“D.C. region health check up: wide differences based on location [News, 6.30]

HEALTH
- D.C. Region Health Check Up: Wide Differences Based on Location (WJLA, 6/29) - A story on yesterday’s WG/COG report.
- First Lady Promotes Local Health Clinic (WAMU, 6/30) – announces $2.5 million stimulus grant to expand Unity Health Cares Uppter Cardozo clinic. “Health centers that serve the poor are among the first places the federal stimulus package is being spent.” (AP, 6/29)
- [Opinion] Howard County’s Health Reform Lessons (WaPo, 6/28)

JUVENILE JUSTICE | First guide to DC’s juvenile justice system published (wire, 6/30) - The report (.pdf) was funded by several WG members.

CORPORATE GIVING
- @WG: July 23 workshop: “Integrating pro bono service into your corporate community investment efforts.” Click to register.
- Today’s online Chronicle discussion “The Economic Downturn and Corporate Giving: What Grantseekers Need to Know” featured five corporate giving experts, including Margaret McKenna of WG member Wal-Mart Foundation.
- Chronicle’s Annual Survey Predicts Decrease in 2009 (6/29)

“WHITE HOUSE to Spotlight Innovative Nonprofit Groups” (Chronicle, 6/30)

DONATIONS | Microsoft veterans aim to make philanthropy more personal with new website, SeeYourImpact.org.  (SeattleTimes, 6/29)

ENVIRONMENT | Groups Sue Over Chesapeake Pollution (WAMU, 6/30)

And just like that, the year’s half over.
- Nick

New report highlights health disparities throughout region [News, 6.29.09]

Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality, Lack of Insurance Among the Notable Variations

- Executive Summary (.pdf)
- Full Report (.pdf)
- Regional Overview (.pdf)

CONTACT: - Nick Geisinger (WG) 202-939-3435 - Lewis Miller (COG) 202-962-3209

WASHINGTON, D.C (June 29, 2009) – With approximately five million residents, the metropolitan Washington region is one of the most populous and diverse regions in the country. How healthy are those five million people? A report released today by Washington Grantmakers (WG) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) indicates that health can differ quite dramatically depending upon where one lives in the region.

Consider just a few of the report’s findings:

- There is almost a 10-year difference in life expectancy depending upon where in the region a person lives, with the lowest average life expectancy at 72 years for residents of the District of Columbia, compared to an average life expectancy of over 81 years for residents of Montgomery County;

- The infant mortality rate per 1,000 births is roughly two and half times greater in the highest jurisdiction (Prince George’s County with 11.9 deaths per 1,000 births) than in the lowest (Arlington and Loudoun Counties tied at 4.2 deaths per 1,000 births);

- The percentage of people 18-64 of all income levels throughout the region who lack health insurance ranges from 11.8 percent in Loudoun County to 25.2 percent in Manassas.

The report, Community Health Status Indicators for Metropolitan Washington: 2009 (.pdf), examines the region’s health, overall and by jurisdiction. According to the report, health is more than the absence of disease; it involves physical, mental and social well being. Health is not simply a matter of genetics, personal behaviors, and lifestyle choices. Nor is it just a matter of insurance coverage and access to healthcare services. Race and ethnicity, education and income, family history and early life experience, even the neighborhoods and homes in which people live are important factors in determining health. These factors are collectively referred to as the “social determinants” of health.

“When thinking about health, we all too often think only about health care – the services of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and others who provide care to those who are already sick,” said Tamara Copeland, president of WG. “While health care is an essential component of any strategy to protect health, of equal importance are the other factors that can prevent health problems and improve basic health and well being.”

COG Executive Director David Robertson said that there were four major objectives for the report. “We wanted to provide a simple snapshot of the health of the region’s residents, identify issues that may be of regional concern, facilitate efforts to improve the population’s health status within and across jurisdictions, and encourage the public, private, non-profit and philanthropic sectors to work together to make the health of all residents among the best in the nation,” Robertson said.

