Tag: nonprofit

Fred Says Announces Annual Giving on World AIDS Day
CHICAGO, November 30, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, Fred Says announced it is giving nearly $200,000 to youth-serving organizations in the United States and around the world.

Fred Says was founded in 2012 by Dr. Robert Garofalo and named after his dog Fred. The 501(c)(3) non-profit supports domestic and international organizations that serve LGBTQ youth and young people living with and/or impacted by HIV.

Dr. Garofalo is the Chief of the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He adopted Fred following his own cancer and HIV diagnosis and created the non-profit to honor the joy, peace, and healing Fred brought to his life.

In 2023, Fred Says celebrated its 10th year of giving. To date, the organization has raised and distributed $1 million to support adolescents and young adults affected by HIV.

“It’s really rather amazing that on World AIDS Day, this little grassroots charity will celebrate a decade of charitable giving,” said Garofalo. “I hope these monies will help organizations provide the care and services that young people need to thrive and live their best authentic lives.”

In sum, $190,000 will be gifted to 13 youth-serving organizations to support pet therapy and adoption programs, specialized mental health and drop-in services, transportation and housing assistance, peer-led support for HIV+ youth, and the development of educational materials about sexual health, wellness, and HIV-prevention, with an emphasis on minoritized transgender youth, their parents, and caregivers.

The 2023 Fred Says award recipients are:
- Magic City Acceptance Academy, Birmingham, AL
- One Roof Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Human Rights Campaign, Washington, D.C.
- University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
- Youth Outlook Services, Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Advocates for Youth, Washington, D.C.
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- VIVENT Health/TPAN, Chicago, IL
- Initiative for the Advancement of Improved Health & Development, Ibadan, Nigeria
Fred Says will also continue its tradition of distributing 500 Fred plush toys to children for the holidays in Chicago and Birmingham as well as in Nigeria and South Africa.

“The generous gifts that Fred Says has given to us has ensured access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people who otherwise would not have had them,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, Chief Executive Office of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town. “This is a wonderful investment in those young lives and in the future of South Africa.”

You can learn more about Fred Says at www.fredsays.org. Contact: rgarofalo@luriechildrens.org

Source: Fred Says
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November 30, 2023
West Virginia training program restores hope for jobless coal miners

West Virginia training program restores hope for jobless coal miners – CBS News

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The recent boom in renewable energy has impacted the coal industry. But new labor opportunities are coming in the form of a community-based nonprofit in West Virginia that is teaching unemployed coal miners valuable job skills that they can use to transition careers. Mark Strassmann has details.

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November 16, 2023
HomeAid Collects & Distributes Over Six Million Critical Items in 2023 Essentials Drive Campaigns

HomeAid Affiliates Across the Country Distributed 3.6 Million Diapers and Over 2.4 Million Baby Wipes in 2023 to Families in Need

IRVINE, Calif., September 12, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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HomeAid affiliates, in collaboration with several HomeAid building and nonprofit partners, collected over six million essential items to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, during the 2023 HomeAid Essentials Drives that took place from March to August. These necessary items will provide much-needed resources to children, families, and other individuals across the nation.

This year’s HomeAid Essentials drives spread across the country with 11 participating HomeAid affiliates. Most of the drives collected critical items for children and families. HomeAid Phoenix collected socks and underwear, a crucial need for individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Due to the recent rise in inflation in the United States, the overall cost of diapers has risen an unprecedented 22% since 2018 while U.S. inflation rates peaked at 9.1% in June 2022. That means prices are rising at more than double the rate of inflation, according to NielsenIQ, a data firm that tracks consumer prices.

To help combat this growing crisis that many families face, 10 HomeAid affiliates collected and distributed over 3.6 million diapers, over 2.4 million wipes, and nearly 69,000 other critical baby items in eight different states.

Government assistance programs generally cover welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid for low-income households in need, but diapers and wipes are typically not a commodity covered. HomeAid affiliates across the country help address and serve this need by contributing these necessary items to our nonprofit partners who, in turn, give them directly to those families and individuals in need.

“Incredible strides have been made through HomeAid’s annual Essentials Drives, thanks to the remarkable generosity and compassion of our community. This year’s drive has not only provided essential diapers and other essential items to countless families in need but has also served as a powerful reminder of the positive change we can effect when we unite for a common cause. The impact of these efforts extends far beyond the physical donations; they embody the spirit of caring and support that defines HomeAid’s mission. Together, we are building not just homes, but also hope and brighter futures for those facing or at risk of homelessness,” said Scott Larson, CEO, HomeAid America.

