Foundations
Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
Featured Stories
Rockefeller Foundation 'FOOD 2050' Documentary Explores Feeding a Planet of 10 Billion'
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on Jan. 14, 2026:* * *
Rockefeller Foundation "FOOD 2050" Documentary Explores Feeding a Planet of 10 Billion"
LOS ANGELES -- The Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with Media RED and Food Tank, today premiered FOOD 2050 (https://food2050film.com/), a new documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis that sheds light on solutions to one of humanity's most pressing challenges: How to feed a global population of 10 billion people by 2050 in a nourishing, regenerative, and equitable way.
Created ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on Jan. 14, 2026: * * * Rockefeller Foundation "FOOD 2050" Documentary Explores Feeding a Planet of 10 Billion" LOS ANGELES -- The Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with Media RED and Food Tank, today premiered FOOD 2050 (https://food2050film.com/), a new documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis that sheds light on solutions to one of humanity's most pressing challenges: How to feed a global population of 10 billion people by 2050 in a nourishing, regenerative, and equitable way. Createdin partnership with Media RED, an award-winning Los Angeles-based studio, FOOD 2050 reflects The Rockefeller Foundation's century-long commitment to improving human wellbeing and decades-long work to nourish people and the planet. The film follows activists, scientists, agriculturalists, and entrepreneurs across five continents and eight countries who are pioneering solutions to challenges ranging from climate change and soil degradation to food access and nutritional quality. With more than 700 million people facing hunger globally and a changing climate threatening agricultural systems worldwide, the documentary asks: What will the world eat and who will we become by 2050?
"For over 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has worked to strengthen food systems and improve nutrition for vulnerable communities around the world," said Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President for the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation. "FOOD 2050 showcases the next generation of innovators who share our vision of a future where food both nourishes humanity and heals our planet. From Indigenous communities reclaiming traditional agricultural practices to scientists developing climate-resilient crops, these are the leaders who are transforming the way we grow, consume, and think about our food."
The premiere, which was co-hosted by The Rockefeller Foundation, Media RED, and Food Tank in Los Angeles, California, featured programming led by Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank; a fireside conversation with Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President of the ONE Campaign and Board Member at The Rockefeller Foundation, and Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University; and a panel discussion with Matthew Thompson, Director of Food 2050; Matte Wilson of the Sicangu Food Sovereignty Initiative; and Sara Farley, Vice President of the Global Food Portfolio at The Rockefeller Foundation, moderated by Gustavo Arellano, journalist at the Los Angeles Times. Academy Award winner Viola Davis, who served as narrator and executive producer of the film, also received the Food 2050 Global Humanitarian Achievement Award in recognition of her commitment to amplifying stories of global food security and human well-being.
"FOOD 2050 is just getting started," said Tom Leach, CEO and founder of Media RED. "After engaging global decision-makers and rallying major financial commitments, this year is about taking the message to the people and igniting grassroots momentum that can transform the global food system and impact millions of lives."
FOOD 2050 originated from The Rockefeller Foundation's Food System Vision Prize, which aimed to enhance the global discourse on food systems, empowering communities to devise specific, place-based, feasible yet inspirational blueprints for tomorrow and shape their own food futures. The film will next show in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, as part of Food Tank's annual programming with plans for a larger impact campaign in 2026.
The Rockefeller Foundation has committed more than US$220 million to nutrition initiatives inspired by the food system visionaries, benefiting people, the planet, markets, jobs, and beyond. This includes a 'Big Bet' of US$100 million to advance universal locally grown and regenerative school meals both in the United States and around the world; a 'Big Bet' of US$100 million to advance Food is Medicine solutions in the United States; and more than US$20 million for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, which is providing standardized tools, data, and training to map food quality of the world's edible biodiversity.
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About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity in food, health, energy, and finance, including through our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
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About Media RED
Media RED is a high-impact creative and strategic studio based in Los Angeles, built to turn bold ideas into world-changing outcomes. Acting more like an advanced special operations unit than a traditional production company, Media RED partners with world-class brands, visionary startups, and global nonprofits to craft cinematic storytelling, lead transformative campaigns, and design strategies that accelerate growth, visibility, and valuation. Learn more at www.mediaRED.com.
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About Food Tank
Food Tank is the world's fastest growing global non-profit community working towards positive transformation in how we produce and consume food. As one of the food and agriculture movement's most dynamic conveners, we educate and collaborate with local partners to amplify on the ground solutions.
