Marguerite Casey Foundation’s Post

I’m excited to share my latest op-ed in The Providence Journal. I dive into how our elected officials’ focus on enhancing wealthy entities is detracting from Rhode Island’s ability to address real needs, like education, healthcare, housing, pedestrian safety, and infrastructure. In the 21st century, corporate social responsibility is more critical than ever, especially for industries like higher education and healthcare that have historically barred marginalized communities from their institutions. Check it out and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/eTGuaEAf Together, we can push for a better Rhode Island. #OpEd #RhodeIsland #PublicPolicy #CommunityIssues

A fascinating policy round-up that covers public events, housing, education, and more: https://lnkd.in/e4DYVx7u

Three individuals and/or organizations will be honored at the upcoming ACHANGE symposium June 20-21. The awards categories are: Innovation in Housing Design and Development: recognizes the creativity, originality and breakthrough thinking in developing housing, whether single family, multifamily or a derivative thereof, Recognition will be given to the individual/organization/business that is transforming the affordable housing landscape in their community. Best in Housing Revitalization: recognizes the individual/organization/business that has taken a formerly blighted or neglected property and redeveloped the property into quality housing for people with modest incomes. Best in Community Economic Development Partnership: recognizes a private/public partnership that has/is improving the quality of life options within their community. Awards competition rules: Open to anyone who performs work related to affordable housing in Arkansas, even if located elsewhere. Nominations may be accepted for individuals, public or nonprofit organizations, or private-sector businesses. Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Projects must have been performed in Arkansas. Please contact ACHANGE at admin@achange.org for more information.

The American Dream is alive in North Dakota, according to a recent study by the Archbridge Institute. In today's The Bismarck Tribune, Justin Callais and John Bitzan discuss North Dakota's environment for upward mobility. The Peace Garden State ranks best in the nation for Social Capital thanks to strong communities and charitable giving. However, policymakers can improve the state's outlook by boosting business dynamism, enacting legal reforms, and creating education freedom for families. Read the full report ➡ https://lnkd.in/gN8DJE3D #NorthDakota #ND #AmericanDream #SocialMobility #Mobility #EconomicMobility #UpwardMobility #Research #StateRankings Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth

States that want to tap universities and philanthropies to find solutions to policy challenges using the best research, evidence and data should look at how one state mastered the communications and logistics essential for effective partnerships. Beginning five years ago, North Carolina has built a widely praised Office of Strategic Partnerships, or OSP, designed to whittle away the communication and logistical problems that often interfere with government, academic and philanthropic relationships. OSP has brought in partners from across the state, including both public and private institutions, the state’s 10 historically Black colleges and universities, and small private, rural and community colleges. Broadening the outreach is good for North Carolina, said Tonya Smith-Jackson, provost at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, "That’s what is going to push our state in terms of innovation and progress.” Learn more from Barrett and Greene Inc. here: https://lnkd.in/e3MsZTu9

Three individuals and/or organizations will be honored at the upcoming ACHANGE symposium June 20-21. The awards categories are: Innovation in Housing Design and Development: recognizes the creativity, originality and breakthrough thinking in developing housing, whether single family, multifamily or a derivative thereof, Recognition will be given to the individual/organization/business that is transforming the affordable housing landscape in their community. Best in Housing Revitalization: recognizes the individual/organization/business that has taken a formerly blighted or neglected property and redeveloped the property into quality housing for people with modest incomes. Best in Community Economic Development Partnership: recognizes a private/public partnership that has/is improving the quality of life options within their community. Awards competition rules: Open to anyone who performs work related to affordable housing in Arkansas, even if located elsewhere. Nominations may be accepted for individuals, public or nonprofit organizations, or private-sector businesses. Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Projects must have been performed in Arkansas. Nomination link: https://www.https://www.achange.org/news/ Please contact ACHANGE at admin@achange.org for more information.

Wealthy Florida residents, developers are looking to raise $300 million for Vanderbilt University to build a campus in West Palm Beach. Billionaire developer Steve Ross hosted a reception at his Palm Beach mansion on Monday for Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. Roughly $100 million of the goal has been committed contingent on conditions being met including securing the land, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named citing private discussions. The Nashville university is exploring construction of a campus for graduate business and computing programs in West Palm Beach, an area transformed in recent years by an influx of wealthy residents and financial firms setting up outposts. Ross’s Related Cos. has played a major role in developing the downtown with new office and residential towers, while the 83-year-old founder is a prominent booster of the region. Education has been a major sticking point for the wealthy — and increasingly younger — families moving to South Florida from NY, CA etc. There aren’t enough elite private schools to educate kids of high-earning workers migrating south with firms such as Goldman Sachs, Blackstone and Citadel. The region lacks top-tier universities to build up the pool of talent to feed those firms over time.

The City of Danville is excited to announce matching grant funding for registered Neighborhood Associations located within Danville. The Neighborhood Association Matching Grant Program (NAMGP) offers $100 - $2500 Matching Grants for Neighborhood Improvement! Purpose: To engage neighborhood members in volunteer service to address important, small-scale needs. These improvements are generally too small for city government to prioritize, but too large for a neighborhood to independently address. With this program, people will get to know neighbors, take ownership of their neighborhoods, and find pride in the place where they live. We are hopeful that the NAMGP will increase Neighborhood Association activity in the City of Danville, empowering them to complete projects in their communities to enhance their quality of life and the overall quality of life for the citizens of Danville. We want to foster strong and vibrant communities along with camaraderie in neighborhoods. It is our hope that Neighborhood Associations will engage with this program annually, with a chance at improving their neighborhood bit by bit, year upon year. As pride grows in neighborhoods, we hope that community members will spend more time walking and working outside, keeping their yards clean, and continually improving their properties. The NAMGP will serve as a tool to build strong relationships between the city government and neighborhood residents while developing neighborhoods and helping them thrive. By providing resources and concrete services to address self-identified neighborhood priorities, this program fosters a sense of trust and partnership between the city and its constituents while making lasting change throughout the city. Read the full news story here: https://lnkd.in/g3_hGCJK

California is moving the needle on housing. This is your chance to have local #housingimpact. Build an ADU, offer a rental for a local employee, and have immediate impact and revenue. If you want to do this but are not sure how, Rely can help you with that. Are you a housing organization that wants to scale your offering and need help? If so reach out, we're happy to help. DM me. If you like posts like this, give me a follow :) #housingorg #adu

We were very pleased to hear that the City will be reversing a proposed $10 million cut to community schools that would have been devastating to children, youth, and families in our city’s most under-resourced neighborhoods. By reaffirming its commitment to community schools, the City sends a message that kids and families are a priority. Community schools across New York City have succeeded in raising student attendance, reducing disciplinary incidents, increasing math achievement, credit accumulation, and so much more. This restoration is a much needed-relief for our youth and their communities, but our work is far from finished. Hundreds of community schools in New York City still face a $55 million fiscal cliff from sunsetting federal stimulus funds set to expire in less than six months. For the past three years, Children’s Aid, along with our coalition partners, have pushed the City to develop a plan for mitigating the impact of the fiscal cliff, to no avail. We will continue to hold our partners in government accountable to this commitment they have made to our most vulnerable families.   We believe this administration shares in our vision of ensuring quality school experiences for all young New Yorkers and their families. We know community schools can play a central role in making that vision possible. Children’s Aid looks forward to working with this administration to continue the progress we have made through investment in community schools. https://lnkd.in/eN9ZwFWp