Foundations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from U.S. foundations.
Featured Stories
New Foundation Report Examines Cyber Risk and Security in the Equipment Finance Industry
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSRep) -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation issued the following news release:
Most equipment leasing and finance companies have some form of cybersecurity defenses in place, but are still vulnerable to cyberattack due to the rapidly advancing tactics and techniques used by modern attackers, according to a new study, Cyber Risk and Security in the Leasing and Finance Industry, released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (Foundation). The report provides analyses of current and future industry threats, cyber defenses, regulations and trends in compliance,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSRep) -- The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation issued the following news release:
Most equipment leasing and finance companies have some form of cybersecurity defenses in place, but are still vulnerable to cyberattack due to the rapidly advancing tactics and techniques used by modern attackers, according to a new study, Cyber Risk and Security in the Leasing and Finance Industry, released by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (Foundation). The report provides analyses of current and future industry threats, cyber defenses, regulations and trends in compliance,practical advice for securing any size organization, and much more in this comprehensive examination of the vast subject of cybersecurity.
Among the wide range of issues in the study are:
* Industry adoption - The dizzying pace of technology adoption that is one of the most significant drivers of competitive advantage and gains in operational efficiency has left equipment finance companies at increased risk for cyberattack.
* Threats - Well-funded criminal organizations and nation-states now have access to tools and capabilities that can penetrate even the best defended organizations. Ransomware attacks increased 98.1% in the United States through Q3 2020, and there is a new victim of ransomware every 10 seconds worldwide.
* Compliance - The compliance landscape for equipment finance companies has never been so complex. All 50 states including the District of Columbia, have enacted data breach notification legislation.
* Response - Successfully managing organizational cyber risk requires constant vigilance to understand the environment's threats and adopt an agile risk management methodology while balancing compliance requirements. This is an impossible task for the security team alone and requires a total organizational commitment to information security goals and practices.
"As the equipment finance industry continues its rapid adoption of technology and digitalization, cyber risk and cybersecurity are critical concerns," said Tom Ware, Foundation Research Committee Chair. "This thorough study provides valuable insights and actionable steps for equipment finance professionals to use in securing their organizations."
Download the full report at http://bit.ly/ELFFcybersecurity. All Foundation studies are available for free download from the Foundation's online library at http://store.leasefoundation.org/.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.store.leasefoundation.org/cvweb/Portals/ELFA-LEASE/Documents/Products/CyberSecurityFINAL.pdf
CSF, Partners Discuss Natural Infrastructure Investments to Enhance Fish, Wildlife, and Recreational Access for Sportsmen and Women
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSPol) -- The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus issued the following news release on May 10, 2021:
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) and sporting conservation partners led a virtual policy briefing to discuss the importance of including robust natural infrastructure and conservation investments as part of any federal infrastructure and job creation legislation.
In March, President Biden released an infrastructure plan to restore and address America's depleting infrastructure and climate change, among other issues our nation is facing. Of particular interest to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 (TNSPol) -- The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus issued the following news release on May 10, 2021:
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) and sporting conservation partners led a virtual policy briefing to discuss the importance of including robust natural infrastructure and conservation investments as part of any federal infrastructure and job creation legislation.
In March, President Biden released an infrastructure plan to restore and address America's depleting infrastructure and climate change, among other issues our nation is facing. Of particular interest tothe sporting conservation community, this infrastructure plan will invest in natural infrastructure essential to improving conservation of our nation's fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats, improving access and opportunity for sportsmen and women, and investing in near-term job creation.
Congress has long recognized the impact our nation's transportation policies and associated infrastructure have on our nation's fish and wildlife, natural habitat, and recreational access opportunities. Additionally, investments in the outdoor recreation economy will help facilitate near-term economic growth at a time when communities, particularly those in rural areas, need it the most.
"Investing in our nation's natural infrastructure is integral to the continuation of healthy and thriving fish and wildlife and their associated habitats long into the future," said CSF president and CEO Jeff Crane. "These investments will enhance conservation, provide job opportunities during a time when they are needed most, and improve access and opportunity for sportsmen and women. It's beneficial to all."
Panelists who spoke during the virtual policy briefing represented an array of stakeholders and experts from the conservation community who discussed the various interests of sportsmen and women and other recreationists that have historically been included in infrastructure packages.
The panel also discussed new opportunities to invest in natural infrastructure to conserve our nation's fish, wildlife, and their associated habitats while simultaneously enhancing outdoor recreation and economic growth.
