President Obama Seeks the 'Most-Promising Nonprofits in America'

June 30, 2009

President Obama Seeks the 'Most-Promising Nonprofits in America'

By Suzanne Perry

Washington

Note: The White House has clarified some details about the timing of the Social Innovation Fund grants and the purpose of the president’s travels. See The Chronicle’s update.

President Obama announced today that White House officials will travel across the country to find “the most promising nonprofits in America” as the administration decides how to spend a new $50-million fund to help charities expand innovative social projects.

Surrounded by more than 100 philanthropic leaders in the East Room of the White House, Mr. Obama said he was glad there were some “deep pockets” in the audience, as he also wants corporations and foundations to chip in to help the administration create a “new kind of partnership between government and the nonprofit sector.”

“Our nonprofits can provide the solutions,” he said. “Our government can rigorously evaluate these solutions and invest limited taxpayer dollars in ones that work.” But, he said, private donors are needed to provide seed capital, matching funds, and strategic advice.

“If we work together, if we go all-in here, think about the difference we can make,” he said.

‘Grass-Roots’ Innovation

President Obama spoke after representatives of four nonprofit groups — Bonnie CLAC (Car Loans and Counseling), Harlem Children’s Zone, Genesys Works, and HopeLab — described their projects.

He said those groups showed that “solutions to America’s challenges are being developed every day at the grass roots — and government shouldn’t be supplanting those efforts, it should be supporting those efforts.”

The $50-million Social Innovation Fund, managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, was created by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law this spring. (It is still waiting a formal Congressional decision to appropriate the money.)

Mr. Obama said Melody Barnes, his domestic-policy adviser, and members of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation would fan out to every region in the country to search for grant candidates.

“We won’t just be seeking the programs that everybody already knows about, but we also want to find those hidden gems that haven’t yet gotten the attention they deserve,” he said.

The president said the administration would apply this “new way of doing business” across the government, citing two examples: the Education Department’s $650-million “What Works” fund and a new project by the Health and Human Services Department to send nurses and other professionals into the homes of troubled families, which is seeking programs with “the strongest record of success.”

In the Spotlight

The nonprofit representatives who spoke included:

Geoffrey Canada, president of Harlem Children’s Zone, an antipoverty group that provides a comprehensive set of educational, medical, and social services in a 100-block area of Harlem. President Obama has proposed developing “promise neighborhoods” across the country modeled after the Harlem project. Mr. Canada told the group that Mr. Obama’s approach to government grants meant nonprofit groups would be held accountable for results. “If we don’t do a good job, we shouldn’t get the money.” (Read an article from the Chronicle’s archive about Mr. Canada.)

Robert Chambers, founder of Bonnie CLAC, in New Hampshire, which provides low-interest car loans and financial-literacy training to low-income buyers. Mr. Chambers in 2006 won a $10,000 Purpose Prize, an award sponsored by the nonprofit group Civic Ventures that honors people age 60 and above who devise innovative ways to help society. Bonnie CLAC has since expanded from one to eight locations in New Hampshire. He told the audience he has heard from people in 42 states who are interested in setting up groups like his. (Read an article from the Chronicle archive about Mr. Chambers.)

Vanessa Nunez, 19, a graduate of a training program offered by Genesys Works, in Houston and St. Paul, which prepares economically disadvantaged high-school students for professional jobs. Ms. Nunez, who just finished her freshman year in college, said the program taught her she could succeed in the corporate world, “a world I never imagined I could be a part of.”

Pat Christen, president of HopeLab, in Redwood City, Calif., which uses scientific research to develop technology to help children with chronic illnesses, and Richard Ross, 12, one of the group’s “kid testers.” Richard described how he is competing with his sister as he tests out a new anti-obesity product called gDitty, a gadget that awards points to kids for physical activity. “I ended up whupping her,” he said of a recent competition. (Read more about Pam Omidyar, who helped found HopeLab, in an article from the Chronicle’s archive.)

President Obama also praised the work of two other nonprofit leaders in the audience — Jim McCorkill, of Admission Possible, in St. Paul, which helps young people from low-income families attend college; and Alfa Demmellash, of Rising Tide Capital, in Jersey City, N.J., which helps small-scale entrepreneurs, many of them single mothers, get loans, run their businesses, and improve their profit margins.

Comments

How do organizations get on the list for review? Thank you.

— Mary EB Smith Jun 30, 06:52 PM #
Please include Children of Promise, NYC. www.cpnyc.org The Brooklyn based organization does innovative and groundbreaking work with children whose parent(s) are in prison; in an effort to help them become productive law-abiding citizens, and break the cycle of incarceration. Please contact me if you need further information, and hopefully to make arrangements. Thank you!

Sonia E. Wilson
Publicity & Fundraising Consultant
P: (718)940-0949
M: (347)570-9676
www.soniawilson.com

— Sonia Wilson Jun 30, 07:36 PM #
Great initiative!

I would like Hablando de Filantropia (Talking about Philanthropy) to be considered for evaluation.It is an NGO that combines a weekly radio program;bilingual webpages with links, classified ads, products and services; an interactive blog and Twitter, to promote NGO’s and the Third Sector in general in Puerto Rico and abroad. We invite you to visit:
http://www.hablandodefilantropia.com
http://www.catspr.net

For further info, pls. contact:
hablandodefilantropia@yahoo.com

Thank you!

— LillyZ Jun 30, 10:12 PM #
St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, CA, the largest private Disproportionate Share Hospital in the nation is run by the Daughters of Charity and has been called “ground zero in the health care crisis in America”. With a Neonatal Center that delivered over 7100 babies last year, the busiest private trauma center in Los Angeles (40% deep penetration gunshot/stab wounds) with 65,000 ER visits last year and on track to see 75,000 this year , three programs; Vida Sana (“Healthy Life” addressing health disparities, childhood obesity, diabetes and wellness in an impoverished community with preventive primary care education) the Violence Intervention Program of our outstanding trauma surgeons to pre-empt and address community vilolence in a gang infested area BEFORE victims end up on the trauma table; and The St. Francis Career College, creating nursing career opportunities by recruiting young people from Compton, Watts and South Los Angeles, deserve national attention, new partnerships and funding! Contact Dennis Robinson Director of Development at DennisRobinson@dochs.org 310-900-8460

— Dennis M. Robinson Jul 1, 10:29 AM #
Please consider taking a look at the work that Hand in Hand Ministries is doing in Appalachia at our Auxier Center – 21 So. River St., Auxier, Ky. We change people’s lives through home repair projects. In our most recent job, we learned that the woman we worked for was forced to get a divorce from her husband in order to get help with her cost of medicines. There was nothing left to make any repairs on her home but Hand in Hand was able to help her significantly. Vice-President, Joe Biden, is very well aware of the work of Hand in Hand Ministries and we would love to see him bring some help to the poorest of the poor in Eastern Kentucky.

— Mary Helen Thompson Jul 1, 10:54 AM #
Excited to see this dialogue!

The Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology in Hemet, CA is one such gem. www.westerncentermuseum.org. We are the first museum complex to receive the nation’s highest award from the US Green Building Council, Platinum LEED Certification. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the widely acknowledged benchmark for sustainable design and architecture.

The stunning architecture of Western Center provides an environmental learning experience like no other. A “living” example of sustainability and conservation, the museum complex is a stunning backdrop to open the dialogue about basic concepts of environment; including interpretation, adaptation, conservation.

Yet, we are in the heart of one of the most economically challenged regions of the nation. Our educational programs are designed to bridge the gap and allow children the opportunity to see how climate change, science, history and math relate to them on a personal level. Initiatives like this are essential to our ability to continue to provide high quality exhibits and programs.

— Tracy Frick Jul 1, 01:05 PM #
The Arc of Greater Tarrant County represents 100,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in five counties & would like to be considered for its training and empowerment program teaching leadership and self advocacy skills to our members & their families. Without such skills, many with disabilities become prisoners in their own homes and never enjoy the opportunity to have an active and integrated role in the community. As most people know, autism spectrum disorders diagnoses are on the rise and we are making great progress in research and treatment. Regardless of the disability, community living serves both the individual and the taxpayer. Community involvement is a priority of our program. Richard Garnett, Executive Director
817/877-1474
richard.garnett@arcgtc.org

— Richard Garnett Jul 1, 01:47 PM #
How can my organization be added to the list?

— Thom McNamara Jul 1, 02:07 PM #
Don’t overlook creativity, personal growth, and social change through the arts!

Chuck Jones Center for Creativity works to change the world one person at a time through the transformational power of unique individual creativity.

While we actively support the unlocking and celebration of creativity in people of all ages, we’re particularly interested in enriching the lives of children. Once a young person learns to open his or her imagination every day, what will happen, especially during the journey through adolescence to maturity? Let’s find out: The world needs people who can see challenging situations in new ways!

