Hasbro Launches Initiative to Nurture Youth Empathy and Compassion

by Posted in Corporate Citizenship, Education, Member Highlights, Member News, Resources

Hasbro has launched BE FEARLESS BE KIND, its largest philanthropic initiative ever, designed to empower kids to have the empathy, compassion and courage to stand up for others and be inclusive throughout their lives. This initiative builds upon the work that Hasbro and the Hasbro Children’s Fund have been doing with generationOn, the youth service division of Points of Light.

“We know the amazing difference kids can make by putting empathy into action through service, and we’ve seen how that work changes them, giving them confidence and a greater sense of purpose,” said Karen Davis, Hasbro’s Senior Vice President of Global Philanthropy and Social Impact, and President of the Hasbro Children’s Fund. “BE FEARLESS BE KIND features resources, partnerships and campaigns with the common goal of creating a generation of kids who include everyone, appreciate differences and experience the feeling of fulfilment that comes with making a difference.”

The core elements of BE FEARLESS BE KIND are dedicated to teaching empathy, putting empathy into action, and celebrating kind kids who serve as positive role models and changemakers.

To help nurture empathy and compassion, parents and adults can access resources through an online hub.

As part of the initiative, Hasbro and its partners offer a variety of programs throughout the year to help kids put empathy into action:

  • The first new program to launch was generationOn’s Rules of Kindness campaign, which invited kids and teens to create their own “rules of kindness” and a plan to put them into action. The campaign, which ran September 1 through October 17, inspired more than 110,000 youth from eight countries to share their rules and action plans.
  • Starting in November, Hasbro and generationOn will be hosting the seventh annual Joy Maker Challenge, encouraging youth to spread joy and kindness to people in need during the holidays. For every kid engaged in service throughout the Joy Maker Challenge between November 21 and December 23, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots (up to $1 million). To date, more than 950,000 total acts of service have been completed.
  • Hasbro proudly supports NO BULLY, an evidence-based program that leverages student empathy to prevent and stop bullying in schools and in after-school programs. Hasbro brought this approach to the school district where its corporate headquarters are located in Pawtucket, RI, as well as schools across the US through an innovative AmeriCorps partnership. In addition, Peace Summit projects, designed by NO BULLY and featured on the BE FEARLESS BE KIND website, help educators involve students in reducing bullying in schools and promoting peace.

Two new global partnerships with Special Olympics and Creative Vision’s Rock Your World have been established to help develop empathy and compassion in kids around the world:

  • Special Olympics Unified Schools program facilitates sports and education initiatives of Special Olympics in schools to foster respect and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities; change actions and attitudes among peers without intellectual disabilities; and promote social inclusion for all.
  • Creative Vision’s Rock Your World inspires middle and high school students globally to change their world through the use of media. To date, more than 600,000 students in 25,000 schools have used their free curriculum to make a difference around issues they care about.

Celebrating Kind Kids

BE FEARLESS BE KIND recognizes and celebrates kids who are making a positive difference:

  • For the past seven years, Hasbro has recognized Hasbro Community Action Heroes who embody empathy, kindness, and leadership as they serve their community through volunteerism. The ten 2016 Heroes announced on November 1, will receive an educational scholarship in honor of their work.
  • Through its partnership with the Special Olympics Unified Schools program, Hasbro will also recognize one student in each of the areas where it has US offices: Rhode Island, Seattle, Los Angeles and Miami, with the Hasbro Kindness Award for extraordinary empathetic leadership.

To learn more about Hasbro’s BE FEARLESS BE KIND initiative, visit www.BEFEARLESSBEKIND.com, follow the company on Twitter (@Hasbro), and join the conversation online using #BeKind and #BFBK.

 

 

Maximizing Educational Attainment Using Asset Building Strategies Webinar 10/21

by Posted in Basic Need, Education, Events, Resources

Maximizing Educational Attainment Using Asset Building Strategies Webinar

Meet in the Middle to Magnify Success: Early Distribution Scholarships and CSAs

Interested in innovative approaches to children’s social and emotional development, academic success or asset building for low-income families?  Join Benita Melton, from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, as she moderates a free webinar on October 21 from 2:00pm-3:00pm on strategies that have been shown to increase college enrollment and completion, as well as the development of essential social and emotional skills and academic success for low- to moderate-income students.  These strategies utilize asset building tools such as early distribution of scholarships and child savings accounts (CSA’s)

Martha Kanter, Executive Director of the College Promise Campaign and former U.S. Under Secretary of Education, and Patty Grant, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Wabash County will join Ms. Melton on the panel.  Register

Tools for Nonprofit Sustainability and Financial Stability

by Posted in Nonprofit Capacity Building, Resources, Uncategorized

Building Nonprofit Fiscal Strength

FMA, in conjunction with The Wallace Foundation, has designed a website to help nonprofits build their fiscal strength and achieve operational excellence.

StrongNonprofits.org features more than 60 free tools, how-tos and guides for anyone involved in nonprofits’ financial planning, monitoring, operations or oversight.

Among a variety of resources, StrongNonprofits.org offers:

a nonprofit accounting guide

information on sensible growth strategies

a podcast on how to understand the true cost of programming.