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Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/rockefeller-foundation-food-2050-documentary-explores-feeding-a-planet-of-10-billion/
Reason Foundation: Examing California's new tech-related laws
LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 16 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on Jan. 14, 2026:* * *
Examing California's new tech-related laws
California's market size often makes compliance with its laws a national default, so the impact of these new tech laws is likely to extend well beyond the state's borders.
By Nicole Shekhovtsova, Technology Policy Analyst
California wrapped up its 2025 legislative session last September, passing 16 new technology bills and signing them into law. As expected in a state that often veers toward heavy-handed regulation, the new laws raise ... Show Full Article LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 16 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary on Jan. 14, 2026: * * * Examing California's new tech-related laws California's market size often makes compliance with its laws a national default, so the impact of these new tech laws is likely to extend well beyond the state's borders. By Nicole Shekhovtsova, Technology Policy Analyst California wrapped up its 2025 legislative session last September, passing 16 new technology bills and signing them into law. As expected in a state that often veers toward heavy-handed regulation, the new laws raisenumerous problems and unanswered questions. But at a time when debates about technology are colored by fear, and both major political parties seem to favor regulatory overreach, the new California laws often managed to avoid sweeping mandates and lean toward narrower tools.
California's new tech laws by topic area
Artificial intelligence
California passed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (Senate Bill 53) after Gov. Gavin Newsom previously vetoed a broader attempt at artificial intelligence (AI) regulation ( Senate Bill 1047 ) in 2024. The law takes a narrower, transparency-focused approach, applying to developers of advanced "frontier" AI models trained using more than 10^26 computing operations. SB 53 requires large developers to publish safety frameworks, issue pre-deployment transparency reports, and notify the Office of Emergency Services of serious safety incidents. The law also adds whistleblower protections and establishes CalCompute, a state-run cloud computing cluster initiative, to expand access to high-performance computing. While critics warn that compliance obligations could favor large firms or devolve into checklist exercises, the law improves on the vetoed SB 1047 and other proposals under debate in the U.S. and Europe by avoiding sweeping mandates.
A separate push for transparency is found in Assembly Bill 853, which expands California's 2024 AI Transparency Act by requiring platforms generating AI content to preserve provenance data and make it visible to users through platform interfaces. Starting in 2028, it also requires new capture devices (such as webcams, phone cameras, and voice recorders) sold in California to be sold with a hidden label or watermark by default, identifying the device manufacturer and recording when the content is created or altered. The problem is that provenance tagging is still a work in progress, rather than a cross-platform default. Only a handful of devices can embed it today, and it's unclear whether any video cameras do. Critics fear that AB 853 will prematurely lock in provenance requirements before the technology is settled, leading to an ambiguous standard that will be hard to comply with in practice.
Assembly Bill 621 expands California's civil liability for nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes and makes it easier for victims to sue not just the creator or uploader, but also certain third parties that keep "deepfake pornography services" operating. The law is notably narrower than the state's older election-deepfake bills, Assembly Bill 2655 and Assembly Bill 2839, both of which were blocked by federal courts. AB 2655 ran afoul of federal Section 230 protections because it effectively tried to force platforms to police user posts. According to the court, AB 2839 violated the First Amendment because it restricted election-related speech, particularly parody and satire, too broadly. By targeting a concrete abuse category with civil remedies rather than creating speech-policing rules, AB 621 represents a step back from the overreach of earlier efforts aimed at deepfakes.
Age verification and child online safety
Concerns about children using chatbots rose in 2025, with several disturbing stories in the media linking teen self-harm and even suicide to interactions with AI "companions." California is among the first states to respond with a new law (Senate Bill 243) requiring operators to disclose that a chatbot is not human whenever a reasonable person could mistake it for a human. The law also requires a written protocol to prevent and respond to prompts about suicide or self-harm, including referrals to crisis services like hotlines or text lines. SB 243 attempts to further set guardrails for chatbot users known to be minors, such as default settings reminding users to take a break every three hours and measures to prevent sexually explicit output content. Current fears about kids and AI-some justified, some exaggerated-make new laws aimed at chatbots inevitable. Compared to the massive overreach of federal proposals like Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley's GUARD Act, effectively an outright ban on chatbot use by minors, SB 243 is a workable path forward.
