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.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January Podcast: Copyright with Lesley Ellen Harris
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.
WAV
https://s3.amazonaws.com/
MP3
https://s3.amazonaws.com/
Many thanks to Ms. Harris for her participation.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday Roundup
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 ago; 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%.
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 ago; 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%.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
What's new in Philanthropy
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.
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, January 20, 2012
Friday Roundup
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).
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.
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).
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.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
What's new in Philanthropy
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.
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.
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