Blue Cross Teams Up with Gloria Gemma Foundation to Provide Breast Cancer Education

by Posted in Advocacy, Children & Youth, Corporate Citizenship, Health and Wellness, Member Highlights, Member News, Philanthropy, Women and Girls

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is teaming with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation to bring breast health and breast cancer education to schools, businesses, and community centers through the Foundation’s Pink Spirit Program.

BCBSRI awarded Gloria Gemma a $10,000 charitable gift to help fund the Pink Spirit Program, which will enable the Foundation to visit more sites throughout the state.

“Bringing education as important and as focused as what is found in the Pink Spirit Program is essential to raising awareness of the importance of good breast health and early detection of breast cancer. We applaud the work done each and every day by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and we are honored to provide our support for their vital work,” said Carolyn Belisle, BCBSRI managing director of community relations.

The program is designed to educate students (middle through post-secondary) and employees at local businesses about the risk factors, symptoms, and screening methods for good breast health and early detection of breast cancer.

 

Women’s Fund Announces 2018 Grantees, Hosts Gubernatorial Candidate Forum

by Posted in Advocacy, Member Highlights, Member News, Member Sponsored Events, Policy, Women and Girls

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) announced its 2018 grants totaling $50,000 to support gender equality advocacy and female leadership development.  The six recipients are doing impressive work for women and girls in Rhode Island.  One of the grantees, Young Voices, has been providing leadership training to low-income youth of color for ten years. The organization gives kids tools, skills, and experiences that will enhance public speaking, networking, analysis, critical thinking, and leadership.

Another grantee, The Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) has been working with female entrepreneurs in New England since 1995, preparing them for the business world. It educates, trains, supports, and certifies women starting businesses, giving them the tools necessary to getting their foot in the door. With this approach, CWE levels the playing field and opens doors for women business-owners.

A third grantee is doing significant work for refugees, work that is needed now more than ever. Aline Binyungu and Clement Shabani started Women’s Refugee Care in 2016 to provide services and support to refugees, and their work has expanded to encompass gender equality for women and girls as well. Their proposed project receiving funding from WFRI will provide counseling sessions to educate and support female refugees experiencing unplanned pregnancies.

Grant recipients were Blackstone Valley Prep (summer camp in 2019 to cultivate civic engagement and leadership for 8-11th grade girls); Center for Women and Enterprise (‘Community Classrooms: Spanish Language Entrepreneurship Training’);Planned Parenthood (RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom);Sojourner House (programming to all 10th grade health classes in Providence Public Schools);Women’s Refugee Care (counseling, contraceptives and education); and Young Voices (#RaiseOurVoices effort to address the root causes of educational disparities).

In addition to announcing a new slate of grants, on June 13, WFRI hosted a Gubernatorial Candidates Forum at the RI Nursing Education Center.  The session was be moderated by Maureen Moakley, political science professor at University of Rhode Island, and was focused on issues facing women and families in Rhode Island.  More info

The Importance of Census 2020 for Funders

by Posted in Advocacy, Census, Children & Youth, Equity, Philanthropy, Policy

The Importance of Census 2020 for Philanthropy and the Communities We Care About

The final segment of the GCRI session on the federal budget last week was focused on the upcoming 2020 Census.  As you know, the decennial census determines the allocation of more than $600 billion in federal assistance to states, localities and families.  Philanthropic funding, while important to Rhode Island communities, is obviously only a small portion of the federal resources that come into the state.  It is important that the Census get an accurate count of Rhode Island communities to ensure that they receive adequate resources from a shrinking pool of federal dollars.

The only test site for the 2020 Census is Providence County (currently underway), although lapses in funding mean that this test is primarily focused on testing the Census technology, and messaging will not be tested.

Historically, the census has missed disproportionate numbers of young children, people of color, and the rural and urban poor.  In the current environment, refugees and immigrants are reluctant to participate, and the proposed addition of a citizenship question will likely increase the difficulty in getting an accurate count of these populations.  In Rhode Island, particularly hard to count communities in the last census included sections of Washington County, Newport County, West Warwick, Providence, East Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Lincoln, North Providence and Woonsocket.