Panelists included Ryan Bronson, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Chris Horton, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation; Sarah Murdock, The Nature Conservancy; Collin O'Mara, National Wildlife Federation; and Christy Plumer, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
"Protecting our natural resources is both a moral and economic issue," said Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell. "We need strong, bipartisan policies to strengthen our natural infrastructure, get Americans back to work, and ensure we're protecting our nation's environmental heritage generations to come."
"I don't know that we often think of how natural systems play into infrastructure and how important they are, but that is exactly why I refiled the Trillion Trees Act with over 90 bipartisan co-sponsors, with support letters from over 50 different organizations," said CSC Vice-Chair Rep. Bruce Westerman. "We can do a lot of good things for infrastructure by passing laws like that-- working to restore wildlife, restore habitat, and really to give Americans access to those places and to take care of them so they'll be around for future generations."
CSF and partners in the sporting conservation community will continue to support investments in infrastructure that foster conservation enhancement and the interests of our nation's sportsmen and women.
Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Joined Interior Sec. Haaland & CEQ Chair Mallory to Discuss Collaborative 30x30 Conservation Restoration Plan
WASHINGTON, May 8 (TNSRep) -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release on May 7, 2021 :
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined by Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, and President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Collin O'Mara discussed how the Biden Administration's recently released "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report to conserve and restore 30% of U.S. lands, waters and ocean by 2030 can pioneer collaborative conservation and restoration strategies on public
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 8 (TNSRep) -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release on May 7, 2021 :
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined by Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, and President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Collin O'Mara discussed how the Biden Administration's recently released "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report to conserve and restore 30% of U.S. lands, waters and ocean by 2030 can pioneer collaborative conservation and restoration strategies on publicand private lands while addressing the climate crisis, creating jobs, and boosting public health and equity.
The event included a panel discussion, moderated by Arce and O'Mara, on how the Biden Administration will partner with diverse stakeholders to create inclusive, community-led solutions that honor Tribal sovereignty, private stewardship efforts, and the needs of underserved communities.
"It is an honor to speak among top federal conservation leaders about the need for 30x30 to be implemented with consideration of the needs of underserved communities," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "For too long, Latino communities and low-income communities across the country have faced a "Nature Gap" - meaning they live in nature-deprived areas, and are therefore denied nature's benefits resulting in higher rates of asthma, obesity, and other chronic diseases."
According to scientists, protecting 30% of U.S. lands, water and ocean is the bare minimum needed to save nature and buffer against the worst impacts of climate change. This effort provides a unique opportunity to work towards a more inclusive and equitable vision for nature conservation that better reflects the nation's values.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf
John Locke Foundation: Dismantling Barriers To Economic Mobility in North Carolina
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 7 (TNSRep) -- The John Locke Foundation issued the following news release:
For every North Carolinian to thrive, we must clear the pathway blocked by entrenched and historic impediments that narrow opportunity and hinder the escape from poverty. A new John Locke Foundation report from researcher Joseph Coletti urges state policymakers to help marginalized communities by peeling back bureaucratic hurdles and resisting the temptation to adopt trendy but ill-advised ideas.
In his report, Thriving In North Carolina: Justice, Opportunity, and Barriers To Economic Mobility,
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 7 (TNSRep) -- The John Locke Foundation issued the following news release:
For every North Carolinian to thrive, we must clear the pathway blocked by entrenched and historic impediments that narrow opportunity and hinder the escape from poverty. A new John Locke Foundation report from researcher Joseph Coletti urges state policymakers to help marginalized communities by peeling back bureaucratic hurdles and resisting the temptation to adopt trendy but ill-advised ideas.
In his report, Thriving In North Carolina: Justice, Opportunity, and Barriers To Economic Mobility,Coletti looks at the history of Charlotte's efforts to address disparities for its African American residents and the lessons learned about the limits of government-led intervention.
"After decades of good intentions gone awry, it's time to change how we think about breaking the cycle of poverty," said Coletti, a senior fellow in fiscal studies at Locke. "Despite good intentions, government policies have made it harder to get ahead by penalizing attempts to be more self-reliant even as they have made bad situations more tolerable."
Coletti's vision is to mitigate the consequences of failed government actions and chart a new course that fosters each person's innate value and abilities. Offering a seven-step path forward, his report describes a humbler role for government, a greater focus on access to opportunity, and an embrace of community.
Barbar shop owner
First, keep the minimum wage from becoming a barrier to work. While the idea of increasing the minimum to $15 per hour is popular, research shows that the wealthy derive the most benefits. It is the poor, the low-skilled, and people of color who are more adversely affected by these increases.
Coletti's second step is to roll back North Carolina's occupational licensing regime. These requirements for burdensome schooling and fees before a person can get a job in some fields are hailed as consumer protection. In reality, they are barriers to earning a living. Coletti looks at alternatives that take safety and quality into account while easing the path to employment.
