Foundations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from U.S. foundations.
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Prosperity Now Statement on Monthly New Residential Construction & Existing-Home Sales Reports
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (TNSres) -- Prosperity Now (formerly the Corporation for Enterprise Development) issued the following news release on Nov. 21, 2024:
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Jump in New Housing Sales Amid Decline in Construction Raises Concerns; Housing Prices Must Remain Attainable
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U.S. existing-home sales climbed 3.4 percent in October, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS(R) data released today. This marks a 2.9 percent year-over-year increase--the first annual growth since July 2021. The median price for existing-homes rose
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (TNSres) -- Prosperity Now (formerly the Corporation for Enterprise Development) issued the following news release on Nov. 21, 2024:
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Jump in New Housing Sales Amid Decline in Construction Raises Concerns; Housing Prices Must Remain Attainable
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U.S. existing-home sales climbed 3.4 percent in October, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS(R) data released today. This marks a 2.9 percent year-over-year increase--the first annual growth since July 2021. The median price for existing-homes roseby 4.0 percent from October 2023, continuing a 16-month streak of year-over-year price gains. Meanwhile, the inventory of unsold existing homes edged up 0.7 percent from the previous month, reaching 1.37 million by the end of October--equivalent to a 4.2-month supply at the current monthly sales pace.
"This recent rise in existing-home sales signals resilience in the housing market, reflecting improving buyer confidence despite ongoing economic challenges for Americans," said Marisa Calderon, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. "This growth is a visible demonstration of the equity building power of homeownership and emphasizes the need to prioritize housing affordability and access as market dynamics continue to evolve."
On the other hand, the US Census Bureau's new residential construction statistics released this week reveals a decline in housing starts in October, signaling a warning sign that warrants closer attention. Housing starts in the U.S. fell by 3.1 percent in October, reaching 1.311 million units. This decline follows a revised 1.9 percent drop in September. This decrease is likely attributed to rising mortgage rates, which could be dampening buyer demand and causing builders to scale back construction.
"The slowdown in new housing starts in October is alarming, but the increase in sales highlights a clear demand from consumers eager to enter the housing market," continued. Calderon. "However, without a substantial uptick in new construction, housing shortages and affordability challenges will continue. We need regulatory relief now to ensure housing prices remain attainable for families struggling to secure a more prosperous financial future."
Prosperity Now remains committed to advocating for policies that promote equitable access to homeownership and support housing growth, ensuring all Americans have the opportunity they need to build wealth.
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About Prosperity Now -- Since 1979, Prosperity Now has been a persistent voice championing economic opportunity, innovating outside of and beyond existing systems to build power for all communities. We advance economic equity by investing in bold new ideas, and we work deeply at both the grassroots and national level to impact our entire financial ecosystem. By setting goals for our economy and following through with targeted approaches based on need, we are equipped to drive forward and cement big structural solutions. Learn more at http://www.prosperitynow.org.
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REPORT: https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/pdf/newresconst.pdf
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Original text here: https://prosperitynow.org/press-release/prosperity-now-statement-monthly-new-residential-construction-existing-home-sales
[Category: Economics]
OMRF adds two new Board members, honors two others
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 22 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation issued the following news:
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Board of Directors welcomed two new members and honored two others during its semiannual meeting Thursday.
Joining the Board are Sherri Lance of Sulphur and Gail Muncrief of Edmond.
Lance and her husband, Bill, served as this year's sponsorship chairs of 241, OMRF's largest annual fundraising event. She is president and managing partner of Gaming Capital Group. She also serves on the boards of United Way of Central Oklahoma, Integris Health, and the
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 22 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation issued the following news:
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Board of Directors welcomed two new members and honored two others during its semiannual meeting Thursday.
Joining the Board are Sherri Lance of Sulphur and Gail Muncrief of Edmond.
Lance and her husband, Bill, served as this year's sponsorship chairs of 241, OMRF's largest annual fundraising event. She is president and managing partner of Gaming Capital Group. She also serves on the boards of United Way of Central Oklahoma, Integris Health, and theOklahoma Association on Problem Gambling.
Muncrief and her husband, Rick, are major supporters of the foundation's Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence. Earlier this year, they made a $1.5 million gift for MS care and research. She serves as a trustee of the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum, the Oklahoma State University Foundation, and the national Chi Omega Foundation.
The Board also elected Carl Edwards of Oklahoma City and Ross Swimmer of Tulsa as life directors.
Edwards has served on the Board since 2010. He has chaired the Board's Technology Ventures Committee and played a pivotal role in establishing a partnership between OMRF and the Presbyterian Health Foundation, where he served as chair for 17 years.