The following are the totals of the 2023 spring/summer essentials campaigns from 11 HomeAid affiliates:

HomeAid Atlanta — 198,485

HomeAid Austin — 217,057

HomeAid Colorado — 2,472,614

HomeAid Inland Empire — 71,222

HomeAid National Capital Region — 283,531

HomeAid Northern California — 34,604

HomeAid Orange County — 1,519,520

HomeAid Orlando — 360,000

HomeAid Phoenix — 8,400

HomeAid Southern Nevada — 122,155

HomeAid Utah — 807,869

Media Contact: Monique Waddington, Director of Communications and Donor Relations (mwaddington@homeaid.org)

AboutHomeAid

Founded in 1989, HomeAid develops, builds, and preserves a variety of housing, including emergency, interim, transitional, permanent supportive, and affordable housing through its 19 chapters in 13 states. In addition, this includes resource/navigation centers that provide support services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HomeAid partners with hundreds of nonprofit organizations nationwide that provide the housing and support services that help residents move toward self-sufficiency, such as education and job-skills training, financial counseling, physical and emotional support, and much more.

HomeAid has completed 1,183 housing and outreach projects with a value of more than $340 million. HomeAid has added over 13,445 beds that have served over 701,668 previously homeless individuals. For more information, visit www.homeaid.org.

Source: HomeAid America

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September 12, 2023
Bailador Invests $9.8M to Accelerate Rosterfy’s Mission to Connect the Global Volunteer Community

Rosterfy is excited to announce that ASX-listed technology expansion capital fund Bailador Technology Investments Limited (“Bailador”) has today announced a $9.8M investment in Rosterfy alongside other sophisticated investors.

SOUTH MELBOURNE, Australia, April 24, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Rosterfy, a market-leading mass volunteer and workforce management platform, has secured a Series A round led by Bailador Technology Investment Limited. Bailador, a Sydney-based investment firm, has an impressive reputation for identifying exciting and fast-growing SaaS businesses.

The announcement marks a new era of growth for the business, which was founded in 2015 in Melbourne, Australia, envisioned by Co-Founders, Bennett Merriman, Shannan Gove and Chris Grant. In 2022, Rosterfy was the platform behind over 10 million hours of volunteering across 26 countries around the world including the world’s largest events and charitable organizations.

Bailador’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, David Kirk, will be joining as the company’s new chairman. The former CEO of Fairfax Media and past captain of the All Blacks Rugby Team, Kirk brings significant experience in leadership and strategy to Rosterfy, having held senior positions including currently as Chairman of KMD Brands, owner of Rip Curl and Kathmandu.

“Rosterfy has developed a market-leading volunteer management solution, which is evident in their strong growth rates and the quality of customers.” – David Kirk, Bailador Co-Founder

David said: “Having worked with multiple NFP organisations myself, I recognise the important role that volunteers play in enabling NFPs to deliver on their mission, as well as the challenge of being able to hire, schedule and retain those volunteers.

“The Rosterfy team has developed a market-leading volunteer management solution that has found strong product-market fit, which is evident in their strong growth rates and the quality of the customers they have acquired.”

In addition to Bailador’s investment, Rosterfy will also welcome prominent tech investor Steve Power, who will also join the investment round to support Rosterfy’s go-to-market strategy, particularly their expansion into the USA.

Power has extensive experience in scaling companies globally, having previously held senior executive positions at a number of successful Australian B2B SaaS companies including ReachLocal, BigCommerce and Deputy.

It’s no surprise that Bailador has identified Rosterfy as a great investment opportunity as they seek high-growth investment opportunities at the forefront of tech, particularly those businesses that provide innovative and change-making solutions to customers and organisations.

Rosterfy’s volunteer management software platform offers non-profit organisations, charities and Sporting Federations a way to effectively manage their volunteer programs.

CEO and Co-Founder Bennett Merriman said, “We’re excited to welcome the Bailador team and Steve Power to the Rosterfy family. With their collective experience and shared passion for our mission, we look forward to accelerating our product roadmap for our customers and their volunteers so they can continue to make a difference in their communities. This is the start of an exciting next chapter and timely acknowledgment that our global team and platform are making a real difference.”

About Rosterfy

Rosterfy connects communities to events and causes they are passionate about through their volunteer management software platform. Their proven end-to-end technology allows charities, events and nonprofit organizations to recruit, retain, train and reward volunteers by replacing manual processes with automation to better engage volunteering programs.

www.rosterfy.com

Source: Rosterfy

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April 24, 2023
Digitunity Report Identifies Need for Audio Enhancement

A new report examines the role of audio enhancement in education, healthcare and other applications.

NORTH CONWAY, N.H., March 20, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Digitunity, a nonprofit organization committed to ending the digital divide, with the support of award-winning audio solution provider AVID Products, has released a commissioned report titled “The Crucial Role of Audio Enhancement in Learning & Health” on the role of audio enhancement in education, healthcare, and other applications.

The report is written by Richard West, a professor at Brigham Young University and an expert in using emerging technologies in education. The report examines how audio enhancement can be used in settings such as healthcare and education and provides recommendations to businesses, nonprofits and others who support digital equity on how they can incorporate audio enhancement in their work.

