Support from Ulla Wiik will strengthen SDSU’s language and global studies programs.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2016) — Ulla Lotta Wiik was born in the land of the Nobel Prize, the smorgasbord and minimalist design. Although she has lived in California for decades, her ties to Sweden and Europe run deep as reflected in her recent gift to San Diego State University.

The endowed gift of $200,000 will support student exchanges and collaborative scholarly research to strengthen SDSU’s international programs in languages, regional studies and international business. In appreciation, a 500-seat auditorium in the College of Arts and Letters has been named for Wiik.

“I believe that anyone who wants to visit another country and learn another language should be able to take advantage of it,” she said.

The Campaign for SDSU has raised $665 million of the $750-million target. Donor support is strengthening academic programs and student success initiatives while driving SDSU toward its goal of breaking into the ranks of the top 50 U.S. public research universities.

Wiik’s gift also supports the university’s goal to increase student participation in international experiences, such as study abroad and internationally based internships. SDSU ranks No. 15 in the country for the number of students studying abroad in the latest Institute for International Education’s Open Doors report. More than 2,100 students have international experiences each year, choosing from nearly 400 programs in 67 countries.

“International experiences, such as the ones made possible by Ulla Lotta Wiik’s most generous gifts, make great things possible and ensure the continuous and ever growing success of students and faculty in our globalized world,” said Norma Bouchard, dean of SDSU’s College of Arts and Letters.

Wiik and her first husband, Einar Wiik, have already contributed much to the San Diego region’s economic success. In 1991, they relocated their business, Standard Filter Corp., from Los Angeles to Carlsbad. Operating from its 30,000-square-foot headquarters there, the company is a world leader in filter bag manufacturing for the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Wiik is chair and her son, Toby, is president and CEO.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a major public research institution that provides transformative experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, for its 35,000 students. The university offers bachelor’s degrees in 94 areas, master’s degrees in 78 areas and doctorates in 22 areas. Students participate in research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. The university’s rich campus life features opportunities for students to participate in, and engage with, the creative and performing arts, a Division I athletics program and the vibrant cultural life of the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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Cast Members From Broadway’s ‘The Color Purple’, David Ushery, Hon. C. Virginia Fields, Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Hon. C. Dr. Aletha Maybank, Lisa Long, Nika Milbrun …and more notable New Yorkers in attendance

January 21st, 2016 — New York, NY; On Tuesday January 19th, 2015 African-American leaders in the human services community and their colleagues, attended the 39th Annual Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon at the Hilton Hotel New York.

David Ushery of NBC 4 New York served as master of ceremonies for the event. An annual event hosted by Black Agency Executives (BAE), this membership organization is composed of executives from major human service agencies in New York City.

Photo credited:”Margot L. Jordan”

Since it’s first event in 1977, the organization has grown steadily and continues to honor the life and achievements of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Danielle Moss Lee, BAE President and Chair explains why it is so important to continue to honor the his legacy,, “Black Agency Executives stands as a vehicle for developing, supporting, and uplifting Black human services professionals’, says Moss Lee. “We work on the frontline and at the margins, armed with undeniable expertise and we are committed to immersing ourselves in work that amplifies the voices of the forgotten and powerless and that gives hope to us all.”

Event highlights include:

• A thought provoking keynote speech by Rahiel Tesfamariam, Founder, UrbanCusp.com
• Black National Anthem sung by Shahara Jackson
• Live performances by Broadway’s The Color Purple, performed by cast member Carla R. Stewart accompanied by Musical Director Jason Michael Webb
• Actor, Comedian and TV personality Chuck Nice provided entertainment to conclude a successful event

Every year, the BAE recognizes individuals and organizations with an outstanding track record for serving the community. This years honorees included:

• Thelma Dye, Ph.D., – The Hilde L. Moss Executive Director & CEO Northside Center for Child Development
• Carole Owens – Talent Coordinator at NBC Universal, WNBC, & WNBC-TV
• Loren Harris – Director of Family Economic Security for W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“BAE continues to honor and recognize individuals for their work in community uplift because it is this human services sector that helps to bridge the gap for so many disenfranchised people in New York City,” explains Carla D. Brown, BAE Luncheon Chairperson. “ Their dedication to a cause greater than themselves, has to be celebrated. As Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

The 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon is supported by a number of partners and sponsors including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, American Express, Colgate Bright Smiles, Harlem Children’s Zone, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Bright Futures and IBM. The event was produced by Bee Season Consulting.

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The Florida Competitive Workforce Act enjoys bipartisan support

(Tallahassee) – On Tuesday, January 26, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear The Florida Competitive Workforce Act (SB 120) which would prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in employment, housing and public accommodations. This the first time the legislation will be heard by legislators.

“This is a huge breakthrough not only for Florida but for the South and the nation as the third most populous state takes up long overdue, basic protections.,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s Executive Director. “The Florida Competitive Workforce Act has bipartisan support in both chambers, the support of Fortune 500 Companies, over 400 small businesses and a strong majority of Floridians. It’s time for Florida to pass this common-sense legislation.”

Currently 55% of Florida’s population, in 38 municipalities, are protected at the local level by nondiscrimination laws, but no uniform statewide law exists, leaving many vulnerable to discrimination. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to pre-existing nondiscrimination laws that already cover race, religion, disability, age and other categories.

Since the start of legislative session on January 12, The Florida Competitive Workforce Act has picked up critical support in the Senate with the addition of Senators Jack Latvala (R) and Travis Hutson (R) as co-sponsors.

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC) has also joined the statewide coalition pushing for passage. Recognized as one of the Top Five Chambers in the Nation by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, FSHCC communicates with a network of 80,000 Hispanic small business owners in Florida.

The hearing will be held in the Senate Judiciary on Tuesday, January 26, from 1-3pm in 110 Senate Office Building.

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ROSWELL, GA – January 2016 – Engaged couples and brides who are looking for an authentic experience are opting for a more natural wedding ceremony at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and have been unanimously pleased with their decision.

WeddingWire, a leading online wedding resource, recently named Chattahoochee Nature Center as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Awards for 2016. This honor is awarded only to the top five percent of wedding venues and professionals in the Atlanta area, and stands as a testament to the excellent quality of services and professionalism that the Chattahoochee Nature Center team has reliably provided for their clients and guests.

The Couples Choice Awards are determined solely based on the review of real newlyweds, who have been consistently pleased with their experiences at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, reliability, and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients. This will be the third year in a row the Center has received this esteemed award.

This year, the Center won in two categories; Ceremony & Reception, as well as Rehearsal Dinner Locations. This is largely due to the professionalism of the event staff, the breathtaking scenery and rustic elegance of the Nature Center, and the farm-to-table dining provided by their caterers. Clients also reported that they appreciated the smaller details – for example, the spacious bridal suite and lovely choice of settings for ceremonies.

“We couldn’t have picked a more perfect venue for our wedding ceremony and reception,” wrote one reviewer recently. “The pavilion at the Nature Center is gorgeous – especially in the evening with all the lights! It has an elegant yet casual feel all at the same time. All of our guests commented over and over what a beautiful venue this was.”

The couple was referring to the lakeside pavilion, one of the three outdoor ceremony sites CNC uses for their wedding clientele. Depending on the couple’s preferences, they can be wed under an open sky in the Meadow, underneath a 100-year-old tree at the plaza, or at the lakeside pavilion. However, it seemed that regardless of the desired breathtaking garden or water views the couple chose as a backdrop for their ceremony, there was one sentiment shared by all of the couples this year – a deep and sincere appreciation for the Venue and Special Events Manager, Robin McManus. One reviewer wrote, “We could not have picked a more perfect venue! We absolutely loved being on the water. The pavilion was perfect for the wedding, dinner and reception!!! Not to mention, it made transportation a snap being all in one place. They even had a perfect little hidden nook that my husband and I were able to grab a quick bite on a small pier hidden away!”

