Philanthropy in the News: May 2009


Philanthropy Today - May 2009
  • The combination of growing numbers of Americans in their fifties and sixties who are rethinking retirement on account of the recession and the recent passage of the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act could spur new interest in nonprofit "encore" careers, the Wall Street Journal reports. The bill, which Congress has passed and President Obama is expected to sign shortly, is designed to encourage more Americans to commit to national service and expand opportunities for them to do so. For instance, the size of AmeriCorps -- which helps link volunteers nationwide with local needs in education, health care and housing, among other priorities -- will be tripled to 250,000 slots from 75,000: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123863704304281321.html
  • The Skoll Foundation has announced that its founder and chairman, Jeff Skoll, has given $100 million to launch an organization that will work to address urgent threats confronting humanity and the planet. The new organization will be led by Larry Brilliant, the founding executive director of Google.org:  http://www.skollfoundation.org/media/press_releases/internal/041409.asp    
  • The X Prize Foundation, insurance company WellPoint, and the WellPoint Foundation have announced the initial design of the Healthcare X Prize competition. The Healthcare X Prize will award at least $10 million to the group that creates an optimal health paradigm that provides the highest quality health care for the greatest number of people at the lowest possible cost. Ms. Anousheh Ansari is a Title Sponsor and a member of the X Prize Foundation's Vision Circle, as well as its Board of Trustees. Mr. Omid Kordestani and Ms. Bita Daryabari are also the Visionary Circle leaders supporting research: http://www.xprize.org/media-center/press-release/x-prize-foundation-wellpoint-inc-unveil-initial-design-for-revolutionary-