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Sylvera Launches Open Carbon Data Project to Unlock Investment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta
NEW YORK, July 31 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Sylvera Launches Open Carbon Data Project to Unlock Investment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta
With a combined $900k in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta, Sylvera partners with the State University of Santa Cruz, World Resources Institute, and Symbiosis Coalition, to create the world's first open-access, benchmark-grade forest carbon dataset
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Sylvera today announced the Open Carbon Data Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, July 31 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on July 30, 2026: * * * Sylvera Launches Open Carbon Data Project to Unlock Investment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta With a combined $900k in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta, Sylvera partners with the State University of Santa Cruz, World Resources Institute, and Symbiosis Coalition, to create the world's first open-access, benchmark-grade forest carbon dataset - Sylvera today announced the Open Carbon Data Project, a first-of-its-kind initiativeto generate high-resolution, open-access forest carbon data across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, Meta, World Resources Institute, Symbiosis Coalition, and leading Brazilian research institutions, the initiative targets one of the most critical barriers -- increasing the amount of trusted, scientifically rigorous data to underpin credible measurement, reporting and verification at scale.
By enabling accurate measurement and verification of forest carbon stocks, the dataset will lower barriers to carbon market participation, particularly for smallholders and community-led projects -- and increase investor confidence, helping to scale financing for forest restoration and protection.
"Carbon markets cannot scale without trust, and trust starts with ground truth data. Through our work combining field measurements and advanced remote sensing, we're helping build the biomass data foundation that more accurate, transparent, and scalable carbon markets depend on," said Allister Furey, CEO, Sylvera.
"High-quality, accessible data is critical infrastructure for scaling nature-based climate finance and ensuring it delivers real benefits to communities on the ground," said Carli Roth, Director of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. "This initiative shows how open, more accurate data can unlock investment, building investor and buyer confidence while helping local stakeholders accelerate equitable access to capital for underserved communities that depend on healthy forests for their lives and livelihoods."
Nature-based climate solutions are attracting growing investment and delivering real climate outcomes. Establishing an open-sourced dataset of ground truth data in complex ecosystems like the Atlantic Forest will enable more sophisticated verification systems -- accelerating deployment and reducing costs, which will enable the market to scale. Digital MRV (dMRV) systems offer a path to scalable, lower-cost verification, but they require robust data to model accurately. This initiative is designed to provide that foundation.
The dataset will enable accurate measurement and verification of forest carbon stocks, improving the calibration and validation of satellite-based monitoring models. This will lower the barrier to entry for carbon market participants, particularly smallholder and community-led projects, and will increase confidence in verification results among investors and corporate buyers, helping to scale financial flows into forest restoration and protection.
The data will be released later this year under a CC BY 4.0 open license and hosted by World Research Institute (WRI), ensuring it is freely available to developers, registries, policymakers, and researchers globally.
A core principle of the initiative is that the work is locally anchored and steered by local experts. Through partnerships with Brazilian universities, research institutions, local implementation partners, and government agencies and landowners, the initiative ensures both scientific integrity and equitable participation, building long-term data capacity and institutional trust in the region.
Brazilian / Local Partner
Prof Deborah Faria, Permanent faculty member of the DCB and coordinator of the Laboratory of Ecology Applied to Conservation (LEAC), UESC
"The Open Carbon Data Project initiative strengthens global knowledge regarding forests and the carbon cycle. In Bahia, the project will enable more accurate estimates of carbon stocks in Atlantic Forest remnants and cocoa agroforestry systems, generating benefits for rural producers. By bringing together scientists, communities, and landowners, the initiative produces knowledge aligned with local realities and contributes to the region's sustainable development."
Brazilian / Local Partner
Prof Daniel Piotto, Permanent faculty member of the Graduate Program in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, UESC
"The partnership with Sylvera will generate robust estimates of carbon stocks in the southern Bahia region, in addition to enabling scientific exchange and training for academics from southern Bahia on the most advanced research methods focused on forest carbon."
World Resources Institute
John Brandt, Data Science Lead, WRI
"Open, high-quality datasets are critical to ensuring credibility in the monitoring and management of forests with remote sensing technology. This initiative will strengthen the tools available to policymakers, researchers, and market participants alike."
Meta
Blair Swedeen, Global Head of Net Zero and Sustainability, Meta
"Scaling credible carbon markets requires the same foundation as any good science: open, high-quality data that anyone can build on. We've seen firsthand through our AI-powered forest mapping work with WRI how open-source tools can dramatically improve our understanding of forest ecosystems. This initiative will help lower barriers for new and community-led projects to begin receiving carbon financing, and ultimately build the trust that carbon markets need to attract investment at scale."
Symbiosis Coalition
Julia Strong, Executive Director and Founder, Symbiosis Coalition
"Nature-based solutions are some of the most important, near term, cost effective climate solutions we have, and the market is maturing faster than many people realize. Establishing high-quality, open datasets to set benchmarks and standards for measurement is key to giving buyers the confidence they need to act and unlock the market at scale."
This dataset builds on Sylvera's broader work in forest biomass data and is being collected with local partners through a combination of advanced airborne and ground-based measurements, including terrestrial laser scanning, airborne laser scanning and gamma spectrometry, as well as conventional field inventory and soil coring. Field campaigns are underway, with data collection expected to be completed by Q3 2026 and the open dataset targeted for release in Q4 2026.
The dataset will have immediate real-world applications, including improving the accuracy of the Meta and WRI Canopy Height Maps, one of the most widely used open-access forest monitoring tools globally.
* * *
Notes to Editors
About the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: One of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems, the Atlantic Forest once covered approximately 330 million acres along Brazil's eastern seaboard. Today, more than 85% has been cleared, leaving a highly fragmented landscape that nonetheless supports over 148 million people and accounts for approximately 70% of Brazil's GDP. It is a UN-designated World Restoration Flagship and a priority region for both conservation and climate finance.
About multi-scale lidar (MSL): MSL combines terrestrial, airborne, and satellite-based laser scanning to generate high-resolution, three-dimensional measurements of forest biomass. It provides significantly greater accuracy than traditional plot-based sampling and is used to calibrate and validate satellite-based monitoring models at biome scale.
About dMRV: Digital monitoring, reporting and verification (dMRV) refers to the use of remote sensing, AI, and computational tools to automate and standardize the measurement of carbon stocks and emissions reductions, replacing manual field-based approaches that are costly, slow, and difficult to scale.
* * *
About the Open Carbon Data Project
The Open Carbon Data Project is a multi-partner initiative to create the first open-access, benchmark-quality forest carbon datasets, initially focusing on the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Combining advanced multi-scale lidar field campaigns with satellite remote sensing, the project aims to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and credibility of forest carbon data -- and in doing so, lower the cost and raise the confidence of carbon market participation for developers, registries, investors, and policymakers worldwide.
* * *
About Sylvera
Sylvera is the leading carbon intelligence company providing independent ratings, market data, and geospatial analytics to incentivize investment in real climate action. Using proprietary data, machine learning, and on-the-ground expertise, the company has assessed over 700 projects and provides unmatched visibility into more than 27,000 projects. Trusted by corporates, investors, project developers, and policy-makers worldwide, the company is backed by leading investors including Balderton Capital, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, and Salesforce Ventures.
