Issue No. 10: October 2008

The New England Philanthropy Digest brings you the news of the essential role that philanthropy plays in your communities. Published monthly, the Digest is sent to funders, legislators and media sources throughout New England.

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A summary of recent activities by New England's foundations and grantmakers. The New England Philanthropy Digest is brought to you by Associated Grant Makers, Maine Philanthropy Center, and the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy through a grant from the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Editor: Rick Schwartz.

cennecticut

State medical society warns of decline in patient access to care

Business and community leaders monitoring Hartford schools

Need mental health but can't come to Torrington?
Now Prime Time House is going out to 19 towns

Aetna selling Hispanic recipe-filled calendar to raise money for scholarships

10 community foundations win grant to focus on early childhood ed

New grant program encourages development in towns with transit

Nonprofit execs worried about economy for first time in survey's history

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Valley Community Foundation starts career in competitive grantmaking

Open Hearth in Hartford needs more wood so it can serve homeless

Casey Foundation names members of inaugural leadership initiative

Health Fellows will learn to lead, advocate

Connecticut Transitions

Bank of America makes 40 state nonprofits happy

TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank enrich kids' minds
– and bank accounts – during 2008 summer vacation

Maine summer resident Doris Buffett contributes $3 million to Waterville early ed;
William and Joan Alfond join in with another $2 million for Educare center

Philanthropy turning up heat on Maine's energy crisis

19 nonprofits in rural Maine rise to meet
Maine Community Foundation endowment challenge

New energy efficiency program for Waterville area homeowners

Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Americans say they're responsible, but their neighbors aren't

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

New papers reveal number of uninsured and underinsured drops

Hyams offers support to immigrant-led groups in Boston, Chelsea

Boston Foundation awards "Out of the Blue" grant
to tax coalition that has prepared 30,000 tax returns

Two community health funds to serve Nashoba Valley

Celtics and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care volunteers "team up"
to encourage nutrition and fitness in the elementary schools

Executive directors to discuss "Threats Nonprofits Face Today"

Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Timberland "eco-tour" travels through US in October

Businesses take the temperature of state's health at HEAL conference

Writer, diplomat, financier Swanee Hunt to help
Rhode Island's women celebrate on November 6

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Deadline nearing for longstanding fund that encourages
spreading information, provoking discussion, supporting libraries

Social Venture Partners hosts...a morning of poverty

VSA arts and CVS Caremark announce 'National Call for Children's Art'

Rhode Island nonprofits will celebrate philanthropists November 25

Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Vermont-based nonprofit wins grant to connect donors and schools

Anti-hunger partnership showing positive results in Vermont Communities

Green Mountain Coffee makes largest grant ever to build
financial literacy In farm communities in Latin America and Africa

McClure grants helps freshmen focus first on their studies

Connecticut
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State medical society warns of decline in patient access to care

The Connecticut State Medical Society polled more than 1,000 physicians and found that one in five is contemplating a career change, and one in 10 plans to leave the state for what they see as a more supportive environment. Thirty-eight percent said they have cut back on high-risk procedures.

"The Connecticut population is aging and so are Connecticut physicians. It's clear we don't have an adequate supply of physicians now, let alone when they retire," said CSMS President William A. Handelman, MD. "One of my own partners of over 20 years has just left Connecticut for a state with a better climate for practicing medicine than we have. This survey shows that it's affecting physicians and their interest and ability to practice in Connecticut -- and therefore affecting their patients."
The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut helped fund the study.

Business and community leaders monitoring Hartford schools

The Hartford Local Education Fund, a new nonprofit comprised of both business and community leaders, will be measuring the progress of the Hartford public schools, according to the Hartford Education Collaborative.

The latter reports that LEF will take on four functions:

  1. Accountability. Provide research and report findings that hold the school system accountable for getting more students achieving at higher levels.
  2. Alignment. Bring together organizations and individuals working on improving education to provide support and to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
  3. Communication. Increase community understanding of the what and the how of the school system's reform agenda.
  4. Focus on Performance and Results. Provide a continual focus on performance and results - of both the Hartford Public Schools and the Hartford Education Compact.

"It is no longer acceptable to the business community and other key civic leaders in higher education, municipal government, the school system and other sectors of the Hartford community that only 29 percent of the students who start the ninth grade in this community will graduate from high school," the Collaborative has stated.

The Hartford Public Schools hired Dr. Steven Adamowski as its latest superintendent two years ago. LEF has just hired its first executive director (see "Transitions" below).

Need mental health but can't come to Torrington?
Now Prime Time House is going out to 19 towns

With help from three area foundations, people in the Northwest Corner with mental health care needs can stay at home instead of making the trek to Torrington. According to a Republican-American news story, Prime Time House will send caseworkers to 19 Northwest Corner towns to provide counseling, case management and employment assistance.

"Their goal is to help people who are isolated and unemployed," Warren Sparrow, Prime Time's executive director, told the newspaper. "Rural residents, he said, might especially struggle to find help because they don't have reliable transportation or nearby services." Sparrow estimates about 2,000 people in the region could benefit from the services.

Funding came from the Foundation for Community Health in Sharon, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in Great Barrington, MA, the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut, and a federal grant.