A few other facts about undercounted groups (from Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights Census webpage):

Children under age five are the most likely of all age groups to be undercounted.  In 2010, the undercount rate for young children was 4.6% and more than 2.2 million in this age group were not included in the census results.

In 2010, Hispanic children under age five were overlooked at twice the rate of young non-Hispanic White children, and up to 400,000 young Latino children were missed.

The 2010 Census undercounted the African American population by more than 2 percent, and approximately 6.5 percent of young African American children were overlooked, roughly twice the rate for young non-Hispanic white children. Also startling, the net undercount of Black men between the ages of 30-49 was more than 10 percent. Today, more than one in three African Americans live in hard-to-count census tracts.

 Since many of you work hard to support groups and geographic areas that tend to be undercounted, it’s important to work with your community partners in the next two years to ensure that they are counted accurately, and have access to the federal resources they should have access to.

  1. There are two upcoming opportunities to learn more about opportunities for philanthropy to be involved in supporting an accurate count of Rhode Islanders:Next Monday, April 9, from 2:00-3:00pm, our partner in the Forum, Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) will be hosting a webinar on “Participate. Convene. Invest.  A Call to Action for Philanthropy for Census 2020.”   Register
  2. RI Kids Count is co-sponsoring a Census Solutions workshop on April 13 for community organizations to help strategize ways to reach Rhode Island populations that are typically undercounted.  If you are interested in participating or have a community partner who would be a valuable part of the conversation, more information.

Moving forward, there are many resources for funders available:

The Funders Committee for Civic Participation, a sister organization in the Forum, has also initiated a Funders Census Initiative if you would like to keep abreast of Census-related information for funders.

If you are interested in ideas about how funders can be involved in different aspects of supporting the Census, FCCP developed a menu of opportunities.

If you would like more information about the current status of Providence test, preparations for the 2020 Census, the addition of the citizenship question or other general information about the Census, the Forum has complied a number of articles that may be of interest:

Census 2020 and Tax Reform Implications

by Posted in Advocacy, Census, Events, Forum News, Philanthropy, Policy

Census 2020 Efforts to Get an Accurate Count

Vanita Gupta, President and CEO of The Leadership on Civil and Human Rights, wrote a compelling piece on the critical importance of the 2020 Census for the future of public and private support of vulnerable communities.  We have excerpted from the piece below:

The decennial census is a massive, complex undertaking with far-reaching impacts on American democracy, the effectiveness of government and private sector investments, and the lives and health of every person who lives in America.

The Census Bureau needs a steady and significant ramp-up in funding in 2018 and 2019 to test new technologies and procedures, from start to finish, in a census-like environment and to create an effective outreach and advertising campaign. However, the Trump administration’s budget request for next year is woefully inadequate. Necessary testing has already been cut back due to lack of sufficient funds.

The recent congressional failure to pass an appropriations bill and instead merely pass a short-term continuing resolution until Dec. 8 will force the Census Bureau to operate at current year funding levels, leaving the agency without any budget ramp-up well into the first quarter of the new fiscal year (which begins on Oct. 1). This will further stall much-needed, rigorous planning and preparations for the upcoming census. The window for the administration and Congress to prevent a failed 2020 Census is narrowing quickly.

Bipartisan action is needed immediately to shore up the Census Bureau’s budget and to put in place experienced, qualified leadership in the wake of the previous Census director’s unexpected resignation.

Why the Census is so important

The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. It is central to the constitutional design of the United States as a representative republic.

It determines the apportionment of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives among the states. The same data are used to ensure that congressional districts within states comply with the principle of one person, one vote, to configure state and local voting districts, and to assist in the implementation of the nation’s civil rights laws, under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Census data guided school desegregation after Brown v. Board of Education and continue to inform Voting Rights Act enforcement. Nothing less than fair representation in our public lawmaking bodies is at stake.

Data collected in the decennial census and the ongoing American Community Survey (ACS) provide information that is vital to effective decision-making by policymakers, government and nonprofit agencies, and private industry. Congress allocates at least $600 billion annually in federal grants or direct payments to states, localities, and individuals/families for a range of vital programs and services, based on census-derived data. Business leaders use the data to make decisions about where to locate and market their businesses.

