Ailing economy: “The quickest, most helpful thing foundations can do” [News, 10.31]

ECONOMY
- Ailing Economy Makes Nonprofits Slash Budgets, Brace for Worse (Bloomberg, 10/30) – “U.S. nonprofit organizations are slashing budgets, freezing salaries and postponing programs as a turbulent economy forces donors to rethink their giving.”
- “The quickest, most helpful thing foundations can do” is free current grantees from grant restrictions, says Pete at the National Center for Responsive Philanthropy (via Tactical). At first thought, it seems to make sense. Circumstances certainly have changed.

HUNGER
Whitman Walker Clinic closes its food pantry (BeyondBread, 10/30)

HEALTH
- States forced to cut health coverage for poor (USAToday, 10/28)
- Kaiser Family Foundation to launch non-profit health policy news service (10/29, via the Chronicle) 

MEMBERS
NEA Foundation Launches Green Grant Application (wire, 10/29)

Whaddya know, it’s here again… Happy Halloween! 
-Nick

Congratulations to Kathy Freshley, DCPCA’s 2008 Champion of Change Award winner

by Lee Allison Paczulla, DCPCA

Photos by Maurice G. Fitzgerald

The DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) proudly awarded Katherine T. Freshley, senior program officer at the Meyer Foundation, the 2008 Champion of Change Award at the DCPCA 11th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The Champion of Change Award, given each year by DCPCA to outstanding individuals in the health care community, recognizes Freshley’s deep and significant commitment to improving health care for all DC residents.

Over the past 10 years, through her tireless work leveraging support within the local and national funding communities, Freshley has helped build a new culture of quality in the District’s health care system. In 1998, Freshley co-founded the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers’ Health Working Group to bring together public agencies, consumers, and nonprofits to share best practices and reform agendas on health issues in the DC area. Freshley also served an invaluable role as co-chair of DCPCA’s fundraising task force to leverage millions of dollars in support of DCPCA’s Medical Homes DC initiative – a program that improves access to high quality primary care in the District’s many medically underserved neighborhoods through funding of capital projects, technical assistance, and special programs to improve health outcomes for those in greatest need.

Freshley has set a powerful example as a champion for health care in DC, and has worked tirelessly throughout her career in service of medically vulnerable individuals. Congratulations to Kathy on her recognition as a 2008 Champion of Change!

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Previous Champion of Change Award recipients include former DC Mayor Anthony Williams; Juan Romagoza, former Executive Director of La Clínica del Pueblo and lifelong advocate for DC’s Latino community; and Gloria WilderBrathwaite, founder of the Children’s Health Project of DC and a leading voice on improving care for children and families nationwide. DC Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D-At-Large); Randi Abramson, MD, Medical Clinic Director, Bread for the City; and Walter Smith, Executive Director, DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice also received awards at the Oct. 14 event.

Kathy Freshley, Meyer Foundation; Sharon Baskerville, DCPCA

A day with Washington AIDS Partnership’s AmeriCorps team

Last week the Washington AIDS Partnership’s AmeriCorps team asked us question: hairnet or hat?

The team invited the WG staff to Food & Friends – one of 11 local organizations at which they serve – to take part in their weekly team-based volunteer service day. Food & Friends cooks, packages, and delivers food and groceries to more than 1,400 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses.

It’s a big operation. Armed with latex gloves, aprons, headwear, and utensils, some of us ventured into the kitchen. Others assisted with logistical support and operational coordination. Knowing that each vegetable we cut, each meal we packaged, and each address we labeled would find its way to someone in need was a powerful reminder of how important this type of service is. It’s an efficient operation, too. In the few short hours we spent working, empty shelves rapidly filled with ready-to-deliver meals.

The day reminded us how lucky we are to have this team of AmeriCorps members in our region providing countless hours of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and care, and making a difference every day.

- Christian Clansky 

Congressional leaders stress importance of Fannie, Freddie to region’s charities [News, 10.29]

Congressional leaders stress importance of Fannie, Freddie to region’s charities (WBJ, 10/28) – “Six local members of the House of Representatives have written the conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac [view letter here] emphasizing the importance of the charitable giving from both companies.”
> Take action: Urge our local Senate leaders to do the same.

HUNGER/NUTRITION
D.C. Food Bank Plans for Growth Amid Rising Hunger (WaPo, 10/28) – “The Capital Area Food Bank broke ground today on a state-of-the-art warehouse that will double its food storage capacity.” “Four prominent area businessmen chair the fundraising drive for a new food bank:” Donald E. Graham, J.W. Marriott Jr., Abe Pollin, and Bennett Zier.

