Foundations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from U.S. foundations.
Featured Stories
AIHA to Increase Community Housing Provision, Thanks to CAF Bank
LONDON, England, Jan. 24 -- The Charities Aid Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 23, 2025:
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Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) is set to increase its provision of community housing, thanks to support from CAF Bank
* Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) to increase provision with 42 new homes
* The homes form part of AIHA's plans to extend provision throughout the UK
* CAF Bank supported AIHA with a loan facility to assist in delivering the Housing Associations corporate development plan
* Founded in 1981, AIHA today manages over 900 homes
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Agudas
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LONDON, England, Jan. 24 -- The Charities Aid Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 23, 2025:
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Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) is set to increase its provision of community housing, thanks to support from CAF Bank
* Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) to increase provision with 42 new homes
* The homes form part of AIHA's plans to extend provision throughout the UK
* CAF Bank supported AIHA with a loan facility to assist in delivering the Housing Associations corporate development plan
* Founded in 1981, AIHA today manages over 900 homes
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AgudasIsrael Housing Association (AIHA) is set to increase its provision of community housing, thanks to support from CAF Bank.
Dedicated to providing housing support to the UK's Orthodox Jewish community, AIHA secured an pound sterling8 million loan facility to finance the building of 42 news homes throughout the UK.
Starting with the development of a residential block of 22 family-sized homes in Golders Green, the loan facility forms part of AIHA's ambitious plans to extend community housing support across London, Salford, Canvey Island, Westcliff, and into Gateshead.
The new development was purposefully designed to meet the needs of the community and provide residents with kosher kitchen facilities and spaces for Sukkahs. It is to be named Rabbi Roberts House in honour of the late Rabbi Pinchas Roberts, who served as Rav of the Hendon Adath.
AIHA was founded in 1981 to address housing difficulties within the Orthodox Jewish community and now manages a portfolio of over 900 homes across its sites.
AIHA approached CAF Bank to fund the development, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation, and a provider of specialised financial services to the charity sector.
Commenting on Rabbi Roberts House, their development plans, and CAF Bank's Support, Chaya Spitz, AIHA's Chief Executive, said:
"I am delighted that Rabbi Roberts House is now becoming a reality and I wish to thank CAF Bank for taking the time to learn about AIHA, sharing our vision for the future, and providing us with a tailored solution to help make it happen."
Commenting on CAF Bank's support for AIHA's new housing developments, Alison Taylor, CAF Bank's CEO said:
"Housing is of vital importance to all of our communities and CAF Bank is proud to be able to support AIHA in its mission to provide affordable social housing."
Commenting on working with AIHA to develop a tailored loan facility Neil Chadwick, CAF Bank Relationship Director, said:
"It has been a pleasure to work with AIHA, learn about their history and values, and to provide them with an agreement that met their requirements. I look forward to following AIHA's housing development progress and seeing the benefit CAF Bank's support brings to the AIHA community."
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Original text here: https://www.cafonline.org/home/about-us/press-office/aiha-to-increase-community-housing-provision
What a Behavioral Scientist Wants You to Know About Alcohol and Cancer Risk
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 23 -- The Prevent Cancer Foundation issued the following Q&A on Jan. 21, 2025, with Jennifer Hay, attending psychologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:
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Earlier this month, the U.S. surgeon general called for cancer warning labels on alcohol. Drinking alcohol is linked to several cancers and even small amounts may increase your risk. But believe it or not, 70% of the U.S. population is unaware that drinking causes cancer, and current standard public health messages regarding the cancer harms of alcohol use have not significantly increased population
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Jan. 23 -- The Prevent Cancer Foundation issued the following Q&A on Jan. 21, 2025, with Jennifer Hay, attending psychologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:
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Earlier this month, the U.S. surgeon general called for cancer warning labels on alcohol. Drinking alcohol is linked to several cancers and even small amounts may increase your risk. But believe it or not, 70% of the U.S. population is unaware that drinking causes cancer, and current standard public health messages regarding the cancer harms of alcohol use have not significantly increased populationawareness.
That's where Dr. Jennifer Hay--a researcher currently funded by the Prevent Cancer Foundation--comes in. Her mission? Increase drinkers' awareness of the cancer risk associated with alcohol use. Following the surgeon general's announcement, we spoke with Dr. Hay about her research and what everyone should know about the relationship between alcohol and cancer.
Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What does the U.S. surgeon general's announcement mean exactly, and what could it mean for the future of alcohol consumption in the U.S.?
