NYC, Friday, September 25, 2015
Mostly Sunny across the state. New York City, high 74; Albany, high 71; Buffalo, high 74.
Top News
Charities: Pope Brings Hope - and Hopefully Funding
In New York Nonprofit, Frank G. Runyeon covers the impact that the papal visit is having on local charities, Catholic and otherwise. “It certainly seems like Pope Francis appeals to not just Catholics or Christians, but to a whole wide base, people of all beliefs,” said James Winans, chief development officer at The Bowery Mission. “And we’re always hopeful that events like this will inspire people to give and to volunteer and to become part of the cause.” Read more.
CEO Corner: Margaret Crotty, Partnership with Children
New York Nonprofit's Jeff Stein sat down with Margaret Crotty, executive director of Partnership with Children, a nonprofit organization that serves 17,000 students in all 5 boroughs, providing critical counseling and intervention services. Partnership with Childrens' teams of experienced social workers work with students at the highest risk of academic failure and dropout and also work with their families, teachers, principals, and surrounding communities. Crotty also discussed recent educational news about the mayor's plan to improve parental involvement, as well as developments with universal pre-kindergarten. Watch the interview here.
Kickstarter Becomes a Public Benefit Corporation, So What?
In the Nonprofit Quarterly, contributor Rick Cohen warns to not get carried away by the hype around Kickstarter's new "public benefit corporation" status. "The social benefit from Kickstarter’s core business operations varies from deep to virtually nonexistent. It is difficult to see how the pledges that Kickstarter makes as a public benefit corporation radically alter the content of the mixed social benefit, whatever it might be, from its business," Cohen writes. Read more.
National Philanthropy Day 2015 Honors Award Program
Join nonprofit leader and award-winning filmmaker Maria Cuomo Cole, educator and activist Geoff Canada and major philanthropist and NPD Chair T. Denny Sanford for AFP’s 2015 National Philanthropy Day Honors on Nov. 12 in New York at 7:30 the historic 92nd Street Y. The National Philanthropy Day Honors recognize individuals and organizations who have significantly improved the quality of life for people in their communities and around the world. Six honorees from across North America are being awarded this year, and registration is FREE. To register and learn more, click here!
NYN Buzz
Schumer, Gilibrand Announce Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding to NY Botanical Garden and StoryCorps
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $971,457 in funding for the New York Botanical Garden and StoryCorps. This will be matched by $1,026,458 in private funding for the two recipients. The funding was allocated through the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Leadership Grants. Specifically, the New York Botanical Garden will receive $846,457 to expand online biodiversity literature. StoryCorps will receive $125,000 for recording projects.
“I am pleased that this federal funding has been provided to the New York Botanical Garden and StoryCorps, as it will expand public access to its literature. Libraries play an important role in our society and this grant funding will ensure that New Yorkers in all communities have access to these educational resources,” said Senator Schumer.
The funding to the New York Botanical Garden will expand public access to biodiversity literature; add approximately one hundred new small organizations, including libraries, museums, societies and publishers to their content provider network; serve as a model for national “subject-based” content hubs; and develop processes that will ensure long-term biodiversity contributions to the Digital Public Library of America.
The funding to Story Corps will enable two trained StoryCorps facilitators to visit and document each of the National Medal-winning museums and libraries, chosen by IMLS. StoryCorps will record up to 180 stories and produce 10 professionally edited segments to be featured through IMLS media. This body of work will allow the IMLS National Medal recipients to engage local communities beyond their geographical reach and for more people to encounter and appreciate the work of these institutions.
Community Resource Center Raises $25K
On Saturday, September 12, 2015, Community Resource Center held their Bowl-A-Thon FUN-raiser at Jib Lanes in Flushing, Queens. Nearly $25K was raised, thanks to the generous support of staff, friends and family who attended the lively event. All proceeds will be used to enhance the programs and services of CRC, helping to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of developmentally disabled individuals.
PIX11 news reporter and Queens native Narmeen Choudhury emceed the fundraiser, which included fun raffles, a delicious lunch and lots of exciting bowling action. Several local businesses helped to sponsor the event.
“We’re thrilled by the great turnout and the incredible outpouring of support for our agency,” says Kevin M. Meade, Executive Director, CRC. “Every contribution we receive is vital to ensuring the highest quality care for the individuals we serve. Words alone can’t express our gratitude to the donors and sponsors who helped make the day possible.”
Political Bulletin powered by City & State
* Pope Francis began his 10-hour whirlwind tour of New York City with an evening prayer service at the Manhattan cathedral, following months of planning and heightened security across the region, The Wall Street Journal writes. Read more.
* Pope Francis blessed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s partner Sandra Lee, who recently was diagnosed as cancer free after a battle with breast cancer, and his father former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who died early this year, the Post reports. Read more.
*A new television advertisement produced for the pro-charter group Families for Excellent Schools accuses Mayor Bill de Blasio of forcing minority students into failing schools, Politico New York writes. Read more.
Nonprofits in the News
NY Nonprofits Training Community to Cop Watch
The Nonprofit Quarterly writes that in New York City, nonprofits provide the majority of the copwatch trainings, including an apparently loosely structured Cop Watch Alliance. A number of practicing attorneys are also volunteering their time with organized copwatch patrols. Read more.