Digitunity’s research shows how it is imperative to provide computers to the 36 million people in the United States who don’t have one, in order to connect them to educational and economic opportunities. However, the new report shows computers alone often are not enough. Audio devices like headphones, speakers, and other similar peripherals, greatly enhance individuals’ experience using a computer.

“Digitunity operates on the belief that device ownership is the cornerstone of digital equity. However, it is just part of the digital equity equation,” Scot Henley, executive director of Digitunity, said. “This report clearly defines the need for audio enhancement as one of the many key hardware and software essentials that enable the productive use of a computer.”

AVID is one of the cornerstone partners of Digitunity’s Corporate Pledge to End the Digital Divide. They also offer audio products to Digitunity’s Digital Opportunity Network members at a discount from the list price. These projects are among many that the two organizations partner on in the quest to improve digital equity across the U.S.

“Audio is an underappreciated primary sense. It has the ability to open the door to opportunity on a variety of levels,” said Tom Finn, president & CEO of AVID Products. “Audio transcends many aspects of our everyday lives, allowing us to connect with one another, and with ourselves, through music, entertainment and information. Providing tools that aid in delivering sound to anyone, anywhere, anytime is our mission.”

This report also comes on the heels of Digitunity’s January 2023 webinar highlighting device essentials for digital equity. These essentials include audio accessories like speakers and headsets. They’re also featured in Digitunity’s “Device Essentials for Digital Equity” infographic that illustrates the factors that support device adoption and use.

Through these publications and other similar works to be released, Digitunity intends to leverage its body of work and national lens to inform the field and provide communities with novel ideas on how to eliminate the digital divide. To learn more about Digitunity’s partnership with AVID, its Device Essentials, and other initiatives, please visit digitunity.org.

About Digitunity

Since the 1980s, Digitunity has advanced digital inclusion by connecting donors of technology with organizations serving people in need. Our mission is to ensure everyone who needs a computer has one, along with robust internet connectivity and digital literacy skills. To learn more about our mission, please visit digitunity.org.

About AVID Products

Founded in 1953, AVID is a 100 percent employee-owned company supplying mindful, innovative, and accessible audio solutions to learners of all ages within education, healthcare, hospitality, travel, and more. They are passionate about providing solutions with impact and delivering an outstanding experience every step of the way. Learn more at avidproducts.com.

Source: Digitunity

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March 20, 2023
Genos Center Foundation Announces Campaign for Genocide Art Gallery & Gardens

New Genos Center will use art to raise awareness, promote healing, and offer new perspectives on past and present issues, serving as a voice for marginalized communities.

Press Release
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Feb 22, 2023

MALIBU, Calif., February 22, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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The Genos Center Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to announce a capital campaign for the development of a multi-cultural art gallery, non-denominational chapel, and reflective gardens focused on eradicating genocides worldwide by founder and architectural designer Douglas Isaac Busch.

Designed to raise awareness and education for genocides not only of the past but those occurring today in areas such as Myanmar (also known as Burma), China, Ethiopia, Iraq, Syria and South Sudan, Genos Center will serve as a space of remembrance and education. Curated exhibits will rotate on a six-month basis utilizing art as a powerful medium for storytelling. The center will collaborate with artists, scholars, and educators to create meaningful and impactful experiences for audiences of all ages.

Utilizing eco-sustainable architecture, the building will incorporate sustainable design principles and cutting-edge green technologies, making it a model of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. The non-denominational chapel and reflective gardens extend the open-air feeling of the architecture, allowing for spaces of calm reflection with drought-tolerant landscaping that create an enriching and enduring experience for all.

Upon completion, The Genos Center Foundation will donate the complete project to an institution, foundation, or city at an agreed time along with an endowment that will maintain the building, staff it, cover taxes and other expenses where it can be sited in perpetuity, to maintain evolving exhibitions and offer a public park destination via the gardens. This plan allows the exhibit space to be continually changing and evolving as a destination for the public from around the world to seek out and observe the evolution of art, architecture, and landscaping.

“Art has the unique ability to humanize the victims of genocide and bring their stories to life in a way that mere words cannot. We hope that by using art as a tool for education, we can help people understand the gravity of genocide and inspire them to take action to prevent it,” said Douglas Isaac Busch, founder, and architectural designer of Genos Center.

With an initial commitment of over $1 Million, Douglas Isaac Busch and The Genos Center Foundation understand that every genocide matters. The first phase of the project will require $2M in seed capital of which 50% has been raised with a total of $30M needed for full construction and project completion. Funding opportunities are available at all levels, including capital and endowment. Additional involvement opportunities exist at multiple levels.

Genocide, one of the most heinous crimes against humanity, has been a tragic reality throughout history. The Genos Center Foundation believes that through art and education, we can work towards preventing future genocides and promoting a culture of tolerance and understanding.

