Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat talks about barriers to affordable, quality child care [News, 9.30.10]

PARTNERSHIPS | Ralph Smith: Don’t let energy, imagination, and innovation go to waste (WG Daily, today!)

CHILD CARE | The Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat was on ABC 7 News – WJLA yesterday talking about barriers to affordable, quality childcare.

HUNGER/AGING | AARP and AARP Foundation announce major commitment to alleviate hunger among older Americans (wire, 9/30)

ADULT EDUCATION | “Northern Virginia Community College will be part of [the Lumina Foundation's] $15 million, nationwide initiative announced Wednesday to give adults the chance to complete degrees they started but did not finish.” (WaPo, 9/30)
> Lumina Foundation news release (9/29)

WORKFORCE | D.C.-area unemployment lowest in the nation (WBJ, 9/29) – BUT: “the District itself continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, at 10 percent in August, down from 10.3 percent in July.”

AFFORDABLE HOUSING | “Prince George’s planners say the key to preserving affordable housing in the Langley Park area may rest in the hands of nonprofit organizations, but a lack of funding could keep such efforts from getting off the ground.”

DC SCHOOLS | D.C. schools may face new shortfall (WaPo, 9/30)

LAWS, STUFF | Senate Democrats Press I.R.S. to Review Political Spending by Nonprofits (NYTimes, 9/29)

Ralph Smith: Don’t let energy, imagination, and innovation go to waste

Ralph Smith is executive vice president for the Annie E. Casey Foundation and a member of President Obama’s advisory committee on philanthropy. He spoke Tuesday to members of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers about what new large-scale federal programs—such as Promise Neighborhoods, the Social Innovation Fund, or the Investing in Innovation Fund—mean for local philanthropy.

Among the takeaways from Ralph Smith’s presentation about public-private partnerships was a point about the proposals that don’t receive funding:

Citing a long history of public-private partnerships under previous administrations, Smith noted that the relationship has recently changed, moving from aligned/complementary funding into co-funding.

“The match requirement,” observed Smith, “brings us into a new phase of our relationship.”

By setting the match requirement high enough that no single foundation could meet it, the administration all but required foundations to collaborate. “I have had more conversations with peer foundations about grantees in the last two months than in the last five years,” said Smith.

But in Smith’s view, the match requirement was not really about money; it was a way for the administration to capture philanthropy’s attention and to keep it. In effect, philanthropy is being invited to join an effort to create a market for the best and most promising ideas; that, in itself, says Smith, could prove to be a major breakthrough.

Since foundations are free to experiment in ways that the public sector cannot, one grantmaker in attendance questioned the wisdom of partnering with a large bureaucracy in the pursuit of innovation. Smith said that before we can advocate the cutting of red tape, philanthropy has plenty of work of its own to do in that area.

“You have six foundations co-funding, supporting a single i3 grantee,” said Smith. “Are we really going to require six reports?”

_________
Related:

- Oct. 21: Workshop: Streamlining the Grant Process
- Paperwork vs. Progress: The Case for Streamlining (WG Daily)
- Opportunities for Impact: Big Federal Programs and Place-Based Strategies (WG Daily)

Local child poverty skyrockets [News, 9.29.10]

POVERTY
D.C., suburbs show disturbing increases in childhood poverty (WaPo, 9/29), “with the number of poor African American children rising at a breathtaking rate”… “Among black children in the city, childhood poverty shot up to 43 percent, from 36 percent in 2008 and 31 percent in 2007″ … “number of poor minority children also rose in many parts of the Washington suburbs”

New Census Data Reveal the Uneven Impact the Recession Has Had on the District (DCFPI, 9/28) – “Over 1 in 10 DC residents – 61,128 – are living on less than half of the poverty line“–just under $11,000 for a family of four

LOCAL BUDGETS | Montgomery County faces $140M shortfall for next year’s budget (WaPo, 9/29). DC faces a similar shortfall, and no reserves.

ARTS | Today Kojo looks at “local arts and humanities programs that are winning national recognition for using theater, music, and/or cultural history to engage at-risk kids…” (WAMU, 9/29)

DEVELOPMENT | With “Invest Prince George’s,” the Coalition for Smarter Growth is promoting development around the county’s 15 Metro stations.

ADVOCACY ROI | “[F]or every dollar invested in advocacy, organizing and civic engagement activities of 20 nonprofit groups collectively, there was a return of $150 in benefits to Northwest communities.” (wire, 9/28)

New: Northern Virginia Health and Wellness Directory

The Northern Virginia Health Foundation developed the Health and Wellness Directory (.pdf) as a resource for all who share the vision of a community with the capacity to be and stay healthy. It includes programs that are open to the public and located in and serving Northern Virginia.  (If you would like to be included in any future directory, please contact Julia Howard at jhoward@novahealthfdn.org.)

In times of great economic uncertainty and demographic change, Northern Virginia is under tremendous pressure to offer the most efficient and accessible health and wellness programs. The directory will facilitates and support strategic partnerships and key alliances among these and other groups.