Swimmer has been an OMRF Board member since 1989. A former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and assistant secretary for Indian Affairs under President Ronald Reagan, Swimmer has been instrumental in helping OMRF build relationships, support and visibility in the Tulsa area and within Oklahoma's tribal communities.
Also Thursday, OMRF's Scientific Advisory Board reviewed the Cardiovascular Biology Research Program. That program, led by Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D., studies the blood and other systems in the body that can contribute to a wide range of diseases, including heart attack, stroke and vision loss.
"This is an extremely strong research program," said James Kirkland, M.D., of The Mayo Clinic, who chaired this year's Scientific Advisory Board. "OMRF is a real gem in the state and in this part of the country."
Composed of six distinguished scientists from universities and research institutes across the country, the Scientific Advisory Board provides a rigorous outside review the foundation's research programs to ensure OMRF maintains the highest scientific standards.
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Original text here: https://omrf.org/2024/11/22/omrf-adds-two-new-board-members-honors-two-others/
New Maryland Transmission Line Would Disrupt Hundreds of Acres of Forests and Wetlands, CBF Report Finds
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Nov. 22 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following news release:
Over 500 acres of protected land, including vulnerable forests and high-quality watersheds, would be threatened by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, according to a new analysis by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). In the fight for cleaner water across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, CBF today issued new geospatial data regarding how the controversial proposed transmission lines in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties would harm wetlands, forests, and habitat.
"If done thoughtlessly,
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Nov. 22 -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following news release:
Over 500 acres of protected land, including vulnerable forests and high-quality watersheds, would be threatened by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, according to a new analysis by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). In the fight for cleaner water across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, CBF today issued new geospatial data regarding how the controversial proposed transmission lines in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties would harm wetlands, forests, and habitat.
"If done thoughtlessly,this project would be a huge backslide on Maryland's robust environmental investments," said Gussie Maguire, CBF Maryland Staff Scientist. "But we are not powerless. Maryland can and must enforce strict regulations to minimize and mitigate the environmental losses from this project, and ensure support for affected communities."
Data summary
According to CBF's Geographic Information System (GIS) findings, the transmission line's right-of-way will cut through:
514 acres of protected area, including Maryland agricultural preservation foundation easements (a vast majority at 374 acres), Forest Conservation Act acres, and a portion of Gunpowder Falls State Park;
483 acres of Tier II watershed--a classification of high-quality watershed acres that represent the cleanest water and most valuable habitat in Maryland;
377 acres of forest cover, which filter carbon from the atmosphere and keep streams cool in the face of climate change;
47 acres of wetlands, which prevent pollution by soaking up excess nutrients and provide quality habitat; and,
125 acres of riparian buffer, or vegetation surrounding streams and water bodies that improves water quality and environmental benefits.
CBF's GIS survey data was derived from information released by the project developer, utility company Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc (PSEG), and assumes a 150-foot-wide easement around the length of the transmission line.
Background
In October, PSEG announced a proposed route for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, which the company said would deprioritize environmental concerns. All three counties where the line will intercede--Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick--have fiercely opposed the project.
Maryland's electric grid operator, PJM, asserts that a high-powered transmission line is necessary due to the growing demand for power from data centers in Northern Virginia. The proposed 500,000-volt transmission line's area of impact would be roughly 70 miles long and 550 feet wide.
PSEG still needs to submit a permit application to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) before the project can proceed. That application is expected before the end of 2024.
Why It Matters
If classified as necessary utility infrastructure, this project would be exempt from Maryland's Forest Conservation Act, including conservation and reforestation requirements. However, PSC's permit could include additional conditions that effectively minimize the line's environmental harm wherever possible and enforce mitigation requirements where avoidance is not possible.
This is the first of 10 transmission lines that PSEG intends to construct through Maryland. It is paramount that PSC sets a strong precedent with this initial permit, enforcing the highest environmental standards and ensuring maximum remediation for affected communities.
As the state moves towards a greener grid and electrification of appliances and cars, more power will be needed. However, the deforestation and environmental devastation required would contradict many of Maryland's climate change goals. It is much more cost-effective to preserve high-quality waterways upfront than to try and restore streams and landscapes after devastation occurs.
Preserved forests and wetlands in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay watershed are some of the most effective water filtration systems and fighters of climate change. They provide habitat for many of Maryland's most beloved wildlife species who are already experiencing forest fragmentation and habitat loss from intense development pressure.
Residents voiced their concerns last week during a series of public hearings in Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties. CBF encourages concerned advocates to email questions and comments directly to the Maryland PSC inbox at piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov.