“Genos Center will be a place for people to learn about the effects of genocide and its impact on humanity,” said Busch. “Through reflection, I hope that this museum will help to raise awareness and promote understanding and healing.”

With full design plans in place, Genos Center is currently seeking a final location along with initial founding partner support from individuals, organizations, and foundations to help fund its mission.

To learn more about the Genos Center Foundation and how you can get involved, visit www.GenosCenter.org

Source: Genos Center Foundation

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February 22, 2023
enCourage Kids Foundation Hires Jean Butler as the New President & CEO

Press Release
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Feb 13, 2023 15:00 EST

NEW YORK, February 13, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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The enCourage Kids Foundation announced today the hiring of their new President and CEO, Jean Butler. Butler is a senior executive with experience in the philanthropic sector as well as P&L and operational experience in the corporate sector (media and entertainment). Prior to joining the enCourage Kids Foundation, Butler was the Chief Executive of the Toy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) children’s charity that is the philanthropic arm of the Toy Association, a 1,000+ member organization for North American producers, importers and retailers of toys, games, and children’s entertainment products.

“Having Jean join us in the role as President and CEO will be a great addition in helping us to magnify our mission and develop new partnerships,” said Tony Fineman, Board Chair. “We all look forward to working with Jean and welcoming her to the enCourage Kids family.”

“We are excited to have Jean lead our team. Her business and philanthropic experience will fill the void since the passing of our former President & CEO – Michele Hall Duncan,” said Joe Wessely, Board Chair Emeritus. “Jean’s expertise in building strategic partnerships and expanding revenue streams will enable us to amplify our mission of making hospitals a better place for children to recover and will aid in our efforts to humanize healthcare for children and their families.”

“I’m thrilled to join the enCourage Kids Foundation and work with such an esteemed team of like-minded professionals who are dedicated to positively impacting hospitalized children and their families. Their work throughout the years, and the millions of children and families they have served, is nothing short of outstanding,” stated Butler. “I look forward to continuing the excellent work of the foundation, enhancing current hospital programs, and developing new partnerships which will enable us to serve even more children and their families.”

Butler received her undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business.

About enCourage Kids

Since 1985, enCourage Kids Foundation has helped humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the child life community. Serving nearly one million children annually, enCourage Kids is focused on making hospitals a better place to get better. Our programs offer relief from the burden of treatment and hospital stays while helping pediatric facilities meet the unique needs of their patients. enCourage Kids envisions a world where every child—regardless of the difficulty of his or her medical journey—experiences joy, hope, resilience, and healing. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.encourage-kids.org.

Source: enCourage Kids Foundation

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February 13, 2023
Education Nonprofits Release Free Tool to Detect ChatGPT-Generated Student Work

Quill.org and CommonLit.org launched AIWritingCheck.org, a free tool that allows educators to determine whether a text passage was created by humans or AI.

Press Release
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Jan 25, 2023 12:30 EST

NEW YORK, January 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Education technology nonprofits Quill.org and CommonLit.org have launched AIWritingCheck.org to help teachers determine whether writing was human- or AI-generated text. At www.aiwritingcheck.org, teachers may enter a passage of text and, with the click of a button, learn whether the text was likely generated by a student or a computer.

ChatGPT’s launch has prompted discussion about how to best equip teachers and students with tools to preserve academic integrity and protect the critically important skill of learning how to write. Quill and CommonLit built this new tool to be free, scalable, and user-friendly. AIWritingCheck.org requires no account or subscription and can process up to 100,000 essays per day, with an accuracy rate of 80-90%.

View & Download the Demo Video: https://www.loom.com/share/8bc43ec4dd9a40b3b3cdd78c92394668

Alongside the launch of AI Writing Check, the nonprofits developed a toolkit to help educators utilize AI detection websites responsibly. The Quill and CommonLit teams are committed to supporting teachers in navigating the changing landscape and fast developments in AI, acting as translators among the tech, edtech, and K-12 communities.

View the toolkit: https://bit.ly/ai-check-toolkit

Peter Gault, Quill.org’s Founder and Executive Director, said, “As tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous and more advanced over time, many fear that millions of students will stop engaging in the critically important intellectual exercise of carefully reading a text, building a response, applying the rules of grammar, and revising their writing with feedback. While Quill is built on top of AI, we believe that AI should be used to encourage students to do more writing, not for the AI to write for the students.”

Michelle Brown, CommonLit’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The shortcut of using ChatGPT to do the thinking for you is not one that children will so easily overcome. In K-12, it’s the exercise of writing and the thinking that goes into organizing your thoughts that matters – not just the output. Education isn’t just about creating economic value; it’s about human development. It’s about our kids, and building their skills and confidence to become leaders who can communicate and leverage advanced tools.”