The Digital Age Assurance Act (Assembly Bill 1043) aims to protect kids online without mandating ID checks that can compromise user privacy and free speech. The law requires parents to declare a minor's age during device setup, then generates an encrypted age-bracket signal (e.g., under 13, 13-15, 16-17) that apps and services can use for compliance without collecting additional sensitive identity data. Age-verification systems proposed elsewhere incentivize the collection of driver's licenses, passports, biometrics, or credit-card information to avoid legal liability, something AB 1043 tries to mitigate by barring private lawsuits and placing enforcement in the hands of the state attorney general. Though a meaningful step toward a more privacy-preserving model, California could further strengthen that balance by making the device-level signal optional for parents rather than mandatory.
Privacy
California's privacy bills passed last year share a clear theme: They aim to facilitate the process of exiting and opting out of services and data collection when users often get stuck. The Account Cancellation Act (Assembly Bill 656) requires large social media platforms to place a clear and conspicuous "Delete Account" button directly in the settings menu, and ties account cancellation to California's existing right to delete personal information. The Opt Me Out Act (Assembly Bill 566) is a similar mandate for web browsers. Starting in 2027, browsers must include a preference signal that consumers can select to automatically communicate the choice to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information as they move across websites, but the browsers are shielded from liability if downstream businesses ignore the signal.
Business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, opposed AB 566, stating that a browser opt-out signal could disrupt targeted advertising and other ad services. Furthermore, some studies suggest that companies continue to deliver targeted ads even after opt-out signals are sent, making laws like AB 566 ineffective. The problem persists because enforcement is limited, and companies can ignore or narrowly interpret opt-out signals with relatively low risk.
The Defending Californians' Data Act (Senate Bill 361) takes aim at data brokers-companies that collect and sell personal data without any direct relationship to consumers-by strengthening the state's broker registry and making its one-stop deletion system harder to ignore. It responds to the reality that brokers can use code to keep deletion instructions out of Google search results, preventing users from exercising their rights.
Health AI and privacy
California's bills concerning the use of tech in healthcare target location surveillance around care and AI products, borrowing the authority of medical licensure. Assembly Bill 45 restricts how companies use precise location data around health care facilities, limiting the collection and use of precise geolocation near family planning centers and geofencing around in-person health care providers. It also tightens rules on releasing certain health-related research records when requests are tied to the enforcement of other states' abortion bans. Assembly Bill 489 prohibits AI models from presenting themselves as if a licensed clinician is speaking when no licensed clinician is involved. The goal is to prevent products from borrowing the authority of medical licensure, and the bill avoids the overreach of outright bans passed in states like Illinois.
Other
Assembly Bill 325 makes it easier to sue over suspected price-fixing of any goods and services, especially when rivals use the same "automatic pricing" software and their prices start changing in lockstep. Senate Bill 446 creates clearer deadlines for notifying Californians when a data breach exposes their personal information. Senate Bill 57 asks the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate whether large new data centers could drive up electricity system costs-and whether those costs might be shifted onto other customers. Assembly Bill 979 directs the state cybersecurity office to publish guidance on how government agencies and AI vendors should share threat information and coordinate on security, while also allowing some confidentiality for sensitive vulnerability details.
Additional bills are about keeping responsibility attached to a human, even when AI is doing part of the work. Senate Bill 524 sets rules for AI-assisted police reports: If an officer uses AI to draft or edit a report, the report must clearly say so, identify the tool, and the officer must sign to confirm they reviewed it. Agencies also have to keep the original AI-generated draft and basic records showing how the report was produced. Assembly Bill 316 addresses liability more broadly by preventing defendants from arguing that "the AI did it" to escape responsibility-AI may be involved, but a person or organization still owns the decision to deploy it and the consequences that follow.
Conclusion
There is a clear pattern in last year's laws: a preference for narrower, more defensible rules, especially where California has already run into vetoes or pushback from courts. SB 53 follows last year's veto of SB 1047 with a more transparency-focused framework. AB 621, rather than repeating the broad approach of some deepfake bills, focused on clearer, narrower liability. SB 243 adopts targeted disclosure and safety-protocol requirements instead of the more expansive chatbot restrictions in other proposals. It remains to be seen whether this approach persists, but because California's market size often makes state compliance a national default, the impact of these laws is likely to extend well beyond the state's borders.
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Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/recapping-californias-2025-tech-policy-bills/
Jed Foundation: Restoring Mental Health Funding Was the Right Move. It Saved Lives
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release:* * *
Restoring Mental Health Funding Was the Right Move. It Saved Lives.