Aetna selling Hispanic recipe-filled calendar to raise money for scholarships

Aetna is selling a 2008-2009 Hispanic calendar, which features national Hispanic leaders from a variety of fields sharing their treasured family recipes and their observations on family and Hispanic culture. Aetna Foundation President Marilda Lara Gándara is one of those featured.

Recetas de mi Abuela is available for $4 by calling (860) 273-0509. Proceeds will benefit DiversityInc Foundation, a charitable organization affiliated with DiversityInc, which provides scholarships for financially disadvantaged students.

Foundation triples support for basic needs

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven announced it will match all public donations to qualifying basic needs providers up to $225,000, up from $75,000 last year.

Nonprofit organizations that have an operating budget of $3 million or less and that provide food, shelter, clothing, fuel or assistance with utility payments to residents of Greater New Haven were eligible to apply this month for the matching program.

The Making a Good Gift Better program is in its third year and was created to encourage nonprofit organizations that provide food, shelter, and clothing to increase their resources by fundraising.

For more information: Lee Cruz, (203) 777-2386, lcruzl@cfgnh.org.

10 community foundations win grant to focus on early childhood ed

The Council on Foundations has agreed to a proposal by 10 community foundations in Connecticut that wish to collaborate on an early childhood education policy issue. The grant is one of only five initiatives in the country chosen to receive funding from the Community Foundations Leadership Team (CFLT) Idea Lab.

"The Council's CFLT wanted to build on the great history of collaboration and harvest new ideas that benefit the entire community foundation field," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. "The grants enable participating community foundations to take measured risks and invest resources to achieve high-value outcomes."

The group of ten has been awarded $25,000. Administration and staff support will be provided by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, a nonprofit membership association of grantmakers committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy for the public good in Connecticut.
Participating community foundations include:

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

New grant program encourages development in towns with transit

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the One Region Funders' Group are offering small grants to municipalities ready to address the linkages between affordable housing, energy efficiency, and development near transit stations in the Greater New York City area. Up to ten small grants totalling $50,000 will be awarded to communities across downstate New York and Connecticut. An additional five grants will be awarded in New Jersey.

Foundations participating in the One Region Funders' Group and contributing toward this initiative include the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, New York Community Trust, Rauch Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation.

Tri-State also announced an online TOD clearinghouse as a complement to the program and a resource for those interested in pursuing transit oriented development.

For more information: Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Fairfield County Community Foundation, (203) 750-3200, ycaldera-durant@fccfoundation.org.

Nonprofit execs worried about economy for first time in survey's history

Nonprofit executives are pessimistic given current economic news and trends, according to the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's Fifth Annual Nonprofit Pulse Survey released in partnership with the Hartford Business Journal. It's the first time the results have been mostly negative.

While demand for services is increasing, fewer survey participants report instituting new services in 2008, probably due to decreased expectations for increased funding. Giving from individuals was expected to decrease by nearly one out of three respondents, compared with less than one out of ten a year earlier. Individual giving comprised 75% of all donations in 2007.

One out of five respondents report that they may need to tap into reserve funds.

The online survey was sent in mid-August to 420 executive directors of organizations related broadly to health and human services in the 40 towns of central and northeastern Connecticut.

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009.

Valley Community Foundation starts career in competitive grantmaking

The Valley Community Foundation has awarded approximately $171, 000 through its first-ever competitive grants process. Funding was awarded to a diversity of projects, including: an historical artifacts program, a healthy food project, a teen safety program, a War Memorial repair project, and a capital campaign for the Valley's first Cancer Care facility at Griffin Hospital.

Valley leaders and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (CFGNH) created VCF in 2004 to increase charitable giving and provide a permanent source of support for nonprofits in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour and Oxford, CT.

Approximately $150,000 came from the Gates Fund, which was established at CFGNH in the 1950s by bequest of two brothers, Frank and Ross Gates, both natives of Derby. Donor advisors contributed an additional $21,150.

For more information: Jamie Cohen, (203) 225-0880.

Open Hearth in Hartford needs more wood so it can serve homeless

The economic downturn and the dramatic rise in the price of home heating oil are putting an unexpected squeeze on the sale of firewood that supports programs for homeless men at The Open Hearth in Hartford.

"We may not be able to get enough raw lumber to meet the demand of our customers," said Muhammad Ansari, director of the organization's wood products division on Maxim Road, near Brainard Airport.

"The wood we process into firewood mainly comes from loggers who clear sites for development," said Ansari. "But the five or six loggers I usually deal with tell me they have less work. They say the slower economy is affecting them. When they can't clear land and remove trees, we have less wood to process. Right now I could use the equivalent of another 500 to 600 cords."

"We have benefited from a $150,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to upgrade our equipment," he said. "The orders are coming in and we need to find other sources for wood. Any help is appreciated." The foundation's grant included support from the Vernon D. Roosa and Florence E. Roosa Fund.

Revenues from its firewood sales help support The Open Hearth's programs, including an emergency shelter, which has 25 beds and the temporary living program, which can house 87. The men work at the wood yard to develop job skills that support their recovery.

For more information: Muhammad Ansari, Open Hearth, (860) 525-3447, ext. 118.

