What's new in Philanthropy

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.