The site also offers an array of helpful tools, including the “Go or No Go Decision Tool,” an interactive assessment that helps an organization decide whether accepting a contract would help–or hurt—the  bottom line.

FMA will provide a free webinar guided tour of StrongNonprofits.org on September 22 and November 29.

Register

Annual Salary and Benefits Benchmarking Survey Deadline is July 15

by Posted in Resources, Uncategorized

The 2016 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Survey Closes This Week

This year, GCRI has partnered with the Council on Foundations to encourage participation in the 2016 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Survey, a valuable benchmarking tool designed specifically to collect compensation data for positions at community, private (family and independent), and public foundations, and other staffed grantmaking entities. This annual survey is one of the most important and effective resources for our members and we encourage you to participate. To learn more and take the survey contact research@cof.org.

There are 8 days left to respond to the 2016 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Survey. For those in the almost 700 organizations who have taken the time to respond or to indicate that you will complete the survey you have our sincere thanks! We have some ways to our goal and your participation is vital to producing this important and effective foundation management tool. Below you will find some very preliminary data points that may be of interest to you. If your organization has not yet completed the survey your participation remains essential. 

The deadline for participating is July 15, 2016.

We encourage you to participate. Instructions for logging into the survey are provided below. If you are a member of the Council of Foundations, please note that your account login credentials are separate and likely different from your login credentials to the main Council website. 

A Reminder of Benefits for Participants

Whether or not your organization is a member of the Council on Foundations, all online participants will receive the following for FREE:

  • A free PDF copy of the 2016 Salary Tables ($179 cost)
  • A free PDF copy of the 2016 Board Compensation Tables ($99 cost)
  • A free PDF copy of the 2016 Administrative & Program Expenses Tables ($99 cost. This year will include technology expenses.)
  • A free PDF of the Full 2016 report ($349 cost. Includes key findings, benefits, demographics)
  • Access to the online benchmarking tool which enables benchmarking by grantmaker type, asset size, state or region. ($99 per custom report for non-participants.)

The names of respondent organizations will be available through the peer selection component of Benchmark Central. However, your answers to this survey will remain confidential and results will be reported only in the aggregate.

 

 

Responding to the Tragedy in Orlando

by Posted in Disaster Philanthropy, Resources, Uncategorized

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Update:  The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers hosted a conference call on the short-term and long-term needs following the Orlando shooting.  Listen here

In the face of the horrific tragedy in Orlando this weekend, GCRI wanted to share a letter and resources from the President of the Florida Philanthropic Network, GCRI’s sister organization in Florida.

Dear Colleagues,

We are horrified and heartbroken over yesterday’s tragedy in Orlando. In the early morning hours, a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub, leaving 50 individuals dead and more than 50 injured. Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians and the LGBTQ community, their families and friends reeling from this senseless act of terror and the tragic loss of innocent lives.

As flags fly at half-staff today, let us recognize that they still wave proudly and stand for peace, understanding and acceptance. The response from our brothers and sisters across Florida and the country has been remarkable. Residents have appeared in thousands to donate their time and blood to those in need, not only in Orlando but throughout the state. Our fellow regional associations and funders stand ready to offer assistance and support.

For some of us, it can feel overwhelming on where and how to lend a hand. Monetary donations are fast, flexible and effective ways to make a direct impact during Orlando’s time of need. You and your organization can be part of an effort to provide immediate and long-term assistance to the victims of tragedy, as well the broader community. As Florida nonprofits and philanthropic organizations address the short-term and long-term needs of the community, you can join them in the following ways:

OneOrlando Fund

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City of Orlando have announced the formation of the OneOrlando Fund. The distribution of the funds will be administered by the Central Florida Foundation. The purpose of the Fund is to provide a way to help respond to the needs of our community, now and in the time to come, after the effects of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

Central Florida Foundation

Central Florida Foundation announced this afternoon the creation of the Better Together Fund. The Better Together Fund provides a way to respond to the needs of Central Florida now and in the time ahead. This effort will take place through a transparent, accountable grant-making process addressing the following priorities:

  • Nonprofits that are supporting the victims and families
  • The LGBTQ, Hispanic, faith and other affected communities
  • Underlying causes of this tragic event (not related to policy or advocacy)
  • Other needs we cannot anticipate until we face them

Read letter from Central Florida Foundation President & CEO Mark Brewer.

FPN will release more details as they become available and you can monitor up-to-date developments at their website, http://cffound.org.

Our Fund Foundation, a community foundation whose mission is to support South Florida’s LGBTQ agencies, is collecting tax-deductible donations. 100% of the tax-deductible funds raised through Our Fund will be donated to the nonprofits in Orlando supporting survivors and victims’ families and friends and their efforts to restore peace, joy and wellness to Orlando’s LGBTQ community. To make a tax-deductible donation through Our Fund, visit https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OurFund/Orlando.html

Governor Rick Scott announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund following yesterday’s terror attack in Orlando. The Florida Disaster Fund will help provide financial support to organizations that serve survivors, their families, and all those in need. To make a contribution, please visit http://www.FloridaDisasterFund.org.