It has been quite a couple of weeks! While it has been established for decades that alcohol is the third most important lifestyle risk factor for cancer--responsible for 6% of cancer cases nationwide--this message has unfortunately not fully reached the general population, at least in the U.S.
I think the U.S. surgeon general's report really raises awareness from a trustworthy source. I also think the report and corresponding press surrounding it will galvanize culture change, making it easier to opt out of drinking, even at events where alcohol currently seems central to celebration and socializing. Culture change will take time, but I think greater awareness of the harms of alcohol use will help these messages move into the mainstream.
Which cancer types have alcohol consumption as a risk factor?
Drinking alcohol is related to very common cancers, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer. There is a clear link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for seven types of cancer. These cancers include colorectal and breast cancers as noted above, as well as head and neck cancers (cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx), as well as liver and esophageal cancers.
Your research addresses the low awareness U.S. adults have of alcohol and cancer risk. How are you reaching people who drink to expand their awareness of the increased cancer risk from alcohol use?
We are conducting two types of research in order to address this. First, we are conducting survey research with a large sample of individuals from all sectors of the U.S. population to understand the level of awareness of the cancer risks of alcohol in different socioeconomic and geographical groups. We recently collected data on 800 drinkers who do not believe there is a link between alcohol and cancer. The goal is to pinpoint those groups where knowledge and awareness are lowest so we can develop specific messages to reach them with this important information.
Second, we are also conducting small discussion groups, inviting people with very high levels of uncertainty about alcohol and cancer risk from across the U.S. to talk with a trained moderator about their thoughts and feelings about alcohol and cancer, as well as their suggestions for messaging that will generate high knowledge and trust.
With the support of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, these research efforts will result in new messages that we intend to use to address low awareness of the cancer harms of alcohol, so that people can make fully informed decisions about their own and their family's alcohol use going forward.
What inspired you to undertake this project?
I am passionate about bringing behavioral science to cancer prevention challenges. Much of my career has been very focused on measuring and understanding cancer risk perceptions--how people think about their risk--and the ways in which cancer risk perceptions present opportunities to motivate prevention behaviors. As such, the challenge of alcohol and cancer risk is a perfect fit for my background and research mission. On a more personal level, my family has been challenged by both cancer diagnoses and a strong drinking culture across generations, leading me to be deeply invested in this work.
How does alcohol increase your risk of cancer, and, on the inverse, how does abstaining from alcohol improve your health and well-being?
The carcinogen in all forms of alcohol is acetaldehyde, a Group 1 carcinogen that works by damaging DNA. All forms of alcohol, including beer, liquor and wine, contain acetaldehyde. In the case of breast cancer, alcohol can cause cancer by increasing estrogen levels in the body.
All alcohol affects the body in the same way, in the context of cancer. That goes for wine, beer and liquor. Importantly, it is valuable to pay attention to "ABV," alcohol by volume. To reduce risk, there are low ABV drinks that one might consider and are widely available.
Abstaining from alcohol can not only reduce your risk of developing cancer, but it can also improve your health in other ways--from making it easier to keep to a balanced diet to getting a good night's sleep. I see patients in my role as a psycho-oncologist who are recovering from cancer, and many of them tell me that abstaining from alcohol has also improved their ability to think clearly and has improved the quality of their relationships. I have found that cancer survivors are highly receptive to the message about alcohol and cancer risk, and are sometimes the first ones to give up drinking while they are being treated for cancer.
What would you say to someone who drinks but is looking to decrease or completely cut out their consumption? Is it ever "too late" to quit?
It is never too late! Additionally, it is never too late to cut down on consumption. In addition to reducing your risk of cancer, there are multiple quality of life and general health benefits associated with quitting that accrue relatively quickly. It is definitely worth it, and there is plenty of help available to help you accomplish this. Start with your primary care provider, who can direct you to resources to get you started on this healthy lifestyle change.
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For more information on Dr. Hay's research, visit preventcancer.org/research. To find more ways to reduce your risk of cancer, visit preventcancer.org.
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Original text here: https://preventcancer.org/article/behavioral-scientist-alcohol-cancer-risk/
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund to announce $25M grant
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund issued the following news release:
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The Thurgood Marshall College Fund to announce $25M grant
Point of Contact:
Dr. Clara Ross Stamps
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Clara.stamps@tmcf.org
(240) 931-0696
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) will host a press conference on Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. ET at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania to announce a substantial grant program forthcoming for its member schools. The event will also be livestreamed on the TMCF YouTube channel.
