The nuts and bolts of mission investing

May 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PHILANTHROPY | Last week, Tamara wrote about how the Kellogg Foundation has used mission investing to maximize its impact. Today, Gretchen follows up with a closer look at the mechanics of mission investing – specifically, she writes about MRIs (not that kind) and PRIs. She also explores how the Consumer Health Foundation is using mission investing to improve our region. (Daily, 5/21)

Related:
- The Kellogg Foundation and Mission-Driven Investing (Daily, 5/16)

- How Philanthropists Can Help Companies Achieve Profit with a Purpose (Arabella, 5/14)

- Leveraging the Power of Foundations-An Analysis of Program-Related Investing (LFSP, 5/21)

OKLAHOMA | Our thoughts go out to Moore, Oklahoma, after yesterday’s monster tornado flattened huge parts of the city. Moore has been hit by similarly-destructive tornadoes three times in the last fifteen years. While the damage from the latest is devastating and the loss of life is significant, there is some relatively good news. Medical examiners have cut their death toll estimate in half, as of this morning. (Atlantic & WTOP, 5/12)

Our colleagues in Baltimore have pulled together a list of ways that you can help the victims. The Tulsa Community Foundation has also set up relief funds. And here are some options for local Oklahoma nonprofits.

Finally, here’s a heartwarming story amid the many sad ones. (Sky, 5/21)

POVERTY | Following up on yesterday’s news about the rise in suburban poverty, The Atlantic looks at some of the implications of suburban versus urban poverty (Atlantic, 5/21):

Poor people who live in high-rise apartments and dense urban blocks have neighbors who can pool childcare, or point each other to social services, or share rides to work. They have access to public transit, because transit follows density, too.
…
“That isolated poverty is a kind of hopeless poverty,” [Ford Foundation President Luis] Ubiñas said. It is also considerably less visible to the rest of us. “We won’t run into it on the subway or in the park,” he says. “We’ll drive past it on the highway.”

LOCAL | Here’s part two of WAMU’s investigation of local developers and their relationships with elected officials – Million-Dollar Properties, $1 Deals. (WAMU, 5/21)

TRANSIT | If you’ve been wondering how the Silver Spring transit center ended up as a $120 million-plus, useless mess, you’re in luck. The Post looks at the history of the project. (WaPo, 5/12)

JUVENILE JUSTICE | A new report from the National Youth Employment Center reviews the work of the organization’s Postsecondary Success Initiative, which works with disconnected and court-involved youth to help them achieve postsecondary credentials. The initiative is supported in part by the Open Society Foundations. (NYEC, 5/21)

EDUCATION | Process for Charters to Inherit Vacant DCPS Buildings Gets a Wee Bit Easier (CP, 5/21)

Ray Manzarek, a founding member of The Doors, passed away from cancer yesterday. It was a real tragedy that Doors lead singer Jim Morrison wasted his life on drugs, but the band’s impact on modern music was incredibly deep considering its short tenure. Here’s my favorite Doors song, which I think represents some of Manzarek’s best work - Riders on the Storm. It feels especially appropriate for today.

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Focusing on literacy to meet the demands of the workforce

May 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Funding for adult literacy in the District has been declining steadily, but the need remains incredibly high. More than 80 percent of D.C. jobs are projected to require at least a high school degree within the next five years, but more than 64,000 residents don’t have a high school credential.

Terri Lee Freeman, president of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region and chair of the WRAG board, co-authored an op-ed for the Post that outlines the importance of increased literacy funding (WaPo, 5/11):

With limited basic math, reading and digital literacy skills, these residents have difficulty following written instructions, completing paperwork, communicating effectively with colleagues or helping their children with homework. This undermines the job security of workers, the economic viability of local businesses and the well-being of families.

Related: Business startup program aims to reduce unemployment in DC (Elevation, 5/14)

AGING | With the number of elderly immigrants having doubled over the last two decades, there is a growing trend of senior facilities catering to specific nationalities and cultures. As Berkeley professor Andrew Scharlach puts it (WaPo, 5/14):

In our fast-paced society, people with old languages and old customs often find they don’t have a place…Having a place where their knowledge, wisdom and skills are recognized is important.”

