New Issue of Reflections Evaluates Three Major TCWF Initiatives
"Reflections On Sustainability - Assessing the Long-Term Impact of Three TCWF Initiatives," now available online, reports on an external evaluation conducted by Group Health Community Foundation. The report examines three major initiatives funded for $20 million each between 1996 and 2002: the Health Improvement Initiative, the Children and Youth Community Health Initiative and the Work and Health Initiative. read more
Expanded Chinese-Language Newsroom Debuts
TCWF has launched an expanded Chinese-language newsroom at www.tcwf.org/chinese/. Complementing the English- and Spanish-language newsrooms on the site, the newsroom was designed for the growing number of California-based journalists writing and broadcasting in Chinese. New features include a lexicon of public health terms, resources and information about the Foundation.
KQED Documentary Spotlights the Voices of Immigrants
“Immigrant Voices – American Stories,” an original 30-minute documentary now airing on KQED-TV, examines the growing political awareness and power of eight immigrants living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The film, which spotlights their journeys to becoming civilly and politically active, highlights the stories of two TCWF grantees: Emna Delgado of Mujeres Unidas Y Activas and Jade Wu of Chinatown Community Development Center. read more
New Ban in San Francisco To Prohibit Sale of Toxic Children’s Toys
The Stop Toxic Toys, the first such law nationwide, went into effect in San Francisco County on December 1. It prohibits the sale, distribution and manufacture of toys and feeding products for children that contain bisphenol A and certain levels of phthalates–chemicals linked to many adverse health effects, including cancer, immune system impairment and developmental problems. Many common baby toys contain these toxins TCWF grantee Environment California Research & Policy Center released a report in 2005 about the dangers of these chemicals, and has sponsored legislation to impose the ban at the state level. read more
WiLDCOAST Receives Award from Nonprofit Management Solutions
WiLDCOAST, a grassroots organization that works to protect and preserve coastal ecosystems and wildlife in California and Latin America, was honored with Nonprofit Management Solutions’ “Organizational Excellence” award in October. The TCWF grantee, which received $2,000, was cited for “superior performance, leadership and governance,” and for its significant impact on the quality of life in San Diego. read more
Article Cites New Statistics on Nonprofit Leadership Gap and Proposes Solutions
An article in the September/October issue of Foundation News & Commentary reports that nonprofits may need 78,000 new leaders annually, beginning in 2016, to replace baby boomers who retire or burn out, and to meet growing demand. Drawing on examples of approaches by foundations—including TCWF—author Kathleen P. Enright, executive director of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, proposes several ways to close the leadership gap. Foundations can streamline the fundraising process, invest in leadership development, offer a team approach that includes board and staff, look beyond one-time events and tailor support to organizations’ specific needs. read more
Report Highlights Major Gaps in California Women’s Health Insurance Coverage
UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has published “Women’s Health Insurance Coverage in California,” an overview of the health insurance coverage of California women aged 18 to 64. Findings include an overall uninsured rate of 17.4 percent and substantially higher rates for women living in poverty (35.4 percent) and other subgroups. Funded by a grant from TCWF, and based on data from the 2001 and 2003 California Health Interview Surveys, the report highlights the urgent need to expand women’s health insurance coverage and health care access. read more
Sacramento Bee Health Forum Features TCWF Grantee
A commentary by Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition and TCWF grantee, was published on November 27 in Crossroads/Health Care, the Sacramento Bee Web forum. Wright says it’s time to end the debate about health care in Sacramento and take action to fortify the “two pillars of our health system,” employee-based coverage and public insurance programs. read more
Report Documents Widespread Lack of Insurance Coverage for Children
More than 9 million children in the United States are uninsured, and most live in two-parent working families, according to “No Shelter From the Storm: America’s Uninsured Children,” a new publication from the Campaign for Children’s Health Care. Among other findings, California is the state with the largest number of uninsured children—1.4 million. Uninsured children were found to be five times more likely than insured children to have unmet health care needs. The report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics. read more
Independent Sector Elects Officers to Its Board of Directors
Luz A. Vega-Marquis, TCWF board member and president and CEO of Marguerite Casey Foundation, was elected to serve as secretary of the board of directors of Independent Sector, a nonpartisan coalition of more than 500 national organizations, foundations and corporate philanthropy programs. Additionally, Gary L. Yates, TCWF president and CEO, was elected to serve as treasurer. Most recently, Yates served as the vice chair of the coalition's board. The elections were held at Independent Sector's annual business meeting in Washington D.C. in October. read more