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About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, YouTube @RockefellerFdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
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Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/sylvera-launches-open-carbon-data-project-investment-brazilian-atlantic-forest-rockefeller-foundation-and-meta/
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Sylvera Launches Open Carbon Data Project to Unlock Investment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta
With a combined $900k in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta, Sylvera partners with the State University of Santa Cruz, World Resources Institute, and Symbiosis Coalition, to create the world's first open-access, benchmark-grade forest carbon dataset
-
Sylvera today announced the Open Carbon Data Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, July 31 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on July 30, 2026: * * * Sylvera Launches Open Carbon Data Project to Unlock Investment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta With a combined $900k in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation and Meta, Sylvera partners with the State University of Santa Cruz, World Resources Institute, and Symbiosis Coalition, to create the world's first open-access, benchmark-grade forest carbon dataset - Sylvera today announced the Open Carbon Data Project, a first-of-its-kind initiativeto generate high-resolution, open-access forest carbon data across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, Meta, World Resources Institute, Symbiosis Coalition, and leading Brazilian research institutions, the initiative targets one of the most critical barriers -- increasing the amount of trusted, scientifically rigorous data to underpin credible measurement, reporting and verification at scale.
By enabling accurate measurement and verification of forest carbon stocks, the dataset will lower barriers to carbon market participation, particularly for smallholders and community-led projects -- and increase investor confidence, helping to scale financing for forest restoration and protection.
"Carbon markets cannot scale without trust, and trust starts with ground truth data. Through our work combining field measurements and advanced remote sensing, we're helping build the biomass data foundation that more accurate, transparent, and scalable carbon markets depend on," said Allister Furey, CEO, Sylvera.
"High-quality, accessible data is critical infrastructure for scaling nature-based climate finance and ensuring it delivers real benefits to communities on the ground," said Carli Roth, Director of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. "This initiative shows how open, more accurate data can unlock investment, building investor and buyer confidence while helping local stakeholders accelerate equitable access to capital for underserved communities that depend on healthy forests for their lives and livelihoods."
Nature-based climate solutions are attracting growing investment and delivering real climate outcomes. Establishing an open-sourced dataset of ground truth data in complex ecosystems like the Atlantic Forest will enable more sophisticated verification systems -- accelerating deployment and reducing costs, which will enable the market to scale. Digital MRV (dMRV) systems offer a path to scalable, lower-cost verification, but they require robust data to model accurately. This initiative is designed to provide that foundation.
The dataset will enable accurate measurement and verification of forest carbon stocks, improving the calibration and validation of satellite-based monitoring models. This will lower the barrier to entry for carbon market participants, particularly smallholder and community-led projects, and will increase confidence in verification results among investors and corporate buyers, helping to scale financial flows into forest restoration and protection.
The data will be released later this year under a CC BY 4.0 open license and hosted by World Research Institute (WRI), ensuring it is freely available to developers, registries, policymakers, and researchers globally.
A core principle of the initiative is that the work is locally anchored and steered by local experts. Through partnerships with Brazilian universities, research institutions, local implementation partners, and government agencies and landowners, the initiative ensures both scientific integrity and equitable participation, building long-term data capacity and institutional trust in the region.
Brazilian / Local Partner
Prof Deborah Faria, Permanent faculty member of the DCB and coordinator of the Laboratory of Ecology Applied to Conservation (LEAC), UESC
"The Open Carbon Data Project initiative strengthens global knowledge regarding forests and the carbon cycle. In Bahia, the project will enable more accurate estimates of carbon stocks in Atlantic Forest remnants and cocoa agroforestry systems, generating benefits for rural producers. By bringing together scientists, communities, and landowners, the initiative produces knowledge aligned with local realities and contributes to the region's sustainable development."
Brazilian / Local Partner
Prof Daniel Piotto, Permanent faculty member of the Graduate Program in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, UESC
"The partnership with Sylvera will generate robust estimates of carbon stocks in the southern Bahia region, in addition to enabling scientific exchange and training for academics from southern Bahia on the most advanced research methods focused on forest carbon."
World Resources Institute
John Brandt, Data Science Lead, WRI
"Open, high-quality datasets are critical to ensuring credibility in the monitoring and management of forests with remote sensing technology. This initiative will strengthen the tools available to policymakers, researchers, and market participants alike."
Meta
Blair Swedeen, Global Head of Net Zero and Sustainability, Meta
"Scaling credible carbon markets requires the same foundation as any good science: open, high-quality data that anyone can build on. We've seen firsthand through our AI-powered forest mapping work with WRI how open-source tools can dramatically improve our understanding of forest ecosystems. This initiative will help lower barriers for new and community-led projects to begin receiving carbon financing, and ultimately build the trust that carbon markets need to attract investment at scale."
Symbiosis Coalition
Julia Strong, Executive Director and Founder, Symbiosis Coalition
"Nature-based solutions are some of the most important, near term, cost effective climate solutions we have, and the market is maturing faster than many people realize. Establishing high-quality, open datasets to set benchmarks and standards for measurement is key to giving buyers the confidence they need to act and unlock the market at scale."
This dataset builds on Sylvera's broader work in forest biomass data and is being collected with local partners through a combination of advanced airborne and ground-based measurements, including terrestrial laser scanning, airborne laser scanning and gamma spectrometry, as well as conventional field inventory and soil coring. Field campaigns are underway, with data collection expected to be completed by Q3 2026 and the open dataset targeted for release in Q4 2026.
The dataset will have immediate real-world applications, including improving the accuracy of the Meta and WRI Canopy Height Maps, one of the most widely used open-access forest monitoring tools globally.
* * *
Notes to Editors
About the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: One of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems, the Atlantic Forest once covered approximately 330 million acres along Brazil's eastern seaboard. Today, more than 85% has been cleared, leaving a highly fragmented landscape that nonetheless supports over 148 million people and accounts for approximately 70% of Brazil's GDP. It is a UN-designated World Restoration Flagship and a priority region for both conservation and climate finance.
About multi-scale lidar (MSL): MSL combines terrestrial, airborne, and satellite-based laser scanning to generate high-resolution, three-dimensional measurements of forest biomass. It provides significantly greater accuracy than traditional plot-based sampling and is used to calibrate and validate satellite-based monitoring models at biome scale.
About dMRV: Digital monitoring, reporting and verification (dMRV) refers to the use of remote sensing, AI, and computational tools to automate and standardize the measurement of carbon stocks and emissions reductions, replacing manual field-based approaches that are costly, slow, and difficult to scale.
* * *
About the Open Carbon Data Project
The Open Carbon Data Project is a multi-partner initiative to create the first open-access, benchmark-quality forest carbon datasets, initially focusing on the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Combining advanced multi-scale lidar field campaigns with satellite remote sensing, the project aims to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and credibility of forest carbon data -- and in doing so, lower the cost and raise the confidence of carbon market participation for developers, registries, investors, and policymakers worldwide.
* * *
About Sylvera
Sylvera is the leading carbon intelligence company providing independent ratings, market data, and geospatial analytics to incentivize investment in real climate action. Using proprietary data, machine learning, and on-the-ground expertise, the company has assessed over 700 projects and provides unmatched visibility into more than 27,000 projects. Trusted by corporates, investors, project developers, and policy-makers worldwide, the company is backed by leading investors including Balderton Capital, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, and Salesforce Ventures.
* * *
About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, YouTube @RockefellerFdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
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Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/sylvera-launches-open-carbon-data-project-investment-brazilian-atlantic-forest-rockefeller-foundation-and-meta/
Lumina Foundation Issues Commentary: Hidden Student Success Strategy? Rethink Course Scheduling
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 31 -- The Lumina Foundation issued the following commentary by Strategy Director for Research and Evaluation Wendy Sedlak and Grantmaking Portfolio Director Wayne Taliaferro:
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A hidden student success strategy? Rethink course scheduling.
