Huffington Post, September 23,2011
Brief Introduction: Through the efforts of the Global Corporate Citizenship Program, BCLC will be launching a new tool to dramatically change the way we learn from each other and work together across sectors. At the 2011 Adding Value in Emerging Markets and Local Communities Conference, BCLC will be launching the Business for Good Map. This online, interactive map will catalog our members' work in communities based on geography and sector. Whether you're looking for education initiatives in Brazil, HIV programs in South Africa, or water programs in South East Asia, you'll be able to view all of these programs on one application.

2. Melinda Gates goes from 0 to 17,000+ Twitter followers in a day; The Seattle Times, September 22, 2011
Brief Introduction: Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Gates Foundation, joined Twitter Wednesday ("Excited to be joining the conversation on @twitter," she said) and, in some 24 hours, has gained more than 17,000 followers.

3. Health IT key to patient engagement; iHealthBeat.org, September 19,2011
Brief Introduction: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have teamed up on a new initiative aimed at boosting patient engagement in an effort to improve the quality of health care in the U.S. Health care experts argue that patient empowerment is key to driving health care improvements.

4. White House targets innovative education technologies; Information Week, September 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: The White House has formed a nonprofit organization aimed at creating innovative learning technologies to transform education in the United States. The National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies, aka Digital Promise, will engage exclusively in research and development (R&D) to use the most advanced technology to improve learning at all educational levels.

The Department of Education, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation are providing startup funds and support for the nonprofit, which brings together a coalition of business leaders and educators.

Friday Roundup

2011-09-23T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. 4 insurers will supply health data; The New York Times, September 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Several major health insurers have agreed to provide their claims data on a regular basis to academic researchers, in an unusual agreement that they say will open a window onto the rising costs of health care.

2. Study: Exercise helps teen smokers quit; USA Today, September 19,2011
A program that combines counseling with physical activity may offer teens a more effective way to stop smoking.

Education
1. Kansas City Schools to lose state accreditation; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Missouri education officials revoked the accreditation of the Kansas City School District on Tuesday after it failed for several years to meet most of the state's academic performance standards.

2. Kansas joins national science standard team; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Kansas has been named one of 20 lead states to help write academic science standards that could be used as a national model for public schools and will include requirements for teaching evolution, project leaders announced Tuesday.

Race
1. Higher risk of second breast cancer seen in black women; US News, September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Black women who develop breast cancer are more likely than white women to suffer a second cancer in the other breast, and those who are diagnosed under age 45 are more likely to get a primary breast cancer of a more aggressive form, new research indicates.

2. Latinos at risk without new pollution standards; San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 2011
Brief Introduction: Latinos would have a higher risk of disease and death without tougher standards that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed for ozone and toxic emissions, environmental and Latino groups said Tuesday.

3. Risks seen for children of illegal immigrants; The New York Times, September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Children whose parents are illegal immigrants or who lack legal status themselves face “uniformly negative” effects on their social development from early childhood until they become adults, according to a study by four researchers published Wednesday in the Harvard Educational Review.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-09-21T04:00:00.002-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1. Public-Interest lawyer and choral director among MacArthur Genius prize winners ; Chronicle of Philanthropy, September 19,2011
Brief Introduction: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced the 22 recipients of its annual MacArthur Fellows awards.

2. Map tracks antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs' online; The Washington Post, September 21,2011
Brief Introduction: The "Resistance Map” was launched Wednesday by “Extending the Cure,” a research project that studies the rising problems of antibiotic resistance based at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, a Washington-based nonprofit. It is funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

3. Social Good Summit 2011; Mashable.com, September 20,2011
Brief Introduction: Mashable, 92Y and the UN Foundation are excited to get day two of the second annual Social Good Summit under way. The event, held in New York City during UN Week, is off to a great start after yesterday’s inspiring sessions with digital philanthropy leaders such as Ted Turner, Nicholas Negroponte and Christy Turlington.

4. Gates Foundation taps Novartis executive; The Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2011
Brief Introduction: A senior executive at the pharmaceutical company Novartis AG will join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as president of the philanthropy's global health group, a position that can influence the health of millions of people worldwide.

A change to the blog

2011-09-19T05:43:00.002-04:00

In order to better focus this blog, I will be making a few changes to the content that is posted on it. One of those changes will be the ceasing of daily news articles. I hope to make one to two posts a week that focus on philanthropy and a briefing of news of interest. In addition, I am also looking for guest bloggers from the field of philanthropy or nonprofit librarianship who would be interested in contributing a post or two.

If interested, please leave a comment on this blog post to indicate your interest and the best method to contact you.

What's new in Philanthropy

2011-09-13T04:00:00.008-04:00

Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:

1.The Post-Jobs era: Tim Cook brings philanthropy back to Apple; Wired, September 8, 2011
Brief Introduction: Mr. Cook announced on Thursday morning in a company-wide e-mail that Apple would now honor a charitable matching program.