ARTS
- Rebekah reflects on creative strategies for advocating for increased philanthropic support of the local arts sector. (Daily, 5/14)

- Painting a path of hope for homeless youth through art education (WTOP, 5/14)

EDUCATION | The D.C. Council is pushing for parents to be given at least one year’s notice before school boundaries are changed. That would delay Chancellor Henderson’s plan for boundary changes by an entire year. (WaPo, 5/14)

GIVING | Rockefeller Pledges $100-Million to Help 100 Cities Cope With Crises (Chronicle, 5/14) Do political crises count? Speaking of which…

NONPROFITS | With the news that the nonpartisan IRS is actually quite partisan, there is concern that the impending fallout will impact the agency’s ability to regulate nonprofit organizations. (Chronicle, 5/14) And the IRS was doing such a great job before this whole thing broke!

Well, it’s been about five months since the last time we experienced what it means to be Washington sports fans. I guess the Caps thought we were overdue for a reminder.

Anyway, the recipe for Coca-Cola is a highly-guarded secret. However, a “treasure hunter” in Georgia thinks he found the secret recipe in a box of old letters. I wonder what other mysteries are hidden in forgotten places?

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Using technology to combat senior isolation

May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

People often lament the fact that technology is deteriorating human relationships. But for seniors, the opposite might be true. A new pilot program funded by the AARP Foundation is building technological connections for seniors as a way of combating isolation. The program provides iPads to seniors, as well as classes on how to use the Internet, social media, Skype, and more (WaPo, 5/9):

In the District, the program selected low-income seniors at high risk of being disconnected from friends and family, said Najeeb Uddin, the AARP Foundation’s vice president of technology.

“We’re targeting people on the verge of being isolated and depressed. Their spouse might have passed away,” he said. “It’s about connecting to the community. It just happens to be that we’re using technology to do it.”

YOUTH | The Children’s Law Center has released its 2013 Children’s Mental Health Report Card. This year’s marks for the District are mixed, but hopeful (WAMU, 5/9):

Judith Sandalow is the executive director of Children’s Law Center, a nonprofit in D.C. She says there are “promising beginnings” when it comes to how the District serves children with mental health needs.
…
But Sandalow says there is still a long way to go. She says there are too many agencies involved leading to what she calls “bureaucratic fragmentation.” And Sandalow says how soon a child gets treatment is also a problem.

Read the report here.

Related: Pushing for More Progress in the District’s Children’s Mental Health System (HuffPo, 5/9)

HEALTH | Jacqueline Bowens has been named to succeed Sharon Baskerville as the CEO of the D.C. Primary Care Coalition. (WBJ, 5/9)

Related: The D.C. Primary Care Coalition is one of the key players in our Beyond Dollars story on expanding the health care safety net. You can check out the report here.

EDUCATION
- The District is set to open a “hybrid traditional-charter” school in Southeast. Chancellor Kaya Henderson says, “It’s an animal that we’ve never seen before.” (WaPo, 5/9) Is it a unicorn? I bet it’s a unicorn. I knew they existed!

- Putting Inner City Students on a Path to High-Paying Jobs, For Real (Atlantic, 5/9)

HOUSING
- In case the economic collapse didn’t do it already, Richard Florida has deflated the American dream of homeownership. He digs into a report about the relationship between unemployment and homeownership and says, “Higher rates of homeownership lead to higher rates of unemployment.” (Atlantic, 5/9)

Related: Florida discusses the relationship between housing and commuting. We looked at the same issue in our recent report on housing affordability.

- Greater Greater Washington’s Dave Aplert explains how the increased production of high-end rental units in our region could trigger drops in rent through a process called “filtering.” (GGW, 5/9) Contrary to my initial expectation, this does not mean refraining from swearing at leasing agents to get better rates.