A student's course schedule is one of the most consequential (and often overlooked) factors shaping whether they stay on track for their degree or credential.
Yet the path to earning a degree or credential remains unnecessarily difficult for far too many students. Beyond juggling work, family, financial, and academic demands, ... Show Full Article INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 31 -- The Lumina Foundation issued the following commentary by Strategy Director for Research and Evaluation Wendy Sedlak and Grantmaking Portfolio Director Wayne Taliaferro: * * * A hidden student success strategy? Rethink course scheduling. A student's course schedule is one of the most consequential (and often overlooked) factors shaping whether they stay on track for their degree or credential. Yet the path to earning a degree or credential remains unnecessarily difficult for far too many students. Beyond juggling work, family, financial, and academic demands,they can also encounter barriers created by the institutions themselves. Administrative friction points such as registration, enrollment, and course access can disrupt momentum and, in some cases, derail progress altogether.
Colleges can't control every challenge students face. But they can look at whether their own systems help or hinder progress. By reducing unnecessary roadblocks, they can make it easier for students to move through their programs. Scheduling isn't just an operational decision. It's a student success one.
When students can't access the courses they need, run into course availability issues, struggle to build schedules around their lives, or are unable to plan ahead, progress can quickly stall. Delayed completion often means additional costs, lost time, and a greater risk that students will stop out before earning a credential.
A required course that's unavailable can delay graduation. A class offered only during working hours can force students to choose between their paycheck or their education. Courses that routinely conflict with one another can slow students' progress. These are consequences that far too many students face.
Of course, scheduling reform is not as simple as it sounds. Colleges must balance a range of dynamics and demands, from faculty availability and workloads to department structures and course sequences, as well as the realities of physical space, available resources, and change management, among many other considerations. The complexity is real, but so is the need and opportunity for change.
The shift is less about creating a perfect schedule than about recognizing that scheduling decisions are student success decisions.
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is helping colleges rethink scheduling through its Student-Centered Course Scheduling initiative. AASCU is working with over 30 institutions to redesign how courses are offered, sequenced, and staffed, using data to better align course availability with student demand. The work combines data, policy review, cross-campus collaboration, and continuous improvement to transform course scheduling from an administrative exercise into a student success strategy. With support from Lumina Foundation, AASCU recently expanded the initiative to bring these strategies to more colleges.
Participating institutions use real-time data to identify capacity constraints, add sections where demand is highest, resolve conflicts between required courses, revisit outdated scheduling policies, and build multi-term schedules that give students greater confidence about what courses will be available in future semesters. Rather than rebuilding schedules each term, institutions continuously evaluate whether course offerings are helping students make steady progress toward a credential.
Early results show that, across AASCU's pilot institutions, completion of first-year English and math courses increased by 12 percent, and students earned an average of 1.4 additional productive credits per year. Individual campuses also improved classroom utilization, reduced scheduling conflicts, and increased the number of students taking full course loads. These are all solid indicators that better scheduling can help students maintain momentum toward graduation.
Recent research from our partners at Persistence Plus reinforces this idea. Through their work on continuous enrollment, they found that students value greater predictability, clearer pathways, and fewer administrative hurdles that can interrupt their momentum. Campus administrators understand this, too. The findings point to a simple but powerful insight: students are more likely to persist when institutions make it easier to keep moving forward.
Student-centered scheduling isn't the magical fix for every issue facing higher ed. But it addresses one challenge within an institution's control.
When students can reliably enroll in the courses they need, when they need them, they're more likely to maintain momentum, complete their programs, and, ultimately, earn the credential they came for.
* * *
About the Authors
Wayne Taliaferro directs Lumina's grantmaking portfolio focused on enhancing student success at two- and four-year colleges.
Wendy Sedlak, Ph.D., is the strategy director for research and evaluation at Lumina Foundation, which works to help all Americans continue to learn and train after high school. Before joining Lumina, Sedlak worked at Equal Measure, where she directed projects to benefit students, including many complex national systems-change evaluations.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/a-hidden-student-success-strategy-rethink-course-scheduling/
* * *
A hidden student success strategy? Rethink course scheduling.
A student's course schedule is one of the most consequential (and often overlooked) factors shaping whether they stay on track for their degree or credential.
Yet the path to earning a degree or credential remains unnecessarily difficult for far too many students. Beyond juggling work, family, financial, and academic demands, ... Show Full Article INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 31 -- The Lumina Foundation issued the following commentary by Strategy Director for Research and Evaluation Wendy Sedlak and Grantmaking Portfolio Director Wayne Taliaferro: * * * A hidden student success strategy? Rethink course scheduling. A student's course schedule is one of the most consequential (and often overlooked) factors shaping whether they stay on track for their degree or credential. Yet the path to earning a degree or credential remains unnecessarily difficult for far too many students. Beyond juggling work, family, financial, and academic demands,they can also encounter barriers created by the institutions themselves. Administrative friction points such as registration, enrollment, and course access can disrupt momentum and, in some cases, derail progress altogether.
Colleges can't control every challenge students face. But they can look at whether their own systems help or hinder progress. By reducing unnecessary roadblocks, they can make it easier for students to move through their programs. Scheduling isn't just an operational decision. It's a student success one.
When students can't access the courses they need, run into course availability issues, struggle to build schedules around their lives, or are unable to plan ahead, progress can quickly stall. Delayed completion often means additional costs, lost time, and a greater risk that students will stop out before earning a credential.
A required course that's unavailable can delay graduation. A class offered only during working hours can force students to choose between their paycheck or their education. Courses that routinely conflict with one another can slow students' progress. These are consequences that far too many students face.
Of course, scheduling reform is not as simple as it sounds. Colleges must balance a range of dynamics and demands, from faculty availability and workloads to department structures and course sequences, as well as the realities of physical space, available resources, and change management, among many other considerations. The complexity is real, but so is the need and opportunity for change.
The shift is less about creating a perfect schedule than about recognizing that scheduling decisions are student success decisions.
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is helping colleges rethink scheduling through its Student-Centered Course Scheduling initiative. AASCU is working with over 30 institutions to redesign how courses are offered, sequenced, and staffed, using data to better align course availability with student demand. The work combines data, policy review, cross-campus collaboration, and continuous improvement to transform course scheduling from an administrative exercise into a student success strategy. With support from Lumina Foundation, AASCU recently expanded the initiative to bring these strategies to more colleges.
Participating institutions use real-time data to identify capacity constraints, add sections where demand is highest, resolve conflicts between required courses, revisit outdated scheduling policies, and build multi-term schedules that give students greater confidence about what courses will be available in future semesters. Rather than rebuilding schedules each term, institutions continuously evaluate whether course offerings are helping students make steady progress toward a credential.
Early results show that, across AASCU's pilot institutions, completion of first-year English and math courses increased by 12 percent, and students earned an average of 1.4 additional productive credits per year. Individual campuses also improved classroom utilization, reduced scheduling conflicts, and increased the number of students taking full course loads. These are all solid indicators that better scheduling can help students maintain momentum toward graduation.
Recent research from our partners at Persistence Plus reinforces this idea. Through their work on continuous enrollment, they found that students value greater predictability, clearer pathways, and fewer administrative hurdles that can interrupt their momentum. Campus administrators understand this, too. The findings point to a simple but powerful insight: students are more likely to persist when institutions make it easier to keep moving forward.
