Grantmakers in the Arts

(3-9-10) "As Hillary Rodham Clinton was leaving the White House, she asked Laura Bush first lady to first lady to continue one program if nothing else the historic preservation program Save America's Treasures...Now, the grant program Clinton created that helped restore the original star-spangled banner, Rosa Parks' bus, President Lincoln's summer cottage in Washington and hundreds of sites across the country is on the current administration's chopping block.

(3-9-10) I recently visited GIA board member Robert Booker, Executive Director at the Arizona Commission on the Arts. They lost 34% of their funding from 2009 into 2010 and are looking at more cuts as their state legislature seeks to reduce budget deficits in 2011. I also had a conversation with Phillip Horn at the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. They are in the same situation and were nearly zeroed out last year.

(3-6-10) "The Bush Foundation will not be accepting any additional applications for funding under this program as it is currently configured. As part of its Goals for a Decade, the Bush Foundation has been working to bring its programs into clearer focus on educational achievement, Native nation rebuilding, and leadership and community engagement..."

(3-4-10) Simon Romero of the New York Times offers a moving report on Haitian musician Beken ( Jean-Prosper Deauphin) performing in a neighborhood bar post-earthquake.

(3-4-10) In the Los Angeles Times: "Most charitable giving goes to programs that provide a service rather than try to fix the system. But a study of Los Angeles County nonprofits found that spending on advocacy and organizing can yield major benefits for the communities that donors want to help.

(3-4-10) "With the economy in turmoil, funders are increasingly pressuring nonprofits to merge. Yet mergers are not always the right path for nonprofits in financial distress. For a healthier nonprofit sector, funders should consider a wider variety of partnership options..."

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(3-4-10) Listening to Music doesn't do much long-term, but playing it apparently does a lot.

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(3-3-10) Seven of Washington’s charitable foundations want to strengthen the nonprofit sector by asking other grant makers to fund gaps in how individual nonprofit groups—and the sector as whole—operate.