LOCAL
- Arlington’s population is expected to continue booming, thanks especially to the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Plan. (WTOP, 5/9)

- Robert McCartney writes about how impressed he is about regional collaboration to clean sewage. (WaPo, 5/9)

- Lots of great stuff from The Atlantic today. Here’s a look at how highway construction ruined Southwest D.C. – and how new development could resurrect it. (Atlantic, 5/9)

I forgot to post this yesterday, but Jimmy Fallon and John Krasinski (from The Office) had a hilarious lip syncing competition. It’s pretty funny. (Note: I downgraded my sentiment and didn’t even notice when I published.)

And, here’s an amusing connection between autocomplete and the platypus.

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Is ‘social housing’ a solution to our affordable housing challenges?

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HOUSING | Opinion: Roger Lewis, a professor emeritus from the University of Maryland, revisits some familiar statistics that showcase how un-affordable housing has become for both low- and moderate-income families. He even sketched the cartoon to the right to drive the point home. But he takes the conversation a step further and suggests a possible path forward (WaPo, 5/4):

We should take a cue from Europe, where countries such as Denmark and Austria build “social housing.” Social housing is public housing, but only in the sense that it is government-financed. European social housing is subsidized yet serves middle-class as well as low-income households, thereby avoiding many of the socioeconomic issues associated with America’s public housing.

Using the words “social” and “Europe” in an American policy debate virtually guarantees immediate dismissal. But that fact aside, what do you think of Lewis’ idea?

Related: Last week, WRAG released a new report on housing affordability in the Greater Washington region – What Funders Need to Know: Housing. It details many of the affordability issues that Lewis mentions. (Daily, 4/30)

Related: Earlier in the spring, WRAG heard from former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros about ways that funders can support housing affordability. Check out number eight on his list, which directly relates to Roger Lewis’ idea of “social housing.” (Daily, 3/26)

Related: Housing Crash Fades as Defaults Decline to 2007 Levels (Bloomberg, 5/6) Related: What the heck, how many times can we write “related” in one issue?

Event: Next Saturday, the Communications Action Network (CAN), is sponsoring its Parade of Homes. The event features open houses at 20 affordable housing communities across the region. It’s a great opportunity to see the range of options and quality for local affordable homes. [Learn more.]

HOMELESSNESS | Advocates, City Officials Spar Over Homeless Amendments (CP, 5/3)

AGING | This is a tough but important read – Elderly Couple’s Tale Of Abuse Not So Uncommon (WAMU, 4/4)

GIVING | Opinion: The Hudson Institute’s William Schambra writes about the politics and potential impact of “genuine compassionate conservatism.” (Chronicle, 5/1)

BOOK REVIEW | In today’s Daily, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s president, Eileen Ellsworth, reviews Do More Than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World by Leslie R. Crutchfield, John V. Kania, and Mark R. Kramer. You can read the full review here. Eileen writes that the book is a worthwhile read for all funders (Daily, 5/6):

[Do More Than Give] is a useful and thought provoking work for every kind of donor, in any kind of community. If you are looking for a practical, step by step manual for how to become a more effective donor, this book has a very great deal to offer.

TRANSIT | If you’ve ever ridden the New York subway and accidentally ended up on an express train to the Bronx when you were aiming for Brooklyn, then you probably appreciate the relative simplicity of our Metro system. And if you haven’t had that experience, lucky you, because it’s a time-consuming mistake that makes you feel like a helpless dimbulb.

Our addition of the Silver Line – and it’s graphical rendering on the WMATA system map – is pushing things into confusing territory. (Atlantic, 5/6)

I’ve been trying to find something funny to share with you on this gloomy Monday. There’s a whole website of hilarious – sometimes intentionally and sometimes not – web product reviews. I can’t vouch for the appropriateness of the whole site, but this entry amused me. I guess a ceiling fan is a cheap alternative to these dudes.

And if you aren’t in the mood to laugh, here’s a really beautiful song – Where Our Destination Lies by Ben Gibbard. I don’t think I’ve shared it here before. Apologies if I have, but it’s a great one.