— Cheryl Posner Jul 1, 02:13 PM #
HER PATH is a non-profit International Organization that creates opportunity for women to recognize their potential, deepen their awareness, and provides the tools necessary to take steps towards fulfilling their goals and dreams. We help women in need become leaders with in their community by providing support and guidance to make it through the obstacles that they will encounter, and help transform struggles into strengths in order to walk on their path of purpose. Her Path creates these oppotunities by means of outdoor retreats, workshops, and our mentorship program.

Jennifer Fink, Co-founder
262-323-9393
www.herpath.org

— Jennifer Fink Jul 1, 02:14 PM #
Please consider Baker Industries – a 29 year old nonprofit workforce development program that hires four groups of “vulnerable adults”: (1) people with disabilities (2) recovering substance abusers (3) ex-offenders and (4) homeless individuals. The purpose their program is to instill a strong work ethic and, in doing so, build self-esteem and work skills to the point where those who are able are ready to move into the real workforce (and they average 71 per year). I do not believe there is another organization in this country that does what they do, blending these four, very different types of individuals in a work rehabilitation program – particularly given the fact that they currently do it all without any government funding.

— Turk Thacher Jul 1, 02:15 PM #
Please consider FCD Educational Services, www.fcd.org. Freedom From Chemical Dependency. We have started a program for non-use that is based on teen/peer leadership and can help teens make healthier decisions as they look forward to education and careers as young adults.

— Michelle Miller, Development, www.fcd.org Jul 1, 02:17 PM #
I would like to know how to get on the list, as well. Our organization has been teaching comuputer literacy to the underserved in our community for 12 years. We are a small grass-roots organization but through the use of modern technology, we have been able to deliver our vocational programs to over 3500 youth and low-income adults since our inception. We definitely could use some support.

Lois C. Webb
Technical Director
TECH TEAM Computer Learning Center
610 California Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 351-4602

— Lois C Webb Jul 1, 02:23 PM #
Humanitarian Aide is the best national defense policy we can have as a nation. Please include humanitarian programs like MEDICO (Medical, Eye, Dental International Care Organization) for consideration of nonprofits helping to redefine the face of America in the international community.

Through private funds and the support of hundreds of U.S. professional volunteers from across the country, MEDICO provides free health care to impoverished Central American countries and simultaneously builds good will among nations, provides hope to people in need of medical services, and offers American ambassadorship.

MEDICO, a non profit humanitarian organization, provides undisputed testimony to the meaning of U.S. ambassadorship and foreign aide while offering hope to those who dream of gaining access to the quality of medical care offered in the U.S.

Eliza May
Executive Director, MEDICO
2955 Dawn Drive, Suite D
Georgetown, TX 78628
Phone: 512-930-1893
Email: executivedirector@medico.org
Website: www.medico.org

— Eliza May Jul 1, 02:26 PM #
This is a great program, and I’d like to nominate LA’s Best, one of the finest, most effectively run after school programs in the nation.
A’s BEST — Better Educated Students for Tomorrow — is a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 28,000 children with the greatest needs and fewest resources throughout the City of Los Angeles. LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program provides a safe haven for children, ages 5 to 12, at 180 elementary school sites each day during the critical hours after school — at no cost to parents. Established in 1988, LA’s BEST is a partnership including the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector.

— Ron Mirenda, Founding Principal, Mirenda & Associates, child advocate Jul 1, 02:37 PM #
We’re breaking the cycle of poverty through Education! Marian Middle School, the only all girls middle school in the City of St. Louis, follows the NativityMiguel model of education (10-month, 10-hour academic schedule). We will be celebrating 10 years next year, but like most nonprofit organziations, need additional support to continue our mission of providing the benefits of a private school education to underpriviledged adolescent girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Please contact me with more information on how Marian can benefit from this funding program.

Thanks!
Andrea Sykes
asykes@mms-stl.org

— Andrea Sykes, Development Manager Jul 1, 02:41 PM #
Please consider research, conservation, education organizations! The G.M. Sutton Avian Research Center is a small non-profit that does big things to find cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education. We do practical, on-the-ground research with local, national and international communities and, in turn, formulate conservation and education projects. www.suttoncenter.org

— Margie Nolan, Development Coordinator Jul 1, 02:42 PM #
How does a non-profit get on the list?

— Susan Edwards Jul 1, 02:45 PM #
The national NPower Network is an organization worthy of consideration. This organization, through its emerging network of state and regional affiliates, provides critical technology assistance and support to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and impacts thousands of end-user clients with its services. These services enable nonprofits to serve their missions more effectively, efficiently and economically.

— John Fallon Jul 1, 02:48 PM #
Please consider New York City Fire Museum, www.nycfiremuseum.org. We provide fire safety tours and programs for class tours and offer reduced rates to the low income and underprivileged populations.

— Linda Burke Jul 1, 02:52 PM #
How do charities get on the list to be considered?

— Terri Wallace Flannery Jul 1, 02:54 PM #
Exciting. I am sure that thousands of good groups will vie for inclusion.

— Gary Sweeten Jul 1, 02:56 PM #
The Atlanta Community ToolBank enables volunteer driven groups to implement a diverse range of community improvement projects ranging from community clean-ups to playground builds and everything in between. www.atlanta.toolbank.org

— Gina Chaves Jul 1, 02:57 PM #
Please consider looking at the Miami Art Museum and its contribution to art and culture in South Florida and to the children and families that benefit from numerous education programs.

— Eliana R. Dominguez Jul 1, 03:14 PM #
Please consider the work of Global Goods Partners. We work with over 40 women-led artisan cooperatives in 19 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. We provide them with access to the US market and focus on social and economic justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability. www.globalgoodspartners.org

—
Julia Bereslavskiy
Global Goods Partners
www.globalgoodspartners.org

115 W 30th Street
Suite 400
New York, NY 10001
julia.bereslavskiy@globalgoodspartners.org

— Julia Bereslavskiy Jul 1, 03:14 PM #
What does a nonprofit need to do to be considered for review?

— Jacqueline Brown Jul 1, 03:14 PM #
Grassroots! Please help La Paz Chattanooga change our community. With direct access to and cultural knowledge of the Latino community, La Paz has become the source upon which local organizations depend for accurate information of, appropriate service toward, and trusted access to the Latino community.
La Paz is a small nonprofit organization bridging the diverse Latino community to local and regional community resources. It is the mission of La Paz to empower Chattanooga’s Latino population so that they can become engaged community members. Since its formation in 2004, La Paz has sought to identify and address the social and humanitarian needs of the immigrant Latino community, locate and foster relationships with trusted organizations that can serve them, and provide the community with the confidence, capability, and education to become self-sufficient and resourceful.
www.lapazdedios.org

— Stacy Johnson, Executive Director Jul 1, 03:17 PM #
Please come to a tour of the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in New Hampshire.

Last year alone we served 668 alleged child victims of crime and their families in Hillsborough County.

The Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County (CAC-HC) is based on a nationally recognized model and a fully accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance. The Center works closely with area police departments, child protection services, prosecution, mental health providers, pediatricians and schools. At our offices in Nashua and Manchester, we provide a neutral setting for joint investigations and interviews of child victims of crimes such as sexual abuse, felony level physical abuse as well as child witnesses to a violent crime such as a homicide or a serious domestic assault. The CAC-HC is the only Center in Hillsborough County.

Child Advocacy Centers produce important benefits: allegations of sexual assaults and abuse are more thoroughly investigated; more offenders are held accountable, the community is better educated about the problem of child abuse, trauma experienced by children is reduced, non-offending parents are empowered to protect and support their children, and children receive prompt and ongoing services tailored to their family’s needs. The CAC-HC is also a resource to local police departments, providing consultation and specialized training.

This is all provided to children, families and child protection professionals at no cost to them.

Statistics around the country are suggesting that in municipalities where a Child Advocacy Center is opened there is a 40 percent increase in the prosecution of sex offences against children.

Every city and town in Hillsborough County has agreed to use the CAC-HC for their child abuse investigations and are strong partners in our quest to protect children.

The CAC-HC would like to invite President Obama and his colleagues to attend a “Hearing the Voice of a Child Tour” at our center. The tour lasts one hour and will take you through the process of what a child experiences at the Child Advocacy Center.

Please call me at 603-889-0321 or email spotvin@cac-nh.com to set up your tour.

www.cac-nh.com

Thank you.

— Shana Potvin Jul 1, 03:17 PM #
How may I get two Southwest Virginia non profits -VirginiaEconomicBridge.org and OneCare.org involved in this process?

— Carl Mitchell Jul 1, 03:18 PM #
PACT, Inc would like to be considered. Please contact me.

