Community Foundation Update (12/15/18)

California

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has announced that it will fund open-source software efforts aimed at improving biomedical imaging. To be awarded through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative donor-advised fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the grants will enable software developers to create tools and a cohesive, shared ecosystem of resources that helps accelerate basic biomedical imaging research and benefits the entire field. CZI Imaging Software Fellows are currently working on three tools that have been embraced by the field: scikit-image, FIJI/ImageJ, and CellProfiler.

Connecticut

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced that its Myron Parker Yeomans/Edward Myron Yeomans Family Fund has awarded nearly $15,000 in support of two projects at the Andover Public Library. Two-thirds of the gift will support the creation of a large outdoor mural along the back of the library building depicting scenes from Andover's history, while the remaining $5,000 will be used to purchase new computers, software, and printers. Alice Yeomans Moe Campbell, who died in 2000 at the age of 91, was a longtime supporter of the library.

Illinois

The Chicago Community Trust has announced that, going forward, it will focus its efforts on advancing racial equity in the region. To that end, CCT will work to address economic inequities and a range of associated problems, including crime and poor educational and health outcomes, while building social capital in the region and strengthening bonds within and across communities.

Indiana

The Central Indiana Community Foundation has announced that its Hamilton County Community Foundation affiliate has awarded nine grants totaling $101,000 in the areas of education, health, transportation, and basic needs. Recipients include the Little Red Door Cancer Agency, Janus Development Services, the Milk Bank, and the Recovery High School at Fairbanks.

Kentucky

The Community Foundation of Louisville has announced its 2019 class of Alden Fellows. Established at the foundation by local philanthropist William O. Alden, Jr., the program provides each fellow with a $5,000 grant to pursue either a self-directed program or attend a high-quality university-based leadership and training program. Alden Fellows for 2019 include Jeanette Bahouth, executive director of Young Authors Greenhouse; Kish Cumi, executive director of the Smoketown Family Wellness Center; Da'Marrion Fleming, president and founder of Sowing Seeds With Faith; Kevin Moore, managing director of Actors Theater of Louisville; and Evon Smith, president and CEO of OneWest.

Michigan

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has announced the creation of a public-private partnership aimed at reducing the number of opioid overdoses and deaths in the region. In addition to the foundation, the Michigan Opioid Partnership includes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, the Superior Health Foundation, and the Jewish Fund. With $2.6 million in funding available, the collaborative will provide support for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), an evidence-based protocol to opioid addiction that involves the use of FDA- approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapy. Grants, which will be distributed to organizations working to address a range of factors fueling the epidemic, will underwrite the cost of planning, training, and/or coordination of MAT by organizations in the region.

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation has announced that the election of Carolyn Williams as board chair and Mary Harper as vice chair, effective as of the new year. Williams, a retired probate court judge, will succeed Si Johnson as chair, while Harper, an attorney, succeeds Frank Sardone.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced a grant of $100,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Spurred by proposed cuts to federal safety-net programs and rising food prices, the grant will help the foodbank acquire three hundred thousand pounds of food, enough to provide three hundred and seventy-thousand meals.

Washington

The Seattle Foundation has announced that the Seattle International Foundation, a supporting organization established in 2008, will focus its efforts on Central America going forward. Established by Bill and Paula Clapp to build support for international development and global philanthropy in the Pacific Northwest, SIF will support organizations and initiatives working to strengthen good governance and the rule of law, promote equity, and reduce displacement and forced migration in the region. In addition to its grantmaking portfolio, SIF will continue to implement three high-impact programs in the region: the Central America Donors Forum, the Central America and Mexico Youth Fund, and Centroamérica Adelante. 

West Virginia

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation has announced grants totaling more than $164,840 in support of local organizations. Recipients include the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, Building Bridges to Careers, Community Spirit of Williamstown, and Wirt County Primary Center.