2. Menino set to coax nonprofits into hiring; Boston.com, September 5, 2011

Brief Introduction: To encourage job growth, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today will propose financial incentives for hospitals, universities, and other nonprofits to hire out-of-work Boston residents.

Institutions that hire jobless Bostonians would receive a $1,000 or $1,500 credit that would be deducted from the money nonprofits are asked to pay each year in lieu of property taxes. Boston’s top five employers - four major hospitals and Boston University - contributed more than $8.6 million to city coffers last year despite their tax-exempt status.

3. Pay for female nonprofit CEOs lag; Orlando Business Journal, September 8, 2011

Brief Introduction: Despite more women holding CEO positions at nonprofits, women CEOs earn 13.4 percent to 24.6 percent less than their male counterparts, according to an annual survey released Sept. 8.

4. Big Boost to African Cassava Projec t; The Scientist, September 7, 2011

Brief Introduction: The Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) project recently received $5.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, $5.5 million from The Monsanto Fund; and more than $850,000 from the Howard Buffett Foundation.

CFL Podcast: Jacob Harold (Value beyond grant money)

2011-09-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

For this podcast, I had the opportunity to speak with Jacob Harold from the Hewlett Foundation. In this podcast, he discusses how grantmakers can go beyond the expected and provide value to their grantees beyond grant money.

WAV
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/Jacob_Harold_CFL_Interview_WAV.wav
MP3
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/Jacob_Harold_CFL_Interview_MP3.mp3

Friday Roundup

2011-09-09T00:07:00.000-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Texas and Mass. still at health coverage extremes in U.S., Gallup, September 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Texas residents continue to be the most likely in the United States to lack health coverage, with 27.2% reporting being uninsured in the first half of 2011. At the other end of the spectrum is Massachusetts, where health insurance is required and 5.3% of residents lack coverage.

Education
1. Census data: Schools have cut thousands of jobs, September 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona school districts cut more than 10,000 employees – including 6,640 instructors – from March 2009 to March 2010, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

2. New York Times and WNYC launch SchoolBook to foster education community, Mashable.com, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: On Wednesday, The New York Times and public radio station WNYC launched SchoolBook, a website to provide news, data and discussion about New York City schools. The site aims to increase communication and understanding among parents, teachers, administrators and students.

Race
1. Report shows young workers, minorities hit hardest by recession job losses, Tribuna, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: While Connecticut lost over 11 9,000 jobs during the Great Recession, its impact was not borne evenly as young workers and ethnic minorities suffered disproportionately high unemployment rates, according to a new labor report issued Thursday by a New Haven-based public policy research group.

2. Hispanic Birthrate dips in Arizona, AZ Central.com, September, 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic women in Arizona are having children at a significantly lower rate than in past decades, which could slow overall population growth if the trend continues, according to new state and federal data.

Arizona Department of Corrections assessing $25 prison visitor fee

2011-09-08T04:00:00.008-04:00

Arizona will assess a $25 fee on adults who want to visit inmates at any of its 15 facilities. Originally the Department of Corrections billed the charge as a background check fee, but now says that the one-time fee which will be assessed to visitors over 18, will be used to keep prison facilities safe for both inmates and visitors. The chief of staff for the Arizona Senate, Wendy Baldo, noted that the fees were intended to assist in bridging a $1.6 billion deficit the state faced at the beginning of the year. She added that the department is in need of about $150 million worth of building renewal and maintenance funds. A lawsuit has already been filed against the Department of Corrections in order to stop the collection of the fee, citing that it is unconstitutional.

Appeals court rules against Arizona's mandatory co-pays for Medicaid recipients

2011-09-08T04:00:00.007-04:00

A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against Arizona's assessment of mandatory co-pays for some Medicaid recipients. The Arizona state legislature originally began the implementation of mandatory co-pays in 2003 for some patients, with payments that ranged from $4-$30. According to the policy, if the patient could not pay the co-pay, the medical provider could refuse to provide health services to the patient.

In November 2010, the state started to assess co-pays again and a class-action lawsuit was initiated. The lawsuit claimed that the medically needy shouldn't be required to make co-payments for health services, that the co-pays violated the Medicaid Act cost-sharing restrictions and that notices patients received about changes in their health coverage was inadequate.

Arizona's Kids Care program sees enrollment numbers plummet

2011-09-08T04:00:00.006-04:00

Arizona's KidsCare program, a state version of the federally sponsored Children's Health Insurance Program, has seen enrollment numbers in August drop to the lowest level since 1999. Enrollment went from a peak of 66,317 in May 2008 to 16,662 in August, while demand for the program is strong. In July, more than 100,000 children were on the waiting list for KidsCare.

More than half of the decline has come since Jan. 1, 2010, when the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System froze enrollment in KidsCare in response to a lack of funding. State lawmakers have repeatedly cut funding for KidsCare in recent years, from more than $100 million in fiscal 2009 to $36 million this year, fiscal 2012. KidsCare is a premium-based health-care program that covers children whose family income is between one and two times the poverty level, currently $22,350 per year for a family of four. Below that level, a family qualifies for Medicaid.

