Casey hosts session to discuss improving lives
of low-income New Haven families

Culinary school focusing on community support is “cooking”

Foundation launches campaign for children,
people with special needs in Israel

Congressman Murphy introduces legislation
aptly named for housing advocate Frank Melville

Coalition asks town councils to push state on health insurance crisis

26 Connecticut cities and towns targeting early childhood care

The Tow Foundation wins national award for juvenile justice efforts

Transitions

Alfond poised to be biggest foundation in Maine

Back to school for grantmakers

JTG Foundation “working out” with Lewiston elementary schools

Partnership announces completion of historic conservation project, fundraising effort

Maine one of 14 to take part in $300 million health initiative

Project packs mission, employment, and good health
into monthly grocery bag full of farm-grown vegetables

Greater Boston donors send 30,000 urban youth to camp

HPHC Foundation warns one in three children are obese or
overweight, releases report for Maine, Massachusetts, and NH

Task force challenges childhood obesity in state

At $28 million, permanent Boston arts fund surpasses goal

Bank of America makes it easier to search for grants

New Hampshire to help lead health quality improvement effort

Children’s mental health dominates Endowment for Health grants

Coos County adults “optimistic” despite major challenges

“Welcome Back Center” to help immigrants join healthcare workforce

CVS Caremark plays ball for children with disabilities

Community Foundation joins ranks of venture investors

Winooski River makes new friends

Ben & Jerry’s calls for “Whirled Peace” on September 21

Casey hosts session to discuss improving lives
of low-income New Haven families

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently hosted a "learning session” for the New Haven Funders Group —including philanthropy, civic, municipal, and educational leaders — on efforts of other communities to improve employment and economic opportunities for low–income families. Participants heard from funders of a Boston–based workforce development group, the director of Casey’s Family Economic Success unit, and the Director of the Governor’s Office for Workforce Competitiveness.

"The Casey Foundation recently completed a scan of New Haven services and found numerous gaps," says John Padilla, senior fellow with the Foundation. "Research shows that when a family is financially stable, children are more likely to have positive outcomes and families are more likely to remain intact and safe. It’s important for New Haven, as a community, to develop durable pathways to help vulnerable families achieve financial stability and strength."

Padilla said less than 60 percent of New Haven’s residents are employed, and more than 12,000 families are poor.

Casey and other local funders and community providers expect to identify areas of common interest in 2008, and determine how they might collaborate in the future.

For more information: John Padilla, JPadilla@aecf.org or 203-401-6899.

Culinary school focusing on community support is “cooking”

The school is run by the local United Way and the New Milford Social Services Department, and the students are likely to be clients of the social services system. But like every successful school, a key goal is to place graduates in jobs.

The Community Culinary School also has dreams of creating a community catering business. One of its first clients was New Milford’s food pantry program.

The combination of offering skills to people who need them and providing new business for the town has local people and foundations putting their money where their, well, mouths might someday be.

The Connecticut Community Foundation, which serves the Greater Waterbury area, has already granted $20,000, which nearly matches $21,000 raised at a fundraising dinner prepared and served by the student chefs in the spring.

The local Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation, the Meserve Foundation, and Union Savings Bank have also contributed.

The 12-week training sessions cost about $30,000 each to run; for now, the school runs entirely on grants and donations. It has two full-time paid staff.

For more information: Josh Carey, Connecticut Community Foundation, jcarey@conncf.org or (203) 753-1315, ext 18.

Foundation launches campaign for children,
people with special needs in Israel

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford is looking for ten individuals or families to contribute $10,000 each to provide funding for children and special needs populations in Israel.

JCF say the gifts will form a permanent endowment. Contributors will be invited annually to meet and learn about the needs of children and special populations in Israel. The organization reports that one in three Israeli children lives below the poverty line, 30% of Israeli 6th grade students cannot read at grade level, and nearly 75% of 8th graders cannot perform basic math calculations.

For more information: Deborah Rothstein, 860-523-7460.

Congressman Murphy introduces legislation
aptly named for housing advocate Frank Melville

Representatives Chris Murphy of Torrington and Judy Biggert of Illinois have introduced the "Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008," in the US House to spur new affordable housing construction for people with disabilities. Supportive housing traditionally provides services, such as daily living skills and housekeeping assistance, to allow people with disabilities to live independently.