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In Virginia, housing discrimination against Latinos

May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

What can you expect if you are a Latino looking to rent a home in Virginia? Unfair treatment most of the time, according to a new report from the Equal Rights Center. The organization conducted in-person tests to compare the experiences of white and Latino renters. In 55 percent of the tests, Latinos experienced outrageous things like:
  • Being quoted higher rents or higher fees for the same rental unit than white testers;
  • Not being offered incentives or “specials” that were offered to white testers seeking the same housing;
  • Being offered fewer available units or later availability dates than those offered to white testers;
  • Being told about additional application requirements, such as credit checks or providing a social security card, which were not told to white testers.

Related: If you missed it, WRAG released a new report on housing affordability in the Greater Washington region yesterday – What Funders Need to Know: Housing. (Daily, 4/30)

HEALTH | A tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that Americans are both misinformed and under-informed about the Affordable Care Act. First, a depressingly hilarious statistic (KFF, 4/30):

Four in ten Americans (42%) are unaware that the ACA is still the law of the land, including 12 percent who believe the law has been repealed by Congress, 7 percent who believe it has been overturned by the Supreme Court and 23 percent who say they don’t know enough to say what the status of the law is.

Second, and more importantly, responses that have implications for health funders and nonprofits:

About half the public (49%) says they do not have enough information about the health reform law to understand how it will impact their own family.

The share of the public who says they lack enough information to understand how the ACA will affect their family is higher among two groups the law is likely to benefit most – the uninsured (58% of whom say they lack enough information) and low-income households (56% say so).

This is reminiscent of a Pew poll from 2010 about the Supreme Court.

EDUCATION
- D.C. Council member David Catania says that the DCPS goal of all schools being 70 percent proficient by 2017 is “incredibly unrealistic.” He is seeking ways to aggressively change consistently low-performing schools. (WAMU, 5/1)

- Opinion: Mayor Gray’s early childhood crusade paying off by Harry Jaffe (Examiner, 5/1)

WORKFORCE | Science, tech jobs dominate region, census says (Examiner, 5/1) Austin Powers might have something to say about that.

SEQUESTRATION | With parts of the Smithsonian being shutdown due to budget cuts, White House tours being suspended, and the Washington Monument being scheduled to take about 162 years to repair after the earthquake, the District is in for a bad tourism year. (WJLA, 5/1)
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What does affordable housing look like in the Greater Washington region?

April 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

To be considered affordable, a household needs to spend less than 30% of its income on housing costs. As you can imagine, that’s really hard to do in our region.

In WRAG’s new installment of our What Funders Need to Know series, we take a detailed look at local housing – what it costs, how transportation factors in, what it means to live in different parts of our region. Then we discuss what our future looks like if we don’t fix this problem, and what funders can do to get involved.

COMMUNITY | The Consumer Health Foundation’s president and CEO, Yanique Redwood, is highlighted in the new issue of Bethesda Magazine as a rising star who is making a difference in our region at a young age. The magazine talked with Yanique about what drives her (Bethesda, May 2013):

[She] was inspired to pursue a career in public health after learning about a shameful chapter in America’s past. Beginning in 1932, the Tuskegee syphilis experiment followed the disease’s progression in poor, African-American sharecroppers over a 40-year period without ever providing treatment.
…
A tearful Redwood discussed it with her professor, who encouraged her “to use my anger and do something about this injustice.”

EQUITY | The recession was bad news for just about everybody, but a new report from the Urban Institute finds that the wealth gap between non-Hispanic white Americans and minorities widened considerably during the downturn. As NYU professor Darrick Hamilton puts it, “It was already dismal…it got even worse.” (NYT, 4/29)

AGING
- Yesterday, hundreds of older District residents rallied for increased spending on senior services in the 2014 budget. (WaPo, 4/30)

- The AARP Foundation has a great series of short videos featuring experts discussing senior isolation. (AARP)

EDUCATION | Different reports have claimed to prove that D.C. education reform has been either a success or a failure, but Greater Greater Education says that nobody is even reading the source data correctly. (GGE, 4/30)

Happy 80th birthday to Willie Nelson! If you ever get a chance to see him live, I recommend taking the opportunity. He’s a lot of fun – and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. I especially love his cover of City of New Orleans. Whoever uploaded the slideshow to accompany the song has an unfortunately literal mind.