The freeze raised concerns at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about Arizona's ability to retain children in the program. Since the freeze was enacted, nearly 30,000 children have been dropped. State officials attribute most of the decline to long-standing factors that would have occurred with or without an enrollment freeze, including some families qualifying for Medicaid and others failing to renew their eligibility or pay their premiums

Wisconsin bar asks DOJ to investigate new voter identifcation law

2011-09-08T04:00:00.005-04:00

The Wisconsin state bar has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to review the state's new voter identification law, citing concerns that the law could disenfranchise thousands of voters.
Sally Stix, chair of the Wisconsin state bar, noted that she was concerned that the law could deter votes of the young, the poor and minorities.

She cited a 2005 University of Wisconsin study that found 59% of Hispanic women and 55% of African-American men in the Milwaukee area lacked a valid state-issued photo ID. She also noted that while Wisconsin's motor vehicle department was supposed to issue no-cost IDs to help voters comply with the law, agency employees were not doing enough to make sure prospective voters get the free cards. She also added that the documents required to receive the free IDs included birth certificates which were not free, possibly harming voters who would be unable to pay.

Department of Justice reviewing concerns in the Madison Metropolitan School District

2011-09-08T04:00:00.003-04:00

The U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service that mediates racial tension in communities is becoming involved in concerns over the achievement of racial minorities in the Madison Metropolitan School District. DOJ officials will participate in a meeting called by the Urban League to discuss minority achievement, graduation rates and expulsion rates in the district.

When it comes to 2010 statistics, 57.7% of black students in the Madison district scored proficient or better in reading tests compared with 91.7% of white students. In math, 45.3% of black students scored proficient or better compared to 88.9% of white students. When it comes to high school graduation numbers, 48.3% of black students graduated after four years of high school, compared to 87.2% of white students.

Healthy lifestyle changes can cut Type 2 diabetes risk

2011-09-07T16:00:00.001-04:00

A new report published in the Annals of Medicine found that a combination of even a few health lifestyle habits can cut the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes substantially. Jarad Reis, one of the researchers associated with the study, noted that the more healthy lifestyle factors one has, the lower the risk with overall risk reduction reaching 80%. The healthy lifestyle factors studied included: physical activity, healthy diet, body weight, alcohol consumption and smoking.

During the study, Reis' team collected data on 114,996 men and 92,483 women 50 to 71 years of age who took part in the National Institutes of Health--AARP Diet and Health Study. None of them had diabetes, cancer or heart disease at the start of the study. Over a period of 10 years, 9.6% of men and 7.5% of women developed diabetes. Researchers found that for each additional healthy lifestyle factor that was adopted by participants, the risk of developing diabetes was reduced 31% for men and 39% for women. Having a normal weight by itself reduced the risk of developing the disease by 60 to 70%

Department of Justice reviewing concerns at Toledo Public Schools

2011-09-07T16:00:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio are investigating Toledo Public Schools amid allegations of significant racial disparities in student discipline and issues with how the district provides services to English Language Learner students.

The Justice Department sent a letter to Toledo Public Schools requesting information about each time school officials called law enforcement for an incident on school grounds, details about each time the district received complaints about racial discrimination in student discipline since 2008, and a list of all students disciplined since 2009 for school infractions, listed by race, school, and other categories. They also requested information about how the district provides services to English Language Learners and how it distributes information to parents whose first language isn't English.

The new investigation follows a compliance review started in 2010 by the Education Department after complaints that predominantly black Scott High School offers few college-prep classes when compared to other schools.

Kids who live in homes with smokers miss more days of school

2011-09-07T15:00:00.001-04:00

A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston finds that children who live in homes where at least 1 person smokes inside the house miss more days of school than those who live in non-smoking homes. Researchers found that living with someone who smoked in the home raised a child's likelihood of missing school and living with more than one person who smoked in the home raised that likelihood even higher: Kids living with one adult who smoked in the home had 1.06 more days absent from school per year than kids who lived with none. Kids who lived with two or more adults who smoked in the home missed 1.54 more days than smoke-free kids.

In all, researchers attributed 24% of absences among kids with one smoker in the house to smoking-related illness. For kids living with two or more indoor smokers, that went up to 34% of absences. A child's likelihood of having three or more ear infections in a year went up with the number of people who smoked in the house. Kids with two smokers in the house had more colds.

Houston public school testing charter school techniques

2011-09-07T04:00:00.007-04:00

Houston public schools are testing whether techniques proven successful in high-performing urban charters like those in KIPP can also help raise achievement in regular public schools. Working with Roland G. Fryer, a researcher at Harvard who studies the racial achievement gap, Houston officials last year embraced five key tenets of charters at nine district secondary schools; this fall, they are expanding the program to 11 elementary schools. A similar effort is beginning in Denver.