Murphy’s legislation is named after the late Frank Melville, the first chair of the Melville Charitable Trust which has been a leading source of funding for supportive housing for more than 15 years. Murphy is on the Housing Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee.

In alliance with affordable housing experts and mental health professionals in Connecticut, Murphy says the legislation would update a statute referred to as "section 811". This statute is the only federal housing program dedicated to helping extremely low-income citizens with serious disabilities live independently in a community environment with a support system.

For more information: Kristen Bossi, 202-225-4476.

A previous story in the Philanthropy Digest regarding the Melville Trust.

Coalition asks town councils to push state on health insurance crisis

The Caring Families Coalition, funded by grants from the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, has convinced town governments in Coventry, Meriden, Norwich, New Haven and Windham, to call on the state to end the health insurance crisis. CFC plans to put resolutions before several more town councils before the end of the year.

The resolution notes that Connecticut has the highest uninsured rate in New England: one out of every ten residents. More than 200 organizations have already endorsed the Coalition’s campaign.

For information: Janet Davenport, Universal Health Care Foundation, jdavenport@universalhealthct.org or 203-639-0550.

26 Connecticut cities and towns targeting early childhood care

Twenty-six cities and towns are creating “early childhood blueprints” which should result in a stronger early childcare system, including additional preschool slots, thanks to funding from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, based in Hamden. The grants are part of the Fund’s multi-year Discovery Initiative which seeks to improve the lives of children, birth to age 8.

For information: David Nee, executive director, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, davidnee@wcgmf.org or 203-230-3330, ext. 11.

The Tow Foundation wins national award for juvenile justice efforts

The Tow Foundation has been honored by the nation’s largest association of grantmakers with the Council on Foundations' “Critical Impact Award.”

The award was given to recognize the foundation’s efforts to reform Connecticut’s juvenile justice system.

Since the project’s creation in 1999, the foundation’s Juvenile Justice Initiative has awarded more than $5 million to reduce the number of children and youth detained and incarcerated, and to increase community-based services instead.

In 2001, The Tow Foundation became one of four founding partners of the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance. Through this coalition, the foundation was directly involved in the creation of Connecticut’s first juvenile justice strategic plan.

There was a drop in juveniles referred to court from 15,386 during the 2005-2006 fiscal year to 12,482 the following year, and a decrease from nearly 800 children incarcerated in 1999 in the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, the youth prison in Middletown, to 189 in 2007. At the same time, state funding has increased significantly for community-based mental health, education, vocational, case management, restorative justice and other services to help divert youth from the justice system or ease their transition back home after incarceration.

For information: Emily Tow Jackson, executive director, 203-761-6604.

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Maine

Alfond poised to be biggest foundation in Maine

The Harold Alfond Foundation was in the news again recently when its chairman-to-be Greg Powell estimated that its assets will soon total more than a half-billion dollars, a figure he said could have a "transformative effect" on the state.

Alfond, the founder of the Dexter Shoe Company, died last November but his renown has only grown as the result of his “college challenge” program that starts a $500 college savings plan for every baby born in Maine starting this year.

"This is a real tipping point in Maine for philanthropy," Janet Henry, president of the Maine Philanthropy Center, told the Portland Press Herald earlier this month. "We now have some critical mass here in philanthropy to make some things happen."

In perspective, the foundation would be expected to grant approximately $25 million a year by federal tax law. Currently, only one Maine foundation – the Oak Foundation – comes close to that figure, at $23 million, but it's grants are spread internationally. Next are the Maine Community Foundation at $17 million and the Libra Foundation at $12 million. Using past giving histories, the next top 30 Maine foundations combined gave out less than $25 million in 2006.

Back to school for grantmakers

The Maine Philanthropy Center is co-sponsoring a New England-wide seminar for grantmakers November 12-14 in Hartford, CT. Called “Advanced Proposal Analysis: A Critical Examination of Complex Issues,” the intensive program is designed for experienced grantmakers, and is led by national experts.

For information: www.grantmakingschool.org or contact the Maine Philanthropy Center at mpc@mainephilanthropy.org or 207-780-5039.

JTG Foundation “working out” with Lewiston elementary schools

The JTG Foundation and the Lewiston public schools are in the early stages of a collaboration to see whether more physical activity and exercise during the school day will improve attendance and achievement, and reduce behavioral incidents.