Meyer Foundation Exponent Award winners: Giraud, Jones, Miller-Muro, Schenkelberg, Tenner [News, 9.28.10]

AWARDS
The Meyer Foundation has announced the five recipients of its 2010 Exponent Award for visionary nonprofit leadership–nonprofit leaders in the DC region who have helped their nonprofits thrive, even in the downturn.
[News release | WaPo article]

The MacArthur Foundation has announced its 23 genii for the year. Interestingly, they include David Simon, creator of HBO’s ‘The Wire.’ Creative freedom, here he comes!

EDUCATION | Funders Giving ‘i3′ Runners-Up Second Look (EdWeek, 9/28) – Ralph Smith touched on this topic at our event earlier today. Recap to come.

BUDGET | D.C. faces projected shortfall of $175 million next year (WaPo, 9/28)

DC SCHOOLS | Federal audit faults D.C.’s Head Start (WaPo, 9/28)

RE-ENTRY | Profile: Our Place in D.C. offers comprehensive help to growing group: female ex-convicts (WaPo, 9/28)

ARTS | Responsible philanthropy for the arts (HuffPo, 9/27) – by Michael Kaiser

LITERACY | Target to donate more than $500 million by the end of 2015 towards reading initiative (wire, 9/27)

INEQUALITY | Census finds record gap between rich and poor (AP, 9/28)

YOUR BRAIN | This is important. Just watch it, and skip ahead to about 2:55. “We can’t handle the problem of ‘More’ by doing many things simultaneously.” “Do not have something that, every time you get an email or text, goes DING DING DING. Shut off all those alerts.”

And that’s an order!
-Nick

Education reform is in the air [News, 9.27.10]

- Obama: extend school year by one month (NY Daily News, 9/27) – Obama spoke on NBC’s Education Nation.

- Mike Bloomberg vows to change tenure system (NY Daily News, 9/27) -  announces major education reforms – “outlined plans to champion innovation, reward excellence in teaching, raise standards in the classroom and implement a rating system for tenure, as well as new partnerships with IBM and Gates Foundation“

- Facebook founder gives $100 million to Newark school system (NYTimes, 9/27). WaPo columnist Matt Miller ponders the opportunity cost, noting that Newark “famously spends more money per pupil than just about any district in the country.”

- What It Means to Win the Lottery (Community Foundation blog, 9/23) -  the heartbreak of the school lottery – by Eric Adler of The SEED Foundation

REGION | New D.C. regional business group stirs unease as it pushes for area cooperation (WaPo, 9/25) – McCartney: “Some are irked because they worry the [2030 Group] is duplicating work that’s already been done and could be a distraction.”

Hosting Elton John’s and Billie Jean King’s HIV/AIDS fundraiser in DC

By Channing Wickham, Executive Director, Washington AIDS Partnership

In late August, the Washington AIDS Partnership was approached by Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John to host the 18th annual Smash Hits event in Washington, D.C. Smash Hits is an annual tennis event put on by their organizations, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and World Team Tennis, to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Funds support both local efforts, in this case, through the Washington AIDS Partnership, and national and international work through Elton’s foundation. When they first asked me, I thought it was going to be impossible for the Washington AIDS Partnership to pull this off. But after thinking about the opportunity, and speaking with Tamara about it, I decided that we simply had to say “YES.” Washington, D.C. has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the country. The chance to raise visibility and funding for this issue and the region is something we needed to embrace. We’ve said yes to the event, and now we need help from the wonderful community of Washington Grantmakers to help us succeed.

Elton John and Billie Jean King didn’t just create the event – they will be here, and they are bringing tennis legends including Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, James Blake, and Anna Kournikova. The Washington AIDS Partnership’s responsibility is to sell tickets to and put on the star-studded VIP reception and live auction immediately prior to the World Team Tennis Smash Hits tennis exhibition. Our auction items, donated by Elton, Billie Jean, and the tennis stars are incredible, and include Billie Jean’s personal 2011 Wimbledon tickets, a 2011 U.S. Open luxury suite, a Superbowl package, a private tennis lesson given by one of our tennis stars, and a personally signed piano bench by Elton. After the reception and auction, Billie Jean and Elton will each captain a team composed of tennis champions for several fun-filled tennis matches.

The Washington AIDS Partnership needs help in two ways. The most important way would be purchasing VIP reception tickets which are $500 each and include premium seating at the World Team Tennis Smash Hits event immediately following the reception. Another way to help is by sponsoring the evening’s activities, and various sponsorship packages are available. For more information, please contact me at 202-939-3380 or visit http://smashhits.eventbrite.com.

Best,
Channing

Bizarro federal policies… Health reform check-up… Rhee’s future not discussed [News, 9.23.10]

Sept. 28: Public-Private Partnerships: A Conversation with Ralph Smith on the Evolving Role of Philanthropy (open to Washington Grantmakers members only)

GROWING INEQUALITY | “The report, from the Corporation for Enterprise Development and The Annie E. Casey Foundation, said low-income families benefit the least from federal policies aimed at helping Americans buy homes, save money, start businesses, pay for college and retire comfortably.” (CNNMoney.com, 9/22) – And the highest-earning taxpayers benefit the most. Well, that makes sense…in the BIZARRO WORLD!! [See also.]