Dr. Fryer identified five policies common to successful charters, including those run by KIPP and the Harlem Children’s Zone: longer days and years; more rigorous and selective hiring of principals and teachers; frequent quizzes whose results determine what needs to be retaught; what he calls “high-dosage tutoring”; and a “no excuses” culture. The experiment, which is known as Apollo 20 and cost $19 million in its first year, has had mixed results.

Detroit's deadliest neighborhood: 48205 zip code

2011-09-07T04:00:00.002-04:00

A Detroit News analysis found that the 48205 zip code in Detroit is one of the deadliest in the city. The area includes a population of 44,000 which equals 6% of the city's population, but is responsible for 15% of murders and 13% of shooting victims. From June 21-August 21, at least 38 people were shot and eight died in the area, a 6.5 square mile section of the city. In the same time frame citywide, there was a minimum of 254 shootings involving 303 victims, with at least 52 dying.

In an effort to combat the violence, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee recently started Operation Inside Out: Night Angels, a program that re-deploys desk officers to patrol one 8-hour shift per week. The program has put an extra 40 to 50 officers on patrol each shift.

Colorado scaling back Medicaid program after understimating cost

2011-09-06T04:00:00.018-04:00

The State of Colorado is scaling back its Medicaid program after extending it to cover poor adults without children two years ago. The state has now found that the number of people eligible for coverage is close to three times as high and the cost of insuring them is almost nine times the first estimated numbers. Original projections were for an additional 49,200 to join the program at a cost of $197.4 million per year, with annual cost per person to be $292 per month. New estimates show that the costs may be $900 per month per individual. The Department of Health Care and Financing will plan to cap the number of people served by the program to just 10,000, with an estimated cost of $190 million in two years.

FDA looking to revise nutrition facts label

2011-09-06T04:00:00.017-04:00

The Food and Drug Administration is looking to revise the nutrition facts label in order to provide more useful information to the consumer and fight obesity. A new proposal will look at providing more accurate servings sizes and a greater emphasis on calories. The daily percentage section that shows what an average diet should include for fat, sodium and carbohydrates may be scaled back or removed. FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor notes that the label revision will not be a grand overhaul but will seek to create a more useful nutritional snapshot of foods.

Black children twice as likely to have food allergies than white children

2011-09-06T04:00:00.013-04:00

A recent study that involved 1,100 2 year olds in Boston found that black children were twice as likely to have an immune response to foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs and almost four times as likely to have a sensitization to three or more foods in comparison to white children. In addition, if a child's DNA had more African ancestry, the child was more likely to have a food sensitization to any food, especially that of peanuts. The foods tested included eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, shrimp, walnuts, wheat and cod. Many of the children involved in the study were from an urban area and low-income homes.

Idaho's proposed rule requiring students to take classes online

2011-09-06T04:00:00.008-04:00

Idaho's State Board of Education will take a vote on a new proposed rule to require high school students to take courses online. It would require students starting with the class of 2016 to take at least two credits online to graduate. One of the two required online classes would be taught remotely, without a teacher present in the classroom. The rule was revised from an overall ban on the teacher being present in the classroom with the students during course time.

Arkansas will target nine areas for Medicaid reform

2011-09-06T04:00:00.003-04:00

Arkansas officials have selected nine ares that they want to focus on in changing how Medicaid pays for services. The state was provided approval to move forward with plans to switch from a fee-for-service model that Medicaid uses to paying for partnerships of local providers for episodes of care instead of individual treatment. The areas included: pregnancy and neonatal care, ADHD, type 2 diabetes, back pain, cardiovascular disease, upper respiratory infections, developmental disabilities, long term care and prevention. The Arkansas Medicaid program still faces a shortfall of at least $60 million in the budget that begins July, 2012.

Newborn deaths disproportionately high in developing countries

2011-09-05T04:00:00.011-04:00

The World Health Organization released a report that noted death rates for infants under a month old decreased from 4.6 million in 1990 to 3.3 million in 2009. Developing nations were still reporting a disproportionate high number of child deaths, with 99% of all newborn deaths occurring in those areas. Countries such as India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and the Democratic Republic of Congo accounted for half of the numbers. Newborn deaths now account for 41% of all child deaths before the age of five, up from 37% in 1990.

Unemployed in Michigan taking longer to find work

2011-09-05T04:00:00.010-04:00

A new report by the Michigan League for Human Services finds that it takes longer than six months for a majority of those aged 25-54 who are unemployed in Michigan to find work. The number of the state's workers employed in low-paying jobs grew to 26.6% in 2010, up from 20.8% in 2006. 4 of the top 6 jobs in the state have median wages that will not bring a family of four out of poverty.