Quill.org and CommonLit.org collectively serve more than 10 million economically disadvantaged students each year with free educational materials to advance literacy, representing 20% of all K-12 students. Quill.org’s mission is to help every low-income student in the United States become a strong writer and critical thinker through free online tools that help teachers by using artificial intelligence to automatically grade and provide feedback on student writing. CommonLit’s nonprofit mission is to unlock the potential of every child through reading, writing, speaking, listening, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Source: Quill

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January 25, 2023
Youth orchestra works to narrow racial gap

Youth orchestra works to narrow racial gap – CBS News

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Less than 5% of orchestras in the U.S. are made up of Black or Latino members, but one Los Angeles-based nonprofit is trying to change that. Started in 2009, the Inner City Youth Orchestra holds weekly rehearsals to help young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds take center stage. Manuel Bojorquez has the story.

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January 19, 2023
Project Open Hand to Receive Over $1.4 Million in Federal Funding to Support Nutrition-Intervention Services

Funds will help improve infrastructure and increase capacity.

Press Release
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Jan 19, 2023 09:00 EST

SAN FRANCISCO, January 19, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Project Open Hand, a leading nonprofit nutrition service provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced today that it will receive over $1.4 million in federal funding to support the organization’s efforts to provide life-saving, nutrition-intervention services to its clients.

The new federal funding will help improve Project Open Hand’s infrastructure, including, but not limited to, purchasing new delivery service vehicles, adding a mobile pantry vehicle, and upgrading kitchen and meal preparation equipment.

“The new federal funding headed to San Francisco for critical community projects like Project Open Hand is a major victory for families in our City,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “This investment in Project Open Hand’s mission to provide nutritious ‘meals with love’ in our communities will help ease food insecurity and advance Ruth Brinker’s vision of a hunger-free San Francisco. Thanks to Democrats’ tenacious negotiating, last year’s government funding package delivered deeply needed federal funds for projects across San Francisco that help meet the specific needs in our City – and we’ll never stop fighting for more.”

The planned improvements that will be made with this new funding come at a time when demand for the organization’s services continues to rise and requests for meal deliveries from clients continue to grow.

“The funding will go such a long way to update not only our facility in the Tenderloin with new and upgraded infrastructure and equipment, but also the aging fleet of vehicles that deliver our services to clients every single day,” Jonathan Jump said, Vice President of Operations at Project Open Hand.

The over $1.4 million in funding is a part of a larger $30 million government funding package aimed to help San Francisco’s neighborhood-serving organizations. The funding was announced by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and signed into law on Dec. 29 by President Joe Biden.

“For 37 years, Project Open Hand’s mission has been to serve meals with love to the Bay Area, providing life-saving nutrition for residents who need it most,” said Paul Hepfer, Chief Executive Officer of Project Open Hand. “The funds allocated to our organization by Congresswoman Pelosi will ensure that our programs and capacity continue to reach those in critical need of the medically tailored meals that we provide.”

About Project Open Hand

Founded in 1985, Project Open Hand is a nonprofit organization that provides meals with love to critically ill neighbors and seniors in San Francisco and Alameda Counties.

Every day, we prepare more than 2,500 nutritious meals and provide more than 200 bags of healthy groceries to help sustain our clients as they battle serious illnesses, isolation, or the health challenges of aging. https://www.openhand.org

Source: Project Open Hand

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January 19, 2023
CBS Evening News, January 17, 2023

CBS Evening News, January 17, 2023 – CBS News

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Mudslides pose more danger after deadly California storms; Nonprofit fulfills wishes for wounded veterans

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January 17, 2023
Nonprofit fulfills wishes for wounded veterans

Nonprofit fulfills wishes for wounded veterans – CBS News

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After a mortar blast in Iraq left Chris Kind with a brain injury and PTSD, the Army veteran found joy again through gardening. But burns on his skin prevented him from being outside in the sun. Then, a nonprofit group gifted him a $10,000 greenhouse. Janet Shamlian shares more.

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January 17, 2023
Founder of The Dovetail Project Shares How His Troubled Upbringing Became a Catalyst for Developing the Largest Fatherhood Initiative in the U.S. in People Magazine

Founder of Fatherhood Initiative, Sheldon Smith, Shares His Journey of How He Went From Being Convicted for Armed Robbery to Building the Largest Fatherhood Initiative in the Nation

Press Release
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Dec 5, 2022 10:45 EST

CHICAGO, December 5, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Sheldon Smith, the founder of The Dovetail Project, a 501(c)(3) organization that gives young fathers within marginalized communities a better understanding of the responsibilities of fatherhood and their importance in the lives of their children, is featured in the 2022 ‘People of the Year’ issue of People Magazine, out now. This issue features a two-page article highlighting Smith’s inspirational story of how he went from being charged as an adult for armed robbery at the age of 17 to building a successful nonprofit program that provides young Black and Brown men the necessary resources they need to become better fathers.