The foundation will provide grant funds for staff training, parent and community education, and software and equipment in the physical education program.  Jaki Ellis of the Maine Department of Human Services, who oversees the Coordinated School Health Programs in Maine, is overseeing evaluation of the project. Healthy Androscoggin is also involved. 

Partnership announces completion of historic conservation project, fundraising effort

The Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership -- a joint effort of the New England Forestry Foundation, the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, and the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust – has succeeded in its ambitious, and historic, plan to protect 342,000 acres of nearly contiguous woodlands and waterways in Washington County.

The project preserves both traditional human use of the land such as hunting, fishing, and logging, and the natural habitat of an area considered essential for several species. Agreements for land purchases and easements were reached nearly simultaneously with the $34.8 million needed to fund them and related activities.

According to reports, about a third of the money came from federal and state grants, a third from foundations, and a third from individuals. Special credit was given to the Acres for America program, a partnership of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Wal-Mart Foundation; from Elmina Sewall of Kennebunk and a foundation in her name, with a total contribution of $7.2 million; U.S Fish and Wildlife Service; and many other individuals, corporations, and foundations. 

        Click here for the whole story.

For information: Lynn Lyford, executive director of New England Forestry Foundation at 978-952-6856 x103, freed@newenglandforestry.org, or Mark Berry, executive director of the Downeast Lakes Land Trust, at 207-796-2100 or mberrydllt@earthlink.net. 

Maine one of 14 to take part in $300 million health initiative

The nation’s largest health care foundation announced the $300 million expansion of a program to improve the quality of health care in 14 regions across the United States. Maine is the only location in New England to be included.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s new initiative, Aligning Forces for Quality, follows quickly on the heels of new research it conducted that found quality of care can depend on where you live and your race.

The report found that three of four Maine women receive mammograms, best in the country. Vermonters are being tested most often for diabetes.

But nationwide, African Americans lost legs to amputations at a rate nearly five times that of whites. A person is more than three times likely to have a leg amputated during health procedures in Louisiana than in Utah.

RWJF works in Maine with Quality Counts, a network of 35 organizations whose mission is to coordinate existing, but disparate, efforts across the state that promote local, coordinated systems of care and the resources that support them.

For information: Ted Rooney, 207-729-4929, trooney@healthandwork.com.

Project packs mission, employment, and good health
into monthly grocery bag full of farm-grown vegetables

What happens when small family farms, adults with developmental disabilities, and a local health improvement coalition join forces?

The Oxford Hills Food Cooperative.

The Progress Center of Norway has designed an organic food cooperative to address three concerns impacting its rural region: 1) the financial viability of small family-run farms, 2) the underemployment and segregation of adults with developmental disabilities, and 3) the need to improve the overall wellness of the community as a whole.

The cooperative is looking to help local farmers sell their products to their neighbors “in a sustainable, equitable, and responsible manner” while offering job opportunities as well.

The Progress Center received its first big grant, $10,000 from the JTG Foundation, which it will use for first-time expenses, like refrigerators and packing materials. The co-op expects to be in full progress this summer.

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Greater Boston donors send 30,000 urban youth to camp

For the 37th year, foundations, corporate giving programs, businesses, and individual donors have gathered under one banner to make summer a wonderful time for low- and moderate-income youth from Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, and Somerville.        

Under the direction of Associated Grant Makers (AGM), a professional association of foundation staff and trustees, corporate grantmakers, donors and philanthropic advisory services, The Summer Fund raised more than $1.3 million to help send 27,400 youth ages 5-18 to camp in 2007, and provided jobs for another 1,200.

The Summer Fund also supports related efforts:

• The Homeless Campership Fund committed more than $100,000 in free scholarships for homeless children to attend summer camps in 2007, a 50% increase from 2006.
• The Cultural and Educational Day Initiative provides camps with free and subsidized admission to nearly 20 area cultural, historical and recreational institutions. In 2007, more than 10,000 Summer Fund campers took 310 field trips.

HPHC Foundation warns one in three children are obese or
overweight, releases report for Maine, Massachusetts, and NH

As part of its five-year Growing Up Healthy initiative, started in 2007, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has released a sobering report that chronicles the persistence and causes of childhood obesity in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, but also offers some steps for reversing the trend.

Tipping the Scales in Favor of Our Children points out the dangers of childhood obesity far into adulthood, in terms of health risks and economic costs.   

The Foundation commissioned the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University to undertake the analysis.

The report can be downloaded for free.

