Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
Featured Stories
Southeastern Legal Foundation Files Brief Supporting Florida's Littlejohn in Fight Against School District for Unlawfully Transitioning Her Child
ROSWELL, Georgia, May 20 -- The Southeastern Legal Foundation issued the following news release:
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Southeastern Legal Foundation files brief supporting Florida's Littlejohn in fight against school district for unlawfully transitioning her child
Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) recently filed an amicus brief with other organizations in support of January Littlejohn. Littlejohn is currently fighting Leon County Public School District in Florida after it unlawfully and secretly transitioned her daughter's gender at school without her knowledge or consent.
Littlejohn and her husband sued
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ROSWELL, Georgia, May 20 -- The Southeastern Legal Foundation issued the following news release:
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Southeastern Legal Foundation files brief supporting Florida's Littlejohn in fight against school district for unlawfully transitioning her child
Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) recently filed an amicus brief with other organizations in support of January Littlejohn. Littlejohn is currently fighting Leon County Public School District in Florida after it unlawfully and secretly transitioned her daughter's gender at school without her knowledge or consent.
Littlejohn and her husband suedthe school district in federal court for violating their parental rights but the courts claim that the actions of the school district do not violate their rights because they did not "shock the conscience." All of this was done in accordance with the school district's LGBTQ+ support guide, which actively encourages the keeping of sensitive information from parents or guardians. The district argues that giving parents information regarding their children's gender identity could be dangerous to the child's mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
SLF argues in their amicus brief that not only does the district have zero evidence to support this, but their policy is an absolute affront to parental rights, the Constitution, and common sense. The question arises, 'if this does not shock the conscience, then what will?' The policy of the school district is an assault on the fundamental rights of parents to raise their children how they see fit. It is vital that the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals hear this case to ensure that this sort of sinister behavior does not continue in schools.
SLF states, "These actions of the school, an arm of the state, violate parents' fundamental, constitutionally recognized right to direct the upbringing of their children. The district court's dismissal of the appellants' claims and the panel's decision upholding that ruling have denied the Littlejohns the opportunity to have their fundamental rights vindicated."
SLF argues, "The Guidance's utter disregard for the authority of parents is inconsistent with the most basic moral norms upon which our society is based. Unless school officials are prepared to make a claim that a child is being abused as defined by law, they have no right to insert themselves between parents and their children. The actions of Leon County Schools officials in this case directly conflict with one of the most ancient liberties of parents: to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children."
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Original text here: https://www.slfliberty.org/southeastern-legal-foundation-files-brief-supporting-floridas-littlejohn-in-fight-against-school-district-for-unlawfully-transitioning-her-child/
House Ways and Means Committee Leads the Way to Lower Taxes and Reignite the American Economy
NAPLES, Florida, May 20 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability issued the following news release on May 17, 2025:
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House Ways and Means Committee Leads the Way to Lower Taxes and Reignite the American Economy
FGA applauds the House Ways and Means Committee's commitment to preserving tax cuts, protecting family budgets, and restoring program integrity
Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) applauds the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman Jason Smith for advancing its portion of the "Big, Beautiful Bill," which includes vital reforms to extend middle-class
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NAPLES, Florida, May 20 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability issued the following news release on May 17, 2025:
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House Ways and Means Committee Leads the Way to Lower Taxes and Reignite the American Economy
FGA applauds the House Ways and Means Committee's commitment to preserving tax cuts, protecting family budgets, and restoring program integrity
Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) applauds the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman Jason Smith for advancing its portion of the "Big, Beautiful Bill," which includes vital reforms to extend middle-classtax relief, deliver greater support for working families, expand educational opportunities, and build on proven Trump-era policies that empower Americantaxpayers.
Highlights to this bill include:
1. Extension of Trump-Era Tax Cuts: It preserves key parts of the 2017 tax reforms. This includes higher standard deduction and Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) changes, allowing working families and small businesses to continue seeing lower taxes.
