| 2011 |
Financial Services Volunteer Corps, Inc. |
International Peace and Security |
Dynamics of Global Power |
$410,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For a project on relations among the United States, Russia, China and India |
| Link: |
www.fsvc.org |
| Abstract: |
The last several years have seen major changes in foreign and domestic policies of the United States, Russia and China. The complexity and interdependence of national and international challenges necessitate engagement among these powers. One way to foster this is through unofficial discussions that are structured to help advance official policies. The Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC) has been conducting trilateral meetings involving these countries. The meetings, which also include representatives from India and Europe, provide venues for experts and practitioners to discuss topics that lie at the intersection of security, economic, financial, and energy considerations in defining foreign policies. With continued support, the project will hold two annual international symposia, several working group meetings, and publish recommendations for action. |
|
| 2011 |
International Research and Exchanges Board, Inc. |
Higher Education in Eurasia |
|
$668,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For improving university administration in Russia, Eurasia, Ghana, and Tanzania |
| Link: |
www.irex.org |
| Abstract: |
Well-functioning universities shape leaders who will support and promote democratic governance and a productive economy. The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) through its University Administration Support Program (UASP) helps universities in developing countries by strengthening their foundations in academic leadership. The program comprised of eight-week U.S. university study visits, case study development, and a pilot grants program exposes participants to alternative leadership cultures, approaches, and strategies with application to issues relevant to their own management and institutions. IREX proposes to implement UASP in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and to further expand the program to include Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania by providing international exposure to participants in national higher education leadership training programs. |
|
| 2011 |
Human Rights Watch, Inc. |
|
|
$250,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For general support |
| Link: |
www.hrw.org |
| Abstract: |
Despite significant advances in the human rights movement, human rights violations persist—and, in some instances, are increasing—in many regions of the world. Human Rights Watch (HRW) is the largest human rights organization based in the United States and has a global reach and reputation. It conducts fact-finding investigations into human rights abuses wherever they occur, and its findings generate extensive coverage in local and international media. This publicity helps to highlight the actions of abusive governments in the eyes of their citizens and the international community. HRW then meets with government officials to urge changes in policy and practice. Corporation general support will help HRW continue its work, including in critical cases associated with the “Arab Awakening” in the Middle East and North Africa. |
|
| 2011 |
Harvard University |
International Peace and Security |
Nuclear Security |
$500,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For multilateral dialogue on security issues in the Greater Middle East |
| Link: |
www.harvard.edu |
| Abstract: |
The Pugwash Dialogue for Peace and Security in the Greater Middle East seeks to help address the complicated and interconnected challenges in this region through continuation of its longstanding intraregional, multinational Track II workshops. Pugwash workshops engage current and former policymakers and opinion shapers who participate in their personal capacities, according to Pugwash “Chatham House rules” (the substance can be reported, but not attributed to any one person). Because of this arrangement, its workshops tend to produce insightful and targeted recommendations that often find their way into the corridors of power through reports and personal post-workshop meetings and briefings. Corporation funding will provide partial support for a series of interrelated, Track II activities focused on Iran, Afghanistan, Post-Arab Spring changes, and Turkey. |
|
| 2011 |
American University |
International Peace and Security |
Dynamics of Global Power |
$595,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For a joint project, with the University of California, Berkeley and Duke University, on global strategic challenges and foreign policy |
| Abstract: |
The next phase of the Bridging the Gap initiative, involving a collaboration among American University, Duke University, and the University of California, Berkeley, will continue its commitment to three core goals: 1) To develop and lead policy-relevant research projects that tap the particular expertise of project principals; 2) To train, develop, and mentor an expanded cohort of scholars whose work is oriented towards policy-relevant scholarship and/or theoretically informed policy work; and 3) To collaborate with like-minded colleagues and programs for broader and fundamental changes that move international relations and political science scholarship towards greater policy relevance. The project intends to build on its progress to date by scaling up and extending its efforts while focusing substantive research on new, medium-term foreign policy challenges. |
|
| 2011 |
Institute for Advanced Study |
Urban and Higher Education |