Casey Foundation names members of inaugural leadership initiative

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently named eight New Haven leaders to the first class of its Elm City Fellowship, a nine-month executive leadership program led by the national philanthropy and its direct service agency, Casey Family Services.

"We need to increase the capacity of individuals and organizations to lead change that meets the needs of vulnerable populations," says John Padilla, a senior fellow with the Casey Foundation who leads the fellowship initiative. "Our first class of Elm City Fellows has the potential to reform and improve services and advocacy for families throughout our region."

Members of the first fellowship class include:

For more information: Lee Mullane, (410) 547-6600, media@aecf.org

Health Fellows will learn to lead, advocate

The Connecticut Health Foundation has selected 18 individuals to participate in its fourth annual Health Leadership Fellows Class. The program is designed to increase Fellows' knowledge and skills to better advocate and lead effective health strategies for those vulnerable to health disparities.
Launched in 2005, the program selects individuals who represent public and private sectors in public policy, health practice, health care administration, community, law, business and commerce, advocacy, academia and other related fields.

The 2009 Health Leadership Fellows Class:

The 2009 Fellows, selected through a competitive process, make a one-year commitment to attend two weekend retreats and monthly seminars featuring local and national public health leaders, cultural and linguistic competence experts, and policy-makers. Each Fellow also will receive a stipend of $1,500 to aid in their personal or professional development. Those who work for a nonprofit organization receive an additional $500.

Transitions >>

Maine

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Bank of America makes 40 state nonprofits happy

Governor John E. Baldacci joined with Betsy Greenstein, president of Bank of America Maine in mid-October to present grants to 40 Maine nonprofits. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation awarded $5,000 to each nonprofit.

Nonprofits are doing amazing work in their communities, the Governor said, but are also having to stretch resources.

"In times like these, we recognize how lucky we are to live in Maine, where people look out for each other and take pride in seeing that the health and welfare of their communities are protected."

TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank enrich kids' minds
- and bank accounts - during 2008 summer vacation

More than 15,000 kids from Maine to Florida read at least 10 books each this summer and added $10 each to their savings accounts, thanks to Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth's 2008 Summer Reading Program.

"Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth give a high-five to all those kids who made time for reading during their summer vacations," said Fred Graziano, head of Regional Banking at TD Bank, the brand name for the combined Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth. "We recognize the importance of keeping one's reading skills strong even when school's out, and we're proud to reward kids who do just that."
As part of its Summer Reading Program, Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth performed educational outreach with local schools, libraries and other youth-focused organizations in their communities.

For more information: Jennifer Carlson (207) 761-8762, Jennifer.Carlson@TDBanknorth.com

Maine summer resident Doris Buffett contributes $3 million to Waterville early ed;
William and Joan Alfond join in with another $2 million for Educare center

Summer resident Doris Buffett, Warren's sister, has contributed $3 million to build the Educare Center in Waterville that is being developed by the Greater Waterville Alliance for Early Care & Learning.

Educare is a national network of early childhood centers that serve at-risk children (birth to 5 years) and their families. Educare Centers specifically target families who are making the transition from welfare to work and are recipients of a mix of Head Start, child care and preschool services.

Buffett is a fan; there's an Educare Center in her hometown of Omaha. She told a reporter of the Morning Sentinel about Sing Sing Correctional Facility.

"I talked to the warden of that prison and [h]e said every inmate in Sing Sing had a miserable childhood -- every one. And I took that to heart."

Philanthropy turning up heat on Maine's energy crisis

Former Maine Governor Angus King and other energy advocates addressed more than 50 grantmakers gathered late last month at a special forum to learn about the energy-related challenges facing Maine this winter. The program was organized to inform the philanthropic community about the efforts already underway and to share ideas on how philanthropy might play a role in helping initiatives succeed.

Governor King noted Maine's high dependence on fossil fuels -- electricity from natural gas, heating oil and gasoline -- which now represent 87% of the state's overall energy consumption (all imported from outside the state). He presented several recommendations for the philanthropic sector to consider:

Janet Henry, president of the Maine Philanthropy Center, introduced seven individuals who illustrated energy initiatives across Maine:

Copies of the written project outlines were provided to attendees and are posted on the Maine Philanthropy Center's website.

19 nonprofits in rural Maine rise to meet
Maine Community Foundation endowment challenge

As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $25,000 challenge grants each to 19 nonprofits in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties to establish new permanent endowments or expand existing endowments.

A spokesperson for the foundation said the $475,000 in challenge grants recognizes its origins in rural Maine and in Hancock County, where MaineCF has been headquartered since its founding in 1983.

The 25/25 Nonprofit Endowment Challenge is a one-to-one matching opportunity that will require selected organizations to raise $25,000 in new funds within 18 months in order to secure the challenge grant, resulting in $50,000 of new or additional endowment dollars. Selected nonprofits will also receive technical assistance from MaineCF.

For more information: Carl Little, (877) 700-6800.

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Foundation targets safe medication use through rural hospitals

Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF), the state's largest health funder, awarded $670,000 to 14 rural hospitals to implement new medication procedures.

"Over the last decade we have witnessed explosive growth nationwide in the number of people taking multiple medications to treat a variety of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, yet people are often unsure of how to manage their prescriptions correctly. When someone comes to a local emergency room or is hospitalized, hospital staff must do what they can to ensure their systems help patients take medications safely," said Dr. Wendy Wolf, CEO of MeHAF.

