Philanthropy in the Classroom

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Marie LeBlanc

By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

Did you think about studying philanthropy in college? Take any classes on nonprofit management? Would you have taken those courses if you had the chance? I didn’t and yet my career has mostly stayed within the bounds of the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors. However, for a small group of graduating undergraduates at Indiana University, philanthropy has been both an in- and out-of-classroom pursuit during their college years.

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University has long been an academic leader in philanthropic studies, but only recently started offering degree programs in the field. In 2008, the first Doctorate in Philanthropic Studies was awarded by the university, and this year marks the first class of graduating undergraduates, earning Bachelors’ in Philanthropic Studies. (Note: when I say the “first,” I mean the first degrees ever issued in this area — not just from Indiana University.)

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In The News …

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Julia Cain

Investing in Education, Workforce Development, and the Safety Net Will Close the Income Gap (Give It Some Thought: Community Foundation blog): “[...] while our region’s economy has led to economic growth and prosperity for many on the middle and higher rungs of the ladder, residents on the bottom of the income scale largely are being left behind [...] Our philanthropic efforts take on a new urgency as local and state governments are grappling with budget cuts that would have a devastating effect on low-income residents already hit hard by the recession.” CFNCR President Terri Lee Freeman advises focused investment in “three key areas: education, workforce development and the safety net.” You can learn more about Catalogue Education nonprofits here, and those with a job training-based mission here.

High Proportion of Veterans Live in Rural Areas Less Served by Philanthropic Efforts (Nonprofit Quarterly): “[The Daily Yonder’s Bill] “Bishop points out that 30.6 percent of US military veterans live in rural and exurban counties that house only 25.9 percent of the nation’s over-18 population [...] Veterans in Washington, DC — near the Pentagon, Fort Myer, Fort Meade, and Fort Belvoir — account for only 6.9 percent of the adult population in the area.” In other words, veteran populations tend not to be as concentrated in metropolitan areas, which are often the areas with the greatest philanthropic resources to help out. And overall, “if foundations aren’t paying sufficient attention to rural America, they are likely to be underfunding rural communities — communities with disproportionately high numbers of military veterans.”

Prince George’s County April home prices rise (Washington Post): “While local markets vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood, almost all of the 22 jurisdictions in the Washington region have seen some price growth over the past year. The notable exception has been Prince George’s County. But in April — for the first time since they started to plummet in early 2007 — home prices in Prince George’s County are up.” The average detached home price in the County peaked in 2006 and then fell by nearly 50% by 2012 (from $400,000 to $185,000); the foreclosure crisis also had a profound affect on Prince George’s. But this month, the average price has risen to $207,000.

A Meaningful Mother’s Day

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Spur Local

By Kathy Widenhouse, Healthy Babies Project, Inc.

For twenty-five at-risk DC teen mothers, Mother’s Day 2012 was not only their first as new parents or parents-to-be. It was also especially meaningful.

On Monday, May 14, Healthy Babies Project paid tribute to these young women with a special Mother’s Day Dinner Celebration. It was a fitting way to honor one of HBP’s principal constituencies — teen moms enrolled in HBP’s cornerstone Teen Parent Empowerment Program (TPEP) — and the steps these disadvantaged young parents are taking to turn their lives around.

At HBP’s inception in 1991, the District of Columbia had among the highest infant mortality and infant illness rates in the nation — rates on par with some Third World countries. Today, those rates have been cut in half, thanks in large part to HBP. The agency works to reverse this needless cycle of poverty, illness, and despair by equipping at-risk DC families to have healthy babies. Case management, health education, and life skills training are keys to the agency’s success. HBP’s infant mortality rate is nearly two-thirds lower than the District’s; HBP client low birth weight rate is half that of other delivering mothers in DC.

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5 Year Plan

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Julia Cain

by Adam Tibe (Philippines, Class 8 serving at Operation Smile)
Reposted with permission of Atlas Service Corps, Washington DC

At 27 and ambitious, I have sketched my life’s plan in the next 5 years.

I guess soon after you hit the quarter life, that’s when you start seriously to rethink about your life and make a mental note reflecting circumspectly about your direction both personally and professionally.

I have arrived in the United States last January to join an 18-month professional fellowship program. This has been part of my “5-year plan” and being able to tick it out in my list excites me more than anybody. It was also a sweet bonus to learn that I will be serving with Operation Smile International as one of their Program Coordinators. The organization works in more than 60 countries and brings free medical surgeries to children with facial deformities especially those with cleft lips and cleft palates. Another box is set to be marked off — trip around the world! I went on my first mission last month in San Cristobal, Mexico and had a real awesome time with some of the most amazing in-country and international volunteers. It was incredible to see an unmatched level of professional skills coupled with passion and dedication to serve the children in that part of the world that otherwise may not have had the opportunity to have a normal smile and life if not for Operation Smile. Without a doubt, I more convinced that I made the right decision to volunteer. The happiness I felt to be there was simply irreplaceable.