[January 15, 2026, New York, New York] -- Last night's decision to restore billions of dollars in federal mental health and substance use grants was necessary. Communities across the country rely on these investments to keep counseling centers open, sustain treatment and recovery programs, retain trained clinicians, and deliver life-saving prevention services. Reinstating the funding averted immediate disruption for thousands of providers ... Show Full Article BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Restoring Mental Health Funding Was the Right Move. It Saved Lives. [January 15, 2026, New York, New York] -- Last night's decision to restore billions of dollars in federal mental health and substance use grants was necessary. Communities across the country rely on these investments to keep counseling centers open, sustain treatment and recovery programs, retain trained clinicians, and deliver life-saving prevention services. Reinstating the funding averted immediate disruption for thousands of providersand millions of people who depend on them.
But the brief cancellation exposed a dangerous reality: our nation's mental health infrastructure is fragile, vulnerable to abrupt policy shifts that can destabilize care overnight.
According to multiple reports, more than $1.9 billion in grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) were abruptly terminated on January 13 across more than 2,800 awards. Programs supporting suicide prevention, youth mental health, overdose prevention, workforce development, domestic violence services, and community recovery were swept into the action. Termination notices landed in inboxes with little warning and limited clarity. Within hours, organizations across the country began preparing for layoffs and service closures.
Even though the funding was restored less than 24 hours later, the disruption was real: trust was shaken, operational planning was destabilized, and frontline providers faced the possibility of essential services vanishing without notice.
"This episode showed how quickly critical mental health infrastructure can be destabilized without clear guardrails," said Dr. Zainab Nneka Okolo, senior vice president of policy, advocacy & government relations at The Jed Foundation (JED). "If we want crisis systems like 988 to work, policymakers must protect the community services that make follow-up care possible. Funding stability is not optional. It is foundational."
We welcome the swift reversal of the funding cuts, and also recognize the bipartisan leadership in Congress that spoke up to protect mental health and substance use investments. But this episode should serve as a clear warning that crisis response alone cannot support the full range of prevention, treatment, and recovery services that youth need, and families depend on.
The federal government has rightly invested in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which has become a vital entry point for people seeking immediate help during moments of acute distress or crisis. Millions of calls, texts, and chats are answered each year, and lives are being saved.
Yet a crisis line cannot function in isolation.
Counselors cannot refer callers to services that no longer exist. Families cannot stabilize loved ones without accessible treatment and follow-up care. Schools and community organizations cannot absorb the downstream impact when prevention programs are stripped away.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 34. Nearly 50,000 Americans die by suicide each year, and millions more experience suicidal thoughts or attempts. More than 2 in 5 adults personally know someone who has died by suicide, meaning the ripple effects touch tens of millions of families, workplaces, classrooms, and neighborhoods.
Decades of research tell us that suicide risk is not random. It increases when mental health and substance use conditions go untreated, when social connection erodes, when trusted adults, peer supports, and prevention programs disappear, and when follow-up care becomes harder to access after moments of crisis.
What Works: Prevention, Early Intervention, and Community-Based Systems
When funding for prevention and treatment is destabilized, the consequences are predictable. More people reach crisis, and fewer pathways exist to support recovery and stability afterward. Crisis systems become overloaded. Local capacity erodes. The safety net frays and individuals and families are left to shoulder impossible burdens.
In an interdependent mental health ecosystem, the brief cancellation of these grants--even though reversed-- is deeply consequential. It revealed how quickly essential infrastructure can be put at risk and underscored the need for stronger guardrails to protect life-saving services from abrupt disruption.
Mental health and suicide prevention are not discretionary luxuries. They are core priorities for public health and community safety. Protecting lives requires sustained investment across the full continuum of care, from upstream prevention and youth engagement to crisis response and long-term treatment and recovery.
Policymakers and Federal Leaders Should Take Three Immediate Steps
1. Safeguard community-based mental health and substance use funding from sudden destabilization. Providers need predictability to retain staff, serve patients, and plan responsibly.
2. Protect prevention and early intervention infrastructure that reduces suicide risk before a crisis occurs. Cutting upstream supports increases downstream emergencies and costs.
3. Ensure that 988 remains integrated within a functioning system of care. Maintain accessible referral pathways and continuity of services beyond the initial call.
Restoring the funding was the right decision. Now we must ensure this moment becomes a turning point toward greater stability, stronger protections, and a mental health system that is resilient enough to meet the needs of the people it serves.
When suicide prevention is treated as optional, the outcomes are predictable and preventable harm follows. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to choose a better path forward.