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Grantmakers: Attend two great events on Nov. 12!
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ARTS
Harman at center stage (WaTimes, 10/29)

HEALTH
D.C. – Catania reluctantly backs off health plan to insure up to 25,000 previously uninsured residents (WaPo, 10/29)

SCHOOLS
- One-Sixth of Md. Seniors Falling Short for Diplomas (WaPo, 10/29)
- Educators Say Smaller Classes Working For DC’s At Risk Students (WAMU, 10/28)

Will D.C. region have a “big donation void to fill?” [News, 10.28]

PHILANTHROPY
- D.C. has big donation void to fill (NPR’s “Marketplace”, 10/28) – “The mortgage financers handed out about $42 million a year to D.C. nonprofits…Local nonprofits have started lobbying the Federal Housing Finance Agency to continue Fannie and Freddie’s donations.” 
* Have you contacted your members of Congress about preserving Fannie and Freddie’s charitable giving? Please report contacts to copeland@washingtongrantmakers.org.)

- More Needy Are Turning To Clergy for Funds, Faith (WaPo, 10/27)

IMMIGRATION ADVOCACY
Casa de Maryland breaks ground on $33 million multicultural center (Examiner, 10/28) – “Bank of America, Washington Adventist Hospital, PNC Bank, CITGO and the Ford Foundation were also on a lengthy list of major donors.”

DC SCHOOLS
Funds Shift Proposed for New Programs (WaPo, 10/28) – The move would move $6.7 million from central offices into new programs and staff. “The announcement was part of a $100 million transfer of funds,” most of which is to match funding to enrollment at individual schools.

EARLY LEARNING
The Women’s Foundation releases first RFP on early care and education (10/27) – For more info, click here (pdf).

MENTAL HEALTH
D.C. to Close City-run Mental Health Centers (News8, 10/27)

ENVIRONMENT
Plant and Tend A District Tree, Get a Rebate (WaPo, 10/28) – “Casey Trees [is] a nonprofit that aims to improve the District’s tree canopy.” Below is a video with more info on Casey Trees. It was funded by WG member Prince Charitable Trusts.

Fannie/Freddie giving update: “No final funding decisions have been made” [News, 10.27]

FANNIE/FREDDIE GIVING UPDATE
It’s a hard time to be a charity - (USAToday, 10/27) – FHFA Director James Lockhart wrote on Oct. 2 “it is envisioned” that Fannie and Freddie “will continue to make charitable contributions.” Corinne Russell, an FHFA spokeswoman, said Friday no final funding decisions have been made.

> Have you contacted your members of Congress about the need to preserve Fannie and Freddie’s charitable giving at current levels? Please report any contacts by sending us a quick note (copeland@washingtongrantmakers.org).

AFTER SCHOOL
After Tragedy, Triumph for a D.C. Neighborhood (WaPo, 10/26) – Millicent Williams of the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Coorporation (WG member), on a “new partnership… with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation to bring outstanding after-school programs to the Trinidad neighborhood.”

JUVENILE JUSTICE/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
WaPo columnist cites many improvements with DYRS, then says: “So why, a reader might ask, does this column continue to focus on this single D.C. agency?” Answer: “It’s hard to find a D.C. government agency that has had so many of its wards end up either in more trouble or dead” (WaPo, 10/25). And he’s right, that would be hard. The DC Housing Authority? Nope. Public Library? Nope…

SOCIAL PROFIT SECTOR
- Wal-Mart charity chief: Nonprofits must team up (BostonHerald, 10/24)
- Ailing bond market puts nonprofits on the edge (WBJ, 10/24)
- Grantmakers: Don’t miss two great events on Nov. 12!

DC SCHOOLS
Baptism by Fire Vulcanized Rhee, ‘Brat Pack’ Peers (WaPo, 10/27) – Some Rhee history.
Long Battle Expected on Plan to Fire Teachers - D.C. Union Being Aided By National Organization (WaPo, 10/25)

ARTS
NoMa gets public art grant from D.C. (WBJ, 10/24)

HEALTH
Health costs jump 3 times Md. salaries (HometownAnnapolis.com, 10/24) – From a new Families USA report

Nonprofits are poorly prepared for disasters. Here’s what they can do. [News, 10.24]

Nonprofits Poorly Prepared for Disasters, Study Says (WaPo, 10/24) – “a capacity to deal with just 5 percent of the likely need for food and shelter and with no comprehensive communication system to coordinate efforts, according to an emergency preparedness plan released yesterday” by Deloitte and the Nonprofit Roundtable. Chuck Bean: “The cup is more than half full. We are better prepared today than we were yesterday,” but “there’s more to do.”

What can you do?
1) Work with your organization to make sure you have continuity of operations plan. Click for a free template for nonprofits.
2) Get involved in your local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Contact Eric Giles (egiles@nonprofitroundtable.org) for more information.
3) Click here for more info from the Nonprofit Roundtable.