Why the 2020 Census is at risk for a potential disaster

Congressional expectations that the 2020 Census must cost less than the 2010 enumeration have driven efforts to develop and deploy new technologies and procedures. For example, giving people the option of responding online and equipping enumerators with connected handheld devices are advances that could dramatically reduce paperwork and streamline operations, with potential savings of more than $5 billion.

But technological failures could compromise data security as well as accuracy. These new technologies and procedures must be fully developed, tested in the field, and refined well before final preparations for the 2020 enumeration start in 2019. That requires a significant ramp-up in funding.

Insufficient funding for 2017 and uncertainties for 2018 have already forced the Census Bureau to cancel final testing of some key activities, including the only field evaluation of special methods for counting rural and remote communities. The bureau has canceled two out of three planned sites for the 2018 End-to-End Census Test – informally known as the “dress rehearsal” – which will severely limit the scope of the only integrated evaluation of all operations and technological systems before the 2020 Census takes place. Other damaging program changes resulting from underfunding include delays in opening regional census centers and in developing the advertising and partnership programs that are essential to ensuring participation in historically hard-to-count communities.

Bipartisan action is needed now

There are two urgent steps that the administration and Congress must take. First, the Trump administration must nominate a highly qualified, well-respected, and nonpartisan candidate with a clear vision for an accurate, fully inclusive census to fill the now-vacant position of director of the Census Bureau. If the administration’s nominee meets those criteria, the Senate should make confirmation a top priority.

And, second, as Congress takes up fiscal year 2018 appropriations bills this fall, it must give the Census Bureau sufficient funding to ensure comprehensive final testing and development of all 2020 Census systems and operations. To achieve that goal, Congress should allocate at least $303 million over the administration’s irresponsibly inadequate request.

There will be no second chance to get the 2020 Census right, and the nation must live with the results for the next 10 years.

Vanita Gupta was appointed by President Obama in 2014 to lead the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department. Earlier this year she became president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy’s newsletter on importance of Census 2020 for funders

Census 2020 Milestone Webinar

The Forum and a number of our partner organizations have teamed up for a webinar on November 16, “Key 2020 Census Milestones:  Preparing to Invest in a Fair and Accurate Count.”  The session will look at important decision-making points as the Census Bureau finalizes the 2020 census operational plan; key milestones in census preparations and implementation, including when the standards of collection of race and ethnicity data will be released, when local offices will open, and when address canvassing will begin; what is already happening on the ground to ensure a fair and accurate census and how that informs your grantmaking timeline; how philanthropy can play a key role as a census partner and catalyst of statewide get-out-the-count activities; and effective ways philanthropy can influence the formation of effective and representative complete count committees at the state and local levels.  More information

Tax Reform Implications for Nonprofits

Proposed tax reform changes could have drastic effects on charitable giving.  Be sure to read the National Council of Nonprofits’ analysis of the implications of the proposals, as well as Nonprofit Quarterly‘s analysis.  Marts & Lundy analysis

Forum Partner Events

by Posted in Advocacy, Equity, Events, Health and Wellness, Nonprofit Capacity Building, Philanthropy, Policy, Uncategorized

One of the benefits of being a member of United Philanthropy Forum is access to content experts and funders from around the country.

Here are a few upcoming events sponsored by Forum members.  See links for registration and fee information.

Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP)

Relationships Matter:  Strong Funder-Grantee Relationships Webinar — November 16

What is a strong funder-grantee relationship — and what does it take to form one with your grantees?  Join CEP for a data-driven discussion of why funder-grantee relationships are so important to foundation effectiveness — and what areas in which program staff should focus to build and maintain strong ones. In the webinar, CEP Vice President, Research, Ellie Buteau will share findings from not-yet-released CEP research, followed by an interactive discussion with a panel of highly rated program officers about their experiences building relationships with their grantees, facilitated by CEP President Phil Buchanan.  Attendees will have ample opportunity to ask questions to the presenters and can expect to come away with a clear picture of what the data shows to constitute a strong funder-grantee relationship, as well as best practices to apply to their work at their own foundation.  More information and registration