Half of people in US consume sugary drinks daily

2011-09-05T04:00:00.009-04:00

A new report from the CDC found that half of the people in the United States drink a sugary beverage per day, while 1/4 consume at least 200 calories in the form of sugary drinks daily. Males aged 12-19 consume the most sugary drinks, taking in about 273 calories in their drinks daily. People with higher incomes drank fewer sugary drinks than those in lower incomes - Mexican Americans and Blacks drink more sugary beverages than whites. 48% of calories from the drinks are consumed away from home, with most of those purchased at stores.

Pre-chewed food for infants may increase HIV transmission in Africa

2011-09-05T04:00:00.008-04:00

A new study from South Africa noted that two-thirds of mothers and other caregivers pre-chew food for infants, which can place the baby at risk for HIV. Of the caregivers interviewed, they said they did it to test the food's taste or temperature or to make it into a consistency that was easier for the baby to eat. Researchers believed that most probably didn't know the possible risks involved.

Illinois' new managed care program for disabled patients

2011-09-05T04:00:00.007-04:00

The Chicago Tribune ran an article about the issues with Illinois' new program of HMO-style care for people with serious disabilities. Many doctors and hospitals are refusing to join the new Medicaid program, which will require patients to break current relationships and find new doctors who will take their coverage. Almost 40,000 adults with disabilities and Medicaid coverage living in suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kankakee and Lake counties are being affected. Those in Chicago are curently excluded but may be included if the pilot program succeeds. The two private HMO- style plans available include Aetna Better Health and the IlliniCare Health Plan.

Friday Roundup

2011-09-02T04:00:00.004-04:00

Education
1. Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College have teamed up to offer an option for high school drop-outs to earn their diploma and college credit. The program will begin in the fall and include up to 148 students. To be eligible, students must be between the ages of 16-19, have enough high school credits to be considered sophomores and have reading ability at the 8th grade level.

2. The New York Times ran an article about a new law in New Jersey regarding bullying that takes effect on September 1st. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is considered the toughest anti-bullying legistlation in the nation, requiring that all public schools adopt comprehensive antibullying policies, increase staff training and follow deadlines for reporting episodes.

Health
1. Michigan State University has developed a low-cost, solar powered device that can perform genetic analysis on microRNAs, which could make it possible to screen for cancer markers in rural areas where there is no easy access to a pathology department. Called the Gene-Z, the device operates with an iPod Touch or Android-based tablet and could possibly be used to test for markers to diagnose and monitor treatments of infectious diseases in the future.

2. The Journal Sentinel in Wisconsin ran an article on one pregnant woman's trouble in seeking dental care in Milwaukee County with Medicaid coverage. The paper surveyed 55 dental clinics listed in the city that accepted the plan and found only 8 that took new adult patients. Low dentist participation rates in Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus plan severely affects patient access to dental care, as the plan's reimbursement rate is 40% of bill - the 5th lowest in the country.

Race
1. A paper recently published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that white Anglo diabetics had twice the risk of dying than non-diabetics, while Mexican-Americans had three times the risk. Those that lived in Mexico City were four times more likely to die from the disease.

2. The Brookings Institute produced a report that looked at the growth of the minority population within the United States. The report found that Hispanics were 20% of the population of large metropolitan areas, an increase from 15% in 2000. African-Americans made up 14% of the population of large cities in 2010, the rate unchanged from the year 2000. Asians made up 6%.

October Learning Session: Negotiations in the Purchasing Process

2011-09-01T05:47:00.002-04:00

Ms. Alicia Biggers will be presenting a 30-minute learning session on negotiations in the purchasing process on October 4th @1:30 PM (EST). She has years of experience with negotiations for content in the corporate environment, but you will be able to gain value from the lessons she will share during this learning session.

Session Description: Negotiations in the Purchasing Process

You are talking cost while your data supplier is talking revenue. How do you come to the middle creating a successful agreement for you and your data supplier? How to measure value yet alone ROI? These topics and more will be discussed giving you the tools and tips for successful negotiations.

CFL Podcast: Bethany Martin-Breen

2011-09-01T05:34:00.000-04:00

For one of this month's CFL podcasts, I interviewed Bethany Martin-Breen from the Rockefeller Foundation. Listen in to learn how Bethany works with her team to provide excellent service to her foundation colleagues:

MP3 file:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/CFL_MartinBreen_Rockefeller_MP3_2.mp3

WAV file:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/CFL_MartinBreen_Rockefeller_WAV2.wav

Many thanks to Ms. Martin-Breen for her participation.

Excessive weight in youth can lead to an early death

2011-09-01T04:00:00.001-04:00

A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that people who are overweight as young adults had a higher risk of death, even if the weight was lost later in life. The risk of death was 21% higher in young adults with a higher BMI and 28% higher when adjusting for other risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption.

The study also found that being overweight at age 25 had a larger impact on black women versus white women and a greater impact on men than on women. However, the impact of obesity early in life was negligible in black men when adjusting for weight change throughout adulthood.

