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.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What's new in Philanthropy
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.
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.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Legislative Information Resource List Now Available
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
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."
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 helpe
d 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."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
What's new in Philanthropy
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.
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, February 3, 2012
Friday Roundup
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.
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.
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