Student-centered scheduling isn't the magical fix for every issue facing higher ed. But it addresses one challenge within an institution's control.
When students can reliably enroll in the courses they need, when they need them, they're more likely to maintain momentum, complete their programs, and, ultimately, earn the credential they came for.
* * *
About the Authors
Wayne Taliaferro directs Lumina's grantmaking portfolio focused on enhancing student success at two- and four-year colleges.
Wendy Sedlak, Ph.D., is the strategy director for research and evaluation at Lumina Foundation, which works to help all Americans continue to learn and train after high school. Before joining Lumina, Sedlak worked at Equal Measure, where she directed projects to benefit students, including many complex national systems-change evaluations.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/a-hidden-student-success-strategy-rethink-course-scheduling/
Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund Announces First Investments
EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 31 -- The Michigan State University Research Foundation issued the following news release:
* * *
Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund Announces First Investments
LightHearted AI and M3D are the first companies to receive investment from the healthcare-focused venture fund backed by Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and the MSU Research Foundation.
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Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences has announced the first investments from the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund, providing funding and strategic support to LightHearted AI and M3D, ... Show Full Article EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 31 -- The Michigan State University Research Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund Announces First Investments LightHearted AI and M3D are the first companies to receive investment from the healthcare-focused venture fund backed by Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and the MSU Research Foundation. - Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences has announced the first investments from the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund, providing funding and strategic support to LightHearted AI and M3D,two early-stage companies developing technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
LightHearted AI is developing LightScope, a non-invasive technology that uses visible light to capture high-quality heart sound data and detect heart valve disease in less than 10 seconds. Co-founded by Lucrezia Cester, Ph.D., and Dilip Rajeswari, the company's technology has demonstrated promise for improving early diagnosis, addressing an important gap in current screening methods. The investment will support the company's continued clinical validation and commercialization efforts as it prepares for regulatory approvals.
"Working with Henry Ford Health helps us validate how LightScope can be deployed across multiple care settings through a single health-system partnership," said Cester. "The Innovation Fund's investment is an important milestone as we prepare for broader deployment across U.S. health systems."
M3D is developing advanced radiation imaging technologies that enable clinicians to identify, localize, and visualize sources of radiation in real time. The company's platform is designed to improve radiation safety, treatment accuracy, and workflow across a range of healthcare applications. The investment will support continued product development, clinical validation, and commercialization.
"Henry Ford Health brings the clinical perspective that's essential for translating innovative technologies into everyday practice," said Mike Hopkins, co-founder and CEO of M3D. "Together with the Innovation Fund, the partnership provides more than capital by connecting us with the expertise needed to accelerate commercialization."
Launched in 2025, the healthcare-focused venture fund was established through an initial $10 million commitment from its founding members, Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University and the MSU Research Foundation. The fund supports early-stage companies developing technologies that improve patient care, accelerate access to innovation, and deliver measurable impact. These investments further complement the clinical expertise, research environments, and commercialization resources available through the Henry Ford + MSU partnership.
"These first investments reflect exactly why the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund was created," said Jeff Wesley, executive director of ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, where he manages the Innovation Fund. "Our goal is to help founders move promising healthcare technologies farther and faster by giving them the investment and support they need at each stage of company growth."
The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund focuses on early-stage companies working in areas such as precision medicine, digital health, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and remote monitoring. Initial investments typically support companies from the pre-seed through Series A stages.
"When we evaluate opportunities for the fund, we're looking for technologies that have the potential to solve meaningful clinical problems," said Lisa Prasad, vice president and chief innovation officer for Henry Ford Health, who also serves on the Innovation Fund board. "LightHearted AI and M3D are strong examples of companies developing practical solutions that could improve how care is delivered, and we're excited to work alongside their teams as they continue validating and advancing these technologies."
The investments in LightHearted AI and M3D mark an important milestone for the Innovation Fund and its work to support early-stage healthcare companies developing technologies with the potential to improve patient care. Early-stage companies interested in advancing health care innovation can learn more about funding opportunities, focus areas and how to connect with the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund at henryfordmsu.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://msufoundation.org/henry-ford-msu-innovation-fund-announces-first-investments/
* * *
Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund Announces First Investments
LightHearted AI and M3D are the first companies to receive investment from the healthcare-focused venture fund backed by Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and the MSU Research Foundation.
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences has announced the first investments from the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund, providing funding and strategic support to LightHearted AI and M3D, ... Show Full Article EAST LANSING, Michigan, July 31 -- The Michigan State University Research Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund Announces First Investments LightHearted AI and M3D are the first companies to receive investment from the healthcare-focused venture fund backed by Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and the MSU Research Foundation. - Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences has announced the first investments from the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund, providing funding and strategic support to LightHearted AI and M3D,two early-stage companies developing technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
LightHearted AI is developing LightScope, a non-invasive technology that uses visible light to capture high-quality heart sound data and detect heart valve disease in less than 10 seconds. Co-founded by Lucrezia Cester, Ph.D., and Dilip Rajeswari, the company's technology has demonstrated promise for improving early diagnosis, addressing an important gap in current screening methods. The investment will support the company's continued clinical validation and commercialization efforts as it prepares for regulatory approvals.
"Working with Henry Ford Health helps us validate how LightScope can be deployed across multiple care settings through a single health-system partnership," said Cester. "The Innovation Fund's investment is an important milestone as we prepare for broader deployment across U.S. health systems."
M3D is developing advanced radiation imaging technologies that enable clinicians to identify, localize, and visualize sources of radiation in real time. The company's platform is designed to improve radiation safety, treatment accuracy, and workflow across a range of healthcare applications. The investment will support continued product development, clinical validation, and commercialization.
"Henry Ford Health brings the clinical perspective that's essential for translating innovative technologies into everyday practice," said Mike Hopkins, co-founder and CEO of M3D. "Together with the Innovation Fund, the partnership provides more than capital by connecting us with the expertise needed to accelerate commercialization."
Launched in 2025, the healthcare-focused venture fund was established through an initial $10 million commitment from its founding members, Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University and the MSU Research Foundation. The fund supports early-stage companies developing technologies that improve patient care, accelerate access to innovation, and deliver measurable impact. These investments further complement the clinical expertise, research environments, and commercialization resources available through the Henry Ford + MSU partnership.
"These first investments reflect exactly why the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund was created," said Jeff Wesley, executive director of ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, where he manages the Innovation Fund. "Our goal is to help founders move promising healthcare technologies farther and faster by giving them the investment and support they need at each stage of company growth."
The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund focuses on early-stage companies working in areas such as precision medicine, digital health, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and remote monitoring. Initial investments typically support companies from the pre-seed through Series A stages.
"When we evaluate opportunities for the fund, we're looking for technologies that have the potential to solve meaningful clinical problems," said Lisa Prasad, vice president and chief innovation officer for Henry Ford Health, who also serves on the Innovation Fund board. "LightHearted AI and M3D are strong examples of companies developing practical solutions that could improve how care is delivered, and we're excited to work alongside their teams as they continue validating and advancing these technologies."
The investments in LightHearted AI and M3D mark an important milestone for the Innovation Fund and its work to support early-stage healthcare companies developing technologies with the potential to improve patient care. Early-stage companies interested in advancing health care innovation can learn more about funding opportunities, focus areas and how to connect with the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund at henryfordmsu.org.