Fred Hawk
Director of Development
PACT,Inc.
555 E. Butterfield Road
Suite 300
Lombard IL 60148
630-960-9700

— Fred Hawk Jul 1, 03:20 PM #
It seems like the common refrain is “how do we get on the list for consideration” and I’m sure many agencies will vie for attention. Perhaps the Social Innovation Fund staff could be more specific about minimum criteria and establish an application process? If there is no application and it just becomes who they know or who they’re connected with through lobbyists or personal contacts it will start the process out on the wrong foot.

Rebecca Southers
Grants Coordinator
Ausherman Family Foundation
301.620.4468

— Rebecca Southers Jul 1, 03:23 PM #
Another worthy organization to consider.

Family Access Network, Deschutes County, Bend, OR.

FAN is committed to building a healthy community by alleviating the suffering of children in need. FAN’s mission is to improve lives by ensuring all children in Deschutes County have access to basic-need services.

Deschutes County is one of many counties in Oregon experiencing high unemployment rates. During the 2008/2009 school year FAN served 7,800+ children and family members seeking services.

Cynthia L. Jurgensen
Development Specialist
Family Access Network
www.familyaccessnetwork.org/

— Cynthia L. Jurgensen Jul 1, 03:32 PM #
Teachers & Writers Collaborative <http://www.twc.org> sends professional writers into schools to teach. It’s a great way to get people in the community involved in public schools, educating children, and sharing their passion for their work.

— Bruce Morrow Jul 1, 03:39 PM #
We welcome the President to visit Community Women’s Education Project (CWEP) to witness both a public school and nonprofit organization co-located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, PA both with a mission to educate young children and adults from the low-income community. Kensington has one of the highest drop out rates in Philadelphia, PA; therefore, CWEP continues to provide and partner with organizations onsite to provide intensive supports and educational opportunities enabling adults to prepare for their GED, high school diploma, a vocational training program, a job, or college. The young children are preparing to enter kindergarten on grade level, which is a critical stage in their development. Please consider visiting CWEP to see how more financial support can benefit the at-risk community.

Alexis T. Brown
Executive Director
Community Women’s Education Project (CWEP)
2801 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19134
P: 215-426-2200
alexis@cwep.org

— Alexis T. Brown Jul 1, 03:41 PM #
Count us in too!

QUAD Inc. provides low-income, barrier-free apartments combined with self-directed 24/7 attendant care services for severely physically disabled adults who want an independent lifestyle. Different than a nursing center, QUAD Inc. has played to the strengths of the individual for 34 years, ensuring independence and self-reliance within a functional, accessible environment in four buildings throughout metro Portland, OR. With this unique type of support, QUAD Inc.’s residents can work at meaningful jobs, volunteer in the community and pursue education.

Cheryl Franceschi
Quadriplegics United Against Dependency, Inc.
5125 SW Macadam, Portland, OR 97239
503.287.4260
c.franceschi@quadinc.org

— Cheryl Franceschi Jul 1, 03:45 PM #
I agree with Rebecca Southers, from the Ausherman Family Foundation, to have specific criteria or minimum criteria, but please do consider coming to Claymont Community Center in Claymont, Delaware.

Please visit our website http://www.claymontcenter.org.

Thank you.

Greg Munson
Director of Development
Claymont Community Center
302-792-2757× 142

— Greg Munson Jul 1, 03:47 PM #
I’d like to invite President Obama and his staff to Hartford, CT to see first-hand how one organization is making a difference in the lives of thousands of youth. Our Piece of the Pie works with youth 14-24 to help them become successful, financially independent adults through long-term outcomes of education and employment. Ours is a youth-centric program that is tied to each youth’s individual and unique goals and aspirations. We would welcome a visit and inclusion in your project.

— Jo-Anne Leventhal Jul 1, 04:02 PM #
Please include us:

Women In Transition (WIT) empowers women to build lives for themselves and their children that are free from interpersonal violence, substance abuse and poverty, and to empower the community to undertake initiatives to end substance abuse and violence against women and children. In addition, WIT works to educate the public about the intricate relationship between domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, and the proliferation of community violence. WIT’s vision is to effect social change to reduce violence against women and children, addictions to alcohol & drugs, and the resulting poverty among women in the Greater Philadelphia Region. It is the only program in Philadelphia that addresses issues of both substance abuse and domestic violence.

J. McCoy
Director of Development and Public Relations
Women In Transition
21 S. 12th Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

www.helpwomen.org

— J. McCoy Jul 1, 04:06 PM #
The NCC – National Center for Craftmanship – is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, enhancement and sustainability of quality craftsmanship. Working with industry, institutional and government partners, we provide education, training, community service and research to support the retention and extension of craft skills at the local, regional, and national levels. Our mission is to develop to its fullest expression the spirit of craftsmanship that exists in each of us.

As a nation, critical shortages of skilled craftspeople have brought us to a point where businesses are unable to meet the needs of their customers due to a lack of qualified workers. As the current pool of craft workers continues to age, the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a valuable source of economic productivity is quickly concentrating in a diminishing percentage of the population.

From construction and manufacturing to art and handicrafts, the articulation of knowledge and skill through tools and materials is the foundation of quality craftsmanship. The National Center for Craftsmanship is assuring that the knowledge, skills and abilities of our community’s finest craftspeople is passed on to future generations. We would appreciate the visit and inclusion as well.
Neil Kaufman
Director
(970) 215-4587
Neil@NCCraftsmanship.org
http://www.nationalcenterforcraftsmanship.org/

— Cathie W. Jul 1, 04:15 PM #
I agree that there should be further definition of criteria.
Special Transit provides transportation for low-income people with disabilities, older adults and anyone else who cannot/should not drive.

Sally Foss
sfoss@specialtransit.org
www.specialtransit.org

— Sally Foss Jul 1, 04:28 PM #
The PeaceJam Foundation and its national headquarters in Denver CO and Affiliate and Chapter Offices around the country are working to bring innovative service-learning programs to at-risk youth. PeaceJam supports our young people to address the root cause of poverty in their commununities through a 10 year Global Call to Action Campaign inspired by the 12 Nobel Peace Laureates – that helps young people understand and create “sustainable” communities across America that foster economic, social, and environmental justice. Visit www.peacejam.org to get involved in this youth movement.

Kate Cumbo, Ph.D.
Director of Programs
PeaceJam Foundation
kate@peacejam.org
303-455-2099
www.peacejam.org

— Kate Cumbo Jul 1, 04:32 PM #
Is the Chronicle going to forward these comments to the White House?

Or do the folks providing info on their nonprofits really think this Web site will be read by White House staffers responsible for this (still unfunded) program? Seems unlikely, but more power to you all. I hope it works.

— Cliff Meyer in Seattle Jul 1, 05:38 PM #
I commend the NPOs wishing to be part of the list…but grateful for those voices who have made the comment about minimum requirements to be on the list. “Crony-ism” is alive and well and I would hate to see this effort to “change” the perspective on the impact made by NPOs across the country become a tool for those organizations who can afford public affairs consultants (lobbyists) to do their bidding in D.C.

Will be interested to see how this plays out.

— D Morrow Jul 1, 05:46 PM #
www.wordsofbonds.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnPdfPuKCpI

Please consider School News Nationwide, Inc “Words of Bonds” project.
The School News Nationwide (SNN) organization officiate Day Schools/ After Schools and other not –for-profit programs in New York City Public Schools. Presently SNN, hundreds of New York City kids, and Educators are working on one of the largest humanitarian project, it is called “Words of Bonds”.

SNN and many students took a poll among many young people in which we showed pictures and asked pertinent questions regarding the Holocaust the Nazi wrought upon the Jewish people and others. The majority of the young people polled had little factual answers about these atrocities. Herein lies one of the preventable problems that may face us in the future. It is said that if we fail to correct the past, we are destined to repeat it.

Intolerance breeds, intolerance and one of the few effective ways of stopping the cycle is through education. One of the most powerful methods of doing so is acquiring a historical perspective of how man’s inhumanity to man has impacted our heritage. As part of this effort to help today’s youth learn about the barbaric atrocities of the Holocaust and the American Slavery, SNN is developing a highly innovative documentary film/DVD “Words of Bonds”. This documentary will chronicle personal and individual stories from both the great-grand children of African Americans whose fore-parents were slaves, and from those who survived the Holocaust that the Nazis wrought upon them. One of the objectives of this documentary, produced by students from schools throughout New York City, is to examine the connections between these two incredibly destructive events and the importance of remembering these individual accounts forever.
Production of this documentary involves students of all religious convictions who are conducting interviews with first-hand survivors of the Jewish Holocaust, as well as collecting oral family histories of African American Slavery.

This is a first-of-its- kind project: a Student-Produced Film chronicling primary source material of these two horrific events and the impact they have on our society today. This is also an incredibly time- sensitive project because with each passing day we are losing individuals who have first, second or third generational connections with these histories. Capturing their thoughts and reflections as an archive to be passed on to future generations is of invaluable importance with the premises’ that we must never let this happened again. Upon the completion of this project we will freely give 2 million DVDs to all the school children in New York and continue to work with Holocaust Survivors in sharing their stories to our nation’s youth.
It is works like this the President is talking about. We are impacting the world, changing lives and influencing people in doing the right thing. We must never atrocities like the Holocaust and Slavery happened again.