2. Allows Employers To Help Buy Your Own Insurance: It locks in ICHRA program that will allow employers to give workers money to buy their own health plans. More freedom means more choices.
3. Expand 529 Education Savings: It broadens what 529 savings can be used for, like education-related expenses beyond college. This will give American families more value from their savings accounts.
4. Tighten Child Tax Credit Rules: Strengthens the Social Security number requirement to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens and legal residents benefit from the Child Tax Credit.
"During President Trump's first term the economy was roaring,people were optimistic, and the American Dream was alive and well. After four years of disastrous leadership from the Biden administration, the American people voted like never before to demand a return to the Trump Economy," said Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability. "The House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman Smith's work this week to extend and expand the Trump Tax Cuts will not only dig our country out of the hole Joe Biden and Democratic leadership dug for us, but it will also spur our nation and our citizens on to new heights of American flourishing."
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/house-ways-and-means-committee-leads-the-way-to-lower-taxes-and-reignite-the-american-economy/
Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities
MONTPELIER, Vermont, May 20 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release:
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Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities
Groups say state certifications fail to protect river health
Five environmental non-profit organizations filed an appeal of the Clean Water Act Sec.401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) and three of them appealed the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for three hydropower facilities on the Connecticut
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MONTPELIER, Vermont, May 20 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release:
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Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities
Groups say state certifications fail to protect river health
Five environmental non-profit organizations filed an appeal of the Clean Water Act Sec.401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) and three of them appealed the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for three hydropower facilities on the ConnecticutRiver: the Wilder Dam, Vernon Dam, and Bellows Falls Dam.
"By applying a flawed standard in its certification, the State of Vermont fails to protect the Connecticut River and those who depend on it for clean water," said Mason Overstreet, Conservation Law Foundation senior attorney. "Our region has experienced deadly and damaging floods in recent years and climate change will bring more intense storms, increased erosion, and heavier water flows. Yet, Vermont fails to take into account these critical impacts on water quality and river health. These licenses last for up to 40 years, making it even more vital that we get it right. We need to ensure dam operations can withstand a changing climate while safeguarding the river for generations to come."
The organizations include the Connecticut River Conservancy, American Whitewater, Conservation Law Foundation, Vermont Natural Resources Council, and American Rivers. This follows a similar announcement just a few days ago in Massachusetts regarding the appeal of WQCs for two other hydropower facilities. The WQCs for all five hydropower facilities undergoing relicensing on the mainstem of the Connecticut River--in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts--are now being challenged.
The Water Quality Certification refers to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act in which a federal agency (in this case the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - FERC) may not issue a license to hydropower facilities with a discharge into public waters unless the state waives the certification requirement or issues a WQC certifying that the operation of the facility will comply with and be protective of existing water quality standards.
"The states have a responsibility to uphold water quality and protect the public trust resource that is the Connecticut River," said Kathy Urffer, Director of Policy and Advocacy and Vermont River Steward at the Connecticut River Conservancy. "Given that these licenses will last for the next 30 to 50 years, we're taking this action to ensure they take that responsibility seriously."
The non-profits claim that the WQCs fall short in the following significant ways: by not requiring an enforceable and detailed plan to require recreational access; by failing to require timely and sufficient upstream and downstream fish passage; by failing to sufficiently address erosion impacts from the dams; by failing to address invasive species, by failing to sufficiently protect the state and federally listed endangered shortnose sturgeon; by largely ignoring the current and worsening impacts of climate change; and, in the case of NH, by failing to provide for meaningful public comment.
"New Hampshire has an obligation under the Clean Water Act to make sure that these hydropower dams will not diminish the public's ability to use and enjoy the Connecticut River for recreation," said Bob Nasdor, American Whitewater Northeast Stewardship & Legal Director. "The state has utterly failed to do that here."