Smith’s organization, The Dovetail Project, rewrites the narrative of Black and Brown men between the ages of 17 to 24 by providing the education, skills, and support needed to be better fathers for their children and better men in their communities. The Dovetail Project’s 12-week curriculum emphasizes the roles, rights and responsibilities of fatherhood, felony street law and how to maintain an active, engaged presence in their children’s lives. Upon completing the program, fathers receive a $500 stipend, are coached and prepared for job opportunities, GED registration and completion, or enrollment in a trade training program.

In the article, Smith shares his experience growing up with an absent father and how it led him to spiral out of control. As a result, he was thrown into Cook County jail at the age of 17 but was able to overcome that adversity and receive a second chance. Today, Smith has helped nearly 600 young men become better fathers and built the nation’s largest nonprofit fatherhood initiative.

In People Magazine, he states, “I wanted to break the cycle.” After becoming a father at the age of 21, he never wanted his daughter to feel the loss that he felt with his father.

Sheldon Smith and The Dovetail Project have been recognized by prominent figures such as Michelle Obama in addition to national media features on the TODAY Show, ELLEN, CNN, Forbes, BBC, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise and more.

Smith and The Dovetail Project recently celebrated its 6th annual Turkeys and Trees Giveaway event to Chicago families through The Dovetail Project Fatherhood Relief Fund, an initiative of the Dovetail Project, with support from generous leading sponsors Roquan Smith (former #58 Chicago Bears, current #18 Baltimore Ravens), Chicago Bulls, Belvedere Trading, and the Rosdal Family.

Smith hopes to inspire young fathers and future nonprofit leaders when readers view his piece in People Magazine.

The Dovetail Project can be seen on pages 108 and 109 in the ‘People of the Year’ print issue and is online at www.people.com.

To learn more about The Dovetail Project, visit www.thedovetailproject.org.

Source: The Dovetail Project

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December 5, 2022
In Oyster Bay Town, a new $4.5M grant program for small businesses, nonprofits | Long Island Business News

The Town of Oyster Bay is launching a new $4.5 million grant program for small business and nonprofits that have been impacted by COVID-19.

The Oyster Bay Forward Grant Program is thanks to federal funds secured by the town, according to a news release.

Beginning Nov. 29, businesses and nonprofits can apply for $5,000 grants.

“After a year-plus long pandemic and now facing an economic recession, small businesses need all the help they can get to stay afloat,” Town Supervisor John Saladino said in a statement.

“My administration earmarked these Federal funds to boost small businesses and not-for-profits, help them recover losses from the pandemic, and keep their operations moving forward in the Town of Oyster Bay,” he added.

The program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole proprietors. To qualify, the entity must be a for-profit business, or 501c3 or 501c19 non-profit organization, with annual revenue between $35,000 and $5 million.

And there are other requirements. Small business applicants must be the majority owner. At least 60% of nonprofit expenses must have been programmatic in 2019. The applicant must be in operation at the time of application and have been in operation prior to January 1, 2021. The applicant must have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees, have certification and demonstration of economic hardship due to pandemic, and not be in default or arrears on past or current federal and state financing or funding programs.

Recipients can use the funding for a variety of purposes, including expenses that helped mitigate hardships caused by the pandemic. These could include the purchase of inventory and supplies, rent payments, utilities, property taxes, lease or purchase of equipment, as well as operating and emergency maintenance.

Applications will be processed through the National Development Council, which the town retained to administer the program. Additional eligibility criteria, including required documents, as well as applications for eligible business and non-profit organizations are available at TOBForward.com, where organizations can also sign up to participate in an informative webinar further detailing the application process.

Adina Genn

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November 23, 2022
Nonprofit FurnishHopeDC finds new homes for furniture and helps volunteers find new purpose

Nonprofit FurnishHopeDC finds new homes for furniture and helps volunteers find new purpose – CBS News

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The women behind one innovative nonprofit in the nation’s capital are working to keep usable items out of landfills, while filling the homes of those in need with both new furniture and hope. CBS News correspondent James Brown reports.

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November 22, 2022
E Woman to Transition From Social Network to Nonprofit Organization
E Woman is shifting its business model to offer critical aid to single mothers with special needs children.

Press Release
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Nov 22, 2022 08:00 EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn., November 22, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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E Woman, a social networking platform for women, is pleased to announce its transition to a nonprofit organization to provide critical aid to single mothers who have special needs children. This initiative will start in Uzbekistan, with the goal of expanding globally. While the company will remain a social networking platform as well, it is now expanding its reach so its ability to offer support can be taken to the next level.

In Uzbekistan, women still have limited opportunities to control their own futures due to societal restrictions. In addition, with some having special-needs children, many women are abandoned by their partners and left to fend for themselves. For Amy Shakhlo Karaman, founder and CEO of E Woman and a native of the country, this cause matters deeply.