The report does contain some good news, while also demonstrating areas that need improvement, said Dr. Kelly Woodward, Medical Director at the Alexandria Health Department and a member of the Health Indicators Workgroup. “Overall, the region is relatively healthy when compared to the United States at large. However, comparisons with ‘peer counties’ identified through the national indicators project suggest there is room for improvement – even in areas where the region’s jurisdictions generally did well in comparison with the United States,” Woodward said. “There are, however, notable variations among jurisdictions on some of the indicators, and several health issues common across the region.”

WG is an association of the leading foundations and corporate giving programs in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland.
www.washingtongrantmakers.org

COG is the association of 21 local governments working together for a better metropolitan region.
www.mwcog.org

A victim of the recession, Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund closes doors [News, 6.26.09]

- DC’s Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund is ceasing operations (WaTimes, 6/26) – “another victim of the nation’s ongoing economic distress.”

Opinion: Ford Ahead: The Foundation Tightens Its Belt (WSJ, 6/26) – The author is not a fan of the Ford Foundation. He does mention that “a good many of the Great Society initiatives were actually lifted from templates of programs that Ford established, including Head Start, Job Corps and the Community Development Corporation”–but it’s unlikely this was intended as a compliment.

YOUTH | How D.C. Government and Nonprofit Efforts Can Help Teens and Young Adults (Urban Institute, 6/25) – featuring Angela Jones Hackley of the Community Foundation, Deborah Shore of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, and others.
> Growing Number of 19-21 Year Olds In the Foster Care System (WAMU, 6/26)

CORPORATE | Under a New Lens: Corporate Philanthropy in a Changed Economy (onPhilanthropy, 6/26) – “Much credence was given to the question of how philanthropy can be used to restore trust without being disingenuous. The key, it seems, is sticking to what companies know is best: building and maintaining programs with an authentic link to the business.”

HOMELESSNESS | “Those homeless due to foreclosure tended to be renters – not owners.” New report: “Foreclosure to Homelessness” released by national advocacy groups (wire, 6/26 – full report) 

EDUCATION | Md., Va. resist charter schools, despite federal push (Examiner, 6/25) – Number of operating charter schools: D.C.: 93; Md.: 34; Va.: 4

Bigger nonprofits have smaller operating reserves [News, 6.25.09]

OPERATING RESERVES | Several eye-openers in the Urban Institute report (funded by WG member Meyer Foundation) that spurred yesterday’s Post article on the precarious situation of our region’s nonprofits:
- “The percentage of organizations with less than three months in operating reserves increases with size.”
- “Arts, culture, and humanities organizations had the highest percentage of groups with less than the minimum reserve (62%)”

HIV/AIDS | High-Profile Help Offered Against AIDS In the District (WaPo, 6/25) – “A coalition of major corporations announced yesterday that the District is one of three cities in which it will help fight the spread of HIV and AIDS with better marketing, appearances by professional basketball players and financial donations to city health departments.” “Pfizer, the National Basketball Association, Facebook, Nike, Nokia and many others…”

MADOFF LESSONS | Study Ties Madoff Loss to Charity’s Board Size (NYTimes, 6/24) – “We think part of what’s going on here is small, homogenous boards where someone knew someone who trusted Bernie Madoff and that was enough.” Here’s the NCRP report that prompted the article.

PHILANTHROPY 101 | For philanthropy courses, students become the givers (BostonGlobe, 6/25) – “a growing national movement”

LOCAL BUDGETS | Fenty orders $35M in cuts for D.C. agencies (Examiner, 6/24)

I was going to watch The Philanthropist, but instead I cleaned the basement. Funniest thing I’ve read concerning the show: “Did doctors get this excited about the debut of “Scrubs?” See below for more impressions of the show and the premiere.

“The Philanthropist:” the reviews are in…

Sean Stannard Stockton, Tactical Philanthropy
“Let’s enjoy it and be glad that once a week American TV audiences will hear the voice over proclaim “The Philanthropist!” as if that’s actually something fun and exciting instead of the idea of philanthropy as a boring, stuffy, serious thing…”

I was tolerable.

