Philanthropy New York Currents January 2010

Dear Members,

The news from Haiti is, needless to say, devastating: hundreds of thousands of people dead, millions homeless, children and parents facing immeasurable losses. Damage to the country’s infrastructure is incalculable. Around the world, people have responded generously. At last count, it looked as if donations from the United States could top half a billion dollars. Americans’ outpouring of generosity plays a vital role in responding to Haitians’ immediate need for food, water, shelter, and more.

Institutional funders see this same pressing need just as clearly, and are responding to it with grants for emergency relief. But foundations can play another critical role as well, by providing medium- and long-term support. As we’ve seen with other disasters—whether it’s the Indian Ocean tsunami or Hurricane Katrina—the work of rebuilding must go on long, long after the headlines have turned to other matters.

Philanthropy New York will connect funders who want to work together on the long-term effort of supporting Haiti. Please continue to check the dedicated section on our website, http://www.philanthropynewyork.org/haiti, for updates on our members’ response to the disaster and more information. We are also hosting a brown-bag lunch on Friday, February 5th, for funders interested in longer-term efforts and collaboration; for more information, and to register, please click here.

Finally, we urge our members to contact us with their interests, questions, news, and announcements about their responses. Please write to info@philanthropynewyork.org, or contact me at rbrown@philanthropynewyork.org or our Member Services Manager Kristen Ruff at kruff@philanthropynewyork.org. In these and other ways, we aim to help our members and other funders assist the Haitian people as they recover from this terrible disaster.

Best Regards,

Ronna

Welcome New Members

• The SIFMA Foundation

The New York Women's Foundation Increases Grantmaking, Responds to Economic Crisis

The New York Women's Foundation (NYWF) increased its grantmaking by 20 percent in 2009, distributing approximately $3,300,000 to 68 local community-based organizations. The increase was a reflection of the foundation's ongoing commitment to achieve economic security for women and families. In addition to its regular grantmaking, the foundation also initiated responses to the economic crisis, including a new four-year initiative called RISE-NYC!, additional year funding to selected current grantees, and new grants to innovative projects in busines development, education, training, and other areas. For more information, visit the foundation's grantee list, or its YouTube channel.

Camphill Foundation Launches New Website, and Changes Status

The Camphill Foundation has launched a new website, and has changed from a support organization to a grantmaking foundation. The foundation provides professional development scholarships, research fellowships, and grants to organizations in the areas of cognitive, emotional, and mental development. Its goal is to advance the use of social and holistic models to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. The foundation supports individuals, nonprofits, and nongovernmental organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America that share Camphill's spirit of respect for the integrity and self-determination of every person.

In Memoriam: Kassie Seetaram, Friend and Partner of the Edwin Gould Foundation

Cynthia Rivera Weissblum, the President and CEO of the Edwin Gould Foundation, writes this letter about a recent loss. "It is with deepest sadness that we share with you that our dear friend, wise counsel, and respected partner Kassie Seetaram suffered an untimely death on Saturday, January 23rd after succumbing to a massive heart attack. Kassie was a friend and mentor to many within the Gould Foundation family, and his wisdom has been the bedrock for many organizations. Kassie joined the Foundation family over a decade ago, beginning as Director of Finance at Clearpool, followed by Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, and ultimately as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at the Edwin Gould Foundation....We will miss him deeply—his warm smile, kind heart, and giving spirit."

Rockefeller Foundation Opens 2010 NYC Cultural Innovation Fund Competition

The Rockefeller Foundation has announced the opening of its 2010 New York City Cultural Innovation Fund competition. The fund was established in 2007, and annually awards $2.5 million in grants to spur and support cultural innovation in New York City's creative sector, a vital economic engine. The announcement comes after a difficult economic year for the industry in which 80 percent of New York City's nonprofit cultural organizations were forced to reduce their budgets and more than half have reduced staff and postponed or canceled programs. For more information, please visit the foundation's website.

(View a full text, PDF version of Philanthropy New York Currents, January 2010.)