"These grants will help smaller hospitals establish more patient-centered ways to prevent errors, educate patients about medications and help prevent side effects or hospital re-admission."

MeHAF was established as a result of the sale of the not-for-profit Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Maine to the for-profit Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Maine.

For the list of recipients.

For more information: Wendy Wolf, MD, MPH, (877)620- 8266, ext. 101, wwolf@mehaf.org.

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New energy efficiency program for Waterville area homeowners

Good news for 15 Waterville area homeowners! The William and Joan Alfond Foundation has given funding to the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) to provide 15 homeowners with comprehensive energy assistance, efficiency, and education services designed to significantly reduce their energy burden.

Two of the 15 will be evaluated for the feasibility of receiving a wood pellet stove/burner for their home. Priority will be given to households with elderly or children under the age of two years as well as to those homes with the highest energy consumption.

For more information: David Gilpatrick, KVCAP Energy Director, (207) 859-1634.

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Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

The Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) released Economic Resurgence in the Northern Forest - the first-ever, four-state strategy for sustainable economic development in the Northern Forest. The Northern Forest comprises the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

The four governors, in collaboration with the Northern Forest Center and the North Country Council (joint project managers) appointed a 60-member steering committee.

"SEI has created the first-ever integrated strategy for the region's economy," said Joe Short, SEI program manager for the Northern Forest Center. "The strategy is based on balanced investment in business, community and environment, and it can help build a resilient economy and create good jobs in the four-state region," which stretches 400 miles, encompasses 30 million acres and provides a home for 2 million people.

The SEI strategy calls for sparking the economy through creativity and business growth, regional marketing and encouraging the ‘buy-local' trend. It also recommends investing in telecommunications, improving transportation systems and harnessing renewable energy.

The Northern Border Regional Commission recently authorized investment of $30 million per year in federal resources for economic development and job creation in the Northern Forest region.

Among the funders for SEI were the Economic Development Administration, Public Service of New Hampshire, First Colebrook Bank, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation and others.

For information: Joe Short, Program Manager, Northern Forest Center, (603) 229-0679 ext. 104, jshort@northernforst.org or Kelly Short, Communications Director, Northern Forest Center, 603-229-0679 ext. 105, kshort@northernforest.org.

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Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009.

Transitions >>

Massachusetts

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Americans say they're responsible, but their neighbors aren't

A national survey released by Liberty Mutual Insurance and The Responsibility Project reveals most Americans believe they are responsible, but their neighbors and fellow Americans are not.

The "Responsibility Project Index" revealed that 70 percent of Americans believe they have become more personally responsible in the past five years, yet 74 percent of Americans believe people in general have become less responsible during the same time period.

Other key findings:

For more information: Michael Stewart, (310) 584-8307, Michael.Stewart@Ketchum.com.

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009. Several New England foundations also sponsor the fellowships annually.

New papers reveal number of uninsured and underinsured drops

The percentage of people with health insurance in Massachusetts has risen dramatically in the past year, though the figures vary according to demographics. Two new Urban Institute studies (PDF) - funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Commonwealth Fund - explore the aftermath of health reform on specific groups of state residents.

Hyams offers support to immigrant-led groups in Boston, Chelsea

The Hyams Foundation is accepting proposals for Year 3 of its Immigrant Leadership Fund until November 7. The foundation will provide up to $15,000 for technical assistance to established organizations located in Boston and Chelsea.

In its Request for Proposals, the foundation noted, "In recent times, the process and challenge of economic, social and political integration have been made even more difficult by an escalation of anti-immigrant sentiment and discrimination. Immigrant-led organizations often provide community members the most accessible opportunities for support, training and meaningful engagement in addressing community issues."

Report says region's economy requires transformation in education

A new Nellie Mae Education Foundation report states that the increasingly knowledge-based economy of New England requires education that will develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and the use of modern technologies.

But, the report notes, the region's population growth is slow and "has not been well served historically by educational and economic institutions".
"What It Takes to Succeed in the 21st Century" (PDF) recommends

For more information: Nick Lorenzen, (781) 348-4239

Boston Foundation awards "Out of the Blue" grant
to tax coalition that has prepared 30,000 tax returns

Each quarter, the Boston Foundation makes an "Out of the Blue" grant of $75,000 - unsolicited and unrestricted - to an area nonprofit to recognize its exceptional leadership. The third-quarter "Out of the Blue" grant went to the Boston Earned Income Tax Credit Action Coalition.

The Mayor's Office of Jobs and Community Service launched the coalition of area businesses, the IRS, and community churches in 2001. It was designed to make sure that a maximum number of Boston residents apply for and receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can provide cash payments for low-income working families earning less than $40,000 a year. The Earned Income Tax credit program has been described as the nation's foremost anti-poverty program, yet not all who qualify for the program take advantage of it.

To date, the Coalition has prepared more than 30,000 free tax returns for local residents, bringing $50 million back to Boston's low-income taxpayers, including $19.1 million in tax credits.

Two community health funds to serve Nashoba Valley

In a nationally unprecedented transaction, two neighboring community foundations are sharing more than $3.5 million to support community health needs in the Nashoba Valley.