After over a decade of research, documentation, submission of public comments, and a thorough review of both the application and draft WQCs, the non-profits contend that conditions proposed by VTDEC and NHDES in their final Water Quality Certifications are not sufficiently protective of the water quality, ecosystems, and recreational resources spanning over 150 miles of the Connecticut River affected by these three dams, as required by law. The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and co-appellant non-profits commented on the application, the draft Sec.401 WQC, and reviewed the final WQC. After determining that the state agencies did not follow the law in both VT and NH, and that the water quality standards would not be met by the conditions in the final certifications, CRC and partners filed appeals in both states.
Any conditions required in the states' WQCs will be included in the 30 to 50 yearlong licenses granted by FERC. It has been 13 years since the hydropower relicensing process began, and once issued, the new license will regulate facility actions for a generation.
In Vermont, the state said that there was "reasonable assurance" that water quality standards would be met, rather than the "will comply" standard required by law.
As required by the Federal Clean Water Act and the Vermont and New Hampshire Surface Water Quality Standards, water quality in rivers must support designated and existing uses, which include water quality parameters such as turbidity and nutrient loads, aquatic life and its habitat, and water related recreation (e.g., boating, swimming). With the Connecticut River already being challenged with habitat loss, severe flooding, excessive bank erosion, and outdated recreation amenities, it is imperative that the states exercise their authority to protect water quality and the public's use of the river from adverse impacts from the dams.
CRC has been advocating since 2013 for the strongest possible license to support a healthier river over the coming decades. The conditions that Vermont and New Hampshire place in this WQC are the primary way for the states to protect this shared resource for many years to come. Without strong protective conditions in their WQCs, the states are failing to protect existing water quality, let alone enhance the quality of water as mandated by their own regulations.
"We all deserve healthy water, thriving aquatic ecosystems, and recreational access on our rivers," said Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Natural Resources Council. "Today's action helps protect these vital resources for current and future generations by ensuring this project complies with state and federal water laws for decades to come."
Experts are available for further comment.
Media Contact
Mike Naughton
press@clf.org
617/850-1709
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Original text here: https://www.clf.org/newsroom/environmental-nonprofits-file-appeal-of-vt-and-nh-water-quality-certifications-for-hydropower-facilities/
Environmental Education Needs Continued Federal Funding
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, May 20 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation posted the following news release:
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Environmental Education Needs Continued Federal Funding
States and school districts around the Bay region have made some progress toward meeting their goals for teaching students about the environment, but much work remains, according to data recently released by EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.
The news comes as the Trump administration proposes to eliminate the environmental education grant program, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program.
Chesapeake B-WET is administered
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, May 20 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation posted the following news release:
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Environmental Education Needs Continued Federal Funding
States and school districts around the Bay region have made some progress toward meeting their goals for teaching students about the environment, but much work remains, according to data recently released by EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.
The news comes as the Trump administration proposes to eliminate the environmental education grant program, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program.
Chesapeake B-WET is administeredby the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, which the administration also would defund.
According to the Bay Program, the number of school districts that say they are "well prepared" to adopt a comprehensive environmental education program increased from 17 percent to 19 percent between 2022 and 2024. The percentage rebounded nearly to the pre-Covid level of 20 percent.
The seven Bay jurisdictions committed in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to ensuring their students can graduate high school with the knowledge and skills to be good stewards of their local watershed by the end of this year.
Chesapeake B-WET is the principal source of federal funds to advance that goal. It helps school districts develop curriculum and instruction to get students outside for hands-on learning and to investigate real-world phenomena, gather data, draw conclusions, and devise solutions to environmental challenges in their communities.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President for Environmental Education Tom Ackerman released the following statement:
"With day-to-day experience increasingly dominated by screen time, students need hands-on, real-world learning. The federal government must invest more in environmental education, not eliminate it.
"State education agencies and school districts deserve a lot of credit for recent progress. The coordination and leadership from NOAA and other federal partners have been an essential catalyst and support.
"While environmental education has rebounded since the pandemic, we have also seen massive teacher turnover. Now more than ever, we need B-WET to help train new teachers to deliver high-quality, locally relevant educational experiences that inspire students to be good stewards of the Bay and its rivers and streams.
"We urge Congress to reject the Trump administration's misplaced priorities and support investing in the future of our students."