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Original text here: https://msufoundation.org/henry-ford-msu-innovation-fund-announces-first-investments/
Foundation for Economic Education Posts Commentary: How Education Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Regulatory Challenges
DETROIT, Michigan, July 31 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary by Denise Lever, founder of Baker Creek Academy and TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge:
* * *
How Education Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Regulatory Challenges
Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance.
-
When the state fire marshal called in the early days of running my microschool, I wasn't sure what to think. We had worked closely with our local fire department and town government. Our learning center had been inspected, ... Show Full Article DETROIT, Michigan, July 31 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary by Denise Lever, founder of Baker Creek Academy and TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge: * * * How Education Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Regulatory Challenges Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance. - When the state fire marshal called in the early days of running my microschool, I wasn't sure what to think. We had worked closely with our local fire department and town government. Our learning center had been inspected,approved, and operating successfully for years. I had no reason to think that there was another layer of oversight that we had not navigated yet. I wondered what would trigger this new round of scrutiny? Was this a legitimate regulatory issue, or overreach?
As a former wildland firefighter, I had spent years assessing structures, studying fire behavior, and making the hard decisions on which buildings we were likely to save and which ones we might have to walk away from. A general fire inspection did not intimidate me.
However, I realized that I didn't know enough to determine whether this fire marshal inquiry was legitimate or not.
Then the inspection revealed that this was about educational occupancy, not fire safety.
The fire marshal's finding nearly cost us everything. Our learning center couldn't move forward with a lease renewal. We couldn't book vendors for our summer programs, or market our upcoming founders' retreat. We didn't even know if we could finalize enrollment for next semester. I hadn't anticipated that tutoring the three Rs could trigger an entirely new level of regulations. Unfortunately, I hear some version of this story regularly from the founders I coach.
When founders start education businesses, the conversations revolve around the learners. Founders focus on curriculum, culture, families, vision, and mission. Then months, and sometimes years, later, the questions shift to different concerns.
"Do I need a business license?" "Where do I get insurance?" "How do I know who has jurisdiction?" and, eventually, "Do you know a good lawyer?"
Many founders willingly invest hundreds of hours learning about child development, curriculum, and how to build a learning community culture. What many don't anticipate is that bringing that vision to life also requires understanding lease agreements, zoning, employment law, insurance, building codes, and a host of other regulations that have little to do with education and everything to do with operating a successful education business.
Building a successful learning community requires far more than understanding how children learn. The challenge isn't a lack of vision or commitment to compliance. It's the breadth of knowledge required to turn that vision into reality.
One of the clearest signs that the education entrepreneurship movement is maturing isn't that more founders are finding the courage to build new learning environments. It's that organizations are emerging to help these founders succeed and their programs to prosper.
Over the last few years, I have begun to see a pattern that reminds me of my homeschooling journey. People aren't just solving these problems for themselves. They are sharing what they have learned with others. Mentors answer late-night emails to offer support. Long-time operators share their hard-won experience at conferences and on podcasts. Founder groups connect newcomers to resources, networks, and coaches.
This is what healthy communities do: they pass along knowledge that enables others to blossom.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Lynn Swanson, Chief Counsel for Education at Stand Together, when I guest hosted Kerry McDonald's LiberatED Podcast.
I asked Lynn what drove Stand Together to develop the Edupreneur Resource Center (ERC). Her answer reinforced what I had been seeing in my own work with education entrepreneurs.
As innovative learning environments began emerging across the country, many edupreneurs found themselves trying to navigate a legal and regulatory landscape they had never encountered before. Lynn explained that the ERC grew out of the recognition that this complexity had become "a barrier to the growth of a vibrant marketplace of education alternatives for families."
The ERC was designed with two purposes in mind: helping founders understand the regulatory landscape in which they operate, and supporting education entrepreneurs when they face regulatory overreach or intervention.
One of the most enlightening insights Lynn shared was that perfect compliance is very hard to achieve. Regulations overlap, agencies have different jurisdictions, codes change, and interpretations can vary. Lynn also said, "Don't assume you are wrong." Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance.
The ERC offers micro-courses, state-specific compliance guides, practical checklists, and personalized guidance. Most importantly, the ERC helps founders navigate a complex regulatory landscape with greater confidence.
Healthy ecosystems don't simply produce entrepreneurs. They produce knowledge, relationships, and support systems that help entrepreneurs to flourish.
Looking back, the lesson learned isn't how to prepare for a fire inspection. It's how a knowledge gap could grow to an existential crisis and threaten everything we've built.
Baker Creek Academy wasn't just my business. It was the learning community our families had intentionally chosen as an alternative to the traditional system. If I failed to understand the regulations that govern our program, families could lose the alternative they trusted me to provide.
I realized that my responsibility extended beyond the learners I guide and the founders I lead. I had a duty to understand the regulatory terrain well enough to protect the learning community we had built.
Founders don't have the luxury of remaining experts only in education. Families are not only trusting us with their children, but with building stable and sustainable programs that they can count on. We must become good stewards of not only our mission and vision, but the programs we built to serve them.
The ERC is significant because it helps create the conditions where educational freedom can flourish. Through shared knowledge, guidance, and support, founders are building environments that are both innovative and sustainable. Importantly, the ERC is strengthening the broader ecosystem by making it easier for the next generation of edupreneurs to serve families with confidence.
Education pluralism depends on more than courageous founders. It depends on experienced founders, mentors, and organizations willing to invest their knowledge so that others can thrive.
* * *
Denise Lever is the founder of Baker Creek Academy and TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge. A former wildland firefighter and longtime homeschool mom, she now leads a growing network of self-directed microschools and mentors education founders nationwide.
* * *
Original text here: https://fee.org/articles/how-education-entrepreneurs-can-overcome-regulatory-challenges/
* * *
How Education Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Regulatory Challenges
Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance.
-
When the state fire marshal called in the early days of running my microschool, I wasn't sure what to think. We had worked closely with our local fire department and town government. Our learning center had been inspected, ... Show Full Article DETROIT, Michigan, July 31 -- The Foundation for Economic Education posted the following commentary by Denise Lever, founder of Baker Creek Academy and TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge: * * * How Education Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Regulatory Challenges Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance. - When the state fire marshal called in the early days of running my microschool, I wasn't sure what to think. We had worked closely with our local fire department and town government. Our learning center had been inspected,approved, and operating successfully for years. I had no reason to think that there was another layer of oversight that we had not navigated yet. I wondered what would trigger this new round of scrutiny? Was this a legitimate regulatory issue, or overreach?
As a former wildland firefighter, I had spent years assessing structures, studying fire behavior, and making the hard decisions on which buildings we were likely to save and which ones we might have to walk away from. A general fire inspection did not intimidate me.
However, I realized that I didn't know enough to determine whether this fire marshal inquiry was legitimate or not.
Then the inspection revealed that this was about educational occupancy, not fire safety.
The fire marshal's finding nearly cost us everything. Our learning center couldn't move forward with a lease renewal. We couldn't book vendors for our summer programs, or market our upcoming founders' retreat. We didn't even know if we could finalize enrollment for next semester. I hadn't anticipated that tutoring the three Rs could trigger an entirely new level of regulations. Unfortunately, I hear some version of this story regularly from the founders I coach.
When founders start education businesses, the conversations revolve around the learners. Founders focus on curriculum, culture, families, vision, and mission. Then months, and sometimes years, later, the questions shift to different concerns.
"Do I need a business license?" "Where do I get insurance?" "How do I know who has jurisdiction?" and, eventually, "Do you know a good lawyer?"