Tailored text messages for teen weight loss

2011-08-31T04:00:00.004-04:00

A University of Michigan study recently published in Obesity studied which kinds of text messages would be well received among obese teens who were part of a weight management program. Six types of messages were tested: testimonials, meal and recipe ideas, targeted tips, reflective questions, feedback questions and tailored messages. The teens liked the messages that told them what to do, weight loss strategies from other teens as well as messages that were uplifting. The group didn't like the messages that included unhealthful behaviors and food.

Youth from Low Income Families Have Higher Prevalence of Heart Disease Risk Factors

2011-08-30T04:21:00.002-04:00

According to a recent news release from the Emory School of Public Health, a recent study showed that youth between the ages of 6-17 from low-income families have an approximately 50% higher likelihood of being obese, centrally obese (belly fat), and sedentary when compared to those within the same age group in the highest-income households. In addition, they are twice as likely to be exposed to harmful levels of tobacco, either through use or exposure to secondhand smoke.

You can learn more by reading this article, "Household Income and Cardiovascular Disease Risks in U.S. Children and Young Adults," available online. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Diabetes Care.

Reducing starchy food in school cafeteria lunches

2011-08-29T08:09:00.004-04:00

A recent article in the LA Times proposed federal nutritional requirements for the National School Lunch Program would allow school cafeterias to offer students no more than one cup of starchy vegetables per week to take effect as early as fall 2012.

Friday Roundup

2011-08-26T06:27:00.004-04:00

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Global rates of obesity doubled in 30 years, New York Times, August 25, 2011
Brief Introduction: Obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades, even as blood pressure and cholesterol levels dropped. You can read more about these three studies as they are being published today in the Lancet.

2. Vitamins may lower risk of pre-term births, New York Times, August 22, 2011
Brief Introduction: Taking a multivitamin around the time of conception may help women lower their risk of delivering low-birth-weight babies, new research shows.

Education
1. Young Hispanic's college enrollment rose 24% in year, study says, New York Times, August 25, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanics in the United States have registered significant gains in education, with college enrollment among young Hispanics up by 24 percent from 2009 to 2010, a new report shows.

Race
1. Explore the country by the numbers, CNN.com
Brief Introduction: This is an interactive map that allows you to take a look at the population of the U.S.: total population, population by race, etc.

2. Arizona sues over Voting Rights Act, The Arizona Republic, August 26, 2011
Brief Introduction:

Arizona is the first state to challenge the constitutionality of sections of the federal law that forbid states from enacting a law or process that denies or limits someone's right to vote based on their race or color.

The sections at issue require states that failed to meet certain criteria in 1972 to get federal approval for any state legislation or procedural change that could impact voting.

Unintended pregnancy rates rise among poor women

2011-08-25T06:53:00.002-04:00

According to an article in the LA Times discusses a report released by the Guttmacher Institute that showed that unintended pregnancy rates among poor women over 1994-2006 rose by 50% in that time period. Women in higher income brackets experienced a 29% fall during that time period. The study authors also wrote that "poor women who are married have unintended pregnancy rates more than twice as high as those of higher-income women who are unmarried or cohabiting."

New York Times Knowledge Network

2011-08-24T06:08:00.004-04:00

The New York Times has created an interesting site called the Knowledge Network. It offers a wide range of distinctive adult and continuing education opportunities, including online courses, programs and Webcasts. Some of the programs are offered directly by The Times, while others are presented in collaboration with universities, colleges and other educational institutions. You can take classes online for certification programs, continuing education, etc.

What do you think about the NYT becoming a point for education provision?

Prescription discount card saves residents money and makes townships cash - but many wonder "What's the catch?"

2011-08-24T05:23:00.004-04:00

Five Illinois townships have provided their residents with a prescription discount card that can save an average of 45% and also provides participating governments with the opportunity to earn 50 cents for certain prescriptions after their residents have used the card on over 1700 qualifying prescriptions.

Township administrators and Coast2 Coast Rx card company officials encourage those with insurance to compare prescription prices between their insurance and the discount card. But discounts through the card change weekly, meaning cost-conscious consumers must be vigilant.Because the card is free to residents and pays governments, residents and township officials alike have expressed skepticism about how it works.

Pharmacies pay Financial Marketing Concepts and its partnered pharmacy benefit manager, WellDyne Rx of Colorado, a "dispensing fee," or a marketing or advertising fee for bringing customers into their stores. Pharmacies are interested in getting foot traffic as they hope to make money on purchases made in addition to the prescriptions.

You can learn more about this by reading this Chicago Tribune article.

Bundling Medicare payments

2011-08-24T03:56:00.002-04:00

An article published by Reuters takes a look at how Medicare health providers will be encouraged to help develop four models to bundle payments. The CMS Innovation Center, created under President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul last year, has been looking into bundling payments as part of an effort to improve patient care and reduce costs.

To learn more about the program, click here.