Lisa Caruso
Washington, D.C. Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
lcaruso@cbf.org
202/793-4485
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Original text here: https://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2025/federal/environmental-education-needs-continued-federal-funding.html
Wellcome responds to UK government plans to set new 10-year budgets for R&D funding
LONDON, England, May 19 -- Wellcome, a charitable foundation, posted the following news release:
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Wellcome responds to UK government plans to set new 10-year budgets for R&D funding
John-Arne Rottingen, chief executive of Wellcome, said: "The UK has long been a global leader in R&D and staying at the forefront requires ambitious and sustainable investment over the long-term. Making progress on critical challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and mental health, won't happen overnight. We welcome the government's long-term commitment to supporting science and scientific infrastructures.
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LONDON, England, May 19 -- Wellcome, a charitable foundation, posted the following news release:
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Wellcome responds to UK government plans to set new 10-year budgets for R&D funding
John-Arne Rottingen, chief executive of Wellcome, said: "The UK has long been a global leader in R&D and staying at the forefront requires ambitious and sustainable investment over the long-term. Making progress on critical challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and mental health, won't happen overnight. We welcome the government's long-term commitment to supporting science and scientific infrastructures.This will unlock R&D for breakthrough discovery science and research with potential to improve and save lives both in the UK and beyond."
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Original text here: https://wellcome.org/news/wellcome-responds-uk-government-plans-set-new-10-year-budgets-rd-funding
Updated Racial Justice and DEI Corporate Scorecards Follow Eleven 99% Shareholder Votes
OAKLAND, California, May 19 -- As You Sow Foundation posted the following news release:
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Updated Racial Justice and DEI Corporate Scorecards Follow Eleven 99% Shareholder Votes
Amid overwhelming shareholder approval of corporate DEI policies, updated scorecards show how 3,000 corporations perform on 64 metrics of racial justice and workplace equity.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, ryon@asyousow.org, (310) 730-9407
EL CERRITO, CA--May 16, 2025-- Today, updated Racial Justice and Workplace Equity Scorecards rating 3,000 of the largest publicly traded US companies on 64 key performance indicators,
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OAKLAND, California, May 19 -- As You Sow Foundation posted the following news release:
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Updated Racial Justice and DEI Corporate Scorecards Follow Eleven 99% Shareholder Votes
Amid overwhelming shareholder approval of corporate DEI policies, updated scorecards show how 3,000 corporations perform on 64 metrics of racial justice and workplace equity.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, ryon@asyousow.org, (310) 730-9407
EL CERRITO, CA--May 16, 2025-- Today, updated Racial Justice and Workplace Equity Scorecards rating 3,000 of the largest publicly traded US companies on 64 key performance indicators,was released by As You Sow. Several major updates were made, including 28 new and refined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on corporate social responsibility, internal diversity programs and policies, workforce data disclosure, external community engagement, and environmental justice. The research aligns with outspoken support by key corporate executives and near unanimous votes (above 98%) in 2025 to maintain current DEI policies and programs at Disney, Costco, Visa, Apple, Deere, Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Levi's, AMEX, Coca-Cola, Berkshire Hathaway, Bristol Myers, and Gilead. The total value of assets voted to support management DEI programs is over $4.1 trillion so far this year.
"Shareholders have overwhelmingly voted to endorse current merit-based diversity programs at 13 major corproatiosn so far this proxy season," said Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow. "Why? It's because the data shows conclusively that increased workforce diversity leads to financial outperformance. Corporate executives and boards now have a clear mandate from their shareholders to base business decisions on business data and not on politics."
As You Sow 's Racial Justice and Workplace Equity scorecards provide the most comprehensive view of publicly available data on corporate DEI programs. Both inform As You Sow 's corporate engagements and provide valuable data for portfolio construction, corporate research, and academic studies.