Many founders willingly invest hundreds of hours learning about child development, curriculum, and how to build a learning community culture. What many don't anticipate is that bringing that vision to life also requires understanding lease agreements, zoning, employment law, insurance, building codes, and a host of other regulations that have little to do with education and everything to do with operating a successful education business.
Building a successful learning community requires far more than understanding how children learn. The challenge isn't a lack of vision or commitment to compliance. It's the breadth of knowledge required to turn that vision into reality.
One of the clearest signs that the education entrepreneurship movement is maturing isn't that more founders are finding the courage to build new learning environments. It's that organizations are emerging to help these founders succeed and their programs to prosper.
Over the last few years, I have begun to see a pattern that reminds me of my homeschooling journey. People aren't just solving these problems for themselves. They are sharing what they have learned with others. Mentors answer late-night emails to offer support. Long-time operators share their hard-won experience at conferences and on podcasts. Founder groups connect newcomers to resources, networks, and coaches.
This is what healthy communities do: they pass along knowledge that enables others to blossom.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Lynn Swanson, Chief Counsel for Education at Stand Together, when I guest hosted Kerry McDonald's LiberatED Podcast.
I asked Lynn what drove Stand Together to develop the Edupreneur Resource Center (ERC). Her answer reinforced what I had been seeing in my own work with education entrepreneurs.
As innovative learning environments began emerging across the country, many edupreneurs found themselves trying to navigate a legal and regulatory landscape they had never encountered before. Lynn explained that the ERC grew out of the recognition that this complexity had become "a barrier to the growth of a vibrant marketplace of education alternatives for families."
The ERC was designed with two purposes in mind: helping founders understand the regulatory landscape in which they operate, and supporting education entrepreneurs when they face regulatory overreach or intervention.
One of the most enlightening insights Lynn shared was that perfect compliance is very hard to achieve. Regulations overlap, agencies have different jurisdictions, codes change, and interpretations can vary. Lynn also said, "Don't assume you are wrong." Develop enough understanding to ask informed questions, document decisions, and know when to seek guidance.
The ERC offers micro-courses, state-specific compliance guides, practical checklists, and personalized guidance. Most importantly, the ERC helps founders navigate a complex regulatory landscape with greater confidence.
Healthy ecosystems don't simply produce entrepreneurs. They produce knowledge, relationships, and support systems that help entrepreneurs to flourish.
Looking back, the lesson learned isn't how to prepare for a fire inspection. It's how a knowledge gap could grow to an existential crisis and threaten everything we've built.
Baker Creek Academy wasn't just my business. It was the learning community our families had intentionally chosen as an alternative to the traditional system. If I failed to understand the regulations that govern our program, families could lose the alternative they trusted me to provide.
I realized that my responsibility extended beyond the learners I guide and the founders I lead. I had a duty to understand the regulatory terrain well enough to protect the learning community we had built.
Founders don't have the luxury of remaining experts only in education. Families are not only trusting us with their children, but with building stable and sustainable programs that they can count on. We must become good stewards of not only our mission and vision, but the programs we built to serve them.
The ERC is significant because it helps create the conditions where educational freedom can flourish. Through shared knowledge, guidance, and support, founders are building environments that are both innovative and sustainable. Importantly, the ERC is strengthening the broader ecosystem by making it easier for the next generation of edupreneurs to serve families with confidence.
Education pluralism depends on more than courageous founders. It depends on experienced founders, mentors, and organizations willing to invest their knowledge so that others can thrive.
* * *
Denise Lever is the founder of Baker Creek Academy and TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge. A former wildland firefighter and longtime homeschool mom, she now leads a growing network of self-directed microschools and mentors education founders nationwide.
* * *
Original text here: https://fee.org/articles/how-education-entrepreneurs-can-overcome-regulatory-challenges/
FFRF Victory: Missouri Fire Department Removes Christian Flag
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
* * *
FFRF victory: Missouri fire department removes Christian flag
The City of Diamond Fire Department in Missouri has quickly removed a Christian flag from outside its fire station after the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised constitutional concerns.
The department confirmed that the flag has been taken down following FFRF's recent complaint and later stated publicly that it has done so "in compliance with constitutional law."
FFRF wrote to Fire Chief Rebecca Dunn a few days ago after ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF victory: Missouri fire department removes Christian flag The City of Diamond Fire Department in Missouri has quickly removed a Christian flag from outside its fire station after the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised constitutional concerns. The department confirmed that the flag has been taken down following FFRF's recent complaint and later stated publicly that it has done so "in compliance with constitutional law." FFRF wrote to Fire Chief Rebecca Dunn a few days ago afterreceiving a report that the department was flying a Christian flag outside its fire station alongside the American flag and the department's own flag. Since the department selects and controls which flags are displayed on public property, FFRF explained that the display constituted impermissible government speech by conveying official favoritism toward Christianity over all other religions and nonreligion.
"The Fire Department knows that citizens interact with and rely on firefighters during some of the most urgent and vulnerable times of their lives," FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. "Minority religious and nonreligious citizens should not be made to feel like outsiders in their own community because the Fire Department flies a Christian flag outside of its building."
FFRF noted that the Christian flag has increasingly become associated with the Christian nationalist movement, including its prominent display during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Government entities must avoid displaying symbols that communicate religious or ideological favoritism.
FFRF appreciates the prompt remedy of this major constitutional violation by the City of Diamond Fire Department, thus ensuring that members of the community know the department serves residents of every faith -- and of none.
"Fire departments exist to protect every member of the community equally," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. "Flying a Christian flag from a government facility sends the chilling and unacceptable message that Christians are favored insiders while everyone else is an outsider. We appreciate that the department recognized its constitutional obligation to remain neutral on matters of religion and acted quickly to make certain that all residents know they are equally welcome."
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, including more than 400 members in Missouri, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-victory-missouri-fire-department-removes-christian-flag/
[Category: Religion]
* * *
FFRF victory: Missouri fire department removes Christian flag
The City of Diamond Fire Department in Missouri has quickly removed a Christian flag from outside its fire station after the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised constitutional concerns.
The department confirmed that the flag has been taken down following FFRF's recent complaint and later stated publicly that it has done so "in compliance with constitutional law."
FFRF wrote to Fire Chief Rebecca Dunn a few days ago after ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF victory: Missouri fire department removes Christian flag The City of Diamond Fire Department in Missouri has quickly removed a Christian flag from outside its fire station after the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised constitutional concerns. The department confirmed that the flag has been taken down following FFRF's recent complaint and later stated publicly that it has done so "in compliance with constitutional law." FFRF wrote to Fire Chief Rebecca Dunn a few days ago afterreceiving a report that the department was flying a Christian flag outside its fire station alongside the American flag and the department's own flag. Since the department selects and controls which flags are displayed on public property, FFRF explained that the display constituted impermissible government speech by conveying official favoritism toward Christianity over all other religions and nonreligion.
"The Fire Department knows that citizens interact with and rely on firefighters during some of the most urgent and vulnerable times of their lives," FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote. "Minority religious and nonreligious citizens should not be made to feel like outsiders in their own community because the Fire Department flies a Christian flag outside of its building."
FFRF noted that the Christian flag has increasingly become associated with the Christian nationalist movement, including its prominent display during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Government entities must avoid displaying symbols that communicate religious or ideological favoritism.
FFRF appreciates the prompt remedy of this major constitutional violation by the City of Diamond Fire Department, thus ensuring that members of the community know the department serves residents of every faith -- and of none.
