Alaska

The Juneau Community Foundation has announced that Eric Olsen and Vicki Bassett have been recognized as its 2022 Philanthropists of the Year. According to the foundation, both have contributed time, expertise, and gifts in support of many local projects and programs including the foundation, Glory Hall, Teal Street Center, Housing First, Southeast Alaska Land Trust, Juneau Jazz & Classics, and the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council.

California

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) has announced that Gina Dalma, its executive vice president of community action, policy, and strategy, will receive the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award. The award recognizes the achievements of outstanding professional women working in and contributing to the Palo Alto community and not only excel in their chosen fields but also open opportunities for others to excel.

Connecticut

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced a three-year, $330,000 core support grant to enable the Partnership for Strong Communities (PSC) to implement its strategic priorities focused on creating equitable housing solutions that impact the Hartford region. PSC leads advocacy efforts, conducts original research, and brings together the coalitions needed to drive systemic change. It is dedicated to ensuring everyone in Connecticut has a safe, stable, and affordable home in an equitable community of their choice.

Indiana

The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, has announced the launch of Neighborhood Empowerment Pathways, a three-year, $3 million partnership with Cummins, Inc. and the City of Indianapolis to sustain grassroots not-for-profits that are closest to the community’s assets and challenges and, through their proximity, uniquely positioned to supply solutions and seize opportunities. The partnership encourages trainings in areas—such as executive mindset, strategic planning for grassroots and community-based organizations, and developing an organizational budget—that help strengthen organizational infrastructure and support advancing their priorities. This skills building and shared learning also will be supported with mini-grants that enable nonprofits to close gaps in infrastructure while learning. In addition, the effort features community convenings that bring organizations and communities together to organize, share solutions, and strategize around collective action.

Louisiana

The Greater New Orleans Foundation has announced the appointment of Kristina Kent as director of workforce initiatives. Most recently, Kent served as program director, public safety grants, at Baptist Community Ministries, where she designed, managed, and monitored strategic grantmaking initiatives aimed at improving public safety outcomes, including a focus on creating workforce opportunities for returning citizens. She also has served as the director of juvenile justice initiatives for NOLA Public Schools.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced that eight nonprofit organizations serving the state’s LGBTQ communities will share $77,500 in grants awarded through its Equity Action Fund. The funding will support organizations engaged in efforts ranging from civil rights advocacy for families and youth to improving the delivery of health care. Recipients include Youth Pride, the Steel Yard, Stages of Freedom, and Sojourner House.

Washington

The Kitsap Community Foundation in Silverdale has announced the appointment of Tina O’Brien as its new leader, with a title that was not identified. A longtime nonprofit official, O’Brien most recently served as vice president of development for Special Olympics of Washington.