Task force challenges childhood obesity in state

A task force led by State Commissioner of Public Health John Auerbach is bringing funders, community-based organizations, researchers, and policymakers around the table to address childhood obesity in the state. The group has already looked at models in Arkansas, Maine, and western Massachusetts.

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation gave a grant to the JSI Research & Training Institute to support the task force.

At $28 million, permanent Boston arts fund surpasses goal

It has been 11 years, one president, and a Board chairwoman ago, but The Boston Foundation is happily welcoming a $28 million permanent fund to support the arts in Greater Boston.

Former Boston Foundation President Anna Faith Jones and Board Chairwoman Helen Spaulding launched what was then a $20 million campaign in 1997 with initial support from the Wallace Foundation. Both were on hand to celebrate the announcement that the goal has been met and surpassed.

A book celebrating the fund, titled The Boston Foundation: There for the Arts, is available in the form of a slide show in a section labeled There At The Beginning.

Bank of America makes it easier to search for grants

Bank of America's Boston office unveiled a new website where nonprofit organizations can apply to nearly 70 foundations managed by the bank. The foundations collectively distribute more than $350 million annually, according to bank officials.

Foundations that serve Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are included in the rollout of the website, along with some other states outside New England. The bank expects to expand listings to as many as 100 before the end of the year.

The bank’s "Search for Grants" site allows grantseekers to:

• Search for a foundation by various criteria, such as name, geographic coverage area, and focus area, including arts and culture, education, health and human services, among others.
• Determine a foundation's mission, regional application procedures and criteria, deadlines, and contact information.
• See recent grants awarded by each foundation.
• Use a standard application for multiple foundations, when possible.

For more information: Matt Card, Bank of America, 617-434-1388, matthew.card@bankofamerica.com.

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New Hampshire to help lead health quality improvement effort

New Hampshire is one of 16 states that have been selected to lead a national initiative to improve the performance of their local and state public health departments and the health of their communities. New Hampshire is the only New England state chosen for the program.

New Hampshire will receive up to $150,000 per year from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for three years to achieve specific and measurable goals, such as increasing immunization rates, increasing the number of adults that engage in physical activity or implementing procedures during disasters and health emergencies.

The program, Lead States in Public Health Quality Improvement: A Multistate Learning Collaborative, also encourages states to address how they deliver public health services, e.g. how they collect and use health data or how they can integrate better customer service into public health programs.

Children’s mental health dominates Endowment for Health grants

Of the ten grants newly announced by the Endowment for Health, the state’s largest health foundation, half focus on children’s mental health issues, beginning as young as infancy.

Among the $350,000 in project awards are:

• Research by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies on mental health services available in New Hampshire schools.
• Efforts led by the New Hampshire Coalition of Occupational Safety and Health to win workers’ compensation medical benefits for injured immigrant workers.
• Policy and data analysis conducted by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies including ongoing monitoring of health system financing.

A planning effort to improve the career development and retention of children’s mental health counselors led by the New England Network for Child, Youth & Family Services.

Coos County adults “optimistic” despite major challenges

Coos County residents are largely optimistic about their future despite significant economic challenges, especially in the Berlin/Gorham area, finds a new study from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.

Researchers at the Carsey Institute surveyed more than 1,700 adult residents of Coos County, NH and Oxford County, ME for The State of Coos County by Chris Colocousis, a Carsey Research Assistant and a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the University of New Hampshire.

The brief is part of a joint project with the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, which includes the bi-annual survey; a 10-year panel study following youth; and a socio-economic indicator site that will provide researchers and policy makers regularly updated data about the region.

Rachael Stuart, Senior Program Director at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, said, "The North Country is in the midst of a transformation of historic proportion. The Carsey report, which describes this region as at a crossroads, provides insights into how Coos County residents are thinking and feeling about new challenges...and new opportunities. The report challenges us all—local residents, policy makers and community leaders—to consider how the county can utilize the rich natural and social resources to create a new, vibrant future for the region."

For information: Amy Sterndale, Carsey Institute, 603-862-4650, amy.sterndale@unh.edu or Julia Olivares, Communications Director, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, 603-225-6641 or 603-848-1000, jfo@nhcf.org.

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“Welcome Back Center” to help immigrants join healthcare workforce

In an effort to address a growing shortage of healthcare workers, Dorcas Place Adult & Family Learning Center opened Rhode Island’s first Welcome Back Center this month to help immigrants gain the necessary credentials to join the healthcare workforce here.   