Four of Coletti's reforms touch health care, making it easier for medical professionals to provide care and easier for patients to access care. They include freeing up nurse practitioners and dental therapists from unwieldy supervisory requirements, repealing the certificate-of-need law that limits options and keeps costs high, relaxing restrictions on the use of telehealth technology, and removing the tax advantage for employer-sponsored health insurance.
Job creators and budding entrepreneurs also receive attention in Coletti's report. He urges policymakers to remove unnecessary barriers to start-ups. These mom-and-pops often begin as a "side hustle" from home but become ensnared by aggressive permitting and zoning regulations that can deal a death blow to the budding business. He also recommends easing burdens to finding work after a criminal conviction and addressing problems with government assistance programs that penalize marriage, work, and savings.
"It's hard to break bad habits, and it's a particular challenge with government policies that have failed to deliver on the promise of economic mobility. Let's be bold. Let's give people the opportunity they deserve," Coletti said.
Coletti will discuss his report at Locke's virtual Shaftesbury Society forum on Monday, May 10, at noon. The event will be live-streamed on Locke's Facebook page and YouTube channel, and at johnlocke.org.
* * *
REPORT: Thriving In North Carolina: Justice, Opportunity, and Barriers To Economic Mobility, https://www.johnlocke.org/research/thriving-in-north-carolina/
EdChoice Applauds Expansion of Georgia's Special Needs Voucher Program
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, May 7 (TNSOps) -- The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice issued the following news release on May 6, 2021:
EdChoice, a national nonprofit organization that promotes state-based educational choice programs, congratulates Georgia for expanding its special needs voucher program, which originally was enacted in 2007.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp today signed Senate Bill 47, which would expand the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program(http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=P6YBg1GKDQAqCBzDWIeppoQ-2BrkIIhFf75MT4NpjKujjLJDmVh-2FELcPdkO37icVnd1JPoYHSeXvgajTz-2Bl6IcSImqxUm3PoMNn-2BBRK8xRNk7KFK3MjwNx2rw4ihfxiNb2RO1cx4cGUJ5ezi-2BvbxkiKg-3D-3DI_pg_jrUqf5zwH7FzSx1F7hMR7-2FzfTVleF-2BMgrUqQpUlAA8zpjaAfwJIdCtIZt2sP3JNy9MscR4cTg6HB-2F5zcCySC5MYHCQEDuRFgHHRbqsVx60yVLzVVl8ch-2BXUNr0RkKz6LWNLdBD5O8etooE9HeVL27ZsM8KD4AmHU-2BCFgpPFzfuNZCkfNKX1iAZC4uG1E-2FInSpmMQj-2B6cJCJtjOBzYbAb3wdaDGLRBiMA9R6wwMyT4id6m11Nm6v1GuQX2QTGxT7IY7zhEBWgExflhGEkU0ETHuiYt2-2FLqbiN1Gw-2Bj7BPDo1mW7u35Ly-2BlVNRFKYRHe7GAv0iikxYiOsKKo4m73uUN8xqpEeamCOUg9tkRaywQlkZoiOutqMNapEH8LV06sWt6DZjm8cI6W6o-2FVd23PIXjw-3D-3D)
... Show Full Article
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, May 7 (TNSOps) -- The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice issued the following news release on May 6, 2021:
EdChoice, a national nonprofit organization that promotes state-based educational choice programs, congratulates Georgia for expanding its special needs voucher program, which originally was enacted in 2007.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp today signed Senate Bill 47, which would expand the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program(http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=P6YBg1GKDQAqCBzDWIeppoQ-2BrkIIhFf75MT4NpjKujjLJDmVh-2FELcPdkO37icVnd1JPoYHSeXvgajTz-2Bl6IcSImqxUm3PoMNn-2BBRK8xRNk7KFK3MjwNx2rw4ihfxiNb2RO1cx4cGUJ5ezi-2BvbxkiKg-3D-3DI_pg_jrUqf5zwH7FzSx1F7hMR7-2FzfTVleF-2BMgrUqQpUlAA8zpjaAfwJIdCtIZt2sP3JNy9MscR4cTg6HB-2F5zcCySC5MYHCQEDuRFgHHRbqsVx60yVLzVVl8ch-2BXUNr0RkKz6LWNLdBD5O8etooE9HeVL27ZsM8KD4AmHU-2BCFgpPFzfuNZCkfNKX1iAZC4uG1E-2FInSpmMQj-2B6cJCJtjOBzYbAb3wdaDGLRBiMA9R6wwMyT4id6m11Nm6v1GuQX2QTGxT7IY7zhEBWgExflhGEkU0ETHuiYt2-2FLqbiN1Gw-2Bj7BPDo1mW7u35Ly-2BlVNRFKYRHe7GAv0iikxYiOsKKo4m73uUN8xqpEeamCOUg9tkRaywQlkZoiOutqMNapEH8LV06sWt6DZjm8cI6W6o-2FVd23PIXjw-3D-3D)to include public school students with certain conditions who have 504 plans in place. It also waives the requirement that students be enrolled in public school before applying for the program for all eligible students for a period of one year due to the pandemic and indefinitely for students who are adopted, in foster care or from an active-duty military family.