Exponent Philanthropy

Great Funder-Nonprofit Relationships Webinar — November 9

What makes a great funder-nonprofit relationship?  Over the course of 2017, Exponent Philanthropy, in collaboration with the National Council of Nonprofits, explored that question along with funders and nonprofits from around the country.  This webinar will share findings, lessons learned, and practical strategies.  The session will cover funder and nonprofit feedback on building trust, leaning into discomfort, and navigating the power dynamics inherent in grantmaking, as well as ways to cultivate great relationships between funders and nonprofits.  More info and registration

Impact Investing:  From Concept to Reality Webinar — November 1

Through stories and examples, learn how Foundations have aligned their investment portfolios with their philanthropic missions.  This webinar was created for foundations that are beginning to explore impact investing, or for Foundations looking for ways to advance their impact investing program.  Topics will include fantasy versus reality: what can foundations expect out of an impact investing program in the first couple of years; helping trustees explore and define impact; how to implement impact investing into a portfolio; examples of customizing investment strategies to align with mission; costs associated with an impact investing program; and questions and discussion points to bring back to your trustees, or to your investment advisor.  More info and registration

Fund the People

Fund the People is offering a series of webinar case studies on the value of investing in nonprofit staff development. 

New York Community Trust Field Story Webinar — November 17
The webinar will provide a deeper understanding of The New York Community Trust’s values, philosophy, and talent-investing practices, with a focus on the impact talent-investing has on graduates of the Leadership Fellows Program, and their nonprofit organizations.  More info and registration

Community Memorial Foundation Field Story Webinar — December 12
Explore how the Illinois-based Community Memorial Foundation holistically invests in strengthening nonprofit professionals and organizations, as well as the impact the foundation’s talent-investments have on the effectiveness of Aging Care Connections. More info and registration

Funders Committee for Civic Participation

Key 2020 Census Milestones:  Preparing to Invest in a Fair and Accurate Count — November 16

Join us to learn more about important milestones before and during the 2020 Census, and ways your foundation can support “Get Out the Count” activities, including participation in state and local Complete Count Committees.  Co-sponsors:  United Philanthropy Forum, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Funders Together to End Homelessness  More info and registration

Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN)

Charting a Climate, Health and Equity Agenda:  Investing in Those Most Impacted to Improve Health and the Environment — November 14 

View the agenda and register.

HEFN’s 2017 Annual Meeting, “Rewriting the Rules: Opportunities for Health and Environmental Justice in Disruptive Times”  — November 15-16

View the agenda for the 2017 HEFN Annual Meeting and register.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

Philanthropy and Racial Equity: Race Matters/Responsive in Black Communities Training — November 30

This training, derived from the Race Matters Toolkit, presents a valuable framework that has guided and informed ABAG’s work since it was first offered to ABAG’s Board, Staff and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee in April 2013. This training is designed to increase grantmakers’ understanding of key concepts and definitions for racial equity and three specific tools used for applying a racial equity lens to grantmaking.

Non-ABAG member grantmakers are invited to attend this workshop for a fee of $100.00.

Women’s Fund Hosts Cocktails and Conversations with 2017 Grantees

by Posted in Advocacy, Children & Youth, Equity, Member Highlights, Member News, Member Sponsored Events, Philanthropy, Women and Girls

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island recently announced the six recipients of its 2017 grant funding, totalling $50,000:

  • Young Voices for a program which will unite girls of color and leaders in education to address disparities in achievement in Providence public schools
  • RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence to develop plans for coalition partners to collaborate more effectively in mobilizing community voices in the Move to End Violence
  • Center for Women and Enterprise, to provide entrepreneur training in Spanish for women who want to start businesses
  • Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE) to promote resiliency in Asian adolescent girls through their Hidden Lotus Circle leadership training
  • Day One for materials related to its Be Empowerment program addressing survivors of commercial sexual exploitation of children
  • YearUp to train and place young women on Information Technology career paths

“We had 31 organizations submit proposals for a combined request of $261,000 in funding, so the process was very competitive,” said Executive Director Kelly Nevins. “Using a review team of volunteers from the community with training in gender lens giving, these organizations clearly rose to the top.”