Strengthening Human Capital |
$2,000,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
12 |
| Description: |
For continuing implementation of the Opportunity Equation report's recommendations for improving mathematics and science education |
| Link: |
www.ias.edu; www.msi-sig.org |
| Abstract: |
Since its inception two years ago, the Opportunity Equation initiative has been an effective, credible, and versatile vehicle for advancing systemic education reform, with STEM education as a key lever, as recommended in the Opportunity Equation report. In the coming year, the initiative will continue to serve as the managing and operational partner for the 100Kin10 mobilization and in supporting the implementation of winning ideas from the Ashoka Changemakers competition. Opportunity Equation will also continue to serve as a communications hub for STEM reform, particularly through its award-winning website. The year ahead will be a time of transition for Opportunity Equation, as the initiative’s co-chairs and staff consider its future and make decisions about how best to sustain the progress made so far in advancing the recommendations of the Opportunity Equation report. |
|
| 2011 |
New Teacher Project, Inc. |
Urban and Higher Education |
Strengthening Human Capital |
$3,000,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For general support |
| Link: |
www.tntp.org |
| Abstract: |
There is overwhelming evidence that teachers have greater in-school influence on student achievement than any other person or program. Yet systems that differentiate, develop, and reward teachers based on demonstrated impact are virtually nonexistent. As a leading human-capital reform organization, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) partners with school districts and states to bring high-quality teachers into hard-to-staff schools and to redesign their talent management systems. TNTP also advocates for related policy reform. This grant will support TNTP as it continues its current work and adapts to address the challenge of broadly increasing the quality of instruction. |
|
| 2011 |
National Security Archive Fund, Inc. |
International Peace and Security |
Nuclear Security |
$1,000,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For archival programs on Nuclear Security and U.S.- Russia Engagement |
| Link: |
www.nsarchive.org |
| Abstract: |
The National Security Archive Fund (the Archive) seeks renewed support for its work to expand the universe of primary sources available to scholars, journalists, and citizens on two issues of central importance to the Corporation: nuclear security and U.S.-Russian relations. This grant merges two previous Archive initiatives on these issues. Over the past decade the Archive has conducted extensive work to document and publish untold stories on nuclear and former Soviet history. This project will build on this foundation. It is a dynamic moment for historical research in the post-Soviet space because new laws in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia enable, in principle, greater access to government-held records. With current debates on the role of nuclear weapons, it is also an opportune time to unearth and examine archival information related to past efforts at transforming the U.S. nuclear posture. |
|
| 2011 |
Education Sector Inc. |
Urban and Higher Education |
Strengthening Human Capital |
$250,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
12 |
| Description: |
For general support |
| Link: |
www.educationsector.org |
| Abstract: |
If we are to maintain a vibrant democracy, we must educate our youth to higher standards. Yet our schools, especially urban public schools, are ill-equipped to prepare students to succeed in an increasingly complex economy and democracy. Education Sector, an independent think tank at the intersection of research, public policy, and journalism, works to address this challenge by improving existing education reform initiatives and by developing innovative solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems. Education Sector conducts rigorous research, translates that research into policy recommendations, and explains complex education ideas to policymakers and the public. This grant will extend our support of Education Sector for one year. |
|
| 2011 |
Public Interest Projects |
Democracy and Civic Integration |
Immigrant Civic Integration |
$5,000,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
12 |
| Description: |
For the Four Freedoms Fund, a donor collaborative on immigrant integration at the state level |
| Abstract: |
The Four Freedoms Fund (FFF), a donor collaborative housed at Public Interest Projects, supports immigrant-serving coalitions that incorporate three areas of work—immigrant civic engagement and integration, policy advocacy, and defense of immigrant rights. The adaptive capacity of FFF enables it to effectively influence emerging events in the immigrant integration movement, particularly at the state-level, where controversial immigrant policies have become more common. With Corporation support, the Four Freedoms Fund’s grantees will continue to push back against anti-immigrant legislation and advance policies that promote the integration of immigrants. It is important to note that the fund plays an especially important role in encouraging alliance building among and between important allies, such as faith, business and civil rights leaders, and city mayors and managers. |
|
| 2011 |
ReThink Media |
International Peace and Security |
Nuclear Security |
$287,100 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For ReThink Media's efforts to build media capacity of select nuclear security grantees |