Two charitable funds have been generated by the sale of the former nonprofit Deaconess Nashoba Hospital in Ayer to a for-profit corporation. Commonwealth laws require that the proceeds of such "hospital conversions" must stay in the nonprofit field. The trustees of Deaconess Nashoba Hospital recommended that the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts receive the endowments and other net assets. In July, the Attorney General's Public Charity Division approved the transaction.

The new funds are the Nashoba Valley Community Health Care Fund and the Nashoba Valley Professional Health Care Education Fund. Ninety percent of the proceeds will go into the Health Care Fund and ten percent will go into the Professional Health Care Education Fund. The funds will generate approximately $150,000 annually in grants for a variety of health care initiatives. David Kronberg, Executive Director of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, stated that the first order of business is to prioritize the region's community health care needs and establish a Nashoba Valley-based grantmaking committee.

Celtics and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care volunteers "team up"
to encourage nutrition and fitness in the elementary schools

The Boston Celtics and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care sent more than 100 volunteers from their organizations on October 7 to help Boston's William H. Ohrenberger Elementary School get physically and nutritionally fit.

While volunteers created a learning garden, painted nutritional murals in the cafeteria, and improved an outdoor classroom, the students engaged in a variety of fitness activities including a basketball clinic led by Celtics legend JoJo White, a mini dance-camp led by the Celtics Dance Team, gardening and nature hikes at nearby Stoneybrook Reservation.

The Harvard Pilgrim Foundation has pledged $5 million to combat childhood obesity among children ages 6-12 living in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine through its Growing Up Healthy initiative.

The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation currently partners with Perkins School for the Blind, Children's Hospital Boston, and Horizons for Homeless Children and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC).

Executive directors to discuss "Threats Nonprofits Face Today"

Leaders of central Massachusetts nonprofits will meet on November 13 at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation in a forum entitled "Threats Nonprofits Face Today". GWCF Executive Director Ann Lisi will moderate a panel that reviews a recent report that claims there are too many nonprofits, too few resources, and too little focus on the future. Heads of the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts will comment.

Nonprofit executive directors and their board chairs who would like to attend can call (508) 755-0980 or email nsc@greaterworcester.org to make reservations.

Transitions >>

New Hampshire

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Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

The Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) released Economic Resurgence in the
Northern Forest - the first-ever, four-state strategy for sustainable economic development in the Northern Forest. The Northern Forest comprises the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

The four governors, in collaboration with the Northern Forest Center and the North Country Council (joint project managers) appointed a 60-member steering committee. Racheal Stuart, Senior Program Director, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, was one of the members.

"SEI has created the first-ever integrated strategy for the region's economy," said Joe Short, SEI program manager for the Northern Forest Center. "The strategy is based on balanced investment in business, community and environment, and it can help build a resilient economy and create good jobs in the four-state region," which stretches 400 miles, encompasses 30 million acres and provides a home for 2 million people.

The SEI strategy calls for sparking the economy through creativity and business
growth, regional marketing and encouraging the 'buy-local' trend. It also recommends investing in telecommunications, improving transportation systems and harnessing renewable energy.

The Northern Border Regional Commission recently authorized investment of $30 million per year in federal resources for economic development and job creation in the Northern Forest region.
Among the funders for SEI were the Economic Development Administration, Public Service of New Hampshire, First Colebrook Bank, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation and others.

For information: Joe Short, Program Manager, Northern Forest Center, (603) 229-0679 ext. 104, jshort@northernforst.org or Kelly Short, Communications Director, Northern Forest Center, 603-229-0679 ext. 105, kshort@northernforest.org.

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009.

Timberland "eco-tour" travels through US in October

Timberland launched its 'Dig It' multi-city initiative to bring eco-minded activists and artists together through environmentalism, tree planting, art and music this month. The daylong events took place in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Timberland, based in New Hampshire, has committed to "green" 300 communities globally in the next two years.

During the daytime, Timberland partnered with American Forests, a nonprofit organization focused on planting trees for environmental restoration and pioneering the science and practice of urban forestry. In Boston, it also teamed with local partner EarthWorks Projects to target an environmentally neglected area to plant trees, clean sites, and educate neighbors.

Following the tree planting events in each city, environmental activist and musician Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) perform an exclusive 'Dig It' concert.

For more information: Robin Giampa, rgiampa@timberland.com.

Businesses take the temperature of state's health at HEAL conference

Local business leaders met in Manchester earlier this month to ask if New Hampshire residents can continue to rank among the healthiest in the nation, while obesity rates are high and climbing.

"At a time when our state is facing a tight budget, it makes sense to see how New Hampshire businesses can improve their bottom lines by helping their employees live healthier lives," said Terry Johnson, director of NH Healthy Eating Active Living Initiative (HEAL), which sponsored the fall conference. HEAL is a project managed by the Foundation for Healthy Communities in Concord.

Over the past year, Johnson said, HEAL engaged more than 200 individuals from 45 organizations and communities to develop the first ever statewide plan for a healthier New Hampshire -- The HEAL Action Plan.

Key funders include the HNHfoundation, Endowment for Health, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, WellPoint Foundation and NH Charitable Foundation.

For more information: Michelle White, (603) 224-5566, mw@lkarno.com.