— Bill Tingling Jul 1, 07:20 PM #
Young People Matter (YPM) www.ypmatlanta.org

— Simone Joye Jul 1, 07:20 PM #
With President Obama’s focus on health care reform, Ms. Barnes (no relation to me) will be interested in seeing the preventive care and community screening we are providing at the Ethnic health Institute in Oakland as freee community benefit projects, to African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic populations who make up half the total population of Alameda County, CA, and who are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes than caucasian populations. Many are low income residents who would otherwise not be able to get such screening, leading to more serious health problems and higher costs down the road for all (including MediCare and MediCal beheficiaries).
Debra Barnes, APR, CFRE
Associate Director
Alta BAtes Summit Medical Center
Foundation
510-204-1667

— Debra Barnes Jul 1, 07:22 PM #
From: Janet R. Kirchheimer, Teaching Fellow CLAL -The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.
Support our “Words Of Bonds” School project.

It is apparent that many have not succeeded in teaching their children well. Our students from NYC Public School 270 were just around the corner preparing to enter the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Washington D.C., where a citizen with a history of hatred and white supremacy attacked the museum with a rifle. His racism, anti-Semitism, Neo Nazism and anti-African American hatred fueled this incident in which he intended to kill and destroy people’s lives. He succeeded by killing a heroic security guard, Stephen Tyrone Johns an African-American who valiantly tried to apprehend the shooter and protect people. James van-Brunn the shooter, was shot by other guards and was subsequently arrested.
At the museum that night a new play “Anne and Emmett” was set to debut, a play about hate crimes which, much like “Words of Bonds,” attempts to explore lessons for children from humanity’s darkest periods. The play traces imaginary conversation between Anne Frank, a little girl killed in the Nazi Holocaust who wrote a diary and Emmett Till, a little black boy lynched in Mississippi in 1955. Today would have been Ms. Frank’s 80th birthday.
“Our whole play is about hate, to eradicate hate, and this is an example of hatred,” said the playwright Janet Langhart Cohen, wife of former US Defense Secretary William Cohen, who had been heading to the museum’s theater for final rehearsals ahead of Wednesday night’s premiere when the attack happened.
We must take this opportunity to reflect on the aftermath of yesterday tragedy to resolve to educate as many students as we can through Words of Bonds, SNN’s multimedia educational and film project which aims to teach children about genocides, intolerance and racism. We must educate people that anti-Semitism, white supremacy, neo-Nazism and all forms of hate will not be tolerated. We want our children to know love, not hate; respect, not contempt. They must be taught to leave their comfort zones, cross boundaries, and meet people from outside their communities and cultures. They must resolve to learn something from each person they meet.
With the Words of Bonds project, we work with students at schools all over the country, educating and empowering them to be better citizens of the world. We want our students to lead future generations in creating a world where every human being is treated with the utmost respect.
This is why the President speech is so important to people like us, Holocaust Survivors and thousands of New York City Kids who are involve with this Words of Bonds Project.
Please Mr. President and Staff; we are encouraging you to share our Words of Bonds mission by telling the world America about what our New York City Children are doing. To view our project videos, the trailer, articles, more about the project and to leave us comments, please visit our site www.wordsofbonds.com and email us at contact@wordsofbonds.com
On Oct. 18, 2009 at Madison Square Garden, hundreds of New York City children, and others will be honoring several Holocaust Survivors /African American Seniors, and Educators for their works in teaching our youth about the atrocities of the past.. and that we must do our best to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again…

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King Jr. US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 – 1968)

Janet R. Kirchheimer, Teaching Fellow CLAL -The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

— Silvia Preval Jul 1, 07:43 PM #
Finally, someone using an innovative approach to identify promising and successful nonprofits. Like everyone else, I would like to recommend the Neighborhood School Centers in Dayton, Ohio. It is an collaborative effort between the local community foundation,the Dayton Foundation, a leading university, the University of Dayton, the school district and five nonprofits. It was started several years ago and was modeled very closely to the Harlem Children Zone.

— Yvette Kelly-Fields Jul 1, 07:48 PM #
I would like to invite President and Mrs. Obama to meet the talented, skilled, intelligent students at a place called Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. This hidden HBCU gem produces servant leaders such as Barry Black, US Senate Chaplain, Whintley Phipps, singer and song writer and CEO of Dream Academy, ans Take 6, accapella singing group that performed with Stevie Wonder at the 2008 DNC just to name a few. We are grateful for the individuals and corporations that partner with us to empower lives and improve the quality of life through education that will ultimately build the workforce with young,talented, diverse leaders. We are also very proud of our president who is running a marathon in all 50 states and 7 continents to raise scholarship dollars. Now that’s an admirable solution!

— Cheri Wilson Jul 1, 11:11 PM #
The crime is that our veterans, our emotionally and mentally challenged, our economically devastated, the abused, the confused wander our streets. Live under the clefts of our bridges and in the squalor of our alleys and they are invisible. We look away, we toss a quarter here or there and perhaps think we have done our charitable duty and then go on our way. The crime is that we allow this to continue. Our organization will not look the other way. We will and are taking affirmative action.

PlannB provides comprehensive treatment for homeless veterans who meet criteria for abuse and dependence on illcit drugs. Using a 12-Step Model combined with a strong emphasis in cognitive behavior model of change.There is a strong re-entry emphasis on abstinence and encouragement toward job seeking and vocational enhancement behaviors. Clients also receive ongoing education on how to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STI’s. Futhermore, clients receive health assessment, TB testing and other services or referrals to other healthcare povided to enhance their health status. We will serve as a provider of housing and other appropriate supportive services to enable veterans in this community to transition from homelessness to living independently as productive members of society.
We will not look away…PlannB – a Recovery Program. www.plannb.org

— Zondra Rideout Jul 1, 11:31 PM #
It would be our honor to have the President and his staff visit In Touch and Concerned here in Morgantown, WV. We have been providing free transportation service and telephone reassurance calls to seniors and individuals with disabilities for over 38 years. In the past two years our transportation service has increased 87% with a 67%increase in use of our ADA lift van. We feel that it is important to promote this service to other counties in our and other states. We welcome the White House staff to visit and discuss how we can be a part of spreading the importance of services such as ours.

— Valerie Hose Jul 2, 09:40 AM #
This is a wonderful initiative and one which will shine the spotlight on so many unsung heros. Operation Outreach-USA offers a literacy and character education program to elementary schools across the country. By giving underserved children books to keep as their own we can help level the learning field for tens thousands of children each year. We would be honored to have the White House staff review our organization.

— Judith Golden Jul 2, 11:08 AM #
The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) should be included in the initiative. NRS, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Recognized as the oldest hotline of its kind in the world, NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually – more than 3 million calls since the organization’s inception. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 13,000 youth have been reunited with their families through the NRS Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. The NRS crisis hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY. For more information, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.

— Katy Walsh Jul 2, 11:27 AM #
Obama’s Social Innovation Fund offers an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate support for the social welfare of communities across our nation – and Partnership with Children hopes to be one of the recipients of the fund. Partnership with Children, founded in 1908, addresses the social and emotional needs of at-risk children so that they can succeed in school, in society, and in life. Our Open Heart-Open Mind program is the only program to place social workers into public schools full-time to address the needs of at-risk children, and to serve school communities on a whole. Our work has proven to raise scores on standardized tests, overall student performance, and we help strengthen school communities.
Partnership with Children serves over 12,000 children in 26 schools in all five boroughs of New York City. More information is available at www.partnershipwithchildrennyc.org. We may be contacted at info@partnershipwithchildrennyc.org or at 212.689.9500

— Liz Roy Jul 2, 11:36 AM #
Thirty years as a nonprofit manager, my Masters from Notre Dame in Nonprofit Management, I have seen it all from the trenches of a hospice to the footlights of a performing arts center,now under construction. The arts survived the Great Depression and must continue to survive are we fail all those who sought to be entertained when they only had pennies in their pockets.The arts leverage more spending and add to a regions economic impact than any other nonprofit-be sure we are included. The arts dictate the quality of a nation’s legacy from a quote by JFK.

— Robin Kaercher Jul 2, 11:50 AM #
What a wonderful avenue for our country to support nonprofit organizations who help those who have special needs! The West Virginia Family Grief Center is a nonprofit organization that helps children and their families cope with the death of a loved one. As we promote an atmosphere of hope and healing, we give these families an opportunity to share their grief with others who understand their raw emotions and help them to realize that these emotions are normal. These wonderful families share stories and feelings with one another and talk freely without feeling different and unconnected. While the director is the only paid employee, we have 25 volunteers who are teachers, counselors, nurses, and social workers. There is, of course, no fee for these grieving families. Our website is http://www.wvfgc.org. We respectfully ask that you include the WVFGC in your initiative.