On an unrelated note (unless Willie is an intergalactic musician), check out these photos of a massive, gigantic, humongous, gargantuan, other dramatic adjective storm on Saturn. The color-corrected photos make it look like the sixth planet from the sun is actually a gateway to a terrifying hell.

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Education news from across the region

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

On Friday, we briefly noted that Prince George’s County Interim School Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley announced his resignation, which will end his tenure about a month before his contract was scheduled to expire. The reasons for his departure are unclear, but the Board of Education alluded to “the passage of the recent legislation changing the governance structure of our school system.”

As County Executive Rushern Baker searches for a permanent replacement for Crawley – the position’s new title will be chief executive officer – the Post looks at school performance in Prince George’s County. Despite measurable gains in the last five years, the county still lags behind state and regional averages. Demographics might have a lot to do with it (WaPo, 4/29):

Even though Prince George’s is one of the most affluent majority-black jurisdictions in the country, many middle-class families send their children to private schools. Of the 200 schools in the county, 135 contain a student population where 50 percent or more are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, a measure of poverty.

- Big changes to summer school for elementary- and middle-schoolers in the District. Starting this year, summer school will be by invitation only. Changes to the program are designed to help students who are most likely to benefit from it, but students who are too far behind are being cut loose. (WaPo, 4/29)

So, we’re left with academic Darwinism. In the meantime, it’s not hard to imagine what will happen to the children who need the most help.

Related for WRAG Members: Join us this Thursday for a briefing on D.C.’s summer youth programming. [More info.]

- On the other hand, D.C. tops nation in preschool spending, though spending in Maryland and Virginia is declining. (Examiner/WaPo, 4/29)

- And finally, Kaya Henderson, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, wrote an op-ed for the Post that makes a really great point about the media. She says that the school system is making big gains, but you might not realize it with the media only focusing on drama (WaPo, 4/29):

These investments do not generate headlines. They do not create controversy. They do not fit neatly into the box of what others think of as school reform. But they will result in student achievement and in more families choosing DCPS.

REGION | If you’ve ever wondered how our region ranks against others for economic performance, well then today is your lucky day! The answer is fifth, according to the Milken Institute’s index of best performing cities – and we’ve shot up from a puny 17th place in last year’s ranking. (Atlantic, 4/29) Very nice. High five!

- We’re also the ninth most ozone-polluted region in the country. (WAMU, 4/28)

GRANTMAKING | In 2010, WRAG convened members for a Project Streamline workshop  on reducing the paperwork burden on grantees. A number of WRAG members subsequently went on to streamline their application and reporting processes. We recently checked in with CareFirst, which has substantially revised its grant reports. (Daily WRAG, 4/29)

Well that was a lot of education news for one day. Do you feel like you’ve learned something? Good! Because now you have to test your knowledge of famous literary titles. Can you pick out the mistakes here?

Apparently we’re in for a wet week. Here are two songs that come to mind – Sugar Magnolia, in which blossoms bloom, and Africa, wherein the rains are blessed.

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A longer-term look at obesity could convince more legislators to support prevention policies

April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Obesity rates in the United States have doubled among adults over the last two decades – and tripled among kids in just one generation. The related health care spending is estimated to be as much as $210 billion annually.

Evidence-based obesity prevention strategies have been identified, but policymakers are hesitant to adopt these strategies because they don’t properly understand the cost-savings benefits. That’s partly because the Congressional Budget Office looks at obesity policies over a ten-year window. The cost savings actually accumulate, in huge numbers, over a longer period of time. So, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a new report that maps out the savings over 75 years, a much longer period than the CBO considers. (RWJF, 4/24)

RACE | At the Council on Foundations conference this month, 26 foundations made a groundbreaking pledge to address issues facing boys and men of color in the United States. Tamara asked two local philanthropic leaders for their thoughts on the pledge – Nat Williams of the Hill-Snowdon Foundation, an expert on social justice, and Nicky Goren of The Women’s Foundation, who understands the value of a gender-specific philanthropic goal. (Daily, 4/24)

Related: Read the pledge here.