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Rhode Island

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Writer, diplomat, financier Swanee Hunt to help
Rhode Island's women celebrate on November 6

Former U.S. ambassador to Austria Swanee Hunt will be the keynote speaker at the Women's Fund of Rhode Island's annual celebration on November 6 at the Quidnesset Country Club in North Kingstown.

Hunt is the founding director of the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. An expert on domestic policy and foreign affairs, Hunt is president of Hunt Alternatives Fund, through which she has committed some $120 million in endowments and grants for social change at local, national, and global levels.

From 1993 to 1997, Hunt served as ambassador to Austria, where she hosted negotiations and international symposia focused on stabilizing the neighboring Balkan states. She is also a widely published columnist and has authored two books: the award-winning This Was Not Our War: Bosnian Women Reclaiming the Peace and a memoir, Half-Life of a Zealot.

For more information: www.wfri.org.

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009.

Deadline nearing for longstanding fund that encourages
spreading information, provoking discussion, supporting libraries

In 1986, Rhode Island philanthropist Herman Rose established an endowment at The Rhode Island Foundation to preserve and expand the written word and use it to encourage education and discussion in the greater public. In concert, he challenged public libraries to maximize their capacity by learning how to fundraise effectively.

Over the ensuing 22 years, Rose's ADDD (Archive, Document, Display and Disseminate) Fund has awarded nearly a quarter million dollars to civic, cultural, and literary organizations for media projects, annual fundraising drives, and special campaigns to acquire equipment, special collections, or additional books, publications, and other resources.

Deadlines for 2009 are fast approaching. While January 5, 2009 is the final deadline, some aspects of the ADDD Fund require initial consultant with foundation staff by November 5.

For more information.

Social Venture Partners hosts...a morning of poverty

More than 50 Rhode Island community leaders lived a week of poverty in one morning at the end of September, courtesy of Social Venture Partners Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization of social investors who donate their money and business skills to build other nonprofit organizations.

"The statistics are staggering," pointed out SVPRI Executive Director Jennifer Marrapese. "Hunger affects one in every eight Rhode Island households. More than 35,000 children are living in poverty in Rhode Island."

Participants were forced to make difficult decisions – whether to cut back on food, to take their sick child to the doctor and risk being fired for missing work, or to sell some of their possessions at deflated prices at a pawnshop. They interacted with human service agencies, grocers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers, and others.

"Our hope is that through the simulation leaders in Rhode Island will gain a deeper understanding of the incredible challenges that poor people face everyday," said Eileen Hayes, president and CEO of Amos House. "This knowledge should help to better inform their decision-making and involvement in addressing poverty in our state."

Hayes and U.S. Senator Jack Reed were co-chairs of "The Poverty Simulation".

For more information: Jennifer J. Marrapese, (401) 952-4480.

VSA arts and CVS Caremark announce 'National Call for Children's Art'

VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can are encouraging children and youth to create visual art about their interests, talents, and dreams. All artwork submitted before March 6, 2009 will be included in an online art gallery. One piece of art from each state and the District of Columbia will be displayed summer 2009 at Union Station in Washington, D.C., as part of a children's art exhibition.

VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities.

The call for art is part of VSA arts and CVS Caremark's yearlong campaign, "All Kids Can...CREATE!" to encourage learning and community engagement through creating art. The program includes the call for art, artist-in-residence programs in schools that will expand access and document learning through the arts for students with disabilities, and community volunteer activities with CVS Caremark employees that engage their communities and/or schools in building inclusive environments.

To find out more about the teachers' award or to submit artwork, call (202) 628-2800.

For more information: Sara Steindorf, CVS Caremark, (617) 520-7259, SSteindorf@webershandwick.com, or Stephanie Taylor, VSA arts, (202) 628-2800 ext. 3883, SKTaylor@vsarts.org.

Rhode Island nonprofits will celebrate philanthropists November 25

Generous Rhode Islanders from across the state will be feted in late November by hundreds of nonprofits at the celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Tuesday, November 25.

Averaging more than 500 attendees a year at the convention center in Providence, the event is hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-RI and bestows four major awards. The 2008 winners are:

Nonprofit organizations also use National Philanthropy Day to recognize their Partners in Philanthropy; last year 45 different organizations thus honored 85 individuals.

AFP-RI will also award the first Herbert Kaplan Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship to a high school senior (see Transitions).

National Philanthropy Day, set aside nationally by an act of Congress, is celebrated across the country during November.

For more information: AFP–RI, (401) 461-3863.

Transitions >>

Vermont

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Four states issue strategic plan for Northern Forest

The Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) released Economic Resurgence in the
Northern Forest - the first-ever, four-state strategy for sustainable economic development in the Northern Forest. The Northern Forest comprises the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

The four governors, in collaboration with the Northern Forest Center and the North Country Council (joint project managers) appointed a 60-member steering committee.

"SEI has created the first-ever integrated strategy for the region's economy," said Joe Short, SEI program manager for the Northern Forest Center. "The strategy is based on balanced investment in business, community and environment, and it can help build a resilient economy and create good jobs in the four-state region,” which stretches 400 miles, encompasses 30 million acres and provides a home for 2 million people.