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About The Jed Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We're encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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Original text here: https://jedfoundation.org/restoring-mental-health-funding-was-the-right-move-it-saved-lives/
Jed Foundation: Local Philanthropy Funds Student Mental Health Scholarships for Texas Region 10 Districts
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release:* * *
Local Philanthropy Funds Student Mental Health Scholarships for Texas Region 10 Districts
Selected districts will be guided through a comprehensive process to evaluate their current systems, identify student mental health needs, and enhance systems of support for all pre-K-12 students.
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[January 15, 2026, New York, Virginia, and Texas] -- Protecting students' mental health and emotional well-being is crucial to their development and ability to thrive academically, socially, and in their future careers. ... Show Full Article BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Local Philanthropy Funds Student Mental Health Scholarships for Texas Region 10 Districts Selected districts will be guided through a comprehensive process to evaluate their current systems, identify student mental health needs, and enhance systems of support for all pre-K-12 students. * [January 15, 2026, New York, Virginia, and Texas] -- Protecting students' mental health and emotional well-being is crucial to their development and ability to thrive academically, socially, and in their future careers.Yet, building top-tier mental health systems in schools is complex and requires deep expertise. The Jed Foundation (JED), in partnership with AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Texas Region 10 Education Service Center, announced today the recipients of full scholarships to participate in the North Texas JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative to strengthen their school mental health systems.
This two-year program is made possible in part through philanthropic support from the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the WoodNext Foundation, a component fund administered by Greater Houston Community Foundation. United Way is a social change organization that unites the community to create opportunities for all North Texans to thrive. The WoodNext Foundation manages the philanthropy of tech innovator and Roku CEO/founder Anthony Wood and his wife Susan, and one of WoodNext's priorities is youth mental health. They have partnered with JED since 2023 to promote student mental health, and donated $3 million to implement JED's school-based mental health support systems throughout Texas.
Recent Texas data shows 17% of young people under 18 have experienced a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenge, and Texas ranked nearly last in the United States for mental health care access. Nationwide, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 34.
"Ensuring the next generation of students across Texas have the resources they need to achieve their full potential is one of our core priorities," said Nancy Chan, WoodNext Foundation's Executive Director. "We're proud to support JED, AASA, and the Texas Region 10 Education Service Center in strengthening and supporting school districts through vital, life-saving support for pre-K-12 students struggling with their emotional health."
"At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we believe all students deserve the chance to thrive, dream big, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow," said Susan Hoff, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas' Chief Strategy and Impact Officer. "This work is rooted in partnership -- it takes all of us, coming together, to create lasting systemic change. We're proud to support JED, AASA, and the Texas Region 10 Education Service Center in driving meaningful, measurable progress in youth education, mental health, and well-being across north Texas."
School districts across the country are currently facing budgetary constraints, which requires making tough decisions and often cuts to programming -- this can result in setbacks to student mental health support. This unique partnership can serve as a potential scalable and replicable model for other districts to help leverage the power of local support through the collaboration of national expertise and technical assistance.
"Region 10 is proud to partner with JED and AASA in launching the North Texas District Mental Health Initiative. We are eager to contribute to their proven track record of success across the country by supporting our local school districts in building strong mental health systems that serve the needs of students, staff, and communities alike," said Jennifer Farley, Region 10 Special Populations Program Coordinator for Mental and Behavioral Health.
Grounded in JED's Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for Districts, the North Texas JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative integrates recommended practices with field expertise to foster connected, thriving school communities and help make meaningful, sustainable, and measurable improvements in student well-being.
"As a proud Texan, former school district leader, and current school programs leader at JED, I've witnessed the emotional health and academic challenges facing schools, administrators, teachers, students, and families across my home state and the country," said Tony Walker, JED's Senior Vice President of School Programs and Consulting. "We know there's a clear link between students' mental health challenges and their engagement in the classroom. JED, AASA, and the Texas Region 10 Education Service Center are pleased to provide financial scholarships and technical assistance to help positively reshape school mental health systems."
Participating Region 10 districts will benefit from customized, strategic school mental health support and consultation from national experts. They will also engage in cohort-based learning with peer collaboration and have access to curated training sessions that meet requirements of the Texas legislated mandates (HB8/SB11) for school mental health.
"At AASA, we believe that every student deserves access to a safe, supportive, and emotionally healthy learning environment," said David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. "This initiative represents a powerful step forward in equipping school districts with the tools, guidance, and community partnerships necessary to build sustainable mental health systems. We are proud to collaborate with The Jed Foundation and Region 10 to support the well-being and success of students across North Texas."
