Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
Featured Stories
Space Foundation to Host Innovate Space: Finance Forum in Partnership With Texas Space Commission
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Jan. 17 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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Space Foundation to Host Innovate Space: Finance Forum in Partnership With Texas Space Commission
Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced it will host Innovate Space: Finance Forum, an executive-level conference focused on how capital is shaping the future of the space economy. The forum will take place Feb. 18-19, 2026, at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District in Dallas, Texas.
In coordination with the Texas
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, Jan. 17 -- Space Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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Space Foundation to Host Innovate Space: Finance Forum in Partnership With Texas Space Commission
Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced it will host Innovate Space: Finance Forum, an executive-level conference focused on how capital is shaping the future of the space economy. The forum will take place Feb. 18-19, 2026, at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District in Dallas, Texas.
In coordination with the TexasSpace Commission (TSC), to highlight the agency's expanding role as a center for space investment and economic development, Innovate Space: Finance Forum will convene senior leaders from the financial sector, public institutions, and the space sector to examine how capital is flowing into the space economy and what it takes to build scalable, investable businesses.
"The value is in the perspective and the people in the room," said Space Foundation CEO Heather Pringle. "Innovate Space: Finance Forum is intentionally designed as a senior-level convening with leaders who are actively shaping space innovation, catalyzing growth, and scaling businesses. We are excited to partner with the Texas Space Commission to create a unique experience and accelerate momentum across the global space enterprise."
"We are honored to partner with the Space Foundation in support of convening finance community leaders," said Gwen Griffin, TSC chair. "This timely program is important because financing for serious capabilities is becoming just as critical to space superiority as the technology itself. We are excited to underscore Texas' commitment to pairing public and private investment with long-term economic success, particularly in support of national defense objectives."
Backed by Space Foundation's trusted relationships across the public and private sectors, the forum is designed for executives and investors shaping critical space-sector decisions. Programming emphasizes real-world perspectives and practical insight into financing dual-use technologies, scaling business models, and aligning capital with national security priorities.
As the global space economy reached $613 billion in 2024, the forum will focus on the financial and strategic forces influencing its next phase of growth. Agenda topics include the public sector's evolving role as a capital catalyst, cross-border capital flows, and investor approaches to value creation across the market.
To learn more or register for the event, visit www.spacefoundation.org/innovate-space-finance-forum/.
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About Texas Space Commission
Established by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 3447, authored by Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., the Texas Space Commission advances innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace to strengthen the state's proven leadership across civil, commercial, and military domains. To date, TSC has awarded 23 grants totaling approximately $135 million. The total appropriation made by the Legislature for the SEARF Trust grant program administered by TSC board of directors is $450 million.
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About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 as a gateway to advance the global space community. Space Foundation uniquely educates, collaborates and informs the entire space workforce, from early education through post-secondary (college, non-college, vocational), to the start of their careers as new professionals, and ultimately as leaders at the highest levels of government and commercial industry. As a charitable organization, Space Foundation receives support from corporate members, sponsors, individual giving, and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://www.spacefoundation.org/2026/01/15/innovate-space-finance-forum-texas-space-commission/
Sunrun, Nation's Largest Residential Solar Provider, Joins Business Moratorium Against Deep Sea Mining
OAKLAND, California, Jan. 16 -- As You Sow Foundation posted the following news release:
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Sunrun, Nation's Largest Residential Solar Provider, Joins Business Moratorium Against Deep Sea Mining
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MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, Ryon@asyousow.org, 310.730.9407
EL CERRITO, CA - January 16, 2025 -This week, Sunrun Inc., the nation's largest residential solar and storage company, was formally added to the growing number of businesses calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining. The commitment comes after productive engagement between shareholder representative As You Sow and Sunrun on the environmental
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OAKLAND, California, Jan. 16 -- As You Sow Foundation posted the following news release:
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Sunrun, Nation's Largest Residential Solar Provider, Joins Business Moratorium Against Deep Sea Mining
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MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, Ryon@asyousow.org, 310.730.9407
EL CERRITO, CA - January 16, 2025 -This week, Sunrun Inc., the nation's largest residential solar and storage company, was formally added to the growing number of businesses calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining. The commitment comes after productive engagement between shareholder representative As You Sow and Sunrun on the environmentalrisks posed by this emerging industry.
Sunrun is the first solar company to formally join the moratorium. It joins the 70 companies-including Google, Apple, Samsung, BMW, Volvo, and Salesforce-in signing the moratorium's business statement calling on governments to ensure that no deep seabed mining operations proceed unless and until comprehensive scientific assessments demonstrate that such activities can be managed to avoid biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Sunrun's commitment is particularly significant given its position as the largest residential solar company in America. It brings integrated solar and battery storage systems to more than a million customers.
Deep sea mining involves extracting polymetallic mineral-containing nodules from the ocean floor at depths of 4,000 to 6,000 meters. Scientists warn that such extraction could cause irreversible damage to some of Earth's least understood and most fragile ecosystems, potentially destroying species before they are discovered and disrupting carbon storage processes critical to climate regulation.
"Sunrun joining the moratorium brings an important voice from the clean energy sector," said Elizabeth Levy, Biodiversity Program Coordinator at As You Sow. "As a company at the forefront of the renewable energy transition, Sunrun's commitment underscores that the goal of clean energy shouldn't come at the expense of our ocean ecosystems and that the solar and battery storage industry can meet growing demand for its products without causing destruction of deep-sea resources."
While deep sea mining proponents argue that minerals from the ocean floor are necessary for clean energy technologies, responsible terrestrial mining, recycling, and emerging battery technologies can meet industry needs without resorting to deep seabed mineral extraction.