Related: City Paper highlights a massive racial disparity. A whopping 91 percent of marijuana charges in the District were against black residents. Over the last few years, the paper reports that “charges filed against blacks rose 6 percent and declined 10 percent for whites between 2005 and 2011.” To give some context, the number of white residents has increased as charges have decreased. (CP, 4/24)

GIVING | Walmart has become an increasingly influential philanthropic presence in our region over the last few years. The company has just announced that its total national giving last year, between the company and its foundation, exceeded $1 billion for the first time.

HEALTH | A new report finds that non-English speakers are at a disadvantage at D.C. pharmacies, even when language assistance is offered. New legislation calls for over-the-phone interpretation services. (WAMU, 4/24)

Aren’t non-native language speakers generally at a disadvantage in most situations in most countries? The phone-based solution seems like a simple but innovate solution, and a scalable one for other situations.

EDUCATION
- U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of top public high schools is out, and a lot of schools in the region made the list. Thomas Jefferson in Alexandria is ranked as the fourth best in the country. (WTOP, 4/24)

Related: The racial demographics at Thomas Jefferson has shifted significantly recently, which is quite relevant to the articles above about racial disparities. (WaPo, 4/22)

- Report claims Rhee’s reforms harmed D.C. schools (Examiner, 4/24)

TRANSIT | The Columbia Pike streetcar project seemed to hit a speed bump when it wasn’t included in the federal Small Start grant program  And speed bumps (or “humps” if you’re from New England) are probably really bad news for railed vehicles! But fear not, because Greater Greater Washington assures that the project is in good shape and may still get federal funds. (GGW, 4/24)

I was in a store yesterday and heard, for the first time, a song called Arizona by Paul Revere and The Raiders. It’s pretty catchy! Listen just once and I bet you’ll have the chorus stuck in your head.

Since we’re already (or only?) halfway through the week, here are two amusing things to keep you going. First, a list of 19 reasons that your day probably isn’t so bad. Let the page load fully so that the animations play. Second, liars claiming to be fans of fake bands for a Jimmy Kimmel segment.

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A new public-private infrastructure bank?

April 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

Federal City Council head Anthony Williams, who previously served for eight years as the District’s mayor, is leading conversations with both Mayor Vincent Gray and members of the D.C. Council about the potential development of a new, nonprofit D.C. Public-Private Development Trust (WBJ, 4/23):

The Federal City Council is lobbying D.C. leaders to create an infrastructure bank that would pool public and private dollars for critical capital and social projects without saddling the District with more debt — a groundbreaking idea that would, if adopted, transform how the city tackles its major development projects.

WRAG’s president, Tamara Copeland, is interested in learning more about the exploration of new ways to meet challenges facing our region. She says:

When Anthony Williams met with WRAG CEOs earlier this year, this wasn’t an idea that he shared, but it’s definitely an interesting one. As we think about the societal problems facing our region, it’s exciting to have new concepts for social financing on the table. WRAG will be monitoring these conversations as they move forward. How might philanthropy be a part of the social finance solution?

IMPACT | On a similar subject, Rebekah recaps our recent Brightest Minds event with the Strive Network’s Jeff Edmondson. He spoke to funders and local leaders about the concept of “collective impact” and its four key elements. (Daily, 4/23)

VOTE | For our readers who live in the District, don’t forget to vote in today’s special election for At-Large Councilmember! Here’s where to find your polling station.

Related: Housing is a big priority for WRAG – here’s where the candidates stand on the issue. (UT, 4/22)

HOUSING | According to a new report from the MacArthur Foundation, home ownership is a decreasingly essential component of the American Dream. About 70 percent of American adults believe that “it is less likely for families to build equity and wealth through home ownership today compared with two or three decades ago.” (Atlantic, 4/23)

AGING | In the Greater Washington region, Prince William County has seen the sharpest rise in residents 65 and older. Thanks to new developments aimed at attracting this cohort, the Post has labeled the county as “a regional retirement mecca, a small-scale version of Florida on the outskirts of Washington.” (WaPo, 4/23)

A few thoughts. First, how did “mecca” become a casual noun? Second, does this “version of Florida” include alligators, hurricanes, and sinkholes? Third, if it does, can we have some Disney theme parks to make up for that stuff? Thanks.