Recession and child poverty rates

2011-08-23T06:33:00.003-04:00

A recent article on CNN discusses how the recession has caused an increase in child poverty rates.
The articles discusses a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation that found that the child poverty rate increased 18% between 2000 and 2009. 2.4 million more children fall below the poverty line and some 42% or 31 million, now live in low-income families, ones with incomes below twice the federal poverty line of $43,512 for a family of four.

Taxonomy and searches

2011-08-22T06:12:00.003-04:00

I came across an interesting article that focused on how taxonomies are connected to search. Marjorie Hlava, on her TaxoDiary blog provides a great explanation to this question. She provides an overview of what a taxonomy is and how it is interconnected with the multiple resources that an organization may hold.

If you want to learn more about developing a taxonomy, make sure you sign up for CFL's upcoming learning session.

Speech recognition in health care analytics

2011-08-22T05:54:00.002-04:00

An interesting article in Information Week discusses the use of natural language processing to crunch electronic medical data. In a collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Nuance Communications, the use of an app will help doctors add information to their electronic medical record software and make it possible to crunch data to influence clinical decision- making.

Wouldn't it be interesting if a tool like this could be utilized in philanthropy to help program officers be more effective in recording notes during their site visits? If the tool can help influence clinical decision-making, might there also be an opportunity to re-purpose it to improve grantmaking?

Mozilla's School of Webcraft

2011-08-22T05:42:00.002-04:00

While looking for news stories this morning, I came across an interesting Mozilla project that helps people learn with others the skills and theory used to create websites and apps using open web technologies. Participation is free and you can learn skills like HTML 5, CSS3, Javascript and jQuery.

This looks really interesting for those at nonprofits and foundations responsible for their organization's technology to learn new skills or get up-to-date on open web technologies.

Mandatory Schools of Choice bill coming up for consideration in MI state legislature

2011-08-22T04:41:00.002-04:00

An article published in the Detroit Free Press today takes a look at the Mandatory Schools of Choice bill that could be introduced into the Michigan legislature as early as this week. The bill may include "universal choice K-12 up to capacity".

Tackling medicine shortages

2011-08-22T04:20:00.003-04:00

A recent article on MSNBC takes a look at how federal officials, lawmakers, pharmaceutical companies, and doctor groups are looking for remedies to tackle medicine shortages. At least 180 drugs have been declared in short supply.

The government has considered creating a stockpile of crucial cancer medicines in addition to the stockpiles that the CDC has created for antibiotics and antidotes that are held in case of an earthquake or terrorist attack.

According to the FDA, some of the shortages have resulted because inspectors found problems like microbial contamination that can be lethal on injection or because of capacity problems at drug plants or lack of interest because of low profits.

In Texas, school misbehavior could be criminal

2011-08-22T03:46:00.003-04:00

I came across an interesting article in the Washington Post that details how police in Texas offer Class C misdemeanor citations for offensive language, class disruption, schoolyard fights. These students land in court with fines of up to $500.

Federal officials recently announced an initiative to break what many call the “school-to-prison pipeline.” Suspensions, expulsions and arrests are used too often to enforce school order, officials said.

Electronic tattoos and vital signs

2011-08-22T03:32:00.002-04:00

In a recent post on Time's Healthland blog discusses how engineers designed a new system of skin-mounted electronics that are small enough to fit under a temporary tattoo. These electronic tattoos could potentially be used for medical diagnostic purposes.

You can read more about this invention in this issue of Science.

NYT: Portraits from a job-starved city

2011-08-22T02:58:00.003-04:00

The New York Times has an interesting feature they put together to showcase the lives of 24 people living in Rockford, IL - a city whose unemployment rate has reached 16%. Some of the 24 people interviewed had their thoughts recorded as a podcast.

This is an innovative presentation of information and serves as a nice example of storytelling that nonprofits and foundations should pay attention to.

South Dakota schools go to a 4-day week

2011-08-22T02:43:00.004-04:00

A recent article in the Detroit News discusses how a rural school district has decided to go to a four-day school week to reduce costs and deal with South Dakota's education budget cuts. Superintendent Larry Johnke said that the $50,000 savings will preserve a vocational education program that otherwise would have been scrapped. The downsizing comes as schools in some larger cities like Chicago, are moving in the opposite direction.

U.S. Rejects Mayor’s Plan to Ban Use of Food Stamps to Buy Soda

2011-08-22T02:00:00.003-04:00

A recent article in the New York Times discusses how federal officials recently rejected Mayor Bloomberg's plan to bar NYC food stamp recipients from buying sodas and other sugary drinks with the food stamps.

In October, city and state officials proposed a two-year experiment to see if the prohibition would reduce obesity among food stamp recipients. With obesity running rampant in low-income neighborhoods, it was thought that limiting consumption of sodas and other drinks with high sugar content could help reverse that trend. But the city received a letter from Washington stating the proposed experiment would have been “too large and complex” to implement and evaluate.

National Baptist Convention and health ambassadors

2011-08-22T01:27:00.002-04:00

An interesting article in the New York Times takes a look at Baptist churches in the Delta that are looking to promote healthy eating to their congregations. The National Baptist Convention is developing a health campaign that will have a health ambassador in every member church by September 2012.