— Linda S. Moore Jul 2, 12:04 PM #
I hope this really reaches out to those of us who have been working in the innovative non-profit field for years. Project Place in Boston has offered programs to help homeless men and women get back on their feet with a wide range of services, including real employment in our social enterprises and working with each individual one-on-one for two years to help keep them on their feet. We would love to have the opportunity to create more businesses and help replicate this model in other areas experiencing increasing numbers of homeless adults. For more information please go to www.projectplace.org

— Marcie Laden Jul 2, 12:45 PM #
What do we have to do to get on the list to be considered for this awesome initiative.

Morning Glory Ministries is a non-profit, charitable, faith-based, evangelistic organization based in Monongalia County of the Appalachian Region of West Virginia. It is composed of a volunteer governing Board of Directors whose purpose is to bring hope and encouragement to young people in their passionate pursuit of a dream by awarding the Dream Builder – William David Dilworth Memorial Grants and Dream Builder Musical Instrument Awards on a continuous basis.
These grants are given in memory of Pastor Sylvia Dilworth Medley’s, an African American, Innovator, whose brother, William Bo Dilworth died in a car accident at age 17. Tragically, his hope of becoming an artist died with him. This sorrow was turned to joy though divine inspiration when Pastor Sylvia received her assignment from God to develop a ministry that would make a difference in the lives of young people, families, and their communities if they would catch the vision.
Pastor Sylvia Medley, Pastor Russell Medley and the Board of Directors of Morning Glory Ministries have invested much time effort and funds in to this labor of love.

The Morning Glory Mansion has completed Phase III of its development as a gathering place for the family. We pray that the activities that take place here will continue to empower youth to blossom and grow to reach their highest goals through Christ that strengthens them. The mansion (we speak things that be not as though they are) houses the administrative office of the MGM Dream Builder William David Dilworth Memorial Grant Ministry. This ministry provides financial assistance and musical instruments to young people with talent and a dream. Currently, it is the location of the MGM Studio of Sights and Sounds, the Morning Glory Art Gallery, and the MGM Carousel of Commemoration.

COMING SOON!
The fun-filled children’s ministry known as the Morning Glory Boot Camp of Grace run by “Thrill” Sergeants, Granny Grace and Grandpa will feature the Dream Builder Buppets. It is scheduled to debut in late July 2009.
The MGM Dreams Fulfilled Ministry for Parents/ Guardians/Adults who have dreams deferred will hold its first Meeting in August of 2009.

We appreciate all the help we can get.

Visit us on the web at: www.morningglorysdm.org

“WE ARE DREAM BUILDERS FOR YOUTH”

— Pastor Sylvia Medley Jul 2, 01:24 PM #
Nonprofits in the field of community corrections are making a tremendous difference in ensuring public safety through meaningful prisoner reentry and reduced recidivism, while reducing the staggering sums spent on incarceration. See International Community Corrections Association.

— Dr. Kevin Downey Jul 2, 01:54 PM #
The West Virginia Botanic Garden (WVBG) is a grass roots effort establishing the only botanic garden in the State and the only one within the Appalachian geographic region. In 2000 the WVBG was granted a lease from the City of Morgantown for an 82 acre parcel. A master plan for development of the site has been created. In the process of implementing the master plan use has been made of 14 Eagle Scout service projects, the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, West Virginia University students and service groups through the WVU Center for Civic Engagement and many individual volunteers. The WVBG is an all volunteer organization but there is a need to hire a person to develop educational programs that would involve the local schools and youth groups. This person would also be involved with coordination of volunteers. We would also like to involve groups like WV Women Work and the local Vo. Tech. Center in construction projects as we acquire support for building projects. To learn more please visit our website, www.wvbg.org, which was started and is maintained by volunteers. It is hoped that the WVBG might be given serious consideration.

— George Longenecker Jul 2, 02:02 PM #
It is refreshing to see this type of initiative to assist innovative non-profits in scaling up.

The Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI) needs to be a part of this initiative. As a microfinance organization serving local microentrepreneurs through access to microloans and affordable business development and coaching services, RMMFI is creating jobs one business at a time. It is our vision to make Colorado a place in which anyone, regardless of socioeconomic standing or educational background, can achieve self-sufficiency through business ownership. And we are out to help those that are currently left out of mainstream community and economic development plans to make self-sufficiency a reality for everyone who desires it. Put us on the list, President Obama!!!

— Brendan Landry Jul 2, 02:13 PM #
How can my non-profit be added to the list for consideration?

— Rachel Stevens Jul 2, 02:39 PM #
I am the Executive Director for Childhood Leukemia Foundation (CLF) www.clf4kids.org and we are a non-profit that seeks to educate and empower young cancer patients and their families. Our Hope Binder program is designed to improve the level of health literacy for the paient and family. Our Hope Binder is used as a tool to organize the overwhelming amount of medical information involved in managing a chronic illness such as cancer. The binder is sent to social workers in over 180 hospitals throughout the U.S. for their newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients. The binder consists of 12 resource sections to help document treatment protocols, medicines, doctor’s appointments, lab results and insurance benefits. It also includes Hope Lab’s remission game to empower children to “blast away” at their cancer cells and informational booklets regarding dietary tips and pain management. Presently, CLF has included an instructional sheet to have patients create their own online personal health record (PHR) to use in conjunction with its Hope Binders. Patients include information in “their own words” and consequently better understand and manage their own health care. CLF has received many letters from patients, parents and social workers praising the Hope Binders as an effective tool in managing the child’s cancer treatment.

— Barbara Reid-Haramis Jul 2, 03:00 PM #
If President Obama is looking for hidden gems, here we are, the Countryside Community Neighborhood Watch (CCNW). We are the ONLY RURAL Eastern Niagara County neighborhood watch organization that is two years old. We have a very small treasury and are trying to secure our non profit status. We have earned the respect of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department and are a very active neighborhood watch, as our Town has the highest number of crimes of all the Towns in Niagara County, excluding our county’s cities. We need monetary help to do more to reduce crime in our rural manufactured/mobile home community, where low to moderate families resident including many senior citizens!!

Denise Rivers
President
CCNW

— Denise Z. Rivers Jul 2, 04:09 PM #
We would like to invite President Obama and his staff to visit St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc. SVDP), located in Eugene, Oregon. We serve over 65,000 people per year who are homeless, have low incomes, and people in transition. We have over 42 programs to help those with emergency needs, but we offer more than a hand-out, we offer a hand-up to encourage self-sufficiency, training, and education to help people have the tools to leave poverty behind and follow the road to prosperity. Please contact us at: St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc., 705 S. Seneca, Eugene, OR 97402: 541-687-5820, or 542-607-0349, Ext 114 (to reach Cynthia Weiss. Feel free to email me at :cweiss@svdplanecounty.org

— Cynthia Weiss Jul 2, 06:08 PM #
66. I would like the Meigs Coopertaive Parish (Pomeroy, Ohio) be considered for evaluation. Please consider a look at the work of the Miegs Co-op. Being in one of the most economic challenged regions in the state of Ohio our programs offer support and encouragement to those who feel defeated, alone, and helpless.

The Meigs cooperative Parish offers: *A Parish Nurse- Advocator, Educator, Coordinator. *Coupon Ministry- Ministry to promote savings on grocweries. *Seed Program- Garden seeds distribution in the spring. *Food pantry- Emergency, summer, and Christmas food baskets. *Meigs Ministerial Association- Assistance with utilities and emegency disater relief. *Comfort Club- Elderly ladies quilting comforts for fire-victims and sick children. *God’s Helping Hands- retired members volunteering for carpentry ministry. *Work Camps-Scheduling and housing groups to work in the county. *GOD’s N.E.T. Youth Center/Ministry-Ministry for youth and their families. *Parish Shop-Clothing store. *New Horizons Child Enrichment Center- Childcare available for children 3-5. *Story Telling- volunteers reading to younger children. *Volunteer Day- Volunteers from the communmity gather each Tuesday to do odd-and- end work around the Co-op. *Food Pantry- Food for emergency and regular give-aways. *Emergency Shelter- Used for disaster sight for shelter. *Gymnasium- Used for area events. * Playground- Used by community. *Indoor Walking Path- Used for elderly and bad weather.