The award is a testament to the quality, professionalism, and all-around top notch service couples have experienced at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. The Center is proud of the services they have provided and the achievements they have accomplished in the wedding industry this year. Additionally, they are grateful to their clients for showing their appreciation and loyalty – and truly appreciate the positive feedback they have received.

For more information about weddings at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, please visit http://chattnaturecenter.org/rentals/weddings/. To learn more about the Couple’s Choice Awards, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

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Song and dance duo raises $50k Toward Childhelp Programs and Services Benefiting Abused and Neglected Children

WHO: Multi Grammy Award-winning artist Michael Bolton; Dancing with the Stars’ Maksim Chmerkovskiy; television personality John O’Hurley; actress and comedian Melissa Peterman; actress and author Cheryl Ladd; Days of our Lives’ Jen Lilley; NASCAR Driver Paulie Harraka; Tony Award-winning actress Carol Lawrence; Childhelp Founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson; and more.

WHAT: Childhelp, the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit advocating for abused and neglected children, held its 12th Annual Drive the Dream Gala on Saturday, January 23rd at the Arizona Biltmore to raise funds benefiting Childhelp’s education treatment and prevention programs aiding the victims of child abuse.

Melissa Peterman, known for her role as Barbara Jean in the hit television comedy series Reba and current role on Freeform original comedy television series Baby Daddy, hosted Childhelp’s Drive the Dream Gala which took guests through “A Night of Wonderment,” featuring exceptional entertainment by multi Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bolton, a delicious dinner, and exciting live auction packages.

During the evening, Michael Bolton partook in the highly anticipated live auction, offering guests the chance to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to be serenaded by Bolton to “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Maks Chmerkovskiy upped the live auction package adding a slow dance with the lucky winner during the serenade, which ultimately raised $50,000 toward Childhelp’s outstanding programs and services.

The 2016 Drive the Dream Gala celebrated Childhelp’s many heroes including Reba McEntire, who was awarded this year’s Childhelp Woman of the World Award.

It’s estimated that five children die each day from abuse and neglect in the United States. For nearly six decades, Childhelp has worked to combat this epidemic. Since the Foundation’s inception, Childhelp has impacted the lives of over 9 million children through lifesaving programs and services.

About Childhelp

Since 1959, Childhelp® has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of countless children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk children. Childhelp’s programs and services include residential treatment services, children advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes and child abuse prevention education and training. Childhelp created the Childhelp National Day of Hope®, held each April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month that mobilizes Americans to join the fight against child abuse. For more information, log on to www.childhelp.org, facebook.com/childhelp or twitter.com/childhelp.

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Former Hidden Valley Resort Becomes Private Nonprofit Ski Facility to Help Youth Become Active in Winter Months

Vernon, NJ., Jan 20, 2016 – The National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) announced today the grand opening of the National Winter Activity Center (NWAC) as the nation’s first private 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated winter sport facility for kids. The NWAC (otherwise known as “The Center”) exclusively serves youth 6 – 17 years old, from all economic backgrounds through partnerships with youth organizations. The Center’s mission is to improve the overall health and fitness of our nation’s youth by providing access to winter sport activities, skill development, healthy meals and mentoring.

Children will learn to ski and snowboard during the seven-session program in a 1-to-8 instructor ratio with PSIA and United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) trained “coaches”. The children are fully equipped with gear and each participant will be active either in morning or afternoon sessions between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, during which they meet with their coaches to receive on-snow training, with a snack and meal. In addition, the day will include a healthy meal as part of the program’s core focus to improve the health and overall wellness of youth. In total, participating children will experience about 40 hours of outdoor activity during a time of year when they typically opt to stay indoors and become sedentary.

“National Winter Activity Center provides a one of a kind opportunity for youth who would typically not have the chance to experience winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding,” said Schone Malliet, Founder and CEO of the National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF). “Part of our goal is to help reverse the low retention rate in winter sports, while combatting childhood obesity and inspiring a lifelong habit of regular exercise during the winter months.”

The NWAC will hope to impact several thousands of lives and inspire a new generation of skiers this winter from children of all economic backgrounds. The organization has set benchmarks of introducing 4,200 children to snow sports over the next three years, retaining 50 percent as adaptors and encouraging 10 percent to eventually enter the world of competitive winter sports. Additionally, NWAC will also have competitions as part of the renovations including a complete development of the Competition Trail. U.S. Ski Team athletes will visit and ski with the kids, providing motivation and instruction.

Upon acquiring the Hidden Valley property, the NWAC invested more than $12 million toward overall improvements including new lifts, snow-making machinery, and renovations to the lodge. Inside the lodge, offices in the basement have been transformed into a brand new locker room, a bar was removed for additional dining space, and all bathrooms as well as the kitchen were completely renovated and brand new appliances were installed. On the exterior, the lodge has been freshly painted and old decking removed. An old race building on the property was demolished and a new building constructed to house competition, ski patrol and operations activities. Important partners of the National Winter Activity Center include Ted Ligety, U.S. Ski Team, Olympian and World Champion, USSA, the International Ski Federation (FIS), the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA), Powdr Corp, Royal Trailworks, and HKD Snowmakers among others.

For more information about the National Winter Activity Center, please visit www.winter4kids.org.

About National Winter Activity Center

The National Winter Activity Center (NWAC) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit facility recently formed by the National Winter Sports Education Foundation, whose mission is to improve the lives, health, and fitness of youth through participation in winter activities. NWAC introduces children ages 6-17, from cities such as Newark, NJ, Yonkers and the Bronx and parts of Manhattan, to a sport they would not typically be exposed to or consider trying, while making it economically feasible to participate. The Center is located on the property of the old Hidden Valley ski area in Vernon, NJ and is the closest ski facility to NYC. It is the only facility of its kind in the country. Opening on January 2, 2016, the Center will host hundreds of children from local Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs and other youth organizations to offer training with PSIA and USSA certified coaches over 7 weeks of sessions.

About National Winter Sports Education Foundation

The National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) was founded in 2011 with a mission of assisting organizations in playing an effective role in improving the lives, health, and fitness of children through participation in winter sports. Its ultimate goal is to help more than 100,000 youth gain access to winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more, each and every winter. Donations support the group and its partners who include PSIA, USSA, SIA, NSAA, FIS, NBS, Powdr Corp, and many other industry and non-industry groups. Since its inception four years ago, NWSEF has funded almost 10,000 kids for introductory cross-country programs through organizations such as the Girl Scouts, YouthFest events in New Hampshire via funding to YES (Youth Enrichment Services), and Nordic Rocks, a cross-country program in the Midwest. One of the bigger programs NWSEF sponsors is the YMCA’s Ted Ligety Learn to Ski program, also sponsored by Ligety and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and geared to kids who live in Utah but have never skied before. These sessions helped to inspire the creation of the NWAC program. The purpose of the program is to give all children the chance to learn to ski by offering tiered pricing for families that otherwise could not afford the opportunity.

The post The Nation’s First Youth-Only Private Ski Facility Opens In New York Tri-State Area appeared first on My Social Good News.

PR Newswire – (Washington, DC – January 25, 2016) (Washington, DC) Philanthropy Lessons is a new video series and campaign produced by Exponent Philanthropy, the nation’s largest philanthropic membership organization. It shares wisdom from some of the industry’s most inspirational funders about what they have learned throughout their philanthropic careers to help others be more effective and efficient in creating change.

“The vast majority of foundations pursue a style of philanthropy motivated by personal passion, community needs, and a strong desire for better outcomes,” says Henry L. Berman, CEO, Exponent Philanthropy. “We are inspired by the profound impact made in communities every day and believe philanthropy lessons abound in every corner of our community.”

Presented in an accessible yet thought-provoking format, the Philanthropy Lessons series covers themes that apply across geographies, issues areas, and funder size. The nine-part video series launches with the first two themes: Philanthropy Lessons: The Many Forms of Evaluation and Philanthropy Lessons: How Do You Capture Hope? and will publish new videos monthly through June 2016.