The Center will provide immigrant professionals with licensure, certification, professional development and English language assistance.

More than 35 community partners from the health care industry, hospitals, education and post-secondary institutions, and businesses and professional associations are providing technical assistance and guidance as members of the RI Welcome Back Advisory Council.

The Rhode Island Foundation, the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Making Connections Providence; United Way of Rhode Island; and the RI Department of Education, Office of Adult Education have all provided funding.

For information: Susan Closter-Godoy, 401-273-8866, ext. 174, or scloster-godoy@dorcasplace.org.

CVS Caremark plays ball for children with disabilities

The Little League "Challenger" players from Cumberland have led off the 2008 CVS Caremark. All Kids Can Baseball Camps for New England children with disabilities.

This year’s seven baseball camps include a trip to Fenway Park, where they take batting and on-field practice with Red Sox Batting Coach Dave Magadan; a photo opportunity and lunch in the Red Sox dugout; a visit from Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster; a VIP tour of Fenway Park; and tickets to the game in the CVS/pharmacy Family Section.

CVS Caremark All Kids CanTM is a five-year, $25 million commitment to making life easier for children with disabilities.

For information: Dawn Ratte, 401-453-4748 or dratte@addventures.com; or Carolyn Castel, 401-770-5717, CCastel@cvs.com.

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Community Foundation joins ranks of venture investors

The Vermont Community Foundation not only encourages philanthropy and serves the communities of its state; it invests there, according to the Rutland Herald. A June issue reported on FreshTracks Capital II L.P., a fund that invests in emerging Vermont growth companies (and elsewhere). According to the newspaper, the fund’s limited partners include Middlebury College, Vermont Public Radio, and the Vermont Community Foundation.

The fund has already chosen three Vermont companies:

• NEHP Inc. of Williston, which manufactures and installs patented process piping solutions for the semi-conductor, bio-pharma, and solar industries,
• ISIS of Burlington, a women’s outdoor active wear company,
• NativeEnergy of Charlotte, a carbon offsets intermediary business.

For information, 802-923-1500 or info1@freshtrackscap.com.

Winooski River makes new friends

Neighbors and high schoolers began monitoring the Winooski River this month and will do so through September. According to the Times Argus, “the project grew out of a series of meetings of a dozen groups brought together by Friends of the Winooski River, thanks to seed money from the Vermont Community Foundation.”

The partners include U-32; Montpelier and Spaulding high schools; the North Branch Nature Center; the UVM Watershed Alliance and Sea Grant; Winooski Natural Resource Conservation District; the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Montpelier conservation commission and parks department; and Two Rivers Center.

The Friends hopes to expand the program next summer.

Ben & Jerry’s calls for “Whirled Peace” on September 21

The ice cream company has joined with John Lennon’s estate and Peace One Day to raise global awareness of the United Nations-declared day of global ceasefire and non-violence on September 21st annually.

Ben & Jerry’s also honored two “modern-day peace activists who embody the values set forth by Lennon”:

• Aaron Voldman, co-founder of the Student Peace Alliance – a national student and youth movement for a culture and Department of Peace and Nonviolence; and
• Robert Kent, founder of the Peace Camp Initiative – a program that provides summer camp experiences for war-torn children from Israel and Palestine.

Ben & Jerry’s donated $10,000 to each organization. And what’s a movement without ice cream? The company developed a John Lennon tribute flavor “Imagine Whirled Peace,” a caramel and sweet cream based ice cream with toffee cookies and chocolate peace signs.

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Connecticut

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has bestowed its two most prestigious awards for 2008. The state’s independent association of grantmakers chose James F. English, Jr. of Noank as the winner of the 2008 John H. Filer Award. The award is named for the former chief executive of Aetna Life & Casualty Company, to recognize an individual who “embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in promoting the field of philanthropy, and has demonstrated a creative response to solving societal problems.” English was president of Trinity College in Hartford, chaired the board of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and was secretary of The Nutmeg Foundation. He is presently on the board of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Connecticut.

“Jim just knows so much about so many things,” said Nancy Roberts, president of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. “He’s a true Renaissance man.”      

And Karen Brown, vice president of programs at the Fairfield County Community Foundation, received the 2008 Martha S. Newman Award, presented to a staff person of a grantmaking organization who has demonstrated sustained and exemplary service to the organization and the philanthropic sector in Connecticut.