Sylvia Burgos, Chronicle commenter
“I can see it now – newly graduated kids interviewing for jobs at foundations all across the country and asking what their wardrobe and weapons budgets will be.”

Katy Moore, WG:
“Sara Dispenza (Meyer Foundation) and I went to the showing at the E St Cinema… Who knew this was going to be the actual official premiere?!  We sat right behind the star – James Purefoy (quite handsome), the director, Peter Horton, and the guy that inspired the show, real-world philanthropist and billionaire Bobby Sager.

The theater was only marginally full, the event was really low key and, seemingly, low budget (how much does it cost to rent a single theatre for a private viewing and have the guests buy their own refreshments?). There was a reception afterwards that we didn’t stay for.

As for the actual show – the cinematography was beautiful, with aerial views of remote Africa – jungle and desert. The acting was marginal–hey, it’s TV after all–but the action/story was pretty good. All in all, the verdict is still out for me. But, yes, I’ll tune in next week to see what billionaire bad boy, turned do-gooder Teddy Rist gets into next…”

“Nonprofits Imperiled By Low Reserves” [News, 6.24.09]

In a story that won’t suprise most of you, today’s WaPo reports: “More than half of Washington area charities had dangerously low operating reserves even before the recession began.” …  ”The Meyer Foundation [a WG member] is among a handful of private foundations that lend money to nonprofit organizations that are running low on cash… the group has seen a significant increase in applications for those loans…”  

Q) Who has the most valuable nonprofit brand? (NYTimes, 6/23) – A) The YMCA.  Related: a recent blog post from Dan Pallotta, “Why Nonprofits Should Invest More in Advertising”

SERVICE
- ”Here are just a few of the announcements that have been made as an answer to United We Serve…” (Case Foundation blog, 6/23)
- Kellogg Foundation gives $1.6M for volunteer plan (AP, 6/22) – “$400,000 each to activities in the states of Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and the city of New Orleans.”

Will I be watchable?

TV | Some thoughts on “The Philanthropist” from Bruce Trachtenberg (ComNetwork blog, 6/23): “there is something worth noting about the fact that the people who decide what should be on television have suddenly determined that the subject of philanthropy (admittedly as seen through a Hollywood lens) is worth putting on during primetime.”  And, apparently, several reviewers like it. Drawing on my own network tv viewing experiences, I assumed it would be horrendous. But we shall see!

GIVING TRENDS | Philanthropic Giving By and For Women on the Rise, Study Finds (6/23)

EDUCATION | Bruno Manno, Ph.D., of the Casey Foundation, “discusses the key role that schools play in advancing the foundation’s efforts to improve outcomes for families and children.” (Foundation Center DC blog, 6/23)

Fenty’s first line-item veto used for education battle [News, 6.23.09]

DC SCHOOLS
- Fenty’s first line-item veto used for education battle (Examiner, 6/22) – “Fenty said the state board must remain under Office of the State Superintendent for Education.”
- Michelle Rhee to visit WG’s Public Education Working Group on July 22.

HIGHER EDUCATION | Gates Foundation awards $16.5 million to community colleges (6/22) – Just under $1.8M to Virginia.

STIMULU$ | District receives $33 million for jobs, affordable housing (WaPo, 6/23)

HEALTH | Leaders Announce Progress on Campaign to Double the Number of Nurse Graduates in Maryland (wire, 6/22) – “With major efforts underway to expand health care access, it is likely there will be an even greater need for nurses,” said Campaign Co-Chair Chet Burrell, president and CEO of WG member CareFirst.