“We are thrilled to be supporting Exponent Philanthropy in developing these terrific videos,” says Fay Twersky, Director of the Effective Philanthropy Group at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and co-chair of the Fund for Shared Insight. “We believe we can make an even bigger difference if foundations share what we learn with one another and the field.”

Funded by the Fund for Shared Insight and released in partnership with The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the campaign urges all foundations to share their philanthropy lessons for the benefit of others using the hashtag #MyPhilLesson and at philanthropylessons.org.

For additional brand assets, please click here.

About Exponent Philanthropy

Exponent Philanthropy is the country’s largest association of funders—more than 2,000 members strong—and the only one dedicated to serving foundations with few or no staff, philanthropic families, and individual donors. Our vibrant network has in common lean operations and a style of philanthropy motivated by personal passion, community needs, and the strong desire for better outcomes. We provide high-quality and cost-effective programs, resources, and connections that maximize our members’ dollars and time for the benefit of diverse communities and causes.

About Fund for Shared Insight

Shared Insight is a collaborative effort among funders that pools financial and other resources to make grants to improve philanthropy. Shared Insight emerged from our belief that foundations will be more effective and make an even bigger difference in the world if we are more open—if we share what we are learning and are open to what others want to share with us, including grantees and the people we seek to help.

About The Chronicle of Philanthropy

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is an independent news organization that has been serving leaders, fundraisers, grant makers, and others involved in the philanthropic enterprise for more than 25 years. It offers a robust advice section to help nonprofit workers do their jobs as well as one of the biggest listings of career opportunities.

The post Philanthropy Leaders Share Lessons & Call for Increased Openness appeared first on My Social Good News.

Innovation Through Dehydration Technology

Four undergraduate students from Iowa State University have broken away from the norm by taking their education and applying it to a tangible solution for one of the world’s most pressing problems, hunger.

Mikayla Sullivan, Elise Kendall, Ella Gehrke, and Clayton Mooney, each studying Global Resource Systems at Iowa State University, have engineered a food preservation technology called KinoSol. Their technology is designed to battle malnutrition, post-harvest loss, and empower women in developing countries. KinoSol is a small-scale, solar powered dehydrator for fruits, vegetables, and grains. KinoSol units utilize solar energy through a natural convection system; they have no electrical inputs. A KinoSol unit is made from durable material, is fully collapsible, and requires no tools for assembly.

KinoSol began as a goal to improve the lives of rural families in developing countries. In the team’s travels, they have witnessed hungry farmers who work all day to grow food that ends up rotting. One third of all food on earth is wasted, having a substantial impact on small-scale subsistence farmers. “We had a passion to preserve this preventable loss, which led us to create a technology—KinoSol,” says Ella Gehrke.

This lightweight solar dehydrator dries and stores produce for months. “Dehydration is an easy and inexpensive way to avoid post-harvest loss, and the storage increases the availability of food during low and no harvest periods,” says Mikayla Sullivan. KinoSol has a lightweight and collapsible design so it can be easily stored, moved, and shared among farmers.

The mobility and storage aspect of KinoSol provides the owner entrepreneurial opportunities. In many places around the world, dehydrated foods earn a higher price on the market due to extended shelf life. Having storage increases food availability, too. Farmers can feed their family and have excess produce to sell at market.

KinoSol provides opportunities for young adults and women, who are generally marginalized and have fewer possibilities to earn an income. KinoSol helps to reduce waste, as well as promoting gender equality.

Through their efforts over the year, the team has secured vital seed funding to help launch their idea into a viable and sustainable business. In addition, the team has won multiple awards including funding from the 2015 Innove Project in Edina, Minnesota, a finalists spot in the Thought For Food Challenge in Lisbon, Portugal, and were winners of the 2015 Pappajohn Student Venture Competition in Des Moines, Iowa.

KinoSol recently launched as a Specific Benefit Corporation, allowing the team to build upon and ensure their solution to hunger ends up in the hands of subsistence farmers around the world. “A Specific Benefit Corporation is legally a social good company. For KinoSol, our main objective is to decreasing post-harvest and decreasing malnutrition rates that result from this loss” says Clayton Mooney.

KinoSol completed its first field-testing in Uganda over the summer, where the team began the research and data collection phase. “While in Uganda, I was able to work with mothers and children, and I experienced the gratitude these families had when they found out KinoSol could allow them to save food that would otherwise be wasted,” says Elise Kendall. Field-testing has allowed for further development of KinoSol prototypes, along with additional partnerships to conduct field-testing in new regions. KinoSol is expanding into seven countries, ranging from locations in South America to Asia, beginning in early 2016.

Through the adaptation of their prototypes and the collection of field data over the past six months, the team plans to launch a product to the market in February, allowing for a larger global impact to be made.

Four young people, passionate about tackling a global epidemic as large as hunger, have taken outstanding strides through the simplicity of dehydration. They have proven that anyone with an appetite for change can make a difference.

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New Facility Encourages Students, Faculty and Alumni to Develop New Business Concepts Together

LOS ANGELES (January 25, 2016) — UCLA Anderson School of Management, in association with the UCLA Library, is launching the UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator. The Anderson Accelerator will encourage multidisciplinary collaboration among aspiring Anderson and UCLA entrepreneurs, students in the Undergraduate Minor in Entrepreneurship and campus researchers, with mentoring from alumni, experienced entrepreneurs and the business community.

“UCLA Anderson is delighted to see the realization of this exciting living lab to further enhance the UCLA entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian. “The UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator offers students and researchers an environment that triggers innovation and breakthrough ventures. It brings together students and faculty from across UCLA, including the health and computer sciences, engineering and the humanities to develop new ventures.”

The space, which is located on the first floor of the Rosenfeld Library at UCLA Anderson School of Management, will be open to Anderson MBA candidates, as well as to undergraduates and graduate students from other schools on campus, and to faculty researchers. The facility will host guest speakers, topical seminars and “demo days” for resident companies.

“The active learning environment of the UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator will allow entrepreneurial members of the UCLA campus community to put lean startup principles to work in order to accelerate the launch of their business ventures,” says UCLA Anderson Senior Associate Dean Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., founder and faculty director of the Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

The Anderson Venture Accelerator is a 10,000-square-foot incubator for nascent UCLA startups, with technology-rich co-working spaces for as many as 45 people, a presentation area with state-of-the-art audio/video capability, conference rooms, a kitchen and access to UCLA Anderson’s research libraries. The space is divided into training rooms, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and working lounge areas, all of which are conducive to developing the ideas and momentum needed to start businesses.

“With the growing interest in UCLA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we saw a significant need for on-campus space where UCLA startups could work and meet with advisors,” says Elaine Hagan (’91), executive director of the Price Center. “As the usage patterns of our library have changed, the librarians have worked with us to design an active learning facility that utilizes the best of their capabilities, while physically demonstrating the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation to Anderson and the campus.”

UCLA Anderson collaborated with members of the entrepreneurial, venture and campus communities to identify best practices in the management of collaborative spaces and to develop the accelerator’s governance policies.

The Anderson Venture Accelerator launch is being sponsored by Cadillac, which is presenting three $10,000 Cadillac Dare Greatly Awards to each of three outstanding entrepreneurial ventures founded by members of the UCLA community:

Leo Petrossian (’14), Dan Hanchey (’13), Robert Hamilton (PhD. ’13 Biomedical Engineering), Neural Analytics

Rob Douk (GEMBA ’16), Behavioral Healthworks Inc.

Layne Haber (B.S. ’16) and Mykolas Marcinkevicius (B.S. ’16), Arctica

“It is important to foster young minds to think differently, carve their own path and provide them the resources to move the world forward,” says Melody Lee, Cadillac director of brand strategy and planning. “Our partnership with the UCLA Anderson Venture Accelerator is a terrific way to recognize those who will change the world for future generations.”