“As a woman who has experienced the traditions in Uzbekistan first-hand, I recognize it’s not always easy to establish your independence given these incredibly difficult circumstances,” said Karaman. “At E Woman, we aim to support women in all aspects of their lives and look forward to the opportunity to offer additional aid through our new status as a nonprofit organization.”

As E Woman shifts to a nonprofit, it has several upcoming initiatives that aim to provide assistance:
- Through its Bright Soul Bracelets program, E Woman is able to travel to Uzbekistan and provide jobs to women by teaching them how to make bracelets. These bracelets are then sold in the U.S., and all profits raised go to single mothers.
- In Uzbekistan, E Woman has partnered with the Committee on Women and Gender Equality and the Commission on Ensuring Gender Equality from the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, which is the parliament of the country.
- Through the above partnership, E Woman has a goal to build at least five safe houses. The Gender Equality Commission is looking into ways to provide the necessary land to accomplish this mission.
- E Woman also plans to serve women facing gender discrimination in Iran and Afghanistan.
- In Tennessee, E Woman is working to have 10 female artists from Central Asia come to the U.S. to have a chance to showcase their artwork in a display called The Inside World of Central Asian Women.
The E Woman app was created to serve as an online women’s support group and give women a safe place to empathize with others who may be going through similar experiences. It also provides forums for different events and stages in a woman’s life, including single moms, working moms, finding work-life balance and coping with a loss.

E Woman is available on www.ewoman.world and offered in every language. Members can join categorized groups anonymously or with their usernames to share their stories and connect in a judgment-free space.

To learn more, visit www.ewoman.world.

About E Woman

E Woman is a social media platform dedicated to every woman who feels alone. Founded by Amy Shakhlo Karaman, an immigrant who escaped an arranged marriage in Uzbekistan and came to America to build her life from the ground up, this online community allows women around the world to discuss similar struggles. E Woman is now available on www.ewoman.world and offers every language. Members can join categorized groups anonymously or with their usernames to share their stories and connect in a judgment-free space. To learn more, visit www.ewoman.world.

Source: E Woman
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November 22, 2022
Nonprofit gives young adults a fresh start with tiny homes

Nonprofit gives young adults a fresh start with tiny homes – CBS News

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Pivot, a nonprofit in Oklahoma, provides young people with a tiny home to live in as they start their journey into adulthood. Many of the residents were homeless or aged out of the foster care system. Omar Villafranca shares more.

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November 21, 2022
Morgan Wallen Foundation and Greater Good Music Provide Thanksgiving Dinners for 2,000 Families

Press Release
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Nov 21, 2022 11:30 EST

NASHVILLE, Tenn., November 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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It’s been a tough year to make ends meet with rising inflation and historically high food costs making it difficult for families to afford Thanksgiving this year. Tennessee and Kentucky residents were both especially hard hit with catastrophic floods that tragically took lives and destroyed thousands of homes. This is why Tennessee-based non-profit Greater Good Music approached supporter and entertainer/songwriter Morgan Wallen and his Foundation to partner for a giveaway this holiday season. Working together, 2,000 families in need received turkeys along with complete meals ahead of Thanksgiving this week.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, Greater Good Music delivered turkeys to more than 300 Middle Tennessee families waiting in line at Waverly High School, in Waverly, Tennessee, where a historic flood gutted the town last year and residents have been working to rebuild. Volunteers from Joseph’s Storehouse food ministry were on hand to distribute turkeys, stuffing, and fresh fruits and vegetables to families who were impacted by the flood disaster near Nashville.

Additional communities in Tennessee also received food deliveries including Wallen’s hometown of Sneedville in Eastern Tennessee where 450 families received Thanksgiving meal boxes. The distributions at local high schools and food pantries took place this weekend. In addition, 600 families in Pike County, Kentucky, who lost homes in the flood there this summer, received complementary holiday dinners.

Earlier this year, Greater Good Music worked with Wallen and his Foundation to help communities in need on several stops on his 2022 Dangerous Tour. Greater Good Music identified food insecure communities on the tour and organized food distributions donated by Wallen that fed more than 500,000 people in need before show time on tour stops across the United States.

Greater Good Music’s mission is to prevent food insecurity by partnering with music artists to organize mobile food distributions in cities on tour. According to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure and may not have enough food to eat each week. Covid-19, climate change, and global conflicts have exacerbated the problems of food insecurity in America and the world this year.

