Critical Contributions: Philanthropic Investment in Teachers and Teaching is a new report that examines recent foundation activity to improve instruction and offers an in-depth review of grantmaking in the 2000s. A key finding of the report was the magnitude of philanthropic investment in strengthening teacher quality—between 2000 and 2008, $684 million was directed toward teachers and teaching. Half of this funding came from a group of ten foundations. Similarly much of it—60 percent—was directed to just twenty organizations.
GIA Blog
Posted on July 18, 2011 by Steve
Posted on July 18, 2011 by Steve
Helen Walters from Fast Company on the persistent problems with design thinking, and the attempts to graft its processes onto businesses:
At the recent Design Research conference in Seattle, the consensus reportedly held that whether or not you like the term, design thinking is here to stay. At a recent panel discussion in New York, “Design Thinking: Dead or Alive?” it was hard to find any of the speakers (of which I was one) quibbling with more than the fact that it wasn’t a very interesting question.
Posted on July 18, 2011 by Steve
William I. Miller took the reins of The Wallace Foundation on July 1. Today he introduces himself via email:
Dear Colleagues,
As the new president of The Wallace Foundation, I want to introduce myself and let you know how much I look forward to working together with all of you.
Posted on July 17, 2011 by Steve
From the Glasspockets Blog:
Kudos to the James Irvine Foundation for two very visible steps designed to increase its grantmaking transparency and participation. This month the Irvine Foundation announced that it will introduce a new grantmaking strategy for its support of the arts in California, effective 2012.
Posted on July 15, 2011 by Steve
From Narric Rome at ARTSBlog:
Many Americans for the Arts members and friends may be most familiar with the grant programs of the National Endowment for the Arts, which distributes about 2,400 grants annually to arts organizations. But less familiar are the grants located at other federal agencies that represent a more non-traditional source of funding that can benefit arts organizations as well.
Posted on July 15, 2011 by Steve
TCG's I Am Theatre video series spotlights the stories of theatre practitioners, in their own words. With 50 videos over the next 50 weeks, the series celebrates TCG's 50th anniversary by sharing stories from a diverse group of people who are creating, supporting, and engaging with theatre. A new video will post weekly of individuals sharing pivotal moments in theatre and you are encouraged to tell your stories too. Watch this week's video of Rachel Grossman, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's Connectivity Director.
Posted on July 15, 2011 by Steve
Some look at the city of Flint and see only urban blight, a city drained of its soul. Others, like Natasha Thomas-Jackson, Executive Director of RAISE IT UP! Youth Arts and Awareness, see a city alive with creativity, a community on the brink of rediscovering its voice. Her non-profit was founded to ensure that the creativity and collective voices of the youth in her hometown are discovered, nurtured and expressed.
Posted on July 14, 2011 by Steve
The San Francisco Arts Commission voted unanimously on Monday to appoint its vice president, JD Beltran, as interim director while the commission recruits a permanent new director of cultural affairs. Beltran is a conceptual artist, filmmaker and writer. Her work has been screened and exhibited internationally. Mayor Edwin Lee has sole authority over the appointment of Arts Commissioners.
Posted on July 13, 2011 by Steve
The Joyce Foundation today announced that Angelique Power will join the organization as senior program officer for the Culture Program in late August. Ms. Power comes to Joyce with more than 15 years experience in communications and outreach, most recently serving as director of communications and community engagement at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Posted on July 13, 2011 by Abigail
Been thinking about your organization's social media plan at lot lately? Us too. Here's a tidy little history of why we're grappling with this, posted to Mashable by Jolie O'Dell. If you read to the bottom, you will find links to other social media infographics, including a few that might inform your (all of our) ever-evolving social media strategies.