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, gateway to the growing economies of Latin America and Asia and a city that personifies innovation in a diverse range of endeavors, UCLA Anderson’s MBA, Fully-Employed MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Global Executive MBA for the Americas, Master of Financial Engineering, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school’s Think in the Next ethos. Annually, some 1,800 students are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow.

Follow UCLA Anderson on Twitter and Facebook.

About the Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is an internationally recognized leader in entrepreneurial education. With a distinguished faculty as its cornerstone, the center oversees activities that advance the theory and practice of entrepreneurship as well as the related fields of technology commercialization, venture capital and private equity, and social innovation. Well known for the impact of its outreach programs, the Price Center fosters a spirit of innovation in individuals, enhances the managerial capacity of organizations, and prepares entrepreneurial leaders who will provide significant, sustainable and economic value to society.

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Indianapolis, INDIANA – Education, now more than ever, remains the passport to a successful future for our nation’s children and to prosperity for the United States. According to research compiled by America’s Promise Alliance (APA), the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of young people, students who complete a course of education through high school and who graduate are much more likely to be employed, make higher annual incomes, are more likely to vote, and are less likely to engage in criminal or other at-risk behaviors.

However, research indicates that our nation’s public schools are not delivering on the promise of a good education for far too many children. Despite recent progress, a 2016 study by APA and Johns Hopkins University indicates that there are still approximately 1,000 “dropout factories” in the United States, which are high schools that graduate 60 percent or less of their students on time. These schools have historically failed at least a million children every year for decades.

In one city, a team of experienced educators will no longer tolerate failing schools and has developed a remarkably successful solution. Project RESTORE (Reshaping an Entire School by Taking Ownership of a Rigorous Education), created by a group of veteran teachers and school leaders from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), is a school-reform model that results in fast school turnaround and impressive improvements in student achievement. Created as a pilot project within a single failing IPS school in 2008, the program has already accumulated a strong track record of proven results and has had an unprecedented impact on the performance of some of our country’s worst schools.

Using the RESTORE model, the team led its first school – which was one of the worst-performing public schools in Indiana – from receiving an “F” rating from the state to receiving an “A” within just three years. The team dramatically improved student achievement, raising children’s writing proficiency rates from 29% to 96% and math proficiency rates from 42% to 92%. At another school where nearly 90% of children live in poverty, which had received three consecutive “C” ratings before being rated as “failing” in 2011, RESTORE led the school to an “A” rating in only one year.

In what is perhaps Project RESTORE’s most impressive move, the team achieved these results with no additional funding and with each schools’ existing staff members and teachers. RESTORE’s success is driven by drilling down on and effectively implementing the key pillars of their approach to school improvement, including: fast-paced responses to problems, a rigorous curriculum and frequent assessments, strong outreach to families, consistent and effective discipline, and strong support for teacher improvement and professional development.

“Too many of the 50 million children across America still attend failing schools. We are proud to say that we have developed a solution for turning around failing schools that works, that is efficient, and that truly helps children achieve and perform at their very best,” said Nicole Fama, Project RESTORE Coordinator.

Project RESTORE’s impact continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down. The team was recently approved to turn around performance at one of Indianapolis Public Schools’ very worst-performing schools – the school has received an “F” rating since 2010, and nearly two-thirds of children fail standardized tests – after hundreds of parents signed a petition demanding that the project be implemented. The team’s goal is to move the school to an “A” rating within one year.

If you would like to know more about the tremendous impact of this program and how it represents a clear solution to one of our nation’s most persistent educational crises, please call Earl Martin Phalen, Founder and CEO of the Phalen Leadership Academies, at 617-818-1959.

About Project RESTORE

Project RESTORE is part of the Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA). PLA is a nonprofit network of public charter schools that was approved in 2012 to ultimately serve over 10,000 students (called “scholars”) annually across Indiana. In 2014-2015, 100% of PLA’s third-grade scholars passed the state IREAD-3 examination, demonstrating proficiency on the standardized reading exam. For more information about PLA, visit www.phalenacademies.org.

The post While the U.S. Public Education System Struggles to Fix ‘Drop Out Factories,’ a Small Group of Teachers Have Found the Answer appeared first on My Social Good News.

Unveiled at VIP event in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks, attended by Nobel Prize Laureates, leaders from business, technology, politics, academia and the arts, Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will be a game-changer for scientific collaboration between the United States and Israel

Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program intends to provide over $100 million in scholarships and related educational activities to benefit participating scholars and universities

Today at the Harvard Club in New York City, Mort Zuckerman announced the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program an initiative designed to support future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math in the United States and Israel. Attendees and speakers included the New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, Prof. Daniel Zajfman, Weizmann Institute of Science, Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson, Hebrew University President, Mort Zuckerman, Prof. Peretz Lavie, Technion President, and Prof. Joseph Klafter, Tel Aviv University President.

New York, NY – January 25, 2016 – American business leader and philanthropist Mortimer Zuckerman announced today the launch of the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program, a transformative initiative designed to support future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math in the United States and Israel and, over time, foster greater collaboration between two of the world’s most advanced scientific research centers.

The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will give the highest-achieving American post-doctoral researchers and graduate students the ability to collaborate with leading researchers at Israel’s top research institutions—Hebrew University of Jerusalem; the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Tel Aviv University; and the Weizmann Institute of Science—which are among the world’s most advanced. By providing American graduate students and post-doctoral researchers with exposure to Israel’s renowned cutting-edge research and startup culture, the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will raise a generation of academic, scientific and industry leaders in the United States infused with a unique spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The program will simultaneously bolster Israeli research institutions as world-leading centers for cutting edge research by providing Israeli institutions access to large-scale funding needed to develop top-tier research labs, projects and programs.

The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will, over time, help strengthen the US-Israel partnership as Zuckerman Scholars return to the United States after building long-lasting relationships based in mutual collaboration. Israeli academic leaders returning to research institutions in Israel will similarly advance the overarching collaborative effort in science between the two nations as they continue to build bridges with their American colleagues.

“At a time when collaboration is essential to advanced scientific research, this program gives the next generations of leading American and Israeli academics the ability to work together on cutting edge research in ways that stand to benefit their fields for years to come,” said Mr. Zuckerman. “The result will help transform not just the work of the scholars involved, but the way the United States and Israel approach collaboration and cooperation across the sciences.”

“Mort’s friendship is demonstrated yet again through this important initiative. Together with the Technion, The Weizmann Institute, The Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University, this project will help bring back home some of Israel’s most brilliant sons and daughters, allow them to advance their own careers here and in so doing contribute to Israel’s growing scientific excellence. It will also enable some of America’s brightest young scientists to conduct their research in Israel,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“New York and Israel share a deep and unparalleled connection – and the Zuckerman Scholars Program is a prime example of how we can keep that relationship strong today and in the future,” said Governor Cuomo. “By helping some of America’s best and brightest students work and learn alongside leading researchers in Israel, this program gives us a new model for cooperation and partnership that will ultimately better society as a whole. This is a great way to strengthen the bond between Israel and the Empire State, and I applaud Mort Zuckerman for launching this program today.”

The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will be supported by funding from Mr. Zuckerman’s foundation to inaugurate the program and ensure that the first class of Zuckerman Scholars will begin with the 2016–2017 academic year. The foundation’s long-term intent is to ensure that the Zuckerman Scholars and the program’s related educational activities continue in perpetuity. In the next twenty years alone, the program intends to provide over $100 million in scholarships and related educational activities that will benefit not only the participating scholars and universities, but the general public as well.

Additional information on the program, including how to apply, is available through the program’s website at http://zuckerman-scholars.org.