  • Pulse Victims Fund
    Equality Florida is collecting contributions via a GoFundMe page to support every single victim of the Orlando shooting.  This includes victims’ families, survivors, and those in the club who may not have suffered physical injury but in need of support.  Equality Florida is working with the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) to distribute the contributions via NCVC’s National Compassion Fund.

The City of Orlando is also coordinating volunteers and donations for those located in Central Florida. You can fill out an online form, and someone will contact you regarding services and donation needs.

As more information emerges, you can follow these Twitter accounts for ways to help:

Florida Philanthropic Network @flphilanthropy
Central Florida Foundation @cffound
Equality Florida @EqualityFL
Heart of Florida United Way @hfuw
City of Orlando @citybeautiful

Together we can support the victims and their families and loved ones while we continue working to build a better Florida – one fueled by respect and unity.
Thank you all for your thoughts, concerns and kind words,
Stacy Carlson, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Florida Philanthropic Network

 Lessons From Roseburg: The Ford Family Foundation

The Ford Family Foundation in Roseburg, Oregon has been a key leader in the response to the mass shooting that took place in Roseburg on October 1, 2015, at the Umpqua Community College.  Below are some resources from the foundation about what they’ve learned:

In addition, another of GCRI’s sister organizations, Philanthropy New York, has assembled a list of resources related not just to Orlando, but gun violence as well:

Funder Networks Assembling Information and Resources to Respond:

Funders for LGBTQ Issues

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Florida Philanthropic Network

Possibilities for Donors Looking to Make Contributions:

Funds for the Victims of the Orlando Shooting:

Equality Florida (Florida Philanthropic Network has referred people to the website of Equality Florida, the main LGBTQ rights organization in the state, where you can find information and updates on this horrific situation.) Equality Florida has said that “We are working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.”

The Center, an LGBT advocacy group that is providing a crisis hotline (407-227-1446) and grief counselors for people in the Orlando area, also set up a GoFundMe page

Muslims United for Victims of Pulse Shooting. American Muslim leaders called on members of their community who are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan to break their fast if needed in order to donate blood. And, Muslim community members in Florida have launched a fundrasing campaign to support the shooting victims and their families.

The Red Cross is also accepting donations toward the response in Orlando. Donate at 800-733-2767 or redcross.org.

Ending Gun Violence:

Everytown for Gun Safety

Coalition to End Gun Violence

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

States United to Prevent Gun Violence

LGBT Community:

Stonewall Community Foundation

The New York City Anti-Violence Project, a New York City-based nonprofit working to address hate-violence in the LGBTQ community, offers a 24/7 bilingual hotline and devotes their resources to addressing hate violence in the queer community. Donate to its efforts here or reach the hotline at 212-714-1141.

Forum Highlights — Rethinking American Justice

by Posted in Advocacy, Collective Impact, Events, Resources, Uncategorized

GCRI is a member of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, representing 33 different grantmaking associations and over 5,500 participating organizations, the largest network in American philanthropy.  While we have great resources locally and regionally, the Forum provides the opportunity for GCRI members to learn from colleagues and content experts from across the country.

Recently, Philanthropy New York‘s 37th Annual Meeting focused on the theme of “Rethinking American Justice,” focusing on the history and present application of justice in America – discussing what we call criminal and examining the kinds of reforms that could strengthen communities across the nation.  The opening panel focused on “Building Political Consensus on Criminal Justice Reform,” with Mark Holden, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Koch Industries; David Yassky, Dean, Pace Law School; Kenneth Zimmerman, Director, US Programs, Open Society Foundations; and Malika Saada Saar (Moderator), Public Policy and Government Relations Senior Counsel-Civil and Human Rights, Google.  Then you can watch “PHIL Talks”  — dynamic short presentations in rapid-fire succession by fascinating individuals who are making extraordinary change on justice reform issues, including Charles Nuñez, Community Advocate, Youth Represent; Glenn E. Martin, Founder, JustLeadershipUSA; and Andrea Ritchie, Soros Justice Fellow, Co-author: “Say Her Name,” “Roadmap for Change” and “Queer (In)Justice.”  Finally, the headline panel on “Rethinking American Justice,” features Michelle Alexander, Author of “The New Jim Crow,” Civil Rights and Legal Scholar, and Senior Fellow at Ford Foundation; Hon. Jonathan Lippman, former Chief Judge, State of New York, Latham & Watkins LLP, Of Counsel and Chair of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform; Nicholas Turner, President and Director, Vera Institute of Justice and Erik Eckholm, (Moderator), National Legal Correspondent, the New York Times.

Watch here.

 

New Disaster Philanthropy Resource

by Posted in Resources Leave a comment

The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is the comprehensive resource of best practices and innovative approaches to guide the philanthropic community’s actions when disasters occur. Designed as a multimedia, interactive website, the Playbook is an “evergreen” resource designed for continued updates and knowledge-building. Community planning, civic rebuilding, legal services, housing, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, working with local, state and federal government, mitigation and preparedness are some of the common issues faced by communities post disaster that are covered in detail in the Playbook. The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook is a joint project of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Council of New Jersey Grantmakers in association with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.  To visit the site, click here.