| Link: |
www.tides.org |
| Abstract: |
As the START debate demonstrated, efforts to advance a cooperative vision of nuclear security face coordinated opposition backed by well-funded media operations. Media surveys suggest that peace and security organizations tend to underperform in this arena. ReThink Media (Rethink) was founded on the premise that the peace and security community must increase investments in professional communications staff, technologies, and research-driven messaging. With Corporation support, ReThink played an important role in turning the tables in media coverage: pro-START op-eds outpaced the opposition by more than two to one and were consistently on message. Through training and assistance in writing, editing, and placing opinion pieces, ReThink played a major role in this improved performance and is an important part of the Corporation’s efforts to build grantee media capacity. |
|
| 2011 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
International Peace and Security |
Nuclear Security |
$591,600 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For a project on issues of strategic stability in a post-nuclear weapons era |
| Abstract: |
Three years ago, a Corporation study noted that support for a nuclear weapons free world had gained momentum in policy circles but failed to resonate within the academy. The Program on Strategic Stability Evaluation (POSSE) was founded to address this challenge, applying a proven Corporation model to create a network of young scholars in the United States, Russia, and China. While the issue of strategic stability has provided a focal point, the project has catalyzed debate on extended deterrence, missile defenses, and China’s role in future nuclear cuts. POSSE will build on the network’s initial achievements and expand the core group to India, Pakistan, Israel, and France, deepen the virtual component of its dialogue, connect to an emerging Chinese community of arms control scholars, and present joint research at scholarly and international forums. |
|
| 2011 |
Complete College America |
Urban and Higher Education |
New Designs for Education Systems |
$500,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For capacity building for a national organization promoting college completion |
| Abstract: |
More students than ever go to college, but proportionally fewer graduate than did 40 years ago. Since 1970 college enrollments have increased some 35 percent, but the rate at which students complete college has remained flat. Recognizing the urgency of the situation and signaling the strong relationship between well-educated citizens and the nation’s economic competitiveness, President Obama has kept college completion as a priority on his domestic agenda. Complete College America continues to capitalize on the vigorous attention this challenge continues to receive across the nation by focusing on state policy solutions that can materially advance the ambitious goal of doubling the numbers of college graduates in the coming decades. |
|
| 2011 |
Public Interest Projects |
Democracy and Civic Integration |
Voter Engagement |
$3,000,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
18 |
| Description: |
For the State Infrastructure Fund, a donor collaborative related to nonpartisan voter engagement |
| Abstract: |
The State Infrastructure Fund (SIF), based at Public Interest Projects, is a relatively new donor collaborative that coordinates funders who support sustainable nonpartisan civic engagement infrastructure in the states. The goal of SIF is to support, enhance, and complement work already underway, ensuring that states can build strong infrastructure more quickly and sustain it beyond the next election cycle. With renewed Corporation support, SIF will concentrate on supporting nonpartisan voter engagement, election administration, and communications efforts, all aimed at increasing voter turnout in communities with low propensity voters. |
|
| 2011 |
ProPublica, Inc. |
Future of Journalism Education |
|
$150,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For general support |
| Link: |
www.propublica.org |
| Abstract: |
ProPublica, founded in late 2007, is an independent, non-profit newsroom with a mission to produce investigative journalism in the public interest. ProPublica produces journalism that shines a light on exploitation of the weak by the strong, and on the failures of those with power to vindicate the trust placed in them. In the best traditions of American journalism in the public interest, their goal is to stimulate positive change, uncovering objectionable practices and abuses of power in order to prod reform. Their stories are written and published in an entirely non-partisan and non-ideological manner, adhering to the strictest standards of journalistic impartiality making them the first online news organization to win two Pulitzer Prizes. Renewed support from the Corporation to ProPublica will help their efforts to publish investigative journalism in the public interest, as well as transition to a sustainable funding model. |
|
| 2011 |
Cape Higher Education Consortium |
Higher Education and Libraries in Africa |
|
$158,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
12 |
| Description: |
One-time only grant for a research review of U.S. foundation initiatives in equity and transformation at South African universities |
| Link: |
www.chec.ac.za |
| Abstract: |