International leaders in science, academia, politics, diplomacy, culture and arts have also expressed their support for the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program:

NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATES

“It is both a pleasure and an honor to join in celebrating the creation of the Zuckerman Scholars Program supporting an American-Israeli Program in science and mathematics,” said Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Richard Axel. “This Program embodies what the world truly needs, the freedom to pursue knowledge. Indeed, freedom of inquiry at times of global discord can be fragile and our society depends upon its universities to provide a dialogue. The Zuckerman Scholars Program will nurture a free and open dialogue between young scholars from the two nations in the pursuit of new ideas.”

“Collaboration and cooperation are as essential to modern science as the tools we use,” said Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Eric Kandel. “The Zuckerman Scholars Program, with its focus on international collaboration, will allow researchers from the very best research institutions in the world to join forces in carrying out the most imaginative, bold and forward-thinking research collaborations.”

“This program will give leading young scientists from the US a chance to take their research to the next level by giving them access to some of the world’s most advanced laboratories, cutting edge projects and brilliant scientists in Israel,” said Nobel Prize Laureate, Distinguished Professor Aaron Ciechanover. “It’s an incredibly exciting moment for scientific research in both countries.”

“The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program is aimed at providing an excellent response to key issues in concurrent science, as it will open new collaborating paths between American and Israeli young researchers attempting to shed light on basic issues in modern science. It is expected to put strong foundations for the creation of a community based on unique scientific interactions between leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators, emphasizing freedom of minds and courage in scientific attitude, essential to progress concurrent science to higher levels of excellence. Naturally, I feel extremely honored and privileged to participate in the celebration of the creation of the Zuckerman Scholars,” said Nobel Prize Laureate, Professor Ada E. Yonath.

POLITICS & DIPLOMACY

“The bonds of friendship between Israel and America are broad and deep, and today — through his support for the Zuckerman Scholars Program in STEM Leadership — Mort is weaving yet another vital thread in that relationship,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “Mort Zuckerman understands that developing the minds of the next generation in fields like science, technology, engineering and math will serve only to advance knowledge, prosperity and friendship in both America and Israel. I congratulate Mr. Zuckerman on the launch of such a groundbreaking and important program.”

“The Zuckerman Scholars Program will help foster collaboration among leading academics and researchers from the United States and Israel in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Senator Kristen Gillibrand. “This exciting program will work to advance United States-Israeli cooperation in scientific research and innovation at the highest levels for years to come.”

BUSINESS & INNOVATION

“I applaud the creation of the Zuckerman Scholars Program,” said Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and Former CEO of Google. “This significant gift will increase innovation in research and development across all STEM categories. In addition, the personal connections that result from this collaboration will advance development in-progress and expand the reach of the research globally, benefiting all of us.”

“Zuckerman Scholars will reinforce and expand relationships between New York and Israel,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “The program will match the resources of our city’s thriving innovation economy and great research institutions with those of the ‘start-up nation,’ yielding tremendous benefits for both.”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE & ACADEMIA

“Mort Zuckerman has been a crucial supporter of scientific and medical research for decades,” said President of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Craig Thompson. “With this program, he’s creating more than just a funding project but a framework for helping develop the brightest young researchers into the leading scientific minds of the next generation.”

“Expanding opportunities for talented researchers to collaborate with one another will lead to discovery and innovation that can shape the lives of people around the world,” said Drew Faust, President, Harvard University. “The Zuckerman Scholars Program is a boon for the global academic community-and a gift to humanity at a time of great possibility for scientific achievement.”

“When talented researchers collaborate across institutions, borders, and disciplines, the result is exponentially beneficial to all of us,” said John Sexton, President Emeritus of New York University. “This program is grounded in that premise and offers a model for successful international academic partnerships.”

“Science is the only language with no borders or limits; it belongs to all. The new Zuckerman initiative will strengthen connections between two important academic communities, North America and Israel, at a critical juncture – that where a new generation of scientists begin their careers, who will develop with roots firmly planted in the best institutions in both regions and will continue throughout their careers as catalysts for collaboration, enriching both Israeli and North American science and advancing knowledge for the benefit of humanity,” said Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, President of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“At Columbia we know first-hand the breadth of Mort Zuckerman’s intellectual and civic vision through his generous support for a community of great scholars on our campus exploring the fundamental workings of mind, brain and behavior,” said Columbia University President, Lee C. Bollinger. “We admire him all the more for his pioneering new commitment to future generations of leaders across the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics working in partnership with our great peer institutions in Israel. And we’re especially proud that he has enlisted our Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientists among those helping him guide the Zuckerman Scholars.”

“We thank Mort Zuckerman for his bold new vision empowering graduates of this program to become leaders in their respective fields while serving as role models for future candidates to join the program. The best research is collaborative in nature, and in order to be the trailblazers in rapidly changing fields, it is vital to maintain strong networks with scholars abroad, particularly those in North America. The new program will not only help improving scientific research at its highest level, but will also serve as a new and important pillar supporting the foundation on which the ties between Israel and the United States will continue to prosper,” said Prof. Peretz Lavie, President of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

“We are pleased and grateful to have Mort Zuckerman as a partner in advancing two top national priorities in Israel — reversing brain drain and deepening the Israeli-American friendship. With the help of this new fund, Israel and the United States will forge a shared tomorrow of scientific and technological excellence,” said Prof. Joseph Klafter, President of Tel Aviv University.

“The Zuckerman Leadership Program is truly visionary in that it will create important links between North American and Israeli science by investing in new scientists at key moments in their careers—the postdoc years—as they establish their global network and begin their research careers. In a terrific synergy, Israeli science and these visiting scientists will nourish one another, and in the process strengthen Israel’s role as a world hub of science and technology. We expect that the relationships that will be built within this framework will generate life-long collaborations that will advance many areas of science. The Weizmann Institute of Science, a world leader in basic research, is looking forward to this new partnership and we are deeply grateful for the friendship and support of Mr. Mort Zuckerman. We look forward to witnessing the success of this program in the years to come, and the great science that will spring forth from it,” says Prof. Daniel Zajfman, President of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

“With this program, Mort Zuckerman is once again demonstrating that the path to progress, peace and prosperity lies in bringing together the great minds to tackle the most difficult problems” said Alan Dershowitz, Professor Emeritus Harvard Law School. “The Zuckerman Scholars Program will be a boon not just to Israeli-American academic partnership but to innumerable scientific fields and the millions of people around the world who will benefit from their discoveries and advances. “The program is also a welcome affirmation of the spirit of openness, excellence and tolerance that Israeli universities and research institutions embody.”

The Zuckerman Scholars Program will initiate with the two main tracks: (1) the Postdoctoral Scholars Program, which is open to highest-achieving postdoctoral researchers from the United States to pursue research at leading Israeli research institutions; and (2) Zuckerman Faculty Scholars, which is designed to support Israeli academic leaders by fostering world-class labs, programs and projects at the Israeli institutions.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2016 — In a move that adds extraordinary new dimensions to the field of HIV cure research, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, has recruited the expertise of a world-renowned physicist and a leading polymer chemist. The Foundation has awarded $1 million each over four years to Harvard physicist Dr. David Weitz and bioengineer and polymer scientist Dr. Alexander Zelikin of Aarhus University in Denmark. The two will bring their expertise to bear in the effort to eradicate the viral reservoir that is considered the principal barrier to curing HIV.

The new awards are the latest to be funded by amfAR through its $100 million Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative, whose goal is to develop the scientific basis for a cure by 2020. The grants were aimed specifically at recruiting the expertise of scientists working outside the field of HIV in areas that could directly inform efforts to cure HIV. Drs. Weitz and Zelikin will collaborate with leading AIDS researchers Dr. Bruce Walker at Harvard and Dr. Martin Tolstrup at Aarhus University, respectively.

“Research to find a cure for AIDS has evolved from a process of discovery to a challenge of technology,” said amfAR Chief Executive Officer Kevin Robert Frost. “And recent technological advances have brought with them some exciting opportunities for the cross-pollination of ideas and for adapting cutting-edge technologies to the field of HIV cure research.”