Seven districts, representing more than 170 schools and 116,900 pre-K-12 students, have confirmed their participation in the inaugural cohort of the North Texas JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative, including:
* Commerce Independent School District (Commerce, Texas)
* Crandall Independent School District (Crandall, Texas)
* Garland Independent School District (Garland, Texas)
* Irving Independent School District (Irving, Texas)
* Scurry-Rosser Independent School District (Scurry, Texas)
* Sherman Independent School District (Sherman, Texas)
These districts were chosen based on their shared enthusiasm, focused approach, and support of students' mental health. JED is dedicated to providing programs to all school districts, and more districts are expected to join this initiative in the near future. To learn more about our fee structure and opportunities for funding the JED and AASA District Mental Health Initiative in your school community, visit our website and complete the interest form.
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About The Jed Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We're encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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About The WoodNext Foundation
The WoodNext Foundation manages the philanthropy of tech innovator and Roku CEO/Founder, Anthony Wood, and his wife Susan. Their philanthropic efforts are guided by their overall mission to advance human progress and remove obstacles to a fulfilling life. The WoodNext Foundation's priorities include mental health, homelessness, scientific and biomedical research, disaster recovery, and economic opportunity with a focus on addressing root causes. As the Woods have strong ties to Texas, WoodNext's domestic grant making has a particular focus on strengthening communities across the southern United States.
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About United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is a social change organization that unites the community to create opportunity and access for all North Texans to thrive. We bring together passionate change-makers alongside corporate, civic and nonprofit partners to drive lasting change in education, income and health--the building blocks of opportunity. We encourage every North Texan to join this movement and Live United.
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About AASA, The School Superintendents Association
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org
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About Region 10 Education Service Center
We are one of 20 regional service centers established by the Texas State Legislature in 1967 for the purpose of delivering professional development and a range of other innovative solutions. Our consultants provide services at our offices in Richardson as well as in field locations across the Region 10 area. We proudly serve more than 890,000 students and 118,000 school staff, of which 60,000 are teachers in over 130 ISDs, charters and private schools across 10 north Texas counties.
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Original text here: https://jedfoundation.org/local-philanthropy-funds-student-mental-health-scholarships-for-texas-region-10-districts/
Health Foundation: Record 12-hour Trolley Waits - a Grim Milestone for the NHS
LONDON, England, Jan. 16 -- The Health Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:* * *
Record 12-hour trolley waits - a grim milestone for the NHS
Responding to the latest NHS monthly performance statistics, Tim Gardner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, said:
'The latest NHS data reveal the significant toll winter has taken on the health service, with pressures felt most acutely in A&E.
'The NHS reported 554,018 trolley waits of more than 12 hours in 2025, the highest number since current records began. This is a grim milestone and a sign of just ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Jan. 16 -- The Health Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026: * * * Record 12-hour trolley waits - a grim milestone for the NHS Responding to the latest NHS monthly performance statistics, Tim Gardner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, said: 'The latest NHS data reveal the significant toll winter has taken on the health service, with pressures felt most acutely in A&E. 'The NHS reported 554,018 trolley waits of more than 12 hours in 2025, the highest number since current records began. This is a grim milestone and a sign of justhow bad things have become for our emergency services. Behind each statistic is a patient waiting an unacceptably long time for the care they need, with staff delivering care in impossible conditions.
'November saw a welcome fall in the waiting list for routine hospital treatment to 7.31 million and a substantial drop in the number of patients waiting over 52 weeks, despite industrial action by resident doctors. Nevertheless, the interim recovery targets set for March 2026 - a key marker of progress on the government's pledge to restore the 18-week standard by 2029 - will remain difficult to meet.
'These pressures expose the NHS's fragility. While rising flu cases and cold weather have added to the strains on health services, the NHS has to be resilient enough to avoid patient care being severely disrupted by what has been a fairly typical winter. Even allowing for the additional impact of industrial action, the current situation exposes inherent weaknesses that have been building for years, including chronic workforce shortages and insufficient hospital and social care capacity.
'What we are seeing now is largely the result of a decade of underinvestment, compounded by the pandemic. Achieving lasting improvements will require a concerted focus on addressing the root causes. Without this, we risk normalising delays that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago.'