About Greater Good Music: Greater Good Music brings people and music together to do good. We partner with nationally known music artists on tour to supply healthy food distributions before show time to low-income families and disaster victims, so they do not have to go hungry. Greater Good Music teamed up with musicians and volunteers on tour across the United States to deliver over one million meals to food insecure people in America in 2022. We turn concert day into a day of giving. Find us at www.GreaterGoodMusic.org, and on Instagram (@GreaterGoodMusicCharity) and Facebook (facebook.com/GreaterGoodMusic). Greater Good Music is operating through a fiscal sponsorship with Players Philanthropy Fund, a Maryland charitable trust with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Greater Good Music are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

About Morgan Wallen:

The east Tennessee superstar and recent ACM Milestone Award recipient shares, “Awards are awesome, but my true measure of success is my fans, who this year I got to see every single night out on the road and will continue to do so for many years to come.” Thanks to nearly 1 million of his fans, $3 for every ticket sold during his 2022 Dangerous Tour has raised nearly $3 million benefitting the Morgan Wallen Foundation which funds causes close to his heart.

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Source: Greater Good Music

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November 21, 2022
30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative Announces Upcoming Nonprofit Recipients of Grants From DeVos Family Foundation
DeVos family to recognize 30 local organizations with $3 million in total, celebrating 30 years as caretakers of Orlando Magic franchise.

Press Release
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Nov 16, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla., November 16, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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As part of its 30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative, the DeVos family today announced seven additional nonprofit honorees from the Central Florida community. Each organization will receive funding from the DeVos Family Foundation and be recognized at an Orlando Magic game. Future recipients will be announced early next year and recognized throughout the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

Nonprofit honorees announced today include:
- New Hope for Kids ($30,000) – Supports children and families grieving the death of a loved one and grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida.
- Junior Achievement of Central Florida ($30,000) – Inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship.
- Every Kid Outreach ($30,000) – Empowers every kid to reach their brightest future by equipping students in under-resourced communities with the tools needed to become successful.
- onePULSE Foundation Annual Legacy Scholarships ($100,000) – Established following the tragic events of Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Orlando, onePULSE Foundation’s Legacy Scholarships will empower 17+ recipients to continue their education and follow their dreams.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida ($30,000) – Creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of Central Florida youth (ages 6-16), helping them to become successful adults. BBBSCFL will be featured at the Dec. 5 Magic game.
- A Gift for Teaching ($30,000) – Provides free school supplies and educational resources for students who need them most in Orange and Osceola counties’ public schools.
- Orlando After-School All-Stars ($30,000) – Provides free after-school and summer programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and life.
“We’re eager to continue to come alongside strong community leaders and organizations doing impactful work, providing financial support as well as further opportunities to shine a light on the great things these nonprofits do day in and day out,” Magic Chairman Dan DeVos said. “Thank you especially to these wonderful organizations, their supporters, and their staff members. Each day you make a meaningful difference for the Central Florida community.”

The donations are part of the DeVos family’s effort to contribute a total of $3 million to 30 area organizations over the course of this season and last through its 30 Grants Initiative, which seeks to invest in people and projects impacting youth, essential needs for families, and community enrichment across Central Florida.

The DeVos family purchased the Magic in 1991 and 30 years later, in 2021, announced the 30 Grants for 30 Years initiative. More information on the initiative can be found at www.nba.com/magic/community/devos-family-foundation

Video link: 30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative VIDEO

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Source: Orlando Magic
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November 16, 2022
Operation Warm is on Track to Surpass 5 Million Children Served This Year

Press Release
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Nov 1, 2022

GLEN MILLS, Pa., November 1, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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National nonprofit Operation Warm is on track to serve its five millionth child this year. As the largest nonprofit of its kind, Operation Warm offers brand-new coats and shoes as a bridge to connect underserved families and their children with the resources they need to thrive.

In 1998, entrepreneur Dick Sanford founded Operation Warm with a simple act of kindness. While driving through his hometown of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, on a freezing winter day, Sanford came across a group of school-aged children waiting at the bus stop without coats, huddled together to stay warm. Compelled to act, he headed to the closest department store and bought 58 coats to give to the children who needed them.

Since that cold winter day, Operation Warm has served 4.6 million children in more than 2,100 communities across North America. This year alone, there are over 640,000 children on their Wish List requesting coats and shoes. This Giving Tuesday, the nonprofit is gathering support to reach its five millionth child served by the end of this year. Operation Warm plans to celebrate this important milestone with a celebratory coat-gifting event in Kennett Square, the town where the organization got its start.

“We are excited to celebrate this upcoming milestone with our team, partners, and many others who have supported Operation Warm over the years,” says Grace Sica, executive director of Operation Warm. “Working together to make a difference in the lives of so many children has been such a rewarding journey.”

“When I gave away those first 58 coats nearly 25 years ago, I couldn’t have guessed that Operation Warm would come this far and touch so many lives,” says Dick Sandford, founder of Operation Warm. “Since then, we have brought hope to thousands of communities across North America, inspired countless volunteers to join our mission, and are now on track to provide our five millionth child with the gift of warmth.”

To contribute to the 5MM milestone, visit www.operationwarm.org/donate.

Source: Operation Warm

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November 1, 2022