Karen is cited by her colleagues, donor advisors and board members for her vast knowledge base, commitment to serving others, willingness to always make the extra effort, and her extraordinary ability to work effectively with peers, grantees and donors.

The award honors the life and work of Martha S. Newman who, before her death in 2005, served as staff to several grantmaking organizations with “firmness and gentleness, integrity and dedication, and [a] knowledge of community needs.

For more information: Nancy Roberts, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, 860-525-5585, nroberts@ctphilanthropy.org.

United Way of the Capital Area gave its 12th annual Dr. Frederick G. Adams Award to The Village’s Family Financial Literacy Program. The award is named for a longtime volunteer and friend of the Hartford community who was committed to health and human services, philanthropy, and human rights.

The award, which includes a $5,000 donation, thanked the literacy program for helping families increase their financial stability by increasing their earnings and gaining and sustaining assets. MassMutual Community Fund sponsored this year’s $5,000 award in partnership with the United Way.

The program offers volunteer income tax assistance and education and outreach on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit in addition to helping clients set up individual development, or matched savings accounts. The Family Financial Literacy Program also offers budget coaching and financial education programs on such topics as home buying, credit management, budgeting, taxes, and predatory lending. In addition, the program also collaborates with the state Department of Social Services and with other nonprofits to meet new client needs without duplication of effort.

Connecticut Council for Philanthropy Corporate Member Kaman Corp has a new vice president and treasurer: John C. Sorensen. He succeeds longtime Council friend Russell H. Jones who retired in March.

Maine

Hoddy Hildreth received the Maine Audubon’s 2008 Distinguished Contribution Award at the organization’s annual Peony Bloom and Ice Cream Social. The award is given to an individual, business, or organization that has supported Maine Audubon’s mission to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. Maine Audubon specially pointed out Hildreth’s commitment to protect the Moosehead Lake region and his role as one of the “founding fathers” of the Land Use Regulation Commission, which oversees Maine’s Northern Forest. Hildreth is a founding member of the Environmental Funders Network and a trustee of the Davis Conservation Foundation.

Massachusetts

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation added two more Massachusetts residents to its board of directors: Charles O’Brien of Williamstown and J. Anthony “Tony” Sheldon of Sheffield. O’Brien is president and chief executive officer of South Adams Savings Bank. Sheridan is founder and principal of Bering Consulting, a consulting firm working with nonprofits and small businesses. The foundation serves Berkshire County in Massachusetts, parts of New York State, and northwest Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Schott Foundation for Public Education President and CEO Dr. John H. Jackson was honored by the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus for his “commitment to fulfilling the promise of Brown v. Board of Education.” Also, Governor Deval Patrick recently announced the appointment of Lynson Beaulieu, the Schott Foundation's Director of Programs and Strategic Leadership, to the state's Board of Early Education and Care.

AGM Program Manager Carol Lavoie Schuster has joined the board of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

On Earth Night this month (June 12), the Environmental League of Massachusetts honored Marion Kane of The Barr Foundation with a Green Star award for her support of the environmental community.

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation greeted more than 500 supporters at its 46th annual meeting in Manchester early this month. At the meeting Donnalee Lozeau, mayor of Nashua, and Peter Bergh of Newcastle were elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Retiring Director Patience Chamberlin of Exeter was recognized for her eight years of service. Mayor Lozeau was elected in January. Her public service career began in 1984 when she was first elected state representative from Nashua Ward 5 and, in 1998, she served as Deputy Speaker of the House. Peter Bergh is co-owner of Prince Communications, an employee communications consulting firm.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation gave its 2008 Inspiring Partners award to philanthropists Stanley and Martha Livingston of Bristol. The award honors individuals who are unusually thoughtful in their giving. Martha Livingston was the first woman ever to lead a United Way of Rhode Island annual campaign. Stanley Livingston was a director of Women & Infants Hospital for 50 years and of Citizens Bank for more than three decades.

The state is losing a smart operative to the West. The Nevada Community Foundation has named Gian Brosco, Esq. its new president. Brosco will oversee and lead all activities of the 20-year-old, $38 million foundation. He most recently worked as a philanthropic services officer/vice president for US Trust Bank of America’s Philanthropic Management Team. Prior to that, Brosco was senior business development officer/gift planning advisor for The Rhode Island Foundation.