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Original text here: https://www.health.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/record-12-hour-trolley-waits-a-grim-milestone-for-the-nhs
Germany's BMZ, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and WFP Launch New School Meals Accelerator to Help Governments Reach an Additional 100 Million Children With Nutritious Meals
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release:* * *
Germany's BMZ, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and WFP Launch New School Meals Accelerator to Help Governments Reach an Additional 100 Million Children With Nutritious Meals
BERLIN -- The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), Novo Nordisk Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the World Food Programme (WFP) launch a first-of-its-kind School Meals Accelerator today to reach an additional 100 million children by 2030. The Accelerator, which gets off ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Germany's BMZ, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and WFP Launch New School Meals Accelerator to Help Governments Reach an Additional 100 Million Children With Nutritious Meals BERLIN -- The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), Novo Nordisk Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the World Food Programme (WFP) launch a first-of-its-kind School Meals Accelerator today to reach an additional 100 million children by 2030. The Accelerator, which gets offthe ground with more than US$80 million from the four founding partners, with additional support from France and the Global Partnership for Education, will connect countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean with technical assistance to strengthen and scale national school meal programmes. By pooling resources and expertise, the four founding partners seek to unlock the full potential of national school feeding programmes to combat hunger and poverty, while strengthening food and nutrition security around the world.
Announced during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin, Germany, BMZ's participation in the Accelerator underscores the country's commitment to innovation in development cooperation. Through this initiative, Germany is backing a new model that taps into the growing demand by governments to expand home-grown school meals and integrate them into broader strategies for food systems transformation, fostering equity and resilience.
"School meals are more than just a plate of food. They are a significant game changer in our global fight for better education, empowerment, health and for a better future together," said Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. "Germany strongly supports this initiative, which combines innovation and partnership to fight hunger and poverty."
"Governments are leading an unprecedented transformation in school meal programmes," said Rania Dagash-Kamara, Assistant Executive Director Partnerships and Innovation of the World Food Programme (WFP). "The Accelerator supports that ambition -- working alongside WFP and other partners to help countries turn their commitments into sustainable systems that support children and communities and strengthen education and food security."
"Healthy diets in childhood are the foundation for lifelong health," said Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. "The Accelerator will help countries design programmes that improve nutrition and prevent chronic disease."
"School meals are one of the most powerful and underleveraged investments in development," said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation. "The Accelerator will help countries unlock the full potential of national school feeding programmes for their communities -- turning political commitment into sustainable systems that nourish children, support farmers, and strengthen food and nutrition security. The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support this effort as part of our $100 million commitment to regenerative school meals."
School meals have evolved into a global policy priority. Since 2020, global funding for school meals has nearly doubled -- from $43 billion to $84 billion annually -- with 99 percent now coming from domestic budgets. Today, at least 466 million children benefit from school meals--80 million more than four years ago. However, even as these programmes become increasingly popular, integrating school meals into national systems and securing long-term, sustainable financing can prove challenging.
The Accelerator was born out of the School Meals Coalition, a network of more than 110 governments and over 150 non-profit, philanthropic, and research partners, hosted by WFP as its Secretariat, working to prioritize school meals as a strategic investment. To date, 60 countries have submitted national commitments with concrete targets.
The School Meals Accelerator:
This innovative collaboration gets off the ground with the support of its four founding partners, as well as the co-chairs of the School Meals Coalition -- France, Finland and Brazil -- and inputs from many organizations and networks. These include the School Meals Coalition initiatives, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, the Centre of Excellence Against Hunger in Brazil, the International Development Research Centre, and the Global Partnership for Education, which supported inception efforts through its technical assistance facility and will continue to be a main partner, connecting the education sector to this work.
The School Meals Accelerator will aim to help governments unlock the full potential of national school feeding programmes and reach an additional 100 million children with more nutritious school meals by 2030 by:
* Bringing together governments, non-profit, and philanthropic partners to integrate school meals programmes into broader strategies, so they become a driver of systemic change rather than isolated interventions.
* Pooling expertise, resources, and innovations to foster cross-sector collaboration, advance implementation efforts, and strengthen national capacities.
* Prioritizing demand-driven support to ensure that technical assistance responds to and is reflective of countries' specific needs and contexts.
School meals programmes offer a reliable pathway out of poverty by building the skills children need to succeed later in life. They are among the most cost-effective ways to improve education quality, with measurable gains in cognitive skills, mathematics and literacy. By increasing both school participation and learning outcomes, they support future productivity and economic growth. These programmes strengthen food systems by sourcing locally and sustainably, creating markets for farmers and stimulating rural economies. They are drivers of climate resilience and regenerative agriculture, linking global sustainability goals with local livelihoods. For additional information on the opportunities provided by school meals programmes, visit School Meals Coalition | A healthy meal every day for every child.