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Original text here: http://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2024/maryland/new-maryland-transmission-line-would-disrupt-hundreds-of-acres-of-forests-and-wetlands-cbf-report-finds.html
Launch of Commission on Asian PhilanthropyThe Nippon Foundation Joins Initiative to Create Intra-Asia Ecosystem
TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 22 -- The Nippon Foundation issued the following news:
The launch of a Commission on Asian Philanthropy (CAP) was announced at a meeting of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum on September 10, 2024. The CAP will bring together philanthropic organizations across Asia - from Saudi Arabia to Japan - to create an intra-Asia ecosystem for philanthropy across the region. For the CAP's launch, The Nippon Foundation was represented in a panel discussion at the Forum by Executive Director Ichiro Kabasawa, together with representatives of the King Khalid Foundation
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TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 22 -- The Nippon Foundation issued the following news:
The launch of a Commission on Asian Philanthropy (CAP) was announced at a meeting of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum on September 10, 2024. The CAP will bring together philanthropic organizations across Asia - from Saudi Arabia to Japan - to create an intra-Asia ecosystem for philanthropy across the region. For the CAP's launch, The Nippon Foundation was represented in a panel discussion at the Forum by Executive Director Ichiro Kabasawa, together with representatives of the King Khalid Foundation(Saudi Arabia), the Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong), the IDEAS-Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation (Indonesia), the Piramal Foundation (India), and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (China).
Mr. Kabasawa explains that while in the United States and Europe, philanthropy is seen as having its roots in the Christian religious tradition, there is no common framework for philanthropy in Asian cultures. In Japan, for example, the Japanese language does not even have a native word for philanthropy. With a large number of philanthropic organizations being established in Asia over the past ten years, the CAP's first task will therefore be to define "philanthropy" in an Asian context. The objective is to come up with a multifaceted, alternative framework for philanthropy that showcases the diverse cultures and values of this broad geographic region. This is not meant to repudiate or compete with the Western approach to philanthropy, but rather to offer alternatives that may be more suitable in an Asian context.
In the panel discussion, Mr. Kabasawa explained that The Nippon Foundation's early activities began as charity in the form of providing direct relief to people with immediate needs, and over time evolved into philanthropy, which he defines as changing the systems that constitute the underlying causes behind those needs. This is a longer-term endeavor that will not produce immediate results, but is necessary to achieve sustainable outcomes. In Japan, as in other Asian countries, an aging and contracting population is putting pressure on public social security and welfare systems, and with limited public finances the government cannot be expected to address all issues on its own. Unlike in the United States and Europe, philanthropic organizations in Japan and many Asian countries tend to work closely with governments to complement government programs. In addition to these activities, he also sees a role for organizations like The Nippon Foundation in working with private-sector companies to address these issues from a long-term, sustainable perspective.
The CAP will meet over three years, after which it will issue a report and action plan for longer-term implementation. With the large number of Asia's new, smaller philanthropic organizations, the emphasis will be on networking and coordination across organizations so that they can make the most effective use of the resources they have. The next meeting will be hosted by The Nippon Foundation in Tokyo on November 29 as the Asia Philanthropy Congress 2024.
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Original text here: https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en/news/articles/2024/20241122-106193.html
Hispanic Access' Statement in Response to the Transfer of Wild Federal Lands to States
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
In response to Utah's lawsuit seeking the transfer of millions of acres of federal public lands to state ownership, Hispanic Access Foundation stands with the policymakers, hunters and anglers, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and communities whole believe such transfer would not serve the best interests of the public. This case, which has gained the backing of 12 states, could set a dangerous precedent, putting 640 million acres of federal public lands at risk of being inadequately managed and no longer serving
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
In response to Utah's lawsuit seeking the transfer of millions of acres of federal public lands to state ownership, Hispanic Access Foundation stands with the policymakers, hunters and anglers, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and communities whole believe such transfer would not serve the best interests of the public. This case, which has gained the backing of 12 states, could set a dangerous precedent, putting 640 million acres of federal public lands at risk of being inadequately managed and no longer servingthe public thus depriving Latinos and frontline communities of the recreational, cultural, and ecological benefits they have long provided. In response, Maite Arce, Hispanic Access Foundation president and CEO, issued the following statement:
"We stand with hunters, anglers, outdoor businesses, conservationists, and millions of Americans who recognize that federal public lands are a shared national treasure, managed for the benefit of all. Federal laws like the National Environmental Policy Act protect these lands for public access, ecological health, and wildlife conservation.
"States, by contrast, lack the funding, resources, and legal frameworks to manage vast landscapes responsibly. Transferring ownership would lead to diminished protections, increased risk of privatization, destruction, and reduced public access for Latino communities. Instead of solving management challenges, this proposal would exacerbate existing problems, leaving states unable to handle the financial and operational demands of these lands.
"Collaboration, not division, is the path forward. For decades, federal agencies and states have worked together to manage public lands, balancing ecological protection with sustainable use. Doubling down on cooperation, not litigation, is the only way to ensure these lands remain accessible and protected for future generations.