EDUCATION
- D.C. Education Advocates Seek More Funding For Adult Programs (WAMU, 4/23)

- Council questions push for special-ed students in D.C. public schools (WaPo, 4/23)

HEALTH | WRAG’s Health Working Group has been focused on supporting local implementation of the health care reform. Just a reminder that the National Health Law Program is hosting a webinar on the subject – Health Reform: An Overview – tomorrow. [Details and registration.]

 

As I was walking to lunch yesterday, one of the at-large candidates was unceremoniously standing in front of the grocery store greeting shoppers and handing out flyers. No staffers, no press – just a final push for a few more votes. That’s a really great work ethic and it made me confident in my vote.

In other news, did anyone downtown see the giant blue whale replica at Freedom Plaza yesterday? I only saw pictures, which reminded me of two things: my favorite Star Trek line and the Michael Jackson song from Free Willy.

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New report highlights the importance of civil legal aid

April 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Public Welfare Foundation, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation, has released a new report on civil legal aid titled Natural Allies: Philanthropy and Civil Legal Aid. We’ve written before about how civil legal aid is frequently confused with criminal law. This report has a great section that clarifies what civil legal aid is – and why it is a critical area for philanthropy to support:

Legal aid helps people solve problems…Tenants facing wrongful eviction; Homeowners facing foreclosure due to fraudulent schemes; Women who are victims of domestic violence; Veterans and military families struggling in civilian life; Consumers bankrupted by predatory lenders; Workers cheated out of wages or denied lawful benefits; Children who need a stable home or special education; Elderly whose economic security or health care is in jeopardy; Disabled people denied opportunities; Immigrants who work the lowest-wage jobs without benefits or contracts; Communities devastated by natural disasters…

Related: WRAG Board member and Public Welfare Foundation president Mary McClymont recently wrote an op-ed on this. (Daily, 4/18)

WORKFORCE | The Community Foundation’s Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative has launched an advocacy campaign around adult literacy in the District. They are encouraging the D.C. Council to fully fund the Pathways to Adult Literacy Fund. Sarah Oldmixon, who leads the collaborative, shared this with us:

Over 64,000 D.C. residents lack a high school diploma or its equivalent. Moreover, forthcoming changes to the GED and National External Diploma Program will require expanded nonprofit capacity to address the needs of adult learners, making expanded funding opportunities critical. A new initiative of the Adult and Family Education office in the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent for Education, the proposed Pathways to Adult Literacy Fund will help 1,000 District residents enhance their basic skills and earn a GED, high school diploma, or post-secondary credential.

This WAMU story helps demonstrate the importance of the funding. It feature the Academy of Hope and Southeast Ministry. (WAMU, 3/31)

The Community Foundation has a change.org portal for their effort, with talking points, action items, and recent news.

EDUCATION | A new report from the Walton Family Foundation finds that per pupil funding in the District is $13,000 higher for traditional public students than charter students. (Examiner, 4/18) Here’s the research, which actually finds similar disparities in other cities.

- Parents, activists say chancellor’s budget undermines D.C. schools (WaPo, 4/18)

TRANSIT | The Columbia Pike streetcar project didn’t get the federal funding it sought, but the project is pressing forward nonetheless. (WAMU, 4/18)

It’s been a bad week, right? The bombings, the Senate utterly failing at representing the will of the people, the factory explosion in Texas. Well, here’s something that might cheer you up: funny notes written by kids. Scroll down after reading the love note for a whole gallery of notes.

Also, check out these houses that have indoor slides! The pirate-themed one is especially cool.

- Christian

Filed Under: WRAG's "In the News" Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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