Thanks. Arland King July 2, 2009

— Arland King, Meigs Cooperative Parish Coordianting Council Chairman Jul 2, 07:17 PM #
Please don’t forget the pets. We desperatly need a spay/neuter program in our community of Fairmont, WV, not only for residents who need assistance with their pets but for the huge ferel cat population we now have. Pet Helpers, Inc. would love to be able to help our community members with this huge problem. This would be a great help in achieving that goal.
www.pethelpersinc.org

— TERRY BURETZ Jul 2, 07:22 PM #
66. I would like the Meigs Cooperative Parish (Pomeroy, Ohio) be considered for evaluation. Please consider a look at the work of the Meigs Co-op. Being in one of the most economic challenged regions in the state of Ohio our programs offer support and encouragement to those who feel defeated, alone, and helpless.
The Meigs cooperative Parish offers: *A Parish Nurse- Advocator, Educator, Coordinator. *Coupon Ministry- A ministry to promote savings on groceries. *Seed Program- Garden seeds distribution in the spring. *Food pantry- Emergency, summer, and Christmas food baskets. *Meigs Ministerial Association- Assistance with utilities and emergency disaster relief. *Comfort Club- Elderly ladies quilting comforts for fire-victims and sick children. *God’s Helping Hands- retired members volunteering for carpentry ministry. *Work Camps-Scheduling and housing groups to work in the county. *GOD’s N.E.T. Youth Center/Ministry-Ministry for youth and their families. *Parish Shop-Clothing store. *New Horizons Child Enrichment Center- Childcare available for children 3-5. *Story Telling- volunteers reading to younger children. *Volunteer Day- Volunteers from the community gathering each Tuesday to do odd-and-end work around the Co-op. *Food Pantry- Food for emergency and regular give-away. *Emergency Shelter- Used for disaster sight for shelter. *Gymnasium- Used for area events. * Playground- Used by community. *Indoor Walking Path- Used for elderly and bad weather. Thanks. Arland King July 2, 2009
— Arland King, Meigs Cooperative Parish Coordinating Council Chairman July 2, 06:16 PM

— Arland King, Meigs Cooperative Parish Coordianting Council Chairman Jul 2, 07:48 PM #
Please consider Community Options, Inc to visit in your travels. Community Options develops the most innovative entrepreneurial businesses in the country that positively employ people with developmental disabilities. All of our businesses are gems and should be considered the most replicable programs in the country. We operate Vaseful Flowers and Gifts which is the country’s only nonprofit flower shop. People with disabilities are trained at Vaseful to become floral designers and retail associates. We own and operate Presents of Mind which is an upscale gift store with full online shopping capabilities. People with disabilities that work at Presents of Mind learn a valuable and portable retail and customer service experience. We operate 4 Daily Plan Its where your business is the center of our universe. The Daily Plan It offers executive office space to the small business owner with full concierge services. The entire structure of the Daily Plan It is provided by people with disabilities. We also offer virtual office arrangements for business owners that frequently travel. We are dedicated to the small business owner and provide office space with compliment of services at significantly reduced costs.

Community Options, Inc. has been designing these entrepreneurial businesses for over 20 years. We are dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities have the opportunity to earn real pay for real work and we do not believe in a sheltered workshop type philosophy.

All of our businesses can be replicated in any city in any state at anytime.

Please consider us!

Jessica Guberman, Ph.D.
Executive Director
41 William Street
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-390-0357
jessica.guberman@comop.org
www.comop.org

www.vaseful.com
www.presentsofmind.org
www.dailyplanit.org

— Jessica Guberman, Ph.D. Jul 2, 08:00 PM #
There is a partially empty VA building available for a nonprofit to provide treatment and services to homeless veterans. PlannB proposes a consortium of nonprofits and service providers forming a community partnership to network together in order to provide services to veterans. By working coherently, this consortium will identify veteran needs through planning and cooperative action. We will and are taking affirmative action. We hope to gain the support of others.
PlannB
c/o Zondra Rideout
704-307-7878
www.plannb.org

— Zondra Rideout Jul 2, 09:26 PM #
HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Portico Healthnet is a nonprofit health and human services organization that helps the uninsured access affordable health care coverage and services. During 2008, Portico outreach staff screened over 13,000 uninsured and underinsured individuals for eligibility under various health care coverage options. For those ineligible for public coverage, Portico offers its own need-based primary and preventive health care access program funded by grants and financial commitments from hospitals and health plans located in our local metro area.

Portico Healthnet
2610 University Ave W
Suite 550
St Paul, MN 55114
bgray@porticohealthnet.org

— Bill Gray Jul 3, 12:35 PM #
MEETING AN UNMET NEED IN SE MICHIGAN

While Michigan suffers under the highest unemployment rate in the country, nonprofits are doing great things on the ground here!

We are a new 501c3 charity in Southeast Michigan, The Detroit Area Diaper Bank. http://www.detroitareadiaperbank.org

No programs cover the cost of diapers and incontinence supplies (not WIC, not Food Stamps, Medicare only does for hospice), and the ongoing expense of diapers is more than families in need can handle. Nonprofits working with individuals and families in crisis regularly list diapers as one of their highest needs.

So many social issues can be tied back to the need for diapers: taxpayer-supported health care costs by keeping skin clean and rash/disease free; lowered stress and peace of mind for parents and caregivers that they can provide what is needed; better night’s rest for all, increasing productivity and less absence at work and school; independence for otherwise healthy seniors and people with disabilities; reduction in situations leading to both child and elder abuse.

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank is MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH DIAPERS. Please consider us for support!

Marybeth A. Levine
Executive Director & Founder
http://www.detroitareadiaperbank.org

— Marybeth Levine Jul 3, 12:37 PM #
From: American Indian Center of Chicago! the oldest urban Indian Center in the country, also can be visited in the Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Indian in DC.

Please remember the American Indians living off reservation providing help to the 70% of our population.
Often only the larger non-profits are considered but the smaller non-profits are who are feeding and caring for our families too! www.aic-chicago.org and www.nuifc.org
Please add us to the list:
American Indian Center
Att: Joseph Podlasek
1630 W. Wilson
Chicago, Il 60640

— Joseph Podlasek Jul 3, 12:42 PM #
I would also like to know how we can get on thel list for the Presidents’ review. We have working since 1991 to help low income families to become first time homebuyers. Now we are working to keep families out of foreclosure. Staff has gone without pay to keep the non profit afloat. Thank you to the senior volunteer program.

— Cynthia Hamilton-Smith Jul 3, 01:21 PM #
Thanks for the info…I would like to nominate The Scrap Exchange in Durham NC, we are serving ALL aspects of society by keeping valuable materials out of the landfill, and then distributing the materials to those that need them. We serve ALL non profits too, it helps everyone not just one population. Check out our website: www.scrapexchange.org, and start thinking differently today.

— Ann Woodward Jul 3, 05:22 PM #
I would like to nominate SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT dePAUL Boise, Idaho Council. They help individuals. Also, we need funding for our Thanksgiving Project which now serves over 1800 families to receive individual boxes of food so they can have a FAMILY thanksgiving!

— Brenda Hodes-Boise, Idaho Jul 4, 06:02 PM #
It is so refreshing to see initiatives such as this. I recommend Camp Butterfly, a nonprofit organization in Chicago dedicated to uplifting girls through activities and programs that build self esteem and awareness, cultural awareness and identity and a commitment to community through service. Visit the Web site at www.campbutterfly.org.

Continue to press…

— DeAnna L. Carpenter Jul 4, 09:18 PM #
How does our organization get on the list for review.
Deborah Newmark
The Children’s Project
How To Raise Emotionally Healthy Children
www.emotionallyhealthychildren.org

— Deborah Newmark Jul 5, 04:05 PM #
Please consider the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (NCLC) for review. NCLC has been serving central Indiana for over 15 years with pro bono legal representation and preventive legal education for our low-income neighbors. Our largest areas of law are housing, immigration, tax, and family law. For more information, please visit www.nclegalclinic.org.

— Jodie McClain Jul 6, 10:00 AM #
We’d like to be considered for support:
Garden State Woman Education Foundation
PO Box 417
Roseland, NJ 07068
Helping inner city girls through 4 years of college and beyond.

— Joanelle - NJ Jul 6, 10:02 AM #
Prisoners are one of the most disenfranchised populations in the US, yet 1 in 100 Americans are in jail or prison. Insight Prison Project is a beacon of hope to both victims and offenders. You’re invited to visit our website at www.insightprisonproject.org, visit our program at San Quentin, and consider IPP for review and support.

— Susan Kirsch Jul 6, 12:46 PM #
An amazing, innovative organization that deserves recognition as one of our country’s most promising nonprofits is the Virginia Economic Bridge. For nearly 13 years, the Bridge has proven its commitment to promoting the economic vitality and external competitiveness of the Commonwealth through business, industry and educational partnerships between Southwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia and other regions in the state.

In the 1980s, an assembly of Virginia’s finest leaders, from both the public and private sectors, developed a network to facilitate resource sharing between Northern and Southwestern Virginia. The result was the Virginia Initiative: a simple, yet innovative program designed to bridge cultural and economic differences between the two regions in order for each to capitalize on the other’s strengths.