Dr. Weitz, who is the Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, is a world leader in the field of microfluidics. This cutting-edge scientific field, which involves the manipulation of minuscule volumes of fluid using state-of-the art devices and processes, has already revolutionized a wide array of scientific fields.

Dr. Weitz has developed a technique that uses fluid mechanics to specifically isolate the most effective killer T cells from those that are less potent. He proposes to isolate these cells—a critical weapon of the immune system against virally infected cells—from patient samples, clone them in a petri dish, and use a mouse model to test whether the reinjection of these killer cells can lead to a functional cure of HIV.

Dr. Zelikin is an expert in prodrugs—temporarily inactive drugs that become active only when instructed by a second stimulus—which he plans to use to eliminate the HIV reservoir. The project will design a two-component cocktail. One prodrug will be developed to gently reawaken the latent HIV using a drug that Dr. Martin Tolstrup, a virologist and HIV expert, has shown to be effective in patients. The second prodrug will be designed to specifically initiate the killing of virally infected cells. Acting in tandem, the two prodrugs administered together are poised to specifically activate the latent viral reservoir and kill the cells harboring HIV.

“The ‘outside the box’ approaches proposed by Drs. Weitz and Zelikin will both expand and invigorate the field of HIV cure research,” said Rowena Johnston, Ph.D., amfAR Vice President and director of research. “We are tremendously excited to be supporting these studies, each of which holds enormous potential for depleting, and perhaps even clearing, the persistent reservoir of HIV.”

Investment Grants 2016

PI: David Weitz, PhD
Collaborating HIV Scientist: Bruce Walker, MD
Harvard University
$977,114
Eradicating the HIV reservoir: Using microfluidics to exploit killer T cells
Killer T cells are part of the immune system’s arsenal against virally infected cells. Despite their name, not all members of this group are equally effective in killing HIV-infected cells. To date, efforts to isolate killer T cells with the most potent killing potential have been too broad to deliver the results needed to make strides against disease. This problem is being solved by Dr. David Weitz, a physicist and world recognized leader in microfluidics. Dr. Weitz has harnessed his years of cutting-edge contributions of applied physics in biology, by developing a machine that uses fluid mechanics to specifically isolate the best, most effective killer T cells from those that are less potent. He proposes to isolate these killers from patient samples, clone them in a petri dish, and use a humanized mouse model to test whether the reinjection of these killer cells can lead to a functional cure of HIV. His collaboration with Dr. Bruce Walker, an HIV pioneer whose studies have defined the field of HIV immunology, will ensure that this novel, microfluidic-based approach will test the necessary elements that could lead to T cell therapy in humans.

PI: Alexander Zelikin, PhD
Collaborating HIV Scientist: Martin Tolstrup, PhD
Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
$962,510
Tandem latency reversal and suicide prodrugs to eliminate HIV reservoirs
A major obstacle to HIV eradication is the presence of a latent viral reservoir that is established soon after infection. This cryptic reservoir, responsible for the viral rebound once the patient is off antiretroviral therapy, is difficult to locate and the body’s immune system is unable to clear the viral reservoir. An approach to circumvent these issues is offered here by a bioengineer and polymer chemist, Dr. Alexander Zelikin. The project builds on Dr. Zelikin’s expertise in developing prodrugs—labile drugs that become active when instructed by a specific stimulus. The project will design a two-component cocktail. One prodrug will be developed to gently reawaken the latent HIV using a drug that Dr. Martin Tolstrup, a virologist and HIV expert, has shown to be effective in patients. The second prodrug will be designed to specifically initiate the killing of virally infected cells. Acting in tandem, the two prodrugs administered together are poised to activate the latent viral reservoir and kill the cells harboring HIV.

About amfAR

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested $450 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide. Learn more about amfAR at www.amfar.org.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2016) — The Space Foundation has added Tesla Destination Charging to the parking lot of its World Headquarters and Discovery Center in Colorado Springs with the installation of two charging stations, available for free to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Destination charging adds nearly 60 miles of range to Tesla vehicles in an hour.

Nearly all of the Tesla Destination Charging Stations in Colorado are located at hotels and inns. The Space Foundation’s is the only Tesla Destination Charging Station in Colorado located at a space and science attraction.

“The Space Foundation’s location just off of Garden of the Gods Road, makes it an ideal place for this service, not only for visitors to our Discovery Center, but also for Tesla owners who work in the adjacent business parks,” said Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham, who personally contributed a portion of the installation costs. “Providing this service is consistent with our organization’s green philosophy, and we believe that Tesla owners would enjoy visiting our Discovery Center while charging.”

The Space Foundation World Headquarters and Discovery Center is located at 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs. The Discovery Center is open to the public, and is the region’s only space, science and technology attraction. It features interactive educational exhibits, space artifacts in its El Pomar Space Gallery, the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center.

The chargers were installed by Electric Service of Colorado, based in Woodland Park.

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

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(NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 25, 2016) – The Heron Foundation today is calling on its philanthropic peers to jettison outdated operating models that leave resources untapped in the face of systemic social ills. In a treatise entitled “Building a Foundation for the 21st Century,” Heron President Clara Miller makes the case that the modern economy demands a different practice of philanthropy, one that makes use of all of its resources to actively engage with the capital markets for the public good.

Heron, whose mission is to help people and communities help themselves out of poverty, is among a growing number of institutions and investors working to advance the practice of philanthropy to match the needs of modern society. Many U.S. philanthropic institutions today are structured to meet—and rarely to exceed—the IRS requirement of five percent minimum annual charitable payout.

Miller’s essay comes as number of bold moves have brought new attention to the philanthropic sector and its relationship to the economy at large. The Ford Foundation’s President Darren Walker announced a new strategic direction focused on inequality, while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg pledged the majority of his wealth toward fixing social ills, making the deliberate choice not to do it via the rubric of a traditional private foundation.

Miller writes, “Baked into [the traditional philanthropic] structure is the sacrosanct belief that mainstream profit-making cannot be philanthropic and philanthropy cannot be market-connected, that grants could not be available without the profits that only unfettered capitalism can provide, and that furthermore, the best use of philanthropic grants is to finance nonprofits to be a cleanup crew for the inevitable mess real capitalism leaves in its wake.”

She explains that a shift is necessary if philanthropies are to avoid undermining with their investments the progress they are making via grants, and lays out the changes Heron is making in its own operations. In 2012 Heron first declared its quest to deploy 100 percent of its investment capital toward its poverty fighting mission, without becoming a “spend-down” foundation—which was considered a groundbreaking approach at the time. With experience of working toward that goal, Miller appeals to foundations to abandon the common practice of separating grant making from endowment investments, and to instead merge mission and finance functions into a single office of philanthropic capital deployment, looking at both the financial and social impacts of every outlay of capital.

Heron presses peers to recognize that every enterprise impacts the environment and society in the course of its business, through its products and services, treatment of workers, supply chain and more. Therefore all investing also has impact, whether positive or negative, and thus investing for impact is not limited to a particular asset class or enterprise type, but implies understanding and improving social and environmental outcomes across an entire portfolio. For Heron this means maximizing the opportunity to improve economic outcomes for workers and businesses, and the communities in which they operate.

Specific calls to action in the essay include:

• Examining the enterprises in investment portfolios (“know what you own”) and the effects they have on all facets of society
• Committing to measure social performance across enterprises (nonprofit and for profit, public and privately held) and asset classes over time
• Collaborating with co-investors and partners for greater impact
• Developing common data standards and cohorts
• Transitioning foundation infrastructure to be more responsive to external opportunities and conditions

Visit Heron.org/21c to read “Building a Foundation for the 21st Century.”

About Heron

Heron’s mission is to help people and communities help themselves out of poverty. Our vision is to help people in the United States to escape poverty, thrive and enjoy the benefits of full livelihood, opportunity and community. Our strategy is to invest capital in ways that expand reliable employment and economic opportunity.