The SEI strategy calls for sparking the economy through creativity and business
growth, regional marketing and encouraging the 'buy-local' trend. It also recommends investing in telecommunications, improving transportation systems and harnessing renewable energy.

The Northern Border Regional Commission recently authorized investment of $30 million per year in federal resources for economic development and job creation in the Northern Forest region.
Among the funders for SEI were the Economic Development Administration, Public Service of New Hampshire, First Colebrook Bank, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation and others.

For information: Joe Short, Program Manager, Northern Forest Center, (603) 229-0679 ext. 104, jshort@northernforst.org or Kelly Short, Communications Director, Northern Forest Center, 603-229-0679 ext. 105, kshort@northernforest.org.

Journalists invited to apply for 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship

Journalists are welcome to apply for a 2009 Health Coverage Fellowship offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation by December 7. This first-in-the-nation initiative provides nine days of intensive training to 10 reporters and editors from newspapers, radio stations and television outlets across New England. The Fellowship will take place May 1-9, 2009.

Vermont-based nonprofit wins grant to connect donors and schools

Digitalwish.org, a Vermont-based public charity that helps schools raise funds for its technology needs, received a $300,000 grant to expand operations from the Draper Richards Foundation [www.draperrichards.org] of California. In response, Digital Wish said it will use the funds to help companies set up inexpensive employee matching funds programs and to add 2-10% to every donation for school technology programs.

Digital Wish sets up an online platform where educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom's story is then posted online, for review by any donor.

The Draper Richards Foundation funds selected social entrepreneurs in a variety of public service areas, including education, the environment, arts, health, and community and economic development. The Foundation's support is based on the structure of a venture capital fund, providing financial support as well as strategic and organizational assistance. The Foundation was founded by venture capitalists William H. Draper III and Robin Richards Donohoe.

For more information: Polly Davis, Digital Wish, (802) 375-6721, Ext. 201, polly@digitalwish.com.

Anti-hunger partnership showing positive results in Vermont communities

A two-year-old partnership between the Northfield Savings Bank Foundation and the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger is making significant inroads in Washington and Chittenden Counties, according to a report issued by the Campaign.

The foundation awarded a three-year, $450,000 grant to the Campaign starting in 2006 to use a combination of assessment of existing resources, public education, community mobilization, and technical assistance to build strong nutrition safety nets in the target region.

"After just two years of the partnership, more kids in Washington and Chittenden County are being fed," says Robert Dostis, executive director of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger.

"For example, in Washington County, access to summer food is greatly improved – in 2006, 184 children accessed summer food at seven meal sites. This summer, an estimated 350 children were served at 12 sites."

The report on the first two years of the partnership also describes the work of the Hunger Councils of Washington and Chittenden Counties – which are comprised of more than 80 community leaders who have come together to help strategize solutions to hunger in their hometowns.

Green Mountain Coffee makes largest grant ever to build
financial literacy In farm communities in Latin America and Africa

Green Mountain Coffee has donated $450,000 to socially-responsible lender Root Capital to improve the financial literacy and management skills of rural-based businesses in Latin America and Africa, which include many of Green Mountain Coffee's coffee suppliers. The five-year grant is the largest in the coffee company's history.

Root Capital has provided more than $100 million in loans to cash-strapped farmers, artisans, and other small-holder producers, including nearly $50 million specifically to Green Mountain Coffee suppliers. In 2006, with Green Mountain Coffee's support, Root Capital launched a pilot financial education and training program in northern Latin America to develop basic financial and management skills among members and leaders of 50 grassroots businesses.

Through the new partnership, Root Capital will expand the program in South America and Africa. From 2009 to 2012 Root Capital estimates it will build the financial expertise among the leaders of 150 grassroots businesses, representing nearly 100,000 farmers and artisans in 12 countries.

For more information: Sandy Yusen, Green Mountain Coffee, (866) 968-2739, sandy.yusen@gmcr.com.

McClure grants helps freshmen focus first on their studies

The J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation donated $25,000 to Vermont Technical College to help incoming freshmen prepare for more rigorous. college level math and English courses. The McClure Foundation is a supporting foundation of the Vermont Community Foundation.

The college's Summer Bridge program provides courses in math, physics, computer skills, and English, and is required for students applying to certain departments. But, noted a Burlington Free Press article, the college estimates that between 10 and 15 students each year choose not to enroll at Vermont Tech because of its cost and their need to earn tuition money in the summer. The college estimates 70 percent of Summer Bridge students are the first in their families to attend college, and most are Vermont residents.

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Connecticut

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy offered special tribute to Paul Newman for his legacy to humanitarianism and commitment to philanthropy. In a public statement it wrote, "Mr. Newman, through his generosity, entrepreneurship and dedication, has had a positive impact on thousands of children and families in Connecticut and throughout the US and the world. Since 1982, he and his Newman's Own Foundation have donated over $250 million to charities supporting health, education, the elderly, the environment, the arts, the handicapped, literacy and substance abuse. All of us in Connecticut will remember him as a pillar of compassion and an exemplar of action for the common good."