GRANTS | Washington Area Women’s Foundation celebrating $1.1 million in grantmaking, meeting its goal for the year. (6/23) 

-Nick

Grantmakers in Aging (GIA) forum in Baltimore on June 29

GIA, an affinity group associated with the Council on Foundations, will hold a regional forum in Baltimore on Monday, June 29. Juan Williams (NPR/FOX News) is the keynote speaker. The event will focus on funding for all ages—intergenerational cross-cutting issues and opportunities for funders. The Annie E. Casey Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies are sponsoring the program, and registration is complimentary. [Details and registration]

World Bank Gives $100K… Foundation Layoffs… NBC’s “The Philanthropist” [News, 6.22.09]

I’m back. Utah was grand. Christian, great job keeping things rolling. (I was kind of hoping you’d slack off and make me look good by comparison. Ah, well. ;)
______________________
SAFETY NET | WG member World Bank has awarded $100K to strengthen nonprofits in Prince George’s County,  Maryland (wire, 6/22) – “could not come at a better time.” Prince George’s County has the highest foreclosure rate in Maryland. Its nonprofit safety-net providers face “exponential demand for services in a time of dwindling donations.”

Not a WG member

MUST-FLEE TV! | NBC’s ‘The Philanthropist’ “chronicles the heroic adventures of a billionaire playboy turned vigilante philanthropist.” Seriously. This is a real show. Premieres Wednesday at 10pm. COF has provided talking points for real philanthropists in case this show spurs any questions.

FOUNDATION LAY-OFFS | Foundations Trim Staffs After Assets Slide Lower (NYTimes, 6/20)

PEOPLE | Foundation Center interviews interviews Julie Rogers, president of the Meyer Foundation, on a number of timely topics. (PND, 6/18)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING | Different approaches:
- New housing to give artists a place to live, work (BalSun, 6/21)
- Atlanta knocks down all its housing projects (NYTimes, 6/21)

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | DC Youths Say Social Troubles Should Be Focus (WaPo, 6/22) - Study: “gangs and crews are becoming an increasing problem but that draconian legislation is not the best way to combat the issue.”

WASHINGTON 2050 | “What will DC look like 40 years from now?” (Kojo, 6/22) w/ guests David Robertson (COG), Stewart Schwartz (Coalition for Smarter Growth) and Jim Dinegar (BOT).

NONPROFIT MERGERS | Here’s an article about the “urge to merge” in Boston (Herald, 6/21).  Meanwhile, Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s CEO thinks that “mergers are expensive and disruptive,” preferring to instead ”let the marketplace work.” Okay, mergers are not a magic cure-all, but the marketplace? That has nothing to do with nonprofit effectiveness. Are we satisfied if the best fundraisers thrive regardless of their impact?

-Nick

Paper or plastic (and 5 cents)? [News, 6.19.09]

Five cent bag tax wins final council vote
“Council members pointed to a recent analysis by the D.C. Department of the Environment, which found that plastic bags make up 20 percent of trash in the Anacostia River and 50 percent of trash in its tributaries. According to that same DDOE report, charging for plastic bags could eliminate up to 47 percent of trash in the tributaries and 21 percent from the river’s main stem.” (Biz Journal, 6/16)

HEALTH | Have a Purpose in Life? You Might Live Longer – “‘It can be anything — from wanting to accomplish a goal in life, to achieving something in a volunteer organization, to as little as reading a series of books,’ said study author Dr. Patricia Boyle.”

EDUCATION
- As DCist reported yesterday, about 250 DCPS teachers have indeed been fired. (WaPo, 6/19)
- 5 Pr. George’s Schools Make National ‘Top’ List (WaPo, 6/18)

NONPROFITS
- Nonprofit Roundtable members selected four winners for their “Big Ideas” competition aimed at revitalizing and improving the nonprofit sector. Read the winners’ ideas, as well as the full list of submissions.
- Officials Apparently Overpaid Nonprofit (WaPo, 6/19)

LOCAL
- Since 2007, DC’s Dept. of Transportation has installed 537 speed bumps in the District. Between 2001-2005, the city only installed 50. (WTOP, 6/19)
- Caps’ forward Alex Ovechkin is (still) the best player in the NHL. (SI.com)

And, here’s your brief distraction for the day. In honor of the City Council’s commitment to cleaning up the Anacostia, can you name the 40 Greenest Cities in the United States? (Hint: DC isn’t one of them…yet.)

- Christian