"We call on the Supreme Court to reject this case and for leaders across the country to reaffirm their commitment to keeping public lands in public hands. The legacy of our National Parks, forests, and wildlife refuges is too precious to gamble with."
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Original text here: https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-resources/news-releases/item/3376-hispanic-access-statement-in-response-to-the-transfer-of-wild-federal-lands-to-states
Conservation Law Foundation: Maine Releases Updated Climate Action Plan
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 22 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release:
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Plan will not drive bold action needed now
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(Portland, ME) - Maine's Climate Council released the final version of the state's updated climate action plan. The plan provides recommendations to reduce pollution and is intended to chart a path for the state to slash climate-damaging emissions over time. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
"State action on climate is more urgent than ever, and transportation remains far and away the biggest
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 22 -- The Conservation Law Foundation issued the following news release:
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Plan will not drive bold action needed now
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(Portland, ME) - Maine's Climate Council released the final version of the state's updated climate action plan. The plan provides recommendations to reduce pollution and is intended to chart a path for the state to slash climate-damaging emissions over time. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
"State action on climate is more urgent than ever, and transportation remains far and away the biggestsource of climate-damaging emissions in the state. Yet the update to the climate action plan disappointingly lets up on goals for clean cars and trucks, and ignores the most critical policy levers for bringing these cost-saving vehicles to our state. Maine cannot rely on rebates to help Mainers get the clean vehicles they deserve while the looming, anti-climate federal administration threatens EV tax credits and funding opportunities," said Emily K. Green, CLF Acting Vice President for Maine. "The shape of this plan provides good direction to the state, but without concrete action steps, it won't drive the sort of bold action we need now."
Maine's updated climate action plan comes on the heels of the state's rejection of two standards that would have cut climate-damaging pollution from cars and trucks. The plan is supposed to chart a pathway for curbing pollution, protecting our health, and safeguarding Maine's environment.
Maine's last climate action plan was released in 2020 (https://www.clf.org/blog/maine-climate-council-recommendations/). The legislature and governor approved the state's climate law in 2019, requiring Maine to slash climate-damaging emissions 45 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. CLF, Sierra Club, and Maine Youth Action sued Maine (https://www.clf.org/newsroom/clf-and-partners-sue-maine-for-failure-to-act-on-climate-change/) in April because the state has failed to act on climate change.
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Original text here: https://www.clf.org/newsroom/maine-releases-updated-climate-action-plan/
Conservation Lands Foundation Opposes Rewritten Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2023
DURANGO, Colorado, Nov. 22 -- The Conservation Lands Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 21, 2024:
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced an amended version of the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, a legislative package introduced by Nevada Representative Mark Amodei. This amended version, changed without public input, removes all conservation provisions from the legislation--provisions that were the result of years of collaboration and compromise among Nevadans.
The Conservation Lands Foundation, the only nonprofit
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DURANGO, Colorado, Nov. 22 -- The Conservation Lands Foundation issued the following news release on Nov. 21, 2024:
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced an amended version of the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, a legislative package introduced by Nevada Representative Mark Amodei. This amended version, changed without public input, removes all conservation provisions from the legislation--provisions that were the result of years of collaboration and compromise among Nevadans.
The Conservation Lands Foundation, the only nonprofitorganization solely dedicated to protecting public access to and safeguarding the lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), strongly opposes this amended version of Representative Amodei's legislation which drastically changes the original legislation developed and agreed upon by Nevada stakeholders.
Jocelyn Torres, the Conservation Lands Foundation's Chief Conservation Officer, issued the following statement in opposition to this last-minute change:
"The House Natural Resource Committee's unwarranted amendment to the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act dismisses the thoughtfully negotiated agreements at the county level and erodes the trust and consensus built by local stakeholders.
"For decades, Nevada has been a model of bipartisan success in bringing stakeholders together to advance legislation that supports economic development and the protection of cherished outdoor spaces. The amendment - added at the very end of a long legislative process - breaks from this tradition and undermines years of collaboration and good-faith negotiations by Nevadans.
"The Conservation Lands Foundation remains steadfast in our support for the original legislative package that contained community-driven solutions for Northern Nevada, including the protection of cherished outdoor spaces like the Ruby Mountains. Conservation and development can and must go hand in hand to ensure a thriving future for all Nevadans.
We urge Congress to reject the ANS to H.R. 3173 The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, and instead advance the original legislation that reflects Nevada's proud history of fostering locally-driven solutions for both economic growth and conservation."
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About Conservation Lands Foundation
We're the only nonprofit leading a national movement of community-based advocates who care for America's NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDS of natural, historical, cultural and recreational significance.
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Original text here: https://www.conservationlands.org/rewritten_northern_nevada_economic_development_and_conservation_act