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New York (January 26, 2016) – International animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, is pleased to announce that 49 New York schools in six school districts have joined the campaign for good health through plant-based nutrition program the Daily Scoop, led by Lean and Green Kids.

The Daily Scoop features a series of fun, consistent and easy to understand daily nutrition tips for school kids with a strong focus on fruits, vegetables and bean-based protein meals. The tips are included in morning announcements or teachers’ opening routines to incorporate nutrition education into daily practice.

“We are proud to be supporting children in California to reach their full potential through the power of healthy, plant-based nutrition. Overwhelming demand for the Daily Scoop shows that educators are hungry for positive change.” said Dr Marilyn Kroplick, President of In Defense of Animals. “Plant-based eating is becoming very popular as people recognize the huge variety of positive benefits. Please get in touch with us today if you would like to see your children learn and thrive with a healthful, plant-based food program.”

Nutrition & Education Specialist for Vista Unified School District??, Amy Haessly, has been thrilled with the Daily Scoop program. She says “I love how the tips include a cultural and environmental perspective in addition to the more science-based nutrition tips.”

The Daily Scoop has been incredibly popular. 13 school districts which cover 279 schools within California, Colorado and New York have signed up to the modern nutrition program.

“Consistent and simple nutrition tips are extremely important to promote healthy eating habits and support kids who are relentlessly bombarded by unhealthy food advertising. The Daily Scoop program helps kids connect with their food and empowers them to make socially responsible choices which benefit their own health, animals and cut their carbon footprint in half.” said Nadia Schilling, Plant-Based Campaign Director for In Defense of Animals.

The benefits of plant-based eating are regularly highlighted by studies showing how animal products harm health and the environment. The World Health Organization recently declared processed meats, a staple food which is rife in school cafeterias, a stage 1 carcinogen that ranks alongside cigarettes and asbestos.

Find out how your school district can sign up to inspire, educate and support children through healthful, plant-based fuel at www.idausa.org/leanandgreenkids

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Merger to create largest global ovarian cancer research, legislative advocacy, and patient support organization

NEW YORK — Today, two of the nation’s foremost ovarian cancer research and advocacy organizations, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund announced a merger, forming the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA). This move comes at a critical time for ovarian cancer research, when scientific discoveries are rapidly increasing but federal funding is not keeping pace to support this progress. The newly formed OCRFA is the largest global organization dedicated to advancing ovarian cancer research and advocating for policies that give women access to the services they need before, during and after a diagnosis.

“The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance believes we can gain more ground together, fighting disease through a “one-stop shop” approach to research, advocacy, education and awareness,” said OCRFA President and CEO Audra Moran. “The formation of OCRFA will propel ovarian cancer prevention and treatment forward at an accelerated pace.”

Over the past 22 years, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance have been leaders in the fight against ovarian cancer. Between the two organizations, nearly $70 million has been invested in research grants to diagnose, treat and cure ovarian cancer and advocacy efforts have helped to increase federal dollars for research and awareness to save the lives of women with this disease.

“This merger will unite the ovarian cancer community under one strong voice. OCRFA is committed to continuing and expanding the many patient-centered programs begun by both the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in the past, including, the Ovarian Cancer National Conference, Survivors Teaching Students and Woman to Woman®,” said OCRFA Executive Vice President Calaneet Balas. “Together, we are stronger, more efficient and more effective.”

For more information, visit www.ocrfa.org.

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One-of-a-Kind Food and Wine Journey to Feature the Bay Area’s Most Prominent LGBT Wine Experts Benefiting The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation

NAPA, Calif. (January 25, 2016) – Napa Valley Wine Train, offering guests a 36-mile round-trip journey from Napa to St. Helena through beautiful Wine Country vineyards and past famous and historic wineries, is pleased to announce the “The Napa Valley Pride Ride,” the inaugural LGBT wine expert event, on Saturday, March 19 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation.

This special dinner will feature some of the Bay Area’s most prominent LGBT wine experts, each on-hand to lend their expertise and assist guests in selecting wines to specially pair with their four-course gourmet meal created by Napa Valley Wine Train Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald. Wine experts include Cezanne Hendricks (Raymond Vineyards), Christopher Barefoot (Wine Professional), Ryan Graham (American Wine & Spirits), Eric Murray (Wine Marketing & Sales Professional) and David Mahaffey (Heron Lake Vineyard).

The Napa Valley Pride Ride will begin with a sparkling wine reception at the Napa Valley Wine Train Station at 5:00 p.m. After departing from the station at 6:30 p.m., guests will experience an unforgettable three-hour, thirty-six mile round-trip journey from the historic town of Napa, through one of the world’s most well-known wine valleys, to the quaint village of St. Helena and back. The Napa Valley Pride Ride is a traditional rail seating event which creates the perfect environment for meeting new people and mingling. The Funky Town after party will take place back at the Napa Valley Wine Train Station and will feature a video DJ, go-go dancers and entertainment by Daft-née until midnight.

Tickets to the Napa Valley Pride Ride range from $195 to $270 each and include train fare, four-course gourmet meal, one glass of sparkling wine and three glasses of additional wine. For reservations and more information, please call (800) 427-4124 or visit http://winetrain.com/pride-ride/.

About the Napa Valley Wine Train

One of the few active historic passenger railroads in the United States, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers an engaging and memorable experience that echoes the glory days of train travel, with fine dining service, multi-course meals cooked to order, Napa Valley scenery and ultimate relaxation aboard exquisitely restored antique rail cars. The Napa Valley Wine Train features vintage Pullman rail cars faithfully restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and luxurious armchairs that evoke the spirit of luxury rail travel at the beginning of the 20th century. Conveniently located in downtown Napa and easily accessible, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers car-free transportation options that bring guests to Napa Valley without having to drive.

About Noble House Hotels & Resorts

A privately held company for more than 30 years, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by owner Patrick R. Colee as a commercial property development group, transitioning in 1994 to a hotel ownership management company. Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., the corporation owns and manages an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S. From luxury resorts in Seattle, Wash. to Jackson Hole, Wyo. and the Florida Keys, each property maximizes and showcases its physical setting. Noble House is continuously growing, operating 45 hotel restaurants, bars and lounges, showcasing local culture and inspiration from local surroundings. With a philosophy that emphasizes “location, distinction and soul,” Noble House Hotels & Resorts exemplifies individuality, dedicating itself to creating and managing exceptional properties that contribute to their communities, staying true to local history, culture and ambiance.

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Santa Cruz, California, USA – After seven years of visionary leadership and organizational growth, Bill Waldman, Island Conservation’s CEO, has announced his retirement. Newly appointed Board Chair, Angus Parker, a long-time Island Conservation ambassador and advocate, along with outgoing Chair David Hartwell, and the rest of the Board have commenced a search for Bill’s successor.

Waldman, who took the helm of Island Conservation in 2008 and recently announced his intentions to retire mid-2016, led the organization through a period of transformative growth. Shepherding an annual budget increase from $2.1M (2007) to $5.5M (2015) and full-time staff expansion from 15 to 37, Island Conservation matured from a regional organization to a global organization with a reputation to match. Along the way, under Bill’s seven years of leadership, the organization saved 54 threatened species on 20 islands from extinction including the formerly Extinct-in-the-Wild Pinzón Giant Tortoise in the Galapagos. Working only in Mexico and the US seven years ago, today Island Conservation’s reach includes six continents, with operations in seven countries and projects in development for six additional nations by 2019.

“I am tremendously proud of this organization, the team we’ve assembled, and our lasting track record of success for saving species,” remarked Waldman recently. “But there are 1000s of at-risk native species on hundreds of islands that need our help today. We need to grow even more.”