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Around Town: May 19-20

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Julia Cain

Hey, Greater Washington! Enjoy the weekend — and consider spending it with a Catalogue nonprofit:

Hands on DC: 18th Annual Work-a-thon
Join thousands of other volunteers from all around the city on Saturday to improve the physical learning environments in DC public schools; register right here.

Accokeek Foundation: Green Thumbs Volunteering
On the first and third Thursdays and third Saturdays, volunteers will have an opportunity to learn more about the history of heirloom vegetables and the practices behind organic gardening, from planting and harvesting to managing weeds; learn more right here.

Joseph’s House: Walk and Talk Tour
You are warmly invited to a free, one-hour “walk and talk” tour on Saturday at 10:30 AM; please RSVP to (202) 328-9161.

Our Daily Bread: Money Management Workshop
Topics include at this free Saturday 12:30 PM seminar include borrowing basics, understanding your credit report, paying yourself first, and grasping money maters.

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2012 Corporate Philanthropy Awards

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Julia Cain

By Marie LeBlanc, Catalogue Community Partnerships Coordinator

Every year, the Washington Business Journal honors the top corporate philanthropists in greater Washington. Last Friday May 11, the 2012 Corporate Philanthropy Awards breakfast recognized the area’s top ten corporate donors, as well as a handful of other corporations for the time and money they dedicated to social causes in 2011. Two Catalogue for Philanthropy partners were among those acknowledged at the event.

Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) was recognized as one of the top ten Corporate Philanthropists, donating $3.49 million locally in 2011. BAH sponsors the Nonprofit Conference on Fundraising and Development speaker series, and the Catalogue for Philanthropy serves on the planning committee for these events. BAH also cultivates a strong culture of employee giving, pro bono work, and volunteerism.

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The Loan Crisis

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Spur Local

By Hannah Lardent, Catalogue Development Associate & Executive Assistant

In recent weeks, the student loan crisis has become a hot topic — due in part to the impending deadline for Congress to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling. The New York Times article, “A Generation Hobbled by the Soaring Cost of College” (May 13) offers real life examples of the harsh realities of student loan burdens; and this infographic from LearnVest shows that the average debt burden for graduates is $25,000, while the median starting salary is just $2,000 above that.

On May 10, Community Partnerships Coordinator Marie LeBlanc and I attended a briefing at the White House on College Affordability hosted by the Office of Public Engagement. There was a panel discussion, keynote from Vice President Joe Biden, and a Q&A session. Members of the audience included college students from local universities, campus action groups, and players in DC community engagement. Catalogue was proud to be included in the discussion.

The briefing focused on the Obama administration’s efforts to make college more accessible and affordable. And while student loans will continue to be a reality for a high percentage of college graduates, he hopes to make repaying those loans as manageable as possible. If Congress does not act by July 1st, student loan interest rates will double from 3.4% to 6.8%. Keeping student loan interest rates low helps keep college accessible. If you are interested in getting involved in this political issue, reach out to your Congressman.

A college degree is an essential factor in economic mobility and prosperity. By 2018, 63% of new jobs will require at least some college education. And while DC currently has one of the highest concentrations of individuals with college degrees, the city also possesses a deep wealth gap. But thankfully, numerous Catalogue nonprofits are tackling the problem of college access and affordability in the greater Washington area. Here are just a few:

College Bound: College Bound targets under served junior high and high school students who have the drive and desire to attend college.Each week, students meet one-on-one with college-educated mentors who assist them in math, SAT prep, and college admissions, with the goal of improving the District’s historically low test scores and college-attendance rate. Mentors explore scholarship opportunities and help students navigate the college application process.

Reach for College!: In the District, only 43% of students graduate high school and nearly half of those never attend college. So every day, as part of their academic schedule, 2,000 students in more than 40 classes in DC use Reach for College!’s curricular materials to boost their skills in college-level reading, writing, and time management. Classes in SAT prep, college selection and application, and financial aid, help them navigate the application maze.

The Posse Foundation: The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who might otherwise be overlooked in the college admissions process. It helps them pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams (“posses”) of ten students that act as traveling support systems. Posse expands the pool from which top universities recruit students, helps create more inclusive campus environments, and ensures that Posse Scholars persist in their academic studies and graduate (an astonishing 90% of them do).

Around Town: May 12-13

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Julia Cain

Happy Mother’s Day weekend, Greater Washington!

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Plus spend some time with a Catalogue nonprofit:

DANCE …

On Friday & Saturday at 8PM, join Bowen McCauley Dance Company for a world premiere dance event following the original hit sensation, Lucy’s Playlist, at Synetic Theatre in Crystal City; tickets right here. And on Saturday at 7:30 PM, a powerful dance performance will feature choreographic works for Joy of Motion Youth Dance Ensemble members at American University’s Greenberg Theatre; tickets info this way.

NATURE ..

Discover the treasures in Piscataway Park with Accokeek Foundation on Saturday at 10AM; this annual Children’s Day event features a self-guided tour through the park for young explorers. And on Sunday at 9AM, join the Potomac Conservancy at River Center at Lock 8 for a Canal Stewards cleanup, followed by wildflower walk with expert Marijke Gate; learn more right here!

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