"Fire departments exist to protect every member of the community equally," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. "Flying a Christian flag from a government facility sends the chilling and unacceptable message that Christians are favored insiders while everyone else is an outsider. We appreciate that the department recognized its constitutional obligation to remain neutral on matters of religion and acted quickly to make certain that all residents know they are equally welcome."
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, including more than 400 members in Missouri, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-victory-missouri-fire-department-removes-christian-flag/
[Category: Religion]
FFRF Stops School-Organized Religious Club at Ala. Elementary School
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
* * *
FFRF stops school-organized religious club at Ala. elementary school
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has successfully stymied a proposed school-organized religious club in the Madison City Schools (Ala.) system that aimed to indoctrinate elementary school students.
A concerned district parent reported that the principal of Madison Elementary School, near Huntsville, advertised the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club using an official school communication sent to parents. The May ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF stops school-organized religious club at Ala. elementary school The Freedom From Religion Foundation has successfully stymied a proposed school-organized religious club in the Madison City Schools (Ala.) system that aimed to indoctrinate elementary school students. A concerned district parent reported that the principal of Madison Elementary School, near Huntsville, advertised the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club using an official school communication sent to parents. The May12 communication from the principal told parents that the coach was starting a fellowship club at the elementary school next year, and the message invited parents to attend a "planning kickoff." According to a flyer for the club, students would unite their "passions, faith and athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ" if they joined the club.
Additionally, on May 13, the coach sent a communication to parents via what appeared to be an official district platform to again advertise the club and encourage parents to send their children to the "first FCA huddle" in the elementary school's gym. The coach's communication made it clear that he was the one starting the club at Madison Elementary School, not students. The parent expressed concern that elementary-age students were likely to view the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club as a "school-endorsed religious activity."
FFRF pointed out how the club would have been a direct violation of students' rights.
"It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for an elementary school to organize, lead or encourage student participation in a religious club like the FCA, especially when that club is clearly run by an adult staff member and not students," FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.
Elementary students cannot realistically initiate and operate a religious club independent of adult involvement. Because the club was organized and promoted by school employees through official district communications, it constituted unconstitutional government endorsement of religion rather than protected student religious expression. Madison Elementary School should strive to be welcoming and inclusive of all students, not just those who subscribe to a particular brand of Christianity, FFRF emphasized.
Following FFRF's letter, the district confirmed that the proposed club would not move forward.
"We have discussed this matter with the interim superintendent and with the principal of Madison Elementary School," the district's legal officer responded. "Madison Elementary School has not implemented the FCA club that was considered in the spring and will not do so."
FFRF is once again pleased to champion students' rights.
"FFRF firmly believes in students' right to be free from religious indoctrination," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. "Young children are especially susceptible to viewing school-sponsored religious activities as official endorsements of faith. We're pleased the district chose to uphold its constitutional obligations and ensure all students are equally welcome."
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members across the country, including hundreds of members in Alabama, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-stops-school-sponsored-religious-club-at-ala-elementary-school/
[Category: Religion]
* * *
FFRF stops school-organized religious club at Ala. elementary school
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has successfully stymied a proposed school-organized religious club in the Madison City Schools (Ala.) system that aimed to indoctrinate elementary school students.
A concerned district parent reported that the principal of Madison Elementary School, near Huntsville, advertised the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club using an official school communication sent to parents. The May ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, July 31 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF stops school-organized religious club at Ala. elementary school The Freedom From Religion Foundation has successfully stymied a proposed school-organized religious club in the Madison City Schools (Ala.) system that aimed to indoctrinate elementary school students. A concerned district parent reported that the principal of Madison Elementary School, near Huntsville, advertised the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club using an official school communication sent to parents. The May12 communication from the principal told parents that the coach was starting a fellowship club at the elementary school next year, and the message invited parents to attend a "planning kickoff." According to a flyer for the club, students would unite their "passions, faith and athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ" if they joined the club.
Additionally, on May 13, the coach sent a communication to parents via what appeared to be an official district platform to again advertise the club and encourage parents to send their children to the "first FCA huddle" in the elementary school's gym. The coach's communication made it clear that he was the one starting the club at Madison Elementary School, not students. The parent expressed concern that elementary-age students were likely to view the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club as a "school-endorsed religious activity."
FFRF pointed out how the club would have been a direct violation of students' rights.
"It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for an elementary school to organize, lead or encourage student participation in a religious club like the FCA, especially when that club is clearly run by an adult staff member and not students," FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.
Elementary students cannot realistically initiate and operate a religious club independent of adult involvement. Because the club was organized and promoted by school employees through official district communications, it constituted unconstitutional government endorsement of religion rather than protected student religious expression. Madison Elementary School should strive to be welcoming and inclusive of all students, not just those who subscribe to a particular brand of Christianity, FFRF emphasized.
Following FFRF's letter, the district confirmed that the proposed club would not move forward.
"We have discussed this matter with the interim superintendent and with the principal of Madison Elementary School," the district's legal officer responded. "Madison Elementary School has not implemented the FCA club that was considered in the spring and will not do so."
FFRF is once again pleased to champion students' rights.
"FFRF firmly believes in students' right to be free from religious indoctrination," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. "Young children are especially susceptible to viewing school-sponsored religious activities as official endorsements of faith. We're pleased the district chose to uphold its constitutional obligations and ensure all students are equally welcome."
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members across the country, including hundreds of members in Alabama, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-stops-school-sponsored-religious-club-at-ala-elementary-school/
[Category: Religion]
Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants
SYRACUSE, New York, July 31 -- The Cayuga Community Fund, a geographically-specific fund administered by the Central New York Community Foundation, issued the following news release:
* * *
Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants
The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.
-
The Cayuga Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, distributed $169,509 to 26 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Cayuga County.
Auburn Church of the Nazarene received $10,000 for continuation of the Free Laundry Saturdays ... Show Full Article SYRACUSE, New York, July 31 -- The Cayuga Community Fund, a geographically-specific fund administered by the Central New York Community Foundation, issued the following news release: * * * Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients. - The Cayuga Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, distributed $169,509 to 26 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Cayuga County. Auburn Church of the Nazarene received $10,000 for continuation of the Free Laundry Saturdaysevent. The monthly program provides free laundry services, complimentary supplies, and access to an on-site mobile pantry for Auburn-area residents.
Auburn Community Cats TNR received $7,500 for the expansion of TNR clinic services. The program provides humane trapping, spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations and colony management support to help stabilize and reduce the outdoor cat population.
Auburn Community Garden received $4,850 for the creation of an urban youth education farm. An urban youth education farm is a small city farm used to teach kids how to grow food, learn about sustainable agriculture, and donate fresh produce to people in need.
Auburn Public Theater received $9,089 for the purchase of wireless audio equipment.
Aurora of CNY received $7,603 for the Sense of Inclusion program, which delivers educational presentations to schools, medical providers, community groups, first responders, and law enforcement to promote greater understanding and inclusion for individuals with sensory loss.
Booker T. Washington Community Center received $3,444 for the purchase of an adaptive swing. An inclusive play and therapy seat designed to securely support children or adults with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
Cayuga Counseling Services received $10,000 to train staff in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Cayuga Museum of History and Art received $3,500 for additional safety and accessibility upgrades to the museum.
Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance received $10,000 to expand the Tick-Borne Disease Prevention and Education Program into Cayuga County.
Healing H'Arts Equestrian Center received $2,000 for an Equine Assisted Learning Course. The program provides equine-assisted educational experiences through interactive horse workshops and therapeutic services led by occupational therapist Kirsta Malone.