Updates to the Racial Justice Scorecard include 28 new and updated KPIs across its five pillars: corporate responsibility, internal policies, workforce data disclosure, community actions, and environmental justice. New KPIs include DEI trainings for employees; participation in AI ethics groups, anti-prison labor policies; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) recruitment pipelines; partnership programs with Civil Rights, climate and environmental justice organizations; and Human Rights violations. Racial Justice Scorecard results can be seen here.
"The latest Racial Justice Scorecard data reveals that most companies have not abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion as corporate policies," said Olivia Knight, racial and environmental justice manager at As You Sow, and author of the Racial Justice Scorecard. "Some are rebranding DEI programs to avoid censorship and to continue optimizing for financial outperformance regardless of the political winds."
The Workplace Equity scorecard helps corporations and shareholders measure transparency of human capital management program effectiveness. More than half of the data pillars are the same as the previous report. The data fills a gap given that the SEC has yet to implement standardized data on financially relevant progress on diversity efforts. The scorecard measures disclosure of gender and ethnic diversity across a company's management, and staff at all levels based on data shown to drive growth, as well as attract and retain employees. Workplace Equity Scorecard data can be seen here.
"We are seeing companies take actions to protect their diversity programs, as well as to improve and evolve them," said Meredith Benton, workplace equity manager at As You Sow, founder of Whistle Stop Capital, and author of the Workplace Equity Scorecard. "Most companies we spoke with are building for the long term, ensuring that they have talented and loyal employees."
The release of the two scorecards is the first major retooling of the KPIs since their initial release in November 2020. They continue to capture the evolving landscape of corporate workforce composition and justice policies despite the current political climate forcing companies to underperform as measured in As You Sow 's 2023 report, Capturing the Diversity Benefit: Workforce Diversity Linked to Financial Performance.
About As You Sow
As You Sow is the nation's leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility. Its focus areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, the Rights of Nature, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow's shareholder resolution tracker.
About Whistle Stop Capital
Whistle Stop Capital is a research and analytics firm that supports asset owners and advisors in assessing and addressing social and environmental exposures within their investment portfolios. On behalf of clients, it researches, analyzes, and speaks with hundreds of companies a year on a range of sustainability and human rights-related topics. Whistle Stop manages the Workplace Equity program for As You Sow, which includes a Scorecard benchmarking 3000 companies on their disclosure of diversity and inclusion data.
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Original text here: https://www.asyousow.org/press-releases/2025/5/19/updated-racial-justice-and-dei-scorecards-follow-99-shareholder-votes
OMRF scientist named to international research academy
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 19 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation posted the following news:
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OMRF scientist named to international research academy
The Academy for Health and Lifespan Research has announced the induction of Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D.
Miller was among 24 scientists around the globe elected to the academy, which is dedicated to advancing the field of aging research.
Academy President Nir Barzilai said Miller's induction "helps strengthen our shared mission and collective wisdom to extend healthspan and improve quality
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 19 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation posted the following news:
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OMRF scientist named to international research academy
The Academy for Health and Lifespan Research has announced the induction of Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D.
Miller was among 24 scientists around the globe elected to the academy, which is dedicated to advancing the field of aging research.
Academy President Nir Barzilai said Miller's induction "helps strengthen our shared mission and collective wisdom to extend healthspan and improve qualityof life through rigorous, transformative research."
Miller, who joined OMRF in 2018, chairs the foundation's Aging & Metabolism Research Program and holds the G.T. Blankenship Chair in Aging Research. He studies how to maintain the mitochondria - often called the powerhouse of the cell - in a youthful state so that cells and tissues can continue to function normally. This is a major focus of lengthening healthspan, which means increasing the period of people's lives where they remain free of disease and disability.
Miller also recently completed his term as president of the American Aging Association, another group that promotes studies aimed at slowing the aging process.
"The study of aging is experiencing a surge in interest as society becomes more focused on slowing this process," said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. "Dr. Miller is a thought leader in this field, and we are excited but not surprised that he is being recognized for his work to improve human healthspans."
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Original text here: https://omrf.org/2025/05/19/omrf-scientist-named-to-international-research-academy/