(Related: Nonprofit Organizations “Critical” in Emergency Preparedness (WAMU, 10/24)

EDUCATION
- Md. – Deasy Lieutenant Takes Over System in Pr. George’s County (WaPo, 10/24).
- U.S. Only Industrialized Nation Where Youth Less Likely Than Parents To Graduate High School (AHN, 10/24) – Okay, that’s absurd.

PHILANTHROPY
- Grantmakers: Don’t miss two great events on Nov. 12!
- Rising ‘Culture of Giving’ Expands on the Internet (onPhilanthropy, 10/22) – by Jean Case of the Case Foundation (WG member).

FORECLOSURES
Citi Foundation Grant Will Support LISC Foreclosure Response Programs in Eight Cities (wire, 10/23) – not our region, but interesting  nevertheless, eh?

ENVIRONMENT
Severe Effect on Weather, Wildlife, Water Levels Foreseen by Panel (WaPo, 10/24)

MENTAL HEALTH
D.C. Mental health agency targets bankrupt, foreclosed, jobless (Examiner, 10/23) with its
“Help for Stressful Economic Times” program.

Have a fabulous weekend.
-Nick

Have you contacted your members of Congress? [News, 10.23]

* Grantmakers: Don’t miss two great events on Nov. 12!

* Have you contacted your members of Congress about the need to preserve Fannie and Freddie’s charitable giving? Please report any contacts by sending us a quick note (copeland@washingtongrantmakers.org).

- – - – - – - – - – - – -

Emergency grants help local charities (WBJ, 10/22) – The Community Foundation announces 40 emergency grants to social service providers (find grants list here). “The Community Foundation, itself a grantee of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has been surveying grantees about how the down economy is affecting them. Of the first 72 respondents, 49 (68 percent) said they had experienced a decrease in funding, whether from government sources, corporations, foundations or individuals.”

HOMELESSNESS
- One man’s experience with D.C.’s Housing First program (WaPo, 10/23)
- Homeless numbers ‘alarming’ (USAToday, 10/22) – “More families with children are becoming homeless”

DATA
New nonprofit to launch community indicators project (Gazette, 10/22) – “The Silver Spring/Takoma Park Community Indicators Project will measure data collected against other communities and report the findings to government officials.”

Grantmakers–Don’t miss two great events on Nov. 12!

* Washington Grantmakers’ Annual Meeting & Reception – featuring Susan Raymond, Ph.D.

Raymond

2:30 pm- Annual Business Meeting (members)
3:00 pm – Susan Raymond
4:30 pm – Wine & Cheese Reception

What do recent trends and a volatile economy mean for the future of philanthropy and our social profit partners? Thought leader Susan Raymond, Ph.D. is a noted economist and award-winning author. She currently serves as Executive Vice President for Changing Our World Inc., and is chief analyst for onPhilanthropy.com. [Register today!]

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* “Putting Race on the Table”

from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. This year, the Community Foundation will examine the link between high-quality education and workforce development — a timely, pressing issue in light of today’s tumultuous and uncertain economy. [Register today!]

Take Action: Tell Congress we need Freddie and Fannie

Update 10/27: Progress! Our Coalition* has just received a copy of a letter co-signed by six local Members of Congress–Reps. Hoyer, Moran, Davis, Van Hollen, Edwards and Norton–to the Conservator overseeing Fannie and Freddie. Note that the letter is dated Oct. 22 – the same as our collective Call-In Day last week. Together we are making a difference, but we need to press on. Keep the emails and phone calls coming, particularly to Sens. Cardin, Mikulski, Warner and Webb.
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Ever since the federal takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, a coalition of local umbrella organizations has been working to save their charitable and leadership contributions to the region. The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently responded, saying: “It is envisioned that the Enterprises will continue to make charitable contributions,” but the response did not mention giving levels or the anticipated focus of future giving.

Now we need your help. Over the next few days, contact your members of Congress about the importance of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s philanthropy to our region.

The basic message is simple:

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have supported housing, child care, adoption, feeding programs and a host of other services integral to our region’s well being. We need their philanthropic support now more than ever. I ask that Congressman/Senator __________________ contact Mr. James Lockhart, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Conservator now overseeing Fannie & Freddie, and urge him to protect the Freddie Mac Foundation and the corporate giving programs of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Our region needs their giving levels to remain high and their scope of giving to remain responsive to the region’s multiple needs.

> contact information
> fact sheet

Please take a moment to report any contacts you make to Tamara Lucas Copeland - copeland@washingtongrantmakers.org.

* Supporting this effort are the Board of Trade, Leadership Greater Washington, the Council of Governments, United Way, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the Nonprofit Roundtable and Washington Grantmakers.