White House Proclaims National Mental Health Awareness Month
President Biden issued a Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month citing concerns about the state of the nation’s mental health that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of depression across the country has more than tripled compared to rates in 2019. Of particular concern are the acute mental health challenges impacting many of the nation’s youth due to disruptions in routines, increased social isolation, and learning loss. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created resources and tools for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Federal Reserve Banks Analyze Community Philanthropy's Economic Development Grantmaking
In a new report, the Federal Reserve Banks of Philadelphia and Atlanta and Indiana University, Purdue University, and Ohio State University analyzed grant-level data from a sample of 1,650 community foundations and United Ways, representing over $20 billion in grants made between 2012 and 2016.
The report examines a large sample of these institutions to quantify the important role they play as a source of philanthropic capital in local communities. In addition to other insights, the report found that 71 percent of grant funding from community foundations was directed to organizations in local communities. The grantmaking patterns documented in this report can inform conversations about place-based philanthropy and provide solid ground for future research. Find data on each of the 1,650 community foundations and United Ways in the online data appendix.
Public-Philanthropic Partnerships Increase Support for Students
On April 27, the Department of Education announced major actions and investments from government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations to support student academic and mental health recovery as schools and communities recover from the pandemic. The announcements highlight how the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is providing funding to help students recover academically and how philanthropic partners are investing additional resources to help the ARP dollars stretch even further. Council on Foundations member Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will invest over the next four years to foster learning acceleration through high-impact tutoring, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is providing support for after-school programs across the country, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will invest to help school districts plan how to use ARP funds and will stand up an Improvement Network focused on recovery and evaluating the impact of various recovery strategies. The Department is leveraging over $160 million of its own grant funding to propel academic and mental health recovery for K-12 students across the country.
Global Agreement on the Future of the Internet
The Biden Administration joined 60 global partners in launching The Declaration for the Future of the Internet, recommitting to the vision of the global Internet as a platform for openness and innovation, while promoting and protecting human rights. President Biden announced an ambitious goal to connect every single American to high-speed internet last year during the infrastructure bill deliberations. The recent declaration reaffirms the Administration’s vision for the internet and digital technologies and the priority that all people are able to reap these benefits.
Commerce Will Integrate Climate Crisis Considerations into Programs and Policymaking
On April 22, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced a Department Administrative Order (DAO) directing the Department to integrate climate considerations into its policies, strategic planning, and programs. The historic DAO also establishes the Department of Commerce Climate Council to coordinate and oversee the implementation of this DAO, as well as provide specific recommendations to the Secretary on addressing the climate crisis.
|