U.S. foundations have been supporting equity and transformation of postgraduate education at South African universities since postapartheid. Since 2005, the Corporation has funded postgraduate training and staff development at the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This support was a component of each university’s institutional strategy for transformation. South Africa is currently conducting national investigative research to inform expansion of its postgraduate education system. In this context, the proposed project seeks to research, retrieve, and compile lessons learned from the approaches that were trialed with U.S. foundation support to inform government, universities, and the donor community focused on developing the next generation of academics. |
|
| 2011 |
Museum for African Art |
|
|
$350,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For the African Scholars Fellowship Program |
| Link: |
www.africanart.org |
| Abstract: |
The Museum for African Art dedicates itself to promoting arts and culture. Since inception, the museum has worked closely with African scholars, institutions, and artists. The museum has built a new building in Harlem, New York, which is to open late 2012. The grant will support the creation of the museum’s African Scholars Fellowship Program, which aims to develop the next generation of museum professionals working in African institutions. The program will provide extensive professional and managerial training for selected individuals. The aim of the program is to effect change in their home institutions and support the development of new industry-wide standards. Trained museum staff will directly affect the resources, capabilities of their institution, and quality of its programs. The grant will enable the award of select six-month fellowships, with a three-month residency stay at the museum. |
|
| 2011 |
University of Notre Dame |
International Peace and Security |
Dynamics of Global Power |
$277,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
36 |
| Description: |
For a project to help bridge the gap between scholarship and policy related to international peace and security |
| Link: |
www.nd.edu |
| Abstract: |
Since World War II there has been consistent interest among policymakers in drawing upon academic social science expertise in support of more effective national security policymaking. However, despite this interest, there also has been enduring frustration on both sides of the “theory-policy gap” with the inability to bridge it. Building on a discretionary grant-supported pilot project, the International Security Studies Program at the University of Notre Dame will embark on a follow-up effort to help address this problem through conducting and publicizing a survey of the policy relevance of university political science and international relations programs, documenting the history and need for closer collaboration between the scholarly and policy worlds, and the convening of workshops involving scholars, policymakers, and Corporation grantees working on similar issues. |
|
| 2011 |
National Science Teachers Association |
Urban and Higher Education |
Standards and Assessments |
$676,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
30 |
| Description: |
For support of the successful implementation of Next Generation Standards (NGSS) among the nation's science teachers |
| Abstract: |
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world focused on science teaching. Membership includes science teachers and supervisors, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others committed to science education. With this grant, the NSTA will build an online collaborative learning environment, COMPASS, for accessing instructional coaching materials aligned with the New Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and NGSS website. NSTA will collaborate with other science partners to provide face-to-face and online professional development and instructional support for teachers and faculty via the internet, web forums, video conferences, and e-newsletters to support ongoing engagement of the nation’s science educators and provide guidance about the new standards and standards implementation. |
|
| 2011 |
Council of Chief State School Officers, Inc. |
Urban and Higher Education |
Standards and Assessments |
$691,700 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For implementation of the Common Core State Standards and aligned assessment systems |
| Link: |
www.ccsso.org |
| Abstract: |
Forty-five states adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and are preparing for the new mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) standards implementation. New assessments are being designed to align with the CCSS. The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) through its relationship will work with the nation’s state education agencies and other partners will support states with the implementation of the CCSS and new assessments in four strategic areas: communications and engagement, building assessment literacy, curriculum and instruction and support for English-language learners. CCSSO plans several convenings, webinars to provide technical assistance to states, facilitate communications messaging, provide professional development and create a guide for states on transitioning to the new assessments focused on operational, policy and technical issues. |
|
| 2011 |
Fund for Educational Excellence |
Urban and Higher Education |
New Designs for Education Systems |
$350,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
12 |
| Description: |
For a reorganization of Baltimore City Schools central office to support a devolvement of funds to schools in order to increase productivity and innovation |
| Abstract: |