"This is a step in the right direction for students who most need access to a wide variety of educational options," said EdChoice Director of Policy Jason Bedrick. "We're excited for those families who will now be eligible to take part in the program."
EdChoice has assisted Georgia policymakers and state partners with fiscal analysis for the state's choice programs and proposals.
[Category: Education]
Conservation Law Foundation: Biden Administration Outlines Path to Protect 30% of Lands and Waters
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 7 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following statement:
The Biden Administration has issued a report detailing how the United States will reach the goal of 30 percent of lands and waters protected by 2030.
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
"It cannot be overstated how critical it is to protect more of this country's natural places," said CLF President Bradley Campbell. "Permanently protecting 30 percent of lands and waters will help fight the climate crisis, protect biodiversity, and give future generations
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 7 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following statement:
The Biden Administration has issued a report detailing how the United States will reach the goal of 30 percent of lands and waters protected by 2030.
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
"It cannot be overstated how critical it is to protect more of this country's natural places," said CLF President Bradley Campbell. "Permanently protecting 30 percent of lands and waters will help fight the climate crisis, protect biodiversity, and give future generationsa chance at inheriting a healthy planet. The administration's report presents a reasonable path for reaching this goal in nine short years, but for the effort to be credible the administration needs to be clearer about what criteria must be met to consider lands or waters conserved."
President Biden's commitment to conserving at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and oceans by 2030 is an ambitious and necessary goal. One important step in reaching this goal must be restoring full protections to the nation's natural resource treasures like the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: 30x30 Report Released Today Breathes an Air of Optimism for Sportsmen and Women But Many Questions Still Remain
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSRep) -- The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus issued the following news release on May 6, 2021:
In a report released today titled, "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful," the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality laid out the Biden Administration's (Administration) long-awaited plan for the Thirty-by-Thirty Initiative (30 by 30). This report, which contained many of the priorities previously outlined by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), sets the stage for future efforts to determine
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 7 (TNSRep) -- The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus issued the following news release on May 6, 2021:
In a report released today titled, "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful," the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality laid out the Biden Administration's (Administration) long-awaited plan for the Thirty-by-Thirty Initiative (30 by 30). This report, which contained many of the priorities previously outlined by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), sets the stage for future efforts to determinewhat lands will count toward the 30% goal of the Initiative, and what opportunities exist to build upon existing conservation programs.
"While we are still reviewing the framework in detail, we are encouraged by the recognition that successful conservation is locally-driven; incorporates the perspectives of a range of stakeholders; and includes partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels," said CSF president and CEO Jeff Crane. "Additionally, we applaud the Administration for engaging with hunters and anglers through the Hunt Fish 30x30 coalition and were pleased to see that several recommendations offered by the group made it into the framework."
Throughout the report, the Administration repeatedly references the role of the hunting and angling community in the United States' history of conservation successes. Further, it specifically calls on stakeholder engagement, including engagement from the hunting and fishing community, regarding science-based practices and programs that maintain and enhance outdoor recreational access for all Americans as locally led conservation projects are developed. Additionally, the report highlights voluntary conservation on our nation's private working lands and forests as an integral part of successful conservation initiatives.
Furthermore, CSF was pleased to see the distinction made between conservation and preservation in the recommendations. "Notably, the President's challenge specifically emphasizes the notion of "conservation" of the nation's natural resources (rather than the related but different concept of "protection" or "preservation") recognizing that many uses of our lands and waters, including of working lands, can be consistent with the long-term health and sustainability of natural systems," the report states. The report also highlights the importance of quality conservation over quantitative goals.
While this first set of recommendations is largely consistent with many of the priorities identified by CSF and other members of the sportsmen's community, many questions remain regarding what efforts are going to count toward the 30% objective, where we are relative to an existing baseline, and how we can ultimately reach this goal.
CSF looks forward to continuing our work with members of the sportsmen's community and the Biden Administration to help answer these questions, refine the initiative, and ensure hunters and anglers have a seat at the table as we look for ways to build on our nation's conservation successes.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf
