Rooted in the Jewish tradition, the foundation seeks to build a socially and economically just society focusing on the following three areas: concern for the poor, disadvantaged, and underserved; respect for diversity; promotion of understanding across cultures; and empowerment of communities in need. Multiple awards up to $275,000 each. Deadline August 15, 2011.Visit them.
Access grantees the Boston Workers Alliance, Springfield Institute,Neighbor to Neighbor and Lawrence Community Worksare figuring out ways to bring participatory budgeting to their cities to increase economic and social opportunities for their constituents. They are exploring a model for public control over public money used in Chicago, Brazil and other places around the world.
Alderman Joe Moore and his residents in Chicago came together in 2009 and designed a process called "participatory budgeting", a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.
They identified a portion of Chicago's $1.3M discretionary budget that they could spend and gave the community control over where the dollars should go. Residents established priorities, developed proposals through working groups, voted on proposals, and oversaw implementation through neighborhood assemblies. These proposals included creation of street lights, bike lanes, and other city services.
The Massachusetts Legislature is taking up a number of proposals to encourage youth voter participation and streamline voter registration laws.
One measure will update voter registration lists when voters fill out a change of address form at the post office and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Another proposal would increase participation of youth by giving cities and towns the option to let 17 year-olds vote in municipal elections, and 16 and 17 year-olds register early, so they can easily vote the day they turn 18.
MassVOTE,an Access Strategies Fund grantee for over ten years, is enlisting the support of community leaders and organizations to push for these critical changes. In 2010, over two million eligible voters missed the November elections in Massachusetts; most of whom were young people, low-income people, and people of color.
Some bad news for Massachusetts - and some hope. A report just came out from Rock the Vote that ranked our state 41st in the country for helping young people vote.
41st! 9th from the bottom! Groups like MassVOTE and UTEC are working to move us up in the rankings.
FEATURED GRANTEE
Springfield Community Leader Needs Your Help!
Community leader and Access grantee BettyAgin of the Springfield Institute/Health Disparities Project lost many personal and professional belongings in a home fire. Betty is a generous and unforgettable leader that deserves our support.
We are asking community leaders and donors to consider making a donation to help Betty stabilize her home and family. Donations may be made to Betty Agin Fire Fund, 1900 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield MA 01129, attention Roseanne Partridge. You can also make a donation at any PeoplesBank.