Officials from TMCF, Lincoln University
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund issued the following news release:
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The Thurgood Marshall College Fund to announce $25M grant
Point of Contact:
Dr. Clara Ross Stamps
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Clara.stamps@tmcf.org
(240) 931-0696
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) will host a press conference on Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. ET at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania to announce a substantial grant program forthcoming for its member schools. The event will also be livestreamed on the TMCF YouTube channel.
Officials from TMCF, Lincoln Universityand the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) community will attend and have media availability. Representatives include:
* Dr. Harry L. Williams (president & CEO of TMCF)
* Aisha T. Brown (CFO and COO of TMCF)
* Dr. Brenda A. Allen (president of Lincoln University)
* Ted Colbert, III (TMCF Board of Directors vice chairman)
* Dr. Quinton T. Ross (president of Alabama State University)
For more information or to confirm attendance, email clara.stamps@tmcf.org.
Location
Vail Memorial Hall
1570 Baltimore Pike
Lincoln University, PA 19352
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Original text here: https://www.tmcf.org/events-media/tmcf-in-the-media/the-thurgood-marshall-college-fund-to-announce-25m-grant/
Nippon Foundation: Relaunch of English Website
TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 -- The Nippon Foundation issued the following news:
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New design aims to broaden scope and enhance accessibility
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The Nippon Foundation has launched a redesigned English-language website on January 23rd. The new design aims to provide a more comprehensive overview of the Foundation's activities while also increasing accessibility. In addition to the information related to the Foundation's activities and grant programs available on the current website, the new website will include data and findings gained from these activities, so that by sharing them with a wider
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TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 -- The Nippon Foundation issued the following news:
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New design aims to broaden scope and enhance accessibility
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The Nippon Foundation has launched a redesigned English-language website on January 23rd. The new design aims to provide a more comprehensive overview of the Foundation's activities while also increasing accessibility. In addition to the information related to the Foundation's activities and grant programs available on the current website, the new website will include data and findings gained from these activities, so that by sharing them with a wideraudience, more people will become aware of and involved in addressing the various issues facing society around the world.
The colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements are also being updated to make the website more accessible to a wider audience, including people with limited vision.
We hope that the redesigned website will lead to more people visiting and learning about the Foundation, gaining a better understanding of our philosophy and activities, and joining us in addressing social issues to achieve "A society where all people support one another."
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Original text here: https://en.nippon-foundation.or.jp/news/articles/2025/20250123-107527.html
Lumina Foundation Issues Commentary: Cost is One Thing - Value is Another
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- The Lumina Foundation issued the following commentary to Inside Higher Ed on Jan. 21, 2025:
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Cost is One Thing--Value is Another
By Jamie Merisotis
What's the biggest problem facing college students today? Cost is a big concern, of course, for good reason. But many would point to something equally troubling--misperceptions about the value of college degrees. That's no surprise when reasonable questions are raised about whether graduates are job-ready--and if too many jobs unnecessarily require diplomas.
There has long been a paper ceiling that penalizes
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- The Lumina Foundation issued the following commentary to Inside Higher Ed on Jan. 21, 2025:
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Cost is One Thing--Value is Another
By Jamie Merisotis
What's the biggest problem facing college students today? Cost is a big concern, of course, for good reason. But many would point to something equally troubling--misperceptions about the value of college degrees. That's no surprise when reasonable questions are raised about whether graduates are job-ready--and if too many jobs unnecessarily require diplomas.
There has long been a paper ceiling that penalizesapplicants who lack degrees. And more companies are now taking a closer look at so-called STARs--people Skilled Through Alternative Routes.
The group Tear the Paper Ceiling says that 61 percent of Black workers, 55 percent of Hispanic workers, 66 percent of rural workers and 62 percent of veterans are considered STARs. They have learned valuable work skills through military service, certificate programs, on-the-job training and boot camps. But too often, they've been shut out unfairly.
I applaud the work of this national group and their partners. The equity barriers to jobs are real. Only half of working-age people have a quality degree or other credential beyond high school, even as millions of jobs go unfilled in part because applicants lack the required background or credentials. It only makes sense to make sure we're not leaving behind talented but uncredentialed neighbors.
But to take a deeper look is to understand this isn't only about expanding opportunity and filling today's open jobs, but the jobs that an increasingly tech-driven, interconnected world will demand in coming years. Skills-based hiring is a good idea, but it won't on its own come close to solving the nation's human talent crisis. Increasing higher educational attainment by making sure many more people get better credentials--credentials of value--is the key.
Foundation of Growth
Higher education has always been about producing graduates who are ready to start careers, not just jobs. This matters because a person who is a good applicant for a position now could face challenges moving to better and higher-paying positions because they lack the foundation for career growth fostered in postsecondary programs.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities has surveyed executives and hiring managers eight times since 2006. The most recent survey, from 2023, found that 80 percent of employers strongly or somewhat agree that college prepares people for success in the workforce. Getting a degree is certainly worth the time and money, respondents suggested, as the survey "found a strong correlation between the outcomes of a liberal education and the knowledge and skills employers view as essential for success in entry-level jobs and for advancement in their companies."
There will always be conflicting data points in times of change. For example, the push for skills-based hiring, including at the federal level, is opening doors to a broader array of good jobs that historically required a college degree. However, research by Harvard Business School and the Burning Glass Institute shows that college graduates still have an advantage when it comes to getting jobs with higher salaries and better benefits.
It turns out that employers aren't committing to skills-based hiring at the level that recent headlines might suggest. The Harvard-Burning Glass report tracked more than 11,000 jobs where a bachelor's degree was no longer required in the job description. It found only a 3.5-percentage-point increase in the share of non-degree-holders hired into those roles--a decidedly underwhelming number suggesting the buzz about skills-based hiring may be more hype than trend.
The Lifelong Payoff
This and other signs reinforce the enduring value of degrees: A recent report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce found that 72 percent of jobs in the United States will require post-high school education or training by the year 2031. The center also found:
* People with bachelor's degrees earn, on average, $1.2 million more over their lifetime than those with only a high school education.
* Of the 18.5 million annual job openings we expect in the coming years, more than two-thirds will require at least some college education.
* Earnings for people without degrees have been growing over the past decade, but so has pay for degree holders. Even as people without degrees earn more, they are still not catching up with those with diplomas.
Durable Skills Matter
Employers often say they're looking for "durable" skills, such as critical thinking, communication and problem-solving.
Someone looking to hire an entry-level software developer might consider a candidate with skills in Python or other programming languages developed through informal learning. Many gifted techies are self-taught or developed skills through coding boot camps or working at start-ups, for example.
But a college graduate with similar skills might stand out because of their experience working in groups to complete projects, their communication and presentation skills, analytical thinking, and other traits fostered in college classes.
The catch: Across the board, we need better definitions of what our credentials mean. What defines a credential of value, exactly, and how do we make sure that the people obtaining credentials can do the work of the future?
Certainly, our fast-moving, tech-driven economy increasingly rewards nimble problem-solvers. According to the World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs report, employers estimate that 44 percent of workers' skills will be disrupted in the next five years.
"Cognitive skills are reported to be growing in importance most quickly, reflecting the increasing importance of complex problem-solving in the workplace," the report said. "Surveyed businesses report creative thinking to be growing in importance slightly more rapidly than analytical thinking."
There are many implications to this change. Embedded in the education pay premium is a fairness issue when it comes to who goes to college and how we support them. The Georgetown center has long reported on the value of a college degree and the persistent opportunity gaps for women and people of color.
The Change-Ready Nation
Whatever the impact of skills-based hiring on the nation's labor shortage, we shouldn't stop there. Addressing the long-standing inequities in higher education and the workforce means ensuring that these skills-based pathways include opportunities for all workers, especially when it comes to pursuing further education and training even after they enter the workforce.
Skills-based hiring and the push for increasing attainment aren't countervailing forces. They're aimed at ensuring that the nation grows and applies the talent it needs to be prepared for the human work of the 21st century, and to achieve the civic and economic benefits that people with good-paying jobs bring to their communities.
In the end, this is about more than the job readiness of our students. We're talking about the change readiness of our entire nation in a rapidly evolving economy. It makes sense to revamp job requirements to meet workforce demands, but there's no denying we'll need the best-educated country we can build if we're going to deliver opportunity and economic prosperity fairly for everyone.
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This article was originally published in Inside Higher Ed.
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Original text here: https://www.luminafoundation.org/news-and-views/cost-is-one-thing-value-is-another/
Kresge Foundation: Two New Staff Join Kresge's Arts & Culture, Investment Teams
TROY, Michigan, Jan. 23 -- The Kresge Foundation issued the following news on Jan. 22, 2025:
Earlier this month, two new staff joined The Kresge Foundation. Kara Elliott-Ortega, who was previously chief of arts and culture for the city of Boston, is the Arts & Culture Program's newest senior program officer. Victoria Shubelyak, who was most recently a finance operations intern at General Motors, has taken on a new role with the Investment team as risk & operations investment analyst.