Grant recipients will be highlighted at the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island’s upcoming Cocktails & Conversations event on Wednesday, October 25.  More information

Kelly Nevins, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund, was also featured on GoLocal LIVE to talk about the need to address unconscious bias in the workplace and WFRI’s initiatives in this area.  View

Responses to DACA Decision

by Posted in Advocacy, Basic Need, Children & Youth, Education, Events, Forum News, Global Philanthropy, Immigrants and Refugees, Philanthropy, Policy, Resources

September 14 GCIR Webinar for Funders

The Forum will be co-sponsoring  a Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees webinar, Dreams in Limbo: A Look at the Future of DACA, Young Immigrants, and How Funders Can Respond, that is being held on September 14, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. PDT.

Philanthropic Responses to the DACA Decision

  • Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees issued a statement declaring that  “DACA’s repeal demands a robust response from philanthropy.” GCIR is compiling statements from foundations and PSOs, along with related resources. To add your statement or other resources to GCIR’s resource page on DACA, please send them to Michael@gcir.org.
  • Funders for LGBTQ Issues issued a statement noting that “nearly half of the estimated 75,000 eligible LGBT young undocumented immigrants have taken advantage of DACA, allowing them to dramatically improve their lived experience.”
  • Philanthropy California issued a statement urging policymakers to “develop a solution that protects these young people and upholds our nation’s promise of freedom, fairness, and prosperity for all.”

 

 

 

Responding to Charlottesville

by Posted in Advocacy, Equity, Philanthropy, Policy, Resources

Response to Charlottesville

We are all grieved and angered by the violent, racist events in Charlottesville this past weekend.  What we saw on the Virginia streets was designed to instill fear, to divide and to breed hopelessness.

But the pain and anger on those streets are not the end of the story.  We know that in Rhode Island and across the country, there are individuals, groups, and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations steadfastly working to protect, empower, transform and grow safe, healthy, just and equitable communities.

This weekend illustrated that we still have much work to do, and we encourage GCRI members to look for ways to more fully integrate principles and values of diversity, equity, inclusion, humility, respect and compassion into their organizational practices, as well as their community initiatives.  To help you in that process, we have gathered a variety of Charlottesville responses and diversity/equity/inclusion resources.

The two primary umbrella groups within United Philanthropy Forum that support the sector’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work are:

Change Philanthropy
Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity

Both organizations have extensive resource hubs, and Change Philanthropy can connect you to a variety of identity-based philanthropy groups including:  Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, Funders for LGBTQ Issues,
Hispanics in Philanthropy, Native Americans in Philanthropy and Women’s Funding Network.

Philanthropy/Nonprofit Responses to Charlottesville
Nellie Mae Educational Foundation CEO Nick Donahue (GCRI Member)
A Time for Gracious Anger, Nonprofit AF Column by Vu Le
Exponent Philanthropy CEO Henry Berman in Chronicle of Philanthropy
Lumina Foundation CEO Jamie Merisotis
Ford Foundation President Darren Walker
California Endowment President and CEO Dr. Robert Ross
Heinz Endowment President Grant Oliphant
Akonadi Foundation President Lateefah Simon
National Center for Responsive Philanthropy President and CEO Aaron Dorfman
Nonprofit Quarterly
Connecticut Council on Philanthropy Statement 
Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers Statement
CHANGE Philanthropy Statement
Funders for Justice Statement
We Must All Speak Out, Barr Foundation
Advance Safety, Defend Peace #Charlottesville, The California Wellness Foundation
Philanthropy Must Respond Forcefully to Charlottesville, Kresge Foundation
We Must All Do More, Lumina Foundation
A Statement in the Aftermath of Charlottesville, The McKnight Foundation
After Charlottesville, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
It’s Well Past Time to Condemn. It’s Time to Confront, Meyer Foundation
No Home for Hate, The Nathan Cummings Foundation
In Solidarity with Charlottesville, NRDC
Charlottesville, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Heal Charlottesville Fund
The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation has established the Heal Charlottesville Fund to support both immediate needs and longer-term reconciliation efforts. Depending on the level of resources available, the Fund will support Immediate Assistance and Stabilization, Acknowledgement, Community Dialogue and Reconciliation, Restoration and Healing, and Fund Leadership and Decision-making.