The Virginia Initiative began holding forums to introduce key regional leaders in business, government, education and technology. These forums proved to be highly productive—regional leaders formed strategic alliances, ideas were exchanged, resources from institutes of higher education were utilized, and soon a bridge across Virginia began to form—merging business opportunities and spanning information gaps.

In 1989-1990, the Initiative received funding from the Center for Innovation Technology and Appalachian Region Commission to form the Virginia Economic Bridge. The momentum from the Virginia Initiative provided the foundation for many successes, and in 1995, Virginia Economic Bridge was awarded 501© 3 status. Since then, active involvement by community leaders from the public and private sectors has allowed Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. to further its outreach for more direct contributions in order to increase regional economic growth.

Today, VEB continues to focus on business, economic, and workforce development for the benefit of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Programs include: Virginia’s Business Pipeline, Entrepreneurship Award, Linked Workforce, Regional GIS Telecommunication Infrastructure Mapping Project, Community Audit, and the Western and Southwestern Virginia Public Education Consortiums, among others.

— Andrea Wooten Jul 6, 01:58 PM #
Please add Dream Foundation to the list for consideration.

Dream Foundation
11500 Olympic Blvd, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310-444-3070
Fax: 310-444-3071

Dream Foundation is the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of adults battling life-limiting illness.

The mission of the Dream Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals, and their families, at the end of life’s journey.

Dream Foundation helps adults find peace and closure with the realization of a final wish.

www.dreamfoundation.org

— Amanda Moselle Jul 6, 02:22 PM #
How do we get added to this list? This would be wonderful

— Sharon Portaro Jul 6, 02:41 PM #
May I suggest the President and the team review the NY Times and how they select the most worthy nonprofits, from an administrative perspective.

Adding to this a program component would help create the model for analyzing and identifying those with the greatest impacts.

I’d also suggest they break up the groups by Mission area as there are many valuable nonprofits throughout the sector.

I’m sure our Managing Director, Hilda H. Polanco, CPA, CCSA, would be willing to lend her expertise on establishing the standards, as she has done in her role on the NY Times advisory group.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.

Stuart Cohen
Senior Manager, Development
Fiscal Management Associates
70 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018

www.fmaonline.net
www.fmainstitute.net

— Stu Jul 6, 02:43 PM #
Please add the Latino Commission on AIDS to the list for consideration.

The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.

In response to the critical, unmet need for HIV prevention and care for Latinos, a coalition of Latino leaders founded the agency in 1990. The Commission realizes its mission by spearheading health advocacy for Latinos, promoting HIV education, developing model prevention programs for high-risk communities, and by building capacity in community organizations. Through its extensive network of member organizations and community leaders, the Commission works to mobilize an effective Latino community response to the health crisis created by HIV/AIDS. Since 1995, the Commission has steadily expanded its services outside New York to meet the emerging needs of Latino communities in more than 40 States and Puerto Rico.

The Commission is dedicated to resolving the HIV crisis in the Latino community, where social stigma, poverty, language barriers, immigration status fears, and access to care deter testing and increase the infection rate. Over 200,000 Latinos in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are living with HIV/AIDS. The fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., Latinos constitute 14% of the U.S. population but account for over 20% of the AIDS cases.

The Commission’s public health model encompasses four core and complementary services provided to Latino communities: health education, HIV prevention, capacity building, and advocacy. All services are offered in Spanish by a culturally diverse bilingual staff of health, education and business professionals.

http://www.latinoaids.org/about/about.php

— Annie Mulgrew Jul 6, 02:53 PM #
How do we add the Woodford Educational Endowment Foundation to the list of those considered?

— Silas Hart Jul 6, 03:43 PM #
Mr. President – I had the honor to meet with several staffers in the Social Innovation Office during my recent trip to Washington, DC. Working Wardrobes,a vital and involved nonprofit that I started 19 years ago is helping over 5,000 men, women and young adults enter the workforce with dignity, confidence and professional wardrobing. There can be nothing more important these days. Part of our creative funding is a chain of successful resale shops and a thrift shop – we are social entrepreneurs at Working Wardrobes and know that our business model can change the face of nonprofits across the country.

A modest investment in our work will be seed capital for aggressive growth so we can serve thousands of additional clients within California and markets expanding across the country.

From a grateful social entrepreneur!

Jerri

— Jerri Rosen Jul 6, 04:24 PM #
Addiction affects 1 out of every 4 families. It is a serious Health Issue and a treatable disease. Our mission is to help parents, children and adults change behaviors to prevent addiction and help those already suffering with it.

We are a most promising group because we ARE the afflicted and affected of this insidious disease working together and with other organizations to achieve change and miracles.

Please add Getting the Word Out…2 by 2, to the list for consideration.

http://www.gettingthewordout2by2.com

— Lorraine Perone Jul 6, 05:11 PM #
Our organization, Housing Works, seeks to create housing options for persons/families struggling on the economic edge. Using harm reduction and housing first strategies, our service program meets homeless individuals and families where they are in order to create a trusting relationship and start to rebuild their lives. In all cases the head of household is challenged by mental illness and or substance abuse. Once housed, the staff continues to work with everyone to ensure stability and sustainability for the future. We are privileged to participate in creating housing and that works and would appreciate the opportunity to share the stories that create community.

— Mary Kirchen Jul 6, 05:51 PM #
No where do I see concern with bereavement. My group, a 501c3, provides Master degree and PhD professionals to lead small groups in their healing process throughout Los Angeles County. Clearly, this is not a self-help group, but a low-cost professional effort. The group is H.O.P.E. Foundation Unit, founded in 1977 and led by a PhD with specialized training. I believe it could be a model to be replicated throughout the country.

— Esther Lerner Brenner Jul 6, 08:39 PM #
How can I have my non-for-profit – organizations added to the President’s list for review? We are organized for the charitable purpose of promoting positive social welfare through educational opportunities. Our areas of greatest concern are: Education, the Performing Arts, Violence Prevention, Nutrition/Health Wellness and Awareness, Computer Technology, Green Technology, After-School Programs, Quality Summer Day Camps, and Job Readiness Programs. We target all youth and families, with a special emphasis for the underprivileged, low-income, disadvantaged, at-risk youth and their families by creating, implementing, and enhancing on-going adept literacy programs and workshops. Our mission is nurturing and transforming families to become viable citizens and leaders in our ever changing society that meets tomorrow’s needs.

— Ms Johnnie A. Gaskew, CEO/Founder, The Gaskew Foundation, Gaskew Academy of the Performing Arts Jul 7, 03:05 AM #
I would like to add ElderHomes to the list of innovative program models for review. We are a community development corporation whose programs are funded by both public and private sector dollars. Our mission is to improve the quality of housing and living conditions for low-income, older adults and disabled individuals of all ages. Our goal is to preserve affordable housing, prevent homelessness and provide accessibility through home repair and rehabilitation done by staff, professionals and volunteers. Our corporation is an exceptional model in how our programs work together to have maximum impact on the community. I so wished that we had a sister organization in New Orleans after Katrina. Our duplication could have helped so many homeowners.

— Anne McNeal Jul 7, 11:02 AM #
I would also like to know how to get on the list. We are a rural health care district. We have several collaborative programs one of which is a fitness program for youth.It also includes the parents for nutrition purposes and works to improve self image. We are adding lots of children each year and are outgrowing our funding. This program is being used as a template in other areas and is very successful.

— F. Filice Jul 7, 12:31 PM #
We are another small non-profit that has an excellent track record working with low income inner city students. We pay partial tuition to allow them to attend a private college prep curriculum high school and partner them with a mentor for their four years of high school. We are addressing the issue of epidemic level of high school drop outs in Detroit Public Schools – now about 75%. Nearly all of our students graduate from highschool and 99% of the graduates go on to college.
How do we get our organization on President Obama’s list?

— J. Eckhoff Jul 7, 01:14 PM #
I’ll add to the chorus—how do we get on the list? Please consider Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. We provide service and therapy dogs to people with disabilities so that they can live more independent lives. We also provide therapy dogs to schools, residential facilities, nursing homes, hospice and other organizations. Our clients include disabled veterans, children and adults with mobility issues as well as autistic children. Our puppies are raised by foster families and through a special program at two prisons where the puppies are raised by inmates. The puppies get the love and attention from the inmates while providing the inmates with the skills of training a dog as well as the unconditional love that a dog can give.