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About Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ)
Within the German government, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is responsible for Germany's development policy. The ministry's efforts are focused on fighting poverty and hunger and ensuring that people can lead healthy lives in a healthy environment. The BMZ understands itself as a transformation ministry globally engaged in advancing the transition to sustainable economies which are compatible with the protection of the global climate and the natural environment, and simultaneously working to strengthen peace, freedom and human rights.
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About Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation's mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.
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About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity in food, health, energy, and finance, including through our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
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About the World Food Programme (WFP)
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and recurring shocks. In 2024, 119 million children in 78 countries received school meals through national programmes supported by WFP, while reaching 20 million children directly.
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Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/germanys-bmz-novo-nordisk-rockefeller-foundation-wfp-launch-school-meals-accelerator-help-reach-additional-100m-children/
Asthma & Allergy Foundation: Amid COVID-19 Vaccine Confusion, New Tool Helps Guide Decision-Making
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 16 -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issued the following news release:* * *
Amid COVID-19 Vaccine Confusion, New Tool Helps Guide Decision-Making
AAFA releases decision aid to provide information, guide conversations with doctors
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Washington D.C. -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) announces the release of a new COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Aid, designed to help people decide if they should get the vaccine this year. The decision aid is endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), the American Academy ... Show Full Article ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 16 -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issued the following news release: * * * Amid COVID-19 Vaccine Confusion, New Tool Helps Guide Decision-Making AAFA releases decision aid to provide information, guide conversations with doctors * Washington D.C. -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) announces the release of a new COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Aid, designed to help people decide if they should get the vaccine this year. The decision aid is endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), the American Academyof Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST).
The COVID-19 vaccine is proven to help prevent severe illness from COVID. It reduces the chances of hospitalization and/or death related to COVID. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance on COVID vaccination to rely on individual decision-making. This decision aid is the first such tool to help guide patients with chronic allergic, immunologic, and respiratory diseases regarding this choice.
"The virus that causes COVID-19 continues to spread in multiple waves per year and affects people of all ages and health status," said Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at AAFA. "People with chronic lung disease have higher odds of serious illness or persistent symptoms (long COVID). Our new tool can be used by anyone who is evaluating their plan to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy."
The decision aid is designed for:
* People who are unsure if they want to get the COVID vaccine this year
* People who are at high risk for severe COVID or other health problems
* People worried they could have a severe case of COVID, or pass it to a loved one
* People who have had side effects from the COVID vaccine in the past, and wonder if it is worth trying again
* People who had COVID-19 in the past, even though they were vaccinated, and wonder if it is worth getting the vaccine
"This decision aid is a starting point for thinking about a person's COVID risks and the potential benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine," said Matthew Greenhawt, MD, chief medical officer at AAFA. "The vaccine is safe, with only a few common side effects. The decision aid helps you decide if you want to get a COVID vaccine each year, as the CDC now says getting a COVID vaccine is a personal decision. However, the CDC offers limited guidance to inform patient decisions. AAFA, AAAAI, ACAAI, and CHEST are the only organizations to offer a resource to help patients make this decision. We recommend talking with your doctor about your personal situation and how getting vaccinated may help keep you healthy."
People at increased risk of severe sickness or health complications from COVID include people over 65 years of age and people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, COPD, and cancer. Other high-risk factors include stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, disabilities, HIV infection, mental health conditions, tuberculosis, pregnancy, overweight/obesity, immunocompromised, organ transplant, or current or former smoker.
"The COVID-19 vaccine can be a key part of an overall approach to protecting your health," said Greenhawt. "Complications from COVID can be serious, even life-threatening. Getting the vaccine helps reduce the risk of these complications."
The COVID-19 Vaccine Decision Aid is available for download at aafa.org/covid or directly via this link: https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/covid-19-vaccine-decision-aid.pdf. People can print or use the aid digitally to walk through steps to assess risk and benefits.
Hospital systems, clinics, community health centers, and departments of health are encouraged to add this tool to their patient education libraries. Contact AAFA for interest in adding this decision aid to electronic health record systems or other licensing requests: aafa.org/contact
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About AAFA
Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org and kidswithfoodallergies.org
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About ACAAI
ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter/X.
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About AAAAI
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is the leading membership organization of more than 7,000 allergists / immunologists (in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries) and patients' trusted resource for allergies, asthma and immune deficiency disorders. This membership includes allergist / immunologists, other medical specialists, allied health and related healthcare professionals--all with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases.
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About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians(R) (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication, and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians and its family of journals, including the flagship journal CHEST(R), visit chestnet.org.
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Original text here: https://aafa.org/amid-covid-19-vaccine-confusion-new-tool-helps-guide-decision-making/