Equity Resources and Tools for Philanthropy

Change Philanthropy’s Resource Hub — Resources on equity, diversity, and inclusion
Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities Framework (RPBC) created by the Association of Black Foundation Executives
W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
Equity assessment quiz created by CHANGE Philanthropy with questions from the D5 Coalition and the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity and resources to  advance equity
Bay Area Justice Funders Network’s A Framework for Social Justice Philanthropy — values, competencies, and practices to create a comprehensive framework for effective social justice philanthropy.
Grantmaking With a Racial Equity Lens — Focus on racial equity can increase effectiveness at every stage of the grantmaking process
D5 Coalition — Five-year coalition to advance philanthropy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion
Foundation Diversity: Policy and Practices Toolkit — Sampling of statements, forms, and templates developed and utilized by foundations to incorporate diversity and inclusion into both organizational practices and grantmaking
Racial Equity Resource Guide — Articles, organizations, research, books, media strategies and training curricula– aimed at helping organizations and individuals working to achieve racial equity
Diversity, Inclusion and Effective Philanthropy — Funder guide from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors on more responsive and efficient grantmaking by combining the concepts of diversity and inclusion with basic due diligence
A Snapshot of Promising Practices Among Indiana Foundations — Snapshot of promising practices for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in Indiana philanthropy

Generations of Generosity — Grantmaking within communities of color
Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Philanthropy: A Scan of the Landscape — Innovative strategies, extraordinary and passionate leaders, and organizations that are creating pathways to engage the resources of their community for their community
Toolkit for Racial, Ethnic and Tribal Funds and Foundations — Key steps and reflections from existing funds and foundations in Black, Asian, Arab, Latino and Native-American communities
Engaging Diverse Communities — Broaden donor bases, services, and programs by reaching out to diverse communities
Supporting Immigrants and Refugees in Volatile Times: What Philanthropy Can Do, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees Report
Advancement Project

Videos
Videos about Racial Justice, Philanthropy Northwest

Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers’ Putting Racism on the Table

Implicit Bias with Julie Nelson, Director of the Government Alliance on Race & Equity, Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society
Mass Incarceration with James Bell, founder and executive director of the W. Haywood Burns Institute
Structural Racism Theater: “The Pernicious Compromise” — Based sardonically on Masterpiece Theatre, introduces the viewer to concrete examples of structural racism and implicit bias, focuses on the timely topic of the Electoral College and its connection to the Three-Fifths Compromise
Other resources from Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers

Communications 
Having Uncomfortable Conversations: A New Communications Imperative, Communications Network
Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry — Developed by the Southern Law Poverty Center

Educator/Family Responses
White Supremacists Still Exist:  Here’s What White Parents Can Do About It, Huffington Post
Talking to Students About Charlottesville Violence and Racism, NEA

Impacts of Tax Reform on Charitable Giving

by Posted in Advocacy, Family Philanthropy, Global Philanthropy, Philanthropy, Policy

What effect would the proposed tax reforms have on charitable giving? What would be the impact of allowing all taxpayers to take the charitable tax? How might these proposals impact tax revenue collected by the Treasury? New research commissioned by Independent Sector and conducted by Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy provides insights on these and others questions, and research highlights were shared during a recent webinar jointly hosted by the Forum and Independent Sector. This new research is designed to help educate and inform lawmakers as they consider tax reform proposals.

Download the slides or watch the recording

World Refugee Day Webinar

by Posted in Advocacy, Basic Need, Global Philanthropy, Philanthropy

The Forum is co-sponsoring a webinar with Grantmakers Concerned for Refugees and Immigrants for World Refugee Day, Innovative Solutions and Holistic Approaches to Refugees and Asylum, on Tuesday, June 20th at 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

More than 60 million individuals have been forced from home around the world, among them nearly 20 million refugees. Across the globe, already limited resources—both public and private—are now stretched thinner than ever. In this environment, many organizations and funders are reconsidering old practices, searching for holistic models, and innovating to address the unprecedented needs and opportunities of displaced persons. Many seek to empower refugees and develop programs that not only holistically address needs, but are also refugee-led. In the United States, where needs range from middle-class, college-educated Syrian refugees to impoverished Central American women and children seeking asylum out of fear of gangs, diverse approaches are needed.

This call, held in honor of World Refugee Day, will explore several innovative models during this era of the global refugee crisis. Join to hear from leading figures in the field about the potential and lessons learned of their approaches.