Assistance Dogs of America, Inc.
8806 SR 64
Swanton, OH 43558
419-825-3622

— J. Brown Jul 7, 01:41 PM #
I think this is such a wonderful initiative! I would love to nominate my organization, Ovations for the Cure of ovarian cancer. Ovations is dedicated to research for an early detection method, education of the public of this disease, and patient support programs. We have a unique and wonderful grassroots program that we started to help ovarian cancer patients through their treatments. It is the Happy Feet program that has helped women through this disease, and make them feel beautiful during their bout with cancer. We send Stuart Weitzmen jelly shoes free of charge to ovarian cancer patients and survivors. If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at Sarah@ovationsforthecure.org or

Ovations for the Cure
251 West Central Street
Suite 32
Natick,MA 01760

508-655-5412

— Sarah Stryjewski Jul 7, 03:03 PM #
We are very excited about this initiative and hope to be considered. We are the Greater Palm River POINT, CDC in Tampa, Florida. Included in our services to a low to moderate income community are community development projects, family resource and referral services, adult job training skills courses, afterschool program, parent education and support, and youth development. We are currently seeking funding to expand into a comprehensive year-round youth mentoring program which will incorporate adult mentors from various organizations (corporate/private/non profit) within the Hillsborough County community. Please check us out for more information. (813) 628-9179

— Anthea Henderson Jul 8, 02:48 PM #
Thank you Suzanne for the wonderful article on the Social Innovation Fund. This is a wonderful program that will be a big help to innovative non-profits across the country.

HAVEN is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader providing comprehensive solutions & innovative programs to promote violence-free homes and communities. Our mission is to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault.

We’re here to listen. We’re here to help.
24 hours a day.
7 days a week.

Beth Morrison
HAVEN President & CEO
Oakland County, Michigan
248-334-1284
www.haven-oakland.org

— Beth Morrison Jul 8, 04:20 PM #
This sounds like a wonderful initiative.

Please add The Los Angeles United Methodist Urban Foundation to the list for consideration.

The Urban Foundation provides modest funding, formal training and informal coaching to faith-based social services and community programs throughout Los Angeles County. We specialize in building the capacity of grassroots faith-based organizations on the front lines of urban community struggle and healing.

I deeply appreciate the Obama Administration’s commitment to support America’s vital nonprofit sector.

Sheri Dunn Berry
President and Executive Director
Urban Foundation
714 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 508
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 213-749-0212
Fax: 213-749-0232
www.urbanfoundation.org

— Sheri Dunn Berry Jul 8, 06:10 PM #
As Development Director for Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community we fully supports this initiative and look forward to have Native American issues included at the discussion.

Northwoods NiiJii is a partnership between the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake, together with eight municipal partners in northern Wisconsin.

We know that the nonprofit organizations that have been created to serve American Indian communities will not left out of the Obama Administration’s initiatives.

Kathleen Kvern
Development Director
Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community
www.NiiJii.org

— Kathleen Kvern Jul 10, 10:51 AM #
The Obama Administration has shown itself to be true to its promises of supporting grass root efforts.
Please add the Aaron McNeil House, Inc. (Crisis Relief Services Center)to the list.
We are located in Hopkinsville, KY and our mission is to promote the well being of families in the community through crisis relief services and educational programming and of course we are a 501©3 entity (United Way Agency and Jubilee Center).
We would love for the first lady to revisit the Fort Campbell/Hopkinsville service area and bring her husband this time.
God bless the readers (and their organizations) of this post.

Paula Russell
Executive Director
Aaron McNeil House Inc.
604 E. Second Street
P O Box 137
Hopkinsville, KY 42241
Tel: (270)886-9734
Fax: (270)889-9727
mpcrisis@bellsouth.net

— Paula Russell Jul 10, 03:55 PM #
Aura Housing would like to be added to the list. Our mission is to develop strategic housing programs that support individuals to attain their unique goals, such as single mothers, youth that need assistance transition to adulthood, the elderly and people that are physically challenged. We have found it difficult to get grant money for a start up organization that is looking to help our community. We recently took on a partner (housing authority) to help us develop our first project, which is a permanent supportive housing program for foster children aging out of the system that need support transition to adulthood.

Sincerely,
Shawn Blain, Executive Director
Aura Housing
113 West Mennonite Rd
Aurora, Ohio 44202
(330) 995-6451

— Shawn Blain Jul 11, 09:11 AM #
Charity Farms, www.800charityfarms.org are organic farms that provide 100% of their nutritious produce to local food banks. Currently Charity Farms operates a 35-acre farm in Orlanod, Fl with a 60-acre farm do to begin in Destiny, Fl,www.destinyflorida.com the first planned eco-city in America.

— Brian Menzies Jul 11, 10:20 AM #
Tomorrow Matters to our children, but they need our help. Please give kind consideration to an amazing grass roots organization called The Foster Children’s Foundation who serves foster and at risk youth. As our most precious resource, it is critical that our children are provided with the knowledge, tools, resources and caring mentors who will help them succeed. Through the Tomorrow Matters life skills program, youth learn essential skills needed to reach their potential and become self sufficient adults. Excited and proud, graduates are returning to become mentors themselves. This dynamic program allows young people many opportunities to make positive lifelong adult connections and receive in depth, hands on knowledge about Furthering Education, Employment Preparation, Money Management, Cooking, Housing, Healthy Relationships, Leadership, Community Service and much more With assistance, this program can be successful in communities throughout the United States and increase the success of less fortunate children and change lives forever.

Foster Children’s Foundation, Inc.
Executive Director: Suzanne Geske
P.O. Box 2469
Duluth, GA 30096
770-623-6135
www.fosterchildrensfoundation.org
info@fosterchildrensfoundation.org

— Suzanne Geske Jul 13, 10:16 PM #
Carolina Youth Development Center (legal name, Charleston Orphan House, Inc., founded in 1790) is implementing the Transitions philosophy (as developed by William Bridges and promoted by the Andrus Family Fund) to assist youth aging out of foster care and group home care to acquire job and life skills for successful independence as adults. We welcome consideration for this opportunity. Visit us at www.cydc.org or call 843-266-5216.

— Kate Lloyd Jul 14, 03:51 PM #
Please consider the Courage Center in Minneapolis, MN as a candidate for one of the Most Promising Nonprofits in America. Founded in 1928, Courage Center is a Minnesota-based rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to independence. We are guided by the vision that one day all people will live, work, learn and play in a community based on abilities not disabilities. Visit us at www.couragecenter.org or call me at (763)520-0538.

— Audrey Kintzi Jul 14, 10:17 PM #
‘Youth Empowerment Mission’ www.girlsblossom.org is without question one of the Most Promising Nonprofits n America.
The Youth Empowerment Mission, Inc. (YEM) is a community-based organization that was founded in 1995 to meet the critical needs of young people living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and the surrounding communities of central Brooklyn. YEM is dedicated to creating comprehensive long-term solutions that give young people in high-risk environments real alternatives to violence and delinquency while addressing the underlying conditions that influence this self-destructive life style.
During the mid 1990’s, many low-income, inner-city communities of color saw an insurgence of gangs and gang-related activities, and many young people were misdirected into joining violent gangs. As a result Bedford-Stuyvesant became a haven where youth violence and drug-related activities flourished. YEM was founded in direct response to this crisis, and since that time our award-winning Blossom Program for Girls has provided research-based services that have helped over 800 young women avoid risky behavior and achieve positive life outcomes. YEM is now one of the few community-based organizations recognized for providing research-based, “alternative to incarceration” programs for youth under the care of the juvenile justice system, as well as those at high risk for truancy, delinquency, violence and gang activity.

YEM has been recognized both locally and nationally for its work with high risk youth.

Sonia E. Wilson
Publicity & Fundraising Consultant
2621 Cortelyou Road Suite 20C
Brooklyn, NY 11226
P: (718)940-0949
M: (347)570-9676
www.girlsblossom.org
www.soniawilson.com

— Sonia Wilson Jul 19, 02:57 PM #
Please add Meals On Wheels of Solano County, Inc. 305 Marina Center, Suisun, CA 94585
707-425-0638; Fax 707-426-3767. Our 501 © 3 non-profit serves over 12,000 meals to seniors in a congregate dining program at the 8 senior centers in the cities in Solano County and we provide Home Delivered Meals to Seniors age 60 and older. We receive limited funding (65%) under the older americans act from the Area Agency on Aging. We could use some stimulus funding to continue serving seniors.

— Daniel Bellem, Chief Executive Officer Jul 22, 05:17 PM #
Ideas Designed to Energize Action, Inc. is a newly formed nonprofit organization located in East Menlo Park, California. Our founder has been providing technical assistance to local grassroots organizations for over 10 yrs without funding. Please support us as we move to bring our community together for our first community health summit!

I.D.E.A.
1324 Carlton Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Office:(650) 384-0542
Cell: (650) 248-6482

— Carolyn Clarke Jul 24, 07:42 PM #
Please add White-Williams Scholars to the list (legal name, White-Williams Foundation, founded in 1800). Our mission is to inspire and support high achieving Philadelphia public high school students of limited financial means to fulfill their potential. We provide monthly stipends, academic enrichment and college prep support to motivated students with big dreams who are living in poverty. The future of our country depends on the resources and preparation they receive today. Visit us at www.wwscholars.org or call me at (215)735-4480. Thanks for your consideration.

— Sara Manning Jul 28, 09:49 AM #

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