King Ferry Food Pantry received $10,000 for the purchase of food items for pantry clients.
Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County received $5,000 to purchase supplies for the training and tutor workbook and resource library.
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse | The Rev Theatre Company received $5,000 for the continuation of the REV On Tour program in Cayuga County. The program brings live theatrical performances and educational arts experiences directly to schools, libraries and community venues throughout Cayuga County.
Mozaic received $5,000 for the launch of a community closet in Auburn. The Community Closet offers free clothing and other essential items to individuals and families in need, helping remove barriers to everyday living.
Nutrition Education For All received $2,000 to expand the Healthy Start nutrition education program for second-grade students at Genesee Elementary School.
NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center received $5,000 in support of the "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom" exhibition.
Perform 4 Purpose received $10,000 to purchase a second set of professional sound and stage equipment.
Rising Phoenix Sports Program received $7,800 for implementation of its program at the Harriet Tubman Residential Center. Through sports-based activities, the program helps girls in juvenile justice facilities build resilience, strengthen leadership skills and support their social and emotional well-being.
Running Start received $10,000 for the expansion of the 1st Amendment 1st Vote program to all high schools in Cayuga County. The program educates students about the First Amendment, civic engagement and the importance of informed participation in the democratic process.
Safe & Warm received $10,000 for the creation of the "Home at Last" rental deposit fund. The fund helps individuals and families overcome financial barriers to securing stable housing by assisting with rental security deposits.
Schweinfurth Art Center | Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center received $7,500 for the expansion of scholarship opportunities for children and adults.
Seward House Museum received $9,269 to purchase audio equipment for museum accessibility.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace received $4,054 to construct and deliver beds to children in Auburn.
Syracuse Rescue Mission Alliance received $8,400 for a summer youth recreation program that provides local educational outings, seasonal events, and enriching activities that encourage connection, recreation and positive youth development.
Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park received $1,000 for a future performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Seward House.
Westminster Presbyterian Church received $1,500 for the installation of a hearing assistance system.
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The Cayuga Community Fund, created in 2008, is a geographically-specific fund created to serve as a source of permanent charitable dollars available to nonprofits serving residents of Cayuga County. Grants are awarded from the endowment fund annually to aid vital programs in education, health, social services, the arts, civic and environmental concerns, as well as the preservation of historic resources in Cayuga County. The Cayuga Community Fund has granted more than $775,000 to nonprofit groups since 2010. To learn more about the Cayuga Community Fund, including how to make a contribution, visit cnycf.org/cayuga. The Cayuga Community Fund is an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, cnycf.org.
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About the Central New York Community Foundation
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region's greatest needs. The foundation has invested more than $350 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
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Original text here: https://cnycf.org/cayuga-community-fund-distributes-more-than-165000-in-grants/
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Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants
The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.
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The Cayuga Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, distributed $169,509 to 26 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Cayuga County.
Auburn Church of the Nazarene received $10,000 for continuation of the Free Laundry Saturdays ... Show Full Article SYRACUSE, New York, July 31 -- The Cayuga Community Fund, a geographically-specific fund administered by the Central New York Community Foundation, issued the following news release: * * * Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients. - The Cayuga Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, distributed $169,509 to 26 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Cayuga County. Auburn Church of the Nazarene received $10,000 for continuation of the Free Laundry Saturdaysevent. The monthly program provides free laundry services, complimentary supplies, and access to an on-site mobile pantry for Auburn-area residents.
Auburn Community Cats TNR received $7,500 for the expansion of TNR clinic services. The program provides humane trapping, spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations and colony management support to help stabilize and reduce the outdoor cat population.
Auburn Community Garden received $4,850 for the creation of an urban youth education farm. An urban youth education farm is a small city farm used to teach kids how to grow food, learn about sustainable agriculture, and donate fresh produce to people in need.
Auburn Public Theater received $9,089 for the purchase of wireless audio equipment.
Aurora of CNY received $7,603 for the Sense of Inclusion program, which delivers educational presentations to schools, medical providers, community groups, first responders, and law enforcement to promote greater understanding and inclusion for individuals with sensory loss.
Booker T. Washington Community Center received $3,444 for the purchase of an adaptive swing. An inclusive play and therapy seat designed to securely support children or adults with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
Cayuga Counseling Services received $10,000 to train staff in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Cayuga Museum of History and Art received $3,500 for additional safety and accessibility upgrades to the museum.
Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance received $10,000 to expand the Tick-Borne Disease Prevention and Education Program into Cayuga County.
Healing H'Arts Equestrian Center received $2,000 for an Equine Assisted Learning Course. The program provides equine-assisted educational experiences through interactive horse workshops and therapeutic services led by occupational therapist Kirsta Malone.
King Ferry Food Pantry received $10,000 for the purchase of food items for pantry clients.
Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County received $5,000 to purchase supplies for the training and tutor workbook and resource library.
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse | The Rev Theatre Company received $5,000 for the continuation of the REV On Tour program in Cayuga County. The program brings live theatrical performances and educational arts experiences directly to schools, libraries and community venues throughout Cayuga County.
Mozaic received $5,000 for the launch of a community closet in Auburn. The Community Closet offers free clothing and other essential items to individuals and families in need, helping remove barriers to everyday living.
Nutrition Education For All received $2,000 to expand the Healthy Start nutrition education program for second-grade students at Genesee Elementary School.
NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center received $5,000 in support of the "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom" exhibition.
Perform 4 Purpose received $10,000 to purchase a second set of professional sound and stage equipment.
Rising Phoenix Sports Program received $7,800 for implementation of its program at the Harriet Tubman Residential Center. Through sports-based activities, the program helps girls in juvenile justice facilities build resilience, strengthen leadership skills and support their social and emotional well-being.
Running Start received $10,000 for the expansion of the 1st Amendment 1st Vote program to all high schools in Cayuga County. The program educates students about the First Amendment, civic engagement and the importance of informed participation in the democratic process.
Safe & Warm received $10,000 for the creation of the "Home at Last" rental deposit fund. The fund helps individuals and families overcome financial barriers to securing stable housing by assisting with rental security deposits.
Schweinfurth Art Center | Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center received $7,500 for the expansion of scholarship opportunities for children and adults.
Seward House Museum received $9,269 to purchase audio equipment for museum accessibility.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace received $4,054 to construct and deliver beds to children in Auburn.
Syracuse Rescue Mission Alliance received $8,400 for a summer youth recreation program that provides local educational outings, seasonal events, and enriching activities that encourage connection, recreation and positive youth development.
Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park received $1,000 for a future performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Seward House.
Westminster Presbyterian Church received $1,500 for the installation of a hearing assistance system.
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The Cayuga Community Fund, created in 2008, is a geographically-specific fund created to serve as a source of permanent charitable dollars available to nonprofits serving residents of Cayuga County. Grants are awarded from the endowment fund annually to aid vital programs in education, health, social services, the arts, civic and environmental concerns, as well as the preservation of historic resources in Cayuga County. The Cayuga Community Fund has granted more than $775,000 to nonprofit groups since 2010. To learn more about the Cayuga Community Fund, including how to make a contribution, visit cnycf.org/cayuga. The Cayuga Community Fund is an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, cnycf.org.
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About the Central New York Community Foundation
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region's greatest needs. The foundation has invested more than $350 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
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Original text here: https://cnycf.org/cayuga-community-fund-distributes-more-than-165000-in-grants/