Bill’s partners in this organizational development include outgoing Board Chair, David Hartwell, who added, “We are perfectly positioned for another leap forward in our capacity to complete island invasive species removals. I’m eager to continue to help Island Conservation find a new leader who meets that challenge and builds on this foundation of incredible success.” Hartwell is beginning his third, three-year term on the board as he passes the gavel of Board Chair to Angus Parker.

Parker, a non-profit consultant with extensive program and operations experience in conservation organizations, said, “I’ve been volunteering with Island Conservation for years and the progress we’ve achieved with our outstanding Board and staff team is just tremendous. I am honored to help Island Conservation grow even more; we need to do more projects, faster, and tackle more complex islands. Threatened native island species and communities are counting on us.”

Isaacson, Miller is managing the effort to recruit CEO candidates for the board’s consideration. The position may be based in the Santa Cruz, CA headquarters, nearby in San Francisco, or in the greater Bay Area. The recruitment notice is on their website and on Island Conservation’s website.

“I have never encountered an organization with a better or more lasting return on conservation investment than Island Conservation,” said Waldman. “We are an organization to watch, on our way to even greater things.”

Applications should include a CV or resume and 1-3 page letter of interest. Island Conservation is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes and encourages a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

About Island Conservation

Island Conservation (IC) is our world’s only global, not-for-profit conservation organization whose mission is to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. We work where the concentration of both biodiversity and species extinction is greatest – islands. Removing a primary threat – introduced invasive vertebrates – is one of the most critical interventions for saving threatened plants and animals and restoring island ecosystems. Once invasive species are removed, native island species and ecosystems recover with little additional intervention. Over the past 20 years, Island Conservation and partners have deployed teams to protect 994 populations of 389 species on 52 islands. IC is headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA with field offices in Australia, British Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.

The post Exciting Changes for Island Conservation; Board and New Chair seek CEO successor for Bill Waldman appeared first on My Social Good News.

Awards ceremony co-hosted by Danny Meyer and Darren Walker, coinciding with the release of Saru Jayaraman’s new book, FORKED

New York, NY — Today, Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United is honoring 19 restaurateurs for leading the industry’s move toward eliminating the two-tiered wage system and promoting other workplace reforms. The awards ceremony will be hosted at the Ford Foundation’s office in New York City and will be co-hosted by Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) CEO Danny Meyer and Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, two longtime champions of improving conditions for low-wage workers.

Currently, most tipped workers are paid a separate, lower minimum wage that starts at $2.13 an hour at the federal level — a rate that hasn’t changed since 1991. Only seven states — Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington — have raised the base wage for tipped workers to a full minimum wage. Meyer and other restaurant leaders are urging reform of wage laws to ensure One Fair Wage for restaurant workers, which research shows is not only good for women and families but also for the bottom line.

ROC United is honoring these restaurant industry leaders in conjunction with the upcoming publication of FORKED: A New Standard for American Dining (Oxford University Press, February 1, 2016), a new book by ROC co-director Saru Jayaraman. The book highlights many case studies of “high road” practices by owners who have raised their minimum wages and provides benefits like earned sick days, and “low road” practices of many popular chains including McDonald’s, Subway, Olive Garden, and Denny’s. Jayaraman offers actionable ways for restaurant owners, employees, and diners to positively effect change in this massive sector of the American economy

The awards event will celebrate many of the restaurant owners highlighted in Forked, and leading members of the national employer association RAISE, for their commitment to fair wages and healthy workplaces.

Honorees include:

• Tom Colicchio, Crafted Hospitality, NYC/CA
• James Freeman, Blue Bottle, National
• Ben Hall and Jason Murphy, Russell Street Deli, Detroit, MI
• Imar Hutchins, Florida Ave Grill, Washington, DC
• Johnny Livesay, Black Star Co-op, Austin, TX
• James Mallios, Amali, NYC
• Rosanne Martino, COLORS, NYC
• Danny Meyer, Union Square Hospitality Group, NYC
• Monty Moran, Chipotle Mexican Grill, National
• Hassan Nicholas, Manifesto Café, Los Angeles, CA
• Brian Parker, moo cluck moo, Michigan
• Steven Picker, Good, NYC
• Vimala Rajendran, Vimala’s Curryblossom Café, Chapel Hill, NC
• Paul Saginaw, Zingerman’s Restaurants, Ann Arbor, MI
• Andy Shallal, Busboys & Poets, Washington, DC
• Barbara Sibley, La Palapa, NYC
• Taki Tanaka, Umi Sushi, Hartford, CT
• Alice Waters, Chez Panisse, Berkeley, CA
• Lori Zito, Choices Organic Cafe, Miami, FL

Saru Jayaraman, Co-director of ROC, author of the bestselling book Behind the Kitchen Door and the new book Forked: “These restaurateurs are shining examples of how doing away with the separate, lower wage for tipped workers in favor of paying One Fair Wage is not only good for workers but it’s also core to ensuring a restaurant industry that’s truly sustainable.”

“The fair wage issue is a simple one for us,” says Founder and CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee James Freeman. “We believe that every person involved in making our coffee deserves a fair wage, whether they are coffee farmers, baristas, roasters, or porters. Fair and respectful pay has always been an important part of our company and it is an honor to be recognized for this commitment to our employees.”

The post ROC United Honors Restaurant Industry Leaders Who Support One Fair Wage for All Workers appeared first on My Social Good News.

Masterfully crafted from the life and experiences of Ray Moore, ‘S.E.M.A. Saga at the Rock: St. Emma Military Academy’ takes readers deep into the tumultuous and turbulent 1960s, a time when millions of young black men had to make a bold decision between embarking on a life of crime or becoming an upstanding member of society. This issue has once again become a modern-day epidemic and, with his vast experience as a mentor and community leader, Moore invites young black men to step into his world and emerge steeped in inspiration.

Adelphi, Maryland – There’s no way to sugarcoat it; millions of young African American men have once again become lost to society through no fault of their own. Embroiled in crime, mistreated by the police and wrongly feared by their communities, many of these youngsters are pleading for the nation to not only understand them, but give them the chance they deserve.

It’s a societal plague that also ran rampant in the 1960s. In his searing new novel, Ray Moore bravely tells a tale of one young black teenager who has a life-changing choice to make between gangs and innocence. While it may have been set fifty years ago, Moore’s story is more pertinent to today than any other point in history – because it’s his story.

‘S.E.M.A. Saga at the Rock: St. Emma Military Academy’ is brimming with life lessons and also offering an abundance of solutions to correct the unfairness millions of young black men are forced to endure.

Synopsis:

A Must Read for Every Inner City Teenager. . . The decade is the 60’s, a turbulent time in America, during the height of the civil rights movement, and still there are choices for a young black teenager to make about either joining a gang or taking the right path to a productive manhood.

“This book should be firmly placed into the hands of every inner-city teenager,” explains Moore, a retired educator who remains passionate about giving every young person a chance at life. “The story is interwoven with many life lessons that still stand true, even though the story they come from took place half a century ago.”

Continuing, “I am very public about my opinion that black males under the age of twenty-five are becoming something of an endangered species; misunderstood, feared and being slaughtered at the hands of our law enforcement agencies due to a subliminal perception neither group is consciously aware of. This story will help young men tap into that inner-narrative and learn how they can emerge victorious against the odds. But I’d also advise young people and adults, of any background, to pick up their copy. There’s nobody who won’t learn a thing or two about society, as this is as raw as it gets.”

With the volume’s demand expected to increase, interested readers are urged to purchase without delay.

‘S.E.M.A. Saga at the Rock: St. Emma Military Academy’, from Outskirts Press, is available now: http://amzn.to/1OgjglJ.

About the Author:

Ray Moore a concerned mentor who has worked as a former school teacher, employee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and of the D.C. Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

The post S.E.M.A. Saga at the Rock: Blistering True Story Offers Life Lessons & Solutions to Young Black Men, Who Risk Becoming an “Endangered Species” appeared first on My Social Good News.