CORPORATE | More companies are integrating philanthropy, says Bill Clinton (Reuters, 9/22)

HEALTH REFORM
- Beginning today, uninsured young people under age 26 can return to their parents’ plans (BaltSun, 9/22)
- Health reform’s six-month check-up (WaPo, 9/23) – “our monthly polling finds the public split on the law, with 49 percent in favor vs. 40 percent against in September.” Sounds like support to me. Furthermore, those opposed are “angry about the general direction in Washington, while most of “the law’s major provisions appear to be very popular with the public.”

PEOPLE | 14 Washingtonians on Forbes 400 richest list (WBJ, 9/23)

COOL | D.C. Central Kitchen “is now preparing and serving food at seven public schools” (MyFoxDC, 9/21)

PHILANTHROPY | Are donors really interested in data? (Nonprofit Quarterly, 9/22) – [Answer: kinda.]

MENTAL HEALTH/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | Mental health group finds unaddressed issues among D.C.’s young offenders (WaPo, 9/22)

DC SCHOOLS | Rhee’s future not discussed in ‘philosophical’ meeting (WaPo, 9/23) – The Post’s Tim Craig reports: “While Gray spoke to reporters, a grim-faced Rhee stood to the side, refusing to answer questions or join the chairman in issuing a public statement” … “At one point, she appeared close to tears.” Meanwhile, Rhee is scheduled to appear on Meet the Press this Sunday.

Staff retreat tomorrow, see you Monday.
-Nick

Promise Neighborhood in Ward 7… New blog by Rick Moyers… Fundamental financing flaws [News, 9.22.10]

PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS | Cesar Chavez Public Policy Charter High School has been awarded a Promise Neighborhood planning grant! This was a major community undertaking, which we highlighted at a program on place-based initiatives earlier this summer.
- Parkside-Kenilworth wins Promise grant (WaPo, 9/22)
- Description of the project (Data.ed.gov)
- Federal Government Announces Promise Neighborhood Grant Winners (Chronicle, 9/21)
- Related: Opportunities for impact: Big federal programs and place-based strategies (WGDaily, June 2010)

PHILANTHROPY
- Rick Moyers is director of programs at the Meyer Foundation, board member at Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, and [drumroll] author of newest Chronicle of Philanthropy blog, Against the Grain!
> First post: Dealing With Knotty Board Problems: a Real-World Perspective

- Report: Philanthropic Equity Pays Off for Nonprofit Sector (wire, 9/21) – George Overholser: “We cannot wring more ‘results’ from an overburdened sector without addressing fundamental flaws in the way nonprofits are financed.” Amen and halleluia.

DC SCHOOLS | Resignation of D.C. education superintendent stuns school board (WaPo, 9/22) – Kerri Briggs is moving on.

EDUCATION | Teacher bonuses not linked to better student performance, study finds (WaPo, 9/21)

AWARDS | Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to award Booz Allen the 2010 Community Leadership Award

UGH | D.C. Central Kitchen vans targeted with vandalism (TBD.com, 9/22)

WHAT ELSE? | I have this feeling I’m missing something. You are always free [encouraged! welcomed! mi blog es su blog!] to click “Add a comment” to give me the scoop or add your thoughts.

-Nick

Health reform explained… Reversing childhood obesity… Frankenfish [News, 9.21.10]

HEALTH | Kaiser Family Foundation launches online health reform source (wire, 9/21) …featuring this nifty cartoon, narrated by Cokie Roberts.

HIGHER EDUCATION | Jack Kent Cooke Foundation program triples community college transfers (WaPo, 9/20)

EDUCATION | Lumina Foundation describes how far states have to go to meet college-completion goals (Chronicle of Higher Ed, 9/21)

CHILDHOOD OBESITY | A $2 million initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will bring together five civil rights organizations to help reverse childhood obesity. (Informer, 9/13 – via DCPCA)

CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE | …starts today. You can watch live. (Or not. I know you’re busy.)

EDUCATION
- AppleTree Institute wins $5 million I3 award for Every Child Ready model (wire, 9/20) – “To qualify for the grant, AppleTree raised a $1,437,832 private sector match from leading education funders including:   W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Fight for Children, Inc., Education Collaboration Fund, a donor advised fund at J.P. Morgan Bank, Boeing Corporation, PNC Bank, Edison Electric Institute, the Norman and Diane Bernstein Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation, the Klingenstein Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region.”
- Opinion: Bill Gates on what’s wrong with public schools (Macleans.ca, 9/21)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING | Catholic Archdiocese of Washington helps house seniors in Hyattsville (WaPo, 9/21)

NEW BIKESHARE PROGRAM | …provides wheels to casual cyclists in D.C., Arlington (WaPo, 9/21) – They’re adding more stations through October. You can check online to see if bikes are available. Pretty cool. There’s a bike rack a block and a half from our office.

CAPITOL HILL | High Stakes for DREAM Act and DADT repeal in today’s defense bill vote (Washington Independent, 9/21)

FRANKENFISH | Super salmon or ‘Frankenfish’? FDA to decide (AP, 9/20) – “And that’s when it all went off the rails,” the planet’s few, weary survivors will one day say.