Following engagement with As You Sow, Sunrun formally communicated its commitment to the organization. By this action, the company adds its voice to the moratorium's powerful market signal against the commercialization of harmful deep seabed mining.
"We commend Sunrun for its leadership and hope its example will inspire other companies in the solar and storage industries to follow suit."
Forty countries including France, Germany, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand, have already called for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep seabed mining, reflecting growing international concern about the practice.
As You Sow is the nation's leading shareholder representative, with a 30+ year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility. As You Sow addresses a range of issues that affect shareholder value including climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. See As You Sow 's shareholder resolution tracker.
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Original text here: https://www.asyousow.org/press-releases/2026/1/16/sunrun-nations-largest-residential-solar-provider-joins-business-moratorium-against-deep-sea-miningnbsp
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:
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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
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NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release on Jan. 14, 2026:
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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/
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:
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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.
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release:
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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.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:
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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
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LONDON, England, Jan. 16 -- The Health Foundation issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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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:
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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
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NEW YORK, Jan. 16 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release:
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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/
Canada banned flavored vapes. Cigarette sales surged.
LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 16 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following news:
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Canada banned flavored vapes. Cigarette sales surged.
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New research has added to the already substantial body of evidence showing that banning flavored e-cigarettes increases traditional combustible cigarette sales. Policymakers should reconsider flavor restrictions in light of mounting evidence that such policies generate unintended consequences that undermine their public health objectives.
A November 2025 study by economists Brad Davis, Abigail Friedman, and Michael Pesko, analyzing Canadian sales
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LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 16 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following news:
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Canada banned flavored vapes. Cigarette sales surged.
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New research has added to the already substantial body of evidence showing that banning flavored e-cigarettes increases traditional combustible cigarette sales. Policymakers should reconsider flavor restrictions in light of mounting evidence that such policies generate unintended consequences that undermine their public health objectives.
A November 2025 study by economists Brad Davis, Abigail Friedman, and Michael Pesko, analyzing Canadian salesdata from 2018 to 2023, finds that provincial e-cigarette flavor restrictions increased cigarette sales by nearly 10 percent. Of the six provinces analyzed, three banned all flavored e-cigarettes, with the other three limited flavored vape sales to adult-only vape shops. Two provinces, Ontario and Saskatchewan, also had exemptions for mint/menthol flavors.
When provinces eliminated flavored e-cigarettes from convenience stores and gas stations-which accounted for 98 percent of vape sales in the study sample-flavored vape sales fell by more than 96 percent for menthol products and 99.9 percent for other flavored varieties. Some vapers switched to tobacco-flavored or unflavored vapes, which saw sales rise by 123 percent. But many others returned to traditional cigarettes, the most dangerous way to consume nicotine.
Canada has some of the world's strictest tobacco regulations. Unlike the United States, Canada bans menthol cigarettes nationwide, restricts flavored cigars, mandates plain packaging for combustible tobacco, and caps nicotine levels in vaping products. If flavor bans were going to work anywhere without triggering substitution back to cigarettes, Canada would be a leading candidate.
"These findings suggest that policymakers should proceed with caution in restricting NVP [nicotine vaping products] flavors: Harm due to these policies' unintended effects on cigarette consumption may outweigh the public health benefits from their impact on NVP use," the study's authors write in their conclusion.
Previous studies of U.S. sales data also found that e-cigarette flavor restrictions increased cigarette purchases, with approximately 12 additional cigarettes sold for every e-cigarette pod no longer sold due to flavor bans. Research examining young adults aged 18-29 found that flavor bans reduced daily vaping by 3.6 percentage points while increasing daily cigarette smoking by 2.2 percentage points. There are now multiple studies using different methodologies and datasets reaching the same conclusion: When you ban e-cigarette flavors, a large portion of vapers don't quit nicotine-they switch to cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, though not risk-free, are safer than combustible cigarettes, according to the Food and Drug Administration and Canada's own public health agency, Health Canada. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., with approximately 480,000 Americans dying annually from smoking-related disease. The same is true for Canada, with about 48,000 deaths per year due to tobacco use. When people substitute cigarettes for e-cigarettes, they're trading a significantly less harmful alternative for a far more dangerous one.
Seven U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and over 185 U.S. localities have already implemented some kind of e-cigarette flavor restrictions. This year, we could see more states considering the same policies. The trap policymakers often fall prey to when considering how to regulate e-cigarettes is treating vaping primarily as a youth initiation problem while ignoring its role in harm reduction for adult smokers. Flavors surely appeal to some youth, but they also appeal to adult smokers who switch away from cigarettes. Banning flavors removes a tool that helps people quit the most dangerous form of nicotine consumption.
Furthermore, banning flavors isn't necessary to curb youth vaping. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and many other jurisdictions where flavors are widely available, youth vaping is minimal. In 2019, the federal government raised the tobacco age to 21 to address concerns around youth vaping. Continued enforcement of laws already on the statute books, as well as education to prevent youth from starting any nicotine use, can protect youth without taking away safer alternatives from adult smokers. Policies that drive people from vaping back to smoking don't protect public health-they endanger it. Under current patterns of e-cigarette use, vaping is estimated to avoid 1.8 million premature deaths between 2013 and 2060, with 38.9 million life years gained. State legislatures considering e-cigarette flavor bans should learn from the mistakes in Canada and other U.S. jurisdictions that opted for the blunt tool of prohibition over harm reduction.
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Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/canada-banned-flavored-vapes-cigarette-sales-surged/