The Local Education Fund has hired Alexander Betancourt as its first executive director. LEF tracks progress of the Hartford Schools. Betancourt previously worked with the East Harlem Tutorial Program and Aspira of New York, two educational organizations, and the United Way of New York City.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving announced the appointments of LouAnn Campanello of Rocky Hill as controller and George Chappell of Stafford as a communications officer. Campanello was controller at the American Radio Relay League in Newington and The Science Center in West Hartford. Chappell was an editor at daily newspapers in Springfield, MA, New Britain, Manchester and Hartford.

The Jewish Community Foundation has named three new members to its Board of Trustees. They are Steven C. Kleinman, senior vice president of George Weiss Associates; attorney Leigh A. Newman who is counsel in the Individual Clients Department of Day Pitney LLC; and Elliott D. Tertes, co-founder of Appell-Arrow Corporation and founder of Allcare Medication Services.

The Connecticut Health Foundation and the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund have done major revamping on their websites.

The United Way of Connecticut has appointed Richard Porth as new Chair and CEO effective October 1. He was formerly with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy welcomes new member, the Shumway Capital Foundation of Greenwich and Susan Higgins.

Maine

The Maine Community Foundation has chosen Meredith H. Jones as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding retiring Hank Schmelzer. She starts January 1, 2009. Jones is currently MaineCF's vice president for program development and grantmaking services. She has been instrumental in the development of several initiatives, including the Maine Compact for Higher Education and the Environmental Funders Network. Jones has been director of education and communication at the Maine Health Care Association, preceded by 16 years with the Maine Development Foundation. She currently chairs the board of the Maine Philanthropy Center and serves as a member of the board of Maine Campus Compact and the advisory committee of the Maine Policy Review. Past affiliations include service to the Maine Women's Fund, Winthrop School Board and the United Way of Kennebec Valley.

Massachusetts

Denise Lamas, a loan analyst at Citizens Bank, has been awarded a three-month Community Service Sabbatical. Lamas is volunteering at RESPOND, Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives, protect the rights and ensure the safety of women and children suffering from domestic violence in Middlesex County. RESPOND's services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual advocacy, support groups, safety planning, children's services, legal support in the courts and community education.

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation has elected two new members to its Board of Directors: Margarita Muñiz, principal of the Rafael Hernandez School in Boston and Janet Phlegar, director of the Learning Innovations Program at WestEd's Woburn, MA and Williston, VT locations.

The Massachusetts Bar Foundation presented its 2008 President's Awards to John J. Carroll, Jr. of Meehan, Boyle, Black & Bogdanow, and David E. Sullivan, Register of Probate in the Hampshire Probate and Family Court. Each was honored for his commitment to "increasing access to justice in their communities."

New Hampshire

The Corporate Fund named the National Alliance on Mental Illness NH (NAMI NH) and New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) as the 2008 recipients of The Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. NAMI NH is a statewide, grassroots network of affiliate chapters and support groups, staff and volunteers that provide information, education and support to all families and communities affected by mental illness. NHLA is a nonprofit law firm offering legal services in civil matters to seniors and eligible low-income persons.

The Corporate Fund is an initiative of 12 New Hampshire corporations in partnership with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Since 1983, The Corporate Fund has provided more than $2 million in grants, training and technical assistance to improve the stability and effectiveness of New Hampshire nonprofit organizations. Current members are: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Comcast, FairPoint Communications, Fidelity Investments, Hitchiner Manufacturing Company, Inc., Lincoln Financial Group, Markem Corporation, Northeast Delta Dental, Public Service of New Hampshire, and TD BankNorth.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Piscataqua Region celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding with a presentation of the first-ever Joseph Sawtelle Leadership Award to Sumner Winebaum and the seventh annual Artist Advancement Grant, which was awarded to Ross Cisneros.

Sumner Winebaum co-founded the Region with Sawtelle, and is well-known for his passionate support and encouragement of nonprofits in the area and for inspiring philanthropy and volunteerism throughout the seacoast communities.

Ross Cisneros uses a multidisciplinary practice that tests the relationship between video, performance, and sculpture.

Rhode Island

Elizabeth Lynn is the new executive director for the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, based in Newport.

Stephanie Danforth Chafee joined The Rhode Island Foundation Board of Directors. A Rhode Island native, Chafee was founder of the Rhode Island Free Clinic in South Providence, which provides primary and preventative care to uninsured individuals.

Vermont

The Vermont Community Foundation presented the David G. Rahr Award for Community Service to Marcia Perry of Richford at its 22nd Annual Meeting. This year's meeting brought together more than 250 philanthropists and nonprofit and community leaders from throughout the state.

Perry helped revive a dormant Richford Health Center in 1994, and under her leadership the Center, which does business as Northern Tier Center for Health, has grown from a small rural health clinic to a federally-qualified health center with medical clinics in Richford, Enosburg, Swanton, and St. Albans in Franklin County, and Alburg in Grand Isle County, providing primary health care services to more than 7,000 people in these medically underserved regions. It also operates a full-service dental clinic in Richford and a five-week day camp for the children of Richford and Berkshire each summer.

She has served on the boards of the Vermont Community Loan Fund, the Northwestern Medical Center, and the Bi-State Primary Care Association and currently serves as secretary of Richford Renaissance Corporation, a nonprofit affordable housing organization. Ms. Perry has been married to her husband Albert Perry for almost 50 years. They have seven grown children and nineteen grandchildren.