In her prior role, Elliott-Ortega oversaw grantmaking, support for creative workers, public art, cultural real
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TROY, Michigan, Jan. 23 -- The Kresge Foundation issued the following news on Jan. 22, 2025:
Earlier this month, two new staff joined The Kresge Foundation. Kara Elliott-Ortega, who was previously chief of arts and culture for the city of Boston, is the Arts & Culture Program's newest senior program officer. Victoria Shubelyak, who was most recently a finance operations intern at General Motors, has taken on a new role with the Investment team as risk & operations investment analyst.
In her prior role, Elliott-Ortega oversaw grantmaking, support for creative workers, public art, cultural realestate development and cross-sector place-based creative strategies. Rooted in community organizing and the belief that cultural investment is a requirement for realizing equitable futures, Kara serves in various arts advocacy and cultural organizing roles around the country.
"As a cultural planner, I have seen the power of integrating the arts into local government," Elliott-Ortega said. "I'm excited to apply that experience at The Kresge Foundation and to learn from and support place-based creative strategies around the country."
Elliott-Ortega is originally from Providence, Rhode Island, and spent a decade in Chicago, where she graduated with degrees in English literature and human rights from the University of Chicago. She also holds a Master in City Planning degree with a focus on urban design and the role of design thinking in federal climate resilience policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Shubelyak is a recent graduate of Wayne State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration, dual majoring in finance and global supply chain management. While at General Motors, she was involved with the global product development of electric vehicle batteries and finance operations. She also held internships with Huntington and Cummins Inc.
"I chose Kresge because it allows me to combine my passion for finance with meaningful impact," Shubelyak said. "Philanthropy drew me in because it's about creating lasting change, and I'm excited to contribute to initiatives that improve lives while growing professionally."
Victoria also completed coursework at Wayne State University, where she helped manage a student-managed investment fund established by Kresge to teach students portfolio management, stock selection and portfolio evaluation.
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Original text here: https://kresge.org/news-views/two-new-staff-join-kresges-arts-culture-investment-teams/
Foundation for Government Accountability: Killing DEI Means the American Dream is Available to Everyone
NAPLES, Florida, Jan. 23 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
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Foundation Of Government Accountability Commends President Trump for Restoring Equality
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Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) commends the Trump administration for taking decisive action on Day One in overturning Biden's discriminatory "equity" policies. By ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to restoring equality under the law and preventing the unconstitutional
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NAPLES, Florida, Jan. 23 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2025:
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Foundation Of Government Accountability Commends President Trump for Restoring Equality
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Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) commends the Trump administration for taking decisive action on Day One in overturning Biden's discriminatory "equity" policies. By ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to restoring equality under the law and preventing the unconstitutionaldiscrimination promoted by Biden.
President Biden's executive orders demanding the federal government prioritize advancing racial equity, spawned more than 300 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects across federal agencies. Some of these initiatives award grants and contracts based not on merit but purely on racial equity goals. The federal government is funneling a staggering $9.4 billion into these programs yearly with little to no evidence that they actually work.
President Trump's Executive Order will:
* Enforce Civil Rights Laws: The order mandates strict adherence to federal civil rights laws, eliminating race- and sex-based preferences and promoting equality based on merit and hard work.
* Terminate DEI Policies: This order revoked Biden-era executive orders promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, deeming them unlawful and harmful to American Unity. All DEI employees will be put on paid leave.
* Change Federal Contracting: Affirmative action requirements for federal contractors are eliminated and new terms mandate compliance with anti-discrimination laws while not promoting DEI policies.
* Ensure Private Sector Compliance: Agencies are tasked with identifying and targeting sectors and organizations that violate civil rights laws with discriminatory DEI practices, with strategic enforcement plans to follow.
* Create Guidance for Education and Implementation: Federal agencies must provide guidance to educational institutions and implement the order while preserving First Amendment rights and lawful preferences for veterans and disabled individuals.
"Americans are tired of seeing nearly $10 billion of their hard-earned tax dollars get flushed down the drain on ineffective and discriminatory DEI programs," said Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability. "I'm grateful to President Trump for his bold leadership and dedication to restoring equality on Day One of his presidency."
"President Trump has been at the forefront of the fight for equal treatment under the law, and the message from the American people is clear," Bragdon continued. "They've had enough of radical agendas that pit us against each other based on race. I look forward to working with the Trump administration in their efforts to return our nation to its core principle of equality."
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
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Original text here: https://thefga.org/press/killing-dei-means-the-american-dream-is-available-to-everyone/
