A recent article in The New York Times highlights the work of individuals and organizations making impact investments in the arts, including Upstart Co-Lab, SeaChange Capital Partners, and Calvert Foundation. “Channeling investments into real estate is the easiest route … because many arts organizations have buildings and a need to upgrade or maintain them.”
Monica's Blog
Posted on November 17, 2016 by Monica
In a recent editorial in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Vu Le advocates for a “new social contract” between nonprofits and foundations in response to the recent presidential election. Le urges foundations to do away with “old ways of doing business” and offers nine ways that foundations can better support nonprofits through changes in funding practices and policies.
Posted on November 16, 2016 by Monica
In a statement from President and CEO Rip Rapson, The Kresge Foundation reaffirms its commitment to justice and the public good:
As national discourse and energy pivots from campaign mode into the realities of governance, philanthropy is particularly called upon to identify and actualize its values and missions to ensure that society heals and progresses in a positive, just, and affirming way.
We need, above all, to affirm, elevate, and amplify the work that we and our nonprofit, public, academic, and private sector partners do. But we also need to be crystal clear about the values that undergird our reason for being. We need to anchor our aspirations and actions in the unalterable bedrock of what we stand for.
Posted on November 15, 2016 by Monica
Darren Walker, president of Ford Foundation, has issued a letter to philanthropic partners, grantees, and friends on the need for hope and dedication following the recent election:
If we are to overwhelm the forces of inequality and injustice — if we are to dedicate ourselves anew to the hard and heavy lifting of building the beloved community — then the cornerstone of our efforts must be hope.
Posted on November 9, 2016 by Monica
By Jennifer Brown, writing for The Denver Post:
A 0.1 percent sales tax for arts and culture in Denver’s seven-county metro area passed overwhelmingly, as supporters called it a “bright ray of sunshine voters could agree on,” according to unofficial results.
The tax funds the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, which has been in existence for 28 years. Without another thumbs up from voters, it would have expired next summer. The measure — called 4B — extends the tax until 2030.
Posted on November 8, 2016 by Monica
A data dashboard published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy reveals online giving trends based on donations made via Network for Good. The dashboard breaks down the dollar amount and quantity of donations for various regions, causes, and time periods. As of November 1, 2016, “arts, culture, and humanities” ranked eleventh in number of donations (approximately 144,000) and tenth in total amount donated ($17.4 million) in a 13-month period.
Posted on November 3, 2016 by Monica
A recent article on Createquity reviews literature on the benefits of the arts for older adults:
There is substantial causal evidence that participatory arts activities help to maintain the health and quality of life of older adults. These benefits … include improvements in cognitive and tactile abilities, subjective wellbeing, and dementia risk reduction (although the effects on managing dementia are less clear).
Posted on November 2, 2016 by Monica
The California Arts Council released the findings of an extensive evaluation of the state agency's support of nonprofit media organizations in California, specifically as it relates to arts and culture coverage and related projects. The report, Nonprofit Media Coverage of the Arts in California: Challenges and Opportunities, is the first of its kind assessing the status of California nonprofit media organizations' engagement with arts and culture, and the funding of such activities.
Posted on November 1, 2016 by Monica
Americans for the Arts, as part of its National Initiative for Arts and Health in the Military, has published a national directory of arts-related programs, services, and resources for military service members, veterans, and their families. The directory includes state-by-state listings and continues to be updated as more resources are added.
Posted on October 26, 2016 by Monica
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) announced their expansion of the partnership into Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. The expanded Creative Forces program places creative arts therapies at the core of patient-centered care at ten additional clinical sites, and increases access to therapeutic arts activities in local communities for military members, veterans, and their families. The program is also investing in research on the impacts and benefits of these innovative treatment methods.