Innovative schools will remain islands of excellence unless the systems in which they are embedded become more effective at creating the conditions required to generate excellence at scale. Barriers to reform cannot be overcome without change in the bureaucratic structures and organizations that predominate. Baltimore City Schools seeks to implement a transformation of its budgeting practices, altering how principals can use funds to address major and minor problems in their schools. The district will engage in a process to analyze the cost effectiveness of central office services directed toward schools and to determine which dollars should remain central and which dollars should be devolved to schools, building on the successful implementation of Fair Student Funding. Moreover, Baltimore’s strategy for continuing to evolve their district’s funding structures and frameworks has a strong potential to provide an example of this effort for districts that seek to engage in similar work. |
|
| 2011 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Urban and Higher Education |
New Designs for Education Systems |
$618,800 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
36 |
| Description: |
For a new model to turnaround low-performing high schools |
| Link: |
www.jhu.edu |
| Abstract: |
Over 13,000 low-performing schools across the United States are currently eligible for federal funding to implement turnaround strategies. Despite the opportunity to use these funds to spur transformation and innovation, often the turnaround efforts fail to make meaningful change in the eligible schools. The federal investment often goes towards minor adjustments, rather than towards re-conceptualizing what the school has the potential to accomplish in terms of accelerating achievement. As a result, in any given year more schools enter into the School Improvement Grant process than exit it, and over half of these are low-performing high schools. Talent Development Secondary (based at Johns Hopkins University) and College Summit responded to a challenge that the Corporation issued, calling for more organizations at the program level to innovate through partnerships around complementary core competencies. Talent Development Secondary and College Summit propose to integrate their programs to develop a whole school turnaround model. |
|
| 2011 |
Euphemia L. Haynes Public Charter School |
Urban and Higher Education |
New Designs for Education Systems |
$585,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
36 |
| Description: |
For a pilot K-12 hybrid learning model |
| Abstract: |
Increasingly sophisticated information technology has become available in education, enabling students to engage in more focused, adaptable skill-building both during and out of school time. Yet learning how to use these technologies effectively as part of a school design is a challenging process. When these technologies are accessed and next generation learning is enacted effectively, it changes what schools look like and what they have the capacity to do for students. E.L. Haynes Public Charter School is a charter based in Washington, DC that currently outperforms similar schools, and is growing to serve pre-K through 12th grade. It has demonstrated success using traditional models for instructional delivery, but in this proposal it seeks to lay the groundwork to transition to a blended learning model in order to raise the bar higher for students, first in its high school and then in its middle and elementary grades. It also seeks to create a hub within the District of Columbia Public Schools to support dissemination about and adoption of blended learning practices across the city. |
|
| 2011 |
National Research Council |
Urban and Higher Education |
Standards and Assessments |
$472,400 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For a study to guide the development of assessments measuring student proficiency in science aligned with the new K-12 science standards |
| Link: |
www.national-academies.org |
| Abstract: |
The National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Testing and Assessment (BOTA) and Science Education (BOSE) will collaborate on a study to guide the development of science assessments that validly measure student proficiency and are aligned with the new K-12 science education framework. The two assessment consortia will be engaged throughout the process and a National Research Council committee will be formed to review the literature and make recommendations about best practices for developing effective, high-quality science assessments and assessment systems. A review of current assessment approaches that measure the content, skills and practices outlined in the Framework and research on assessing science proficiency and literacy will be conducted. The resulting assessment framework will be used to inform stakeholders engaged in science assessments. |
|
| 2011 |
Human Rights First |
|
|
$200,000 |
| Date: |
12/15/2011 |
| Duration (months): |
24 |
| Description: |
For general support |
| Link: |
www.humanrightsfirst.org |
| Abstract: |
For more than thirty years, Human Rights First (HRF) has earned a reputation for pragmatic, results-oriented advocacy backed by sophisticated legal and policy analysis. As the organization enters its fourth decade, it aspires to be the most effective organization focused on advancing U.S. law, policy, and influence to promote and protect human rights globally. Moving forward, HRF will focus its energies where its approach and strength can have the greatest impact on pressing global human rights challenges, including building durable human rights reforms in the Middle East, reversing the deteriorating environment in which human rights defenders operate in many countries. Corporation support will allow HRF to continue these and other activities. |
|