Asthma More Likely Among Children of Overweight Mothers

2011-08-18T02:33:00.003-04:00

A recent post in the New York Times Well blog details new research that shows overweight/obese women who become pregnant have a higher rate of their children developing asthma when they grow to be teenagers.

The study was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Phone Messages Improve Care, Study Finds

2011-08-17T17:18:00.002-04:00

A recent article in the New York Times shows that a study found that cellphones used to broadcast text messages reminding health workers in Kenya how to treat children’s malaria increased the number of cases handled correctly.

The study was recently published in the Lancet.

15 minutes of exercise a day

2011-08-16T03:43:00.002-04:00

A recent article on ABC News discusses a new study that found that 15 minutes of exercise a day helped reduce study participants' risk of cancer by 10% and extended their life expectancy by three years.

Texting for pregnant women & new moms

2011-08-15T03:08:00.004-04:00

According to a recent article in the Arizona Daily Sun, a new program called Text4Baby targets pregnant women and new moms via text message. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and launched by the National Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Coalition, the program's goal is to give pregnant women and new mothers with the information they need to give their babies a healthy start.

Diabetes Infographic

2011-08-11T22:47:00.002-04:00

Just came along this wonderful infographic that was posted to Alltop.
It visually represents data about diabetes around the world.

Gym class and better grades

2011-08-10T23:22:00.003-04:00

A recent article in the New York Times takes a look at studies who looked at children in Rome and the effect exercise/gym had on their school performance. They were then asked to take a written test right after. It seemed that endurance exercises had the most positive effect test performance.

Exchanging meat for nuts to lower diabetes risk

2011-08-10T23:16:00.002-04:00

According to a recent article in the New York Times, a Harvard study has found that swapping out red meat for a serving of nuts or low-fat dairy can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Hu, the author of the study, suggested that people should think about eating only one serving of processed meat per week and limiting red meat to 2-3 servings per week.

Racial bias in foster care system

2011-08-10T22:53:00.002-04:00

According to a recent article in The Chicago Tribune, a forum held at Brown University took a look at the racial bias in the U.S. foster care system. Black children currently account for about 1/3 children in foster care and studies have shown that Black parents are more likely to be reported for alleged neglect. While poverty and racism are often blamed for the disparity, speakers at the conference believe that the over-representation of minorities in the foster care system needs to be addressed.

The story of an undocumented worker and access to health care

2011-08-08T22:29:00.002-04:00

I just came across an interesting story in the New York Times that chronicled the story of an undocumented immigrant known as "Carlos". Riding his red bike, Carlos regularly made use of the medical care provided by a mobile health care provider that focused on uninsured patients. During one visit, the health care provider saw a large lump near Carlos' clavicle. Carlos needed a $200 biopsy, but no health care provider would take on a patient that could not provide identification. He was told to go to the emergency room for the much needed care, but he was given a bag of saline solution, a bill for $1,085, and a note that told him to follow-up with his primary care provider.

The hospital ended up scheduling a biopsy five months and three weeks into the future. Carlos vowed not to miss the appointment but he soon started to miss his appointments with the health care van. Soon, his friends would visit the health care van to see if the staff had heard from Carlos. A while after that, news came that Carlos' red bike had been sold at a police auction for $32.

The author of the story fears that the lump found on Carlos was cancerous and wound up killing him.

What do you think about this story? What are your thoughts on health care for undocumented populations?

Baby's Palate And Food Memories Shaped Before Birth

2011-08-08T21:56:00.002-04:00

An interesting podcast and story on NPR today discusses how an infant's food preferences can be shaped while still in the womb. While developing, the baby consumes several ounces of amniotic fluid daily which is flavored with the foods and beverages that the mother has consumed within the last few hours.

University of Florida taste researcher Linda Bartoshukuk believes that it might be possible to get a baby used to a healthier diet by exposing to flavors like carrots early on. If those taste experiences are reinforced as the baby grows, it may even promote healthy eating.

Learning Session: Making Taxonomies Interoperable

2011-08-08T17:41:00.001-04:00

The next scheduled CFL learning session will be held on Thursday, September 8th @ 2PM (ET). The presenter, Josh Shortlidge, will be speaking about InterEthos, an open source project that makes taxonomies interoperable. Here is the session description:

InterEthos - Making Taxonomies Interoperable

What if internet users could search for your content in multiple languages? What if not only were your taxonomies internationalized, but they were also correlated with other important taxonomies of your choosing? What if all the time and energy that people spend indexing their own content is suddenly combined into a universal system of correlated indexed content?

Josh Shortlidge will provide a 30-minute presentation on an innovative taxonomy tool that allows for collaborative taxonomy building. Make sure to mark your calendars for September 8th at 2PM so that you can call in to the teleconference to learn more.

You can register for this session using this link - the deadline for registering is August 31st.