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JustSouth Index 2017

March 1, 2018

The JustSouth Index establishes a measure of social justice and provides policymakers, employers and residents with a better understanding of how residents of the Gulf South are faring with regard to basic human rights and needs.

Still at Risk: U.S. Children 10 Years After Hurricane Katrina

July 14, 2015

In response to concerted advocacy by Save the Children and many child advocacy groups, President George W. Bush and Congress created the National Commission on Children and Disasters to assess the gaps in federal planning that put children at risk, and to formulate recommendations that could guide a national movement to close those gaps and help states better protect our children. The commission's comprehensive assessment found that "children were more often an afterthought than a priority" across 11 functional areas of U.S. disaster planning. In 2010, the commission issued its final report, with 81 recommendations and sub-recommendations aimed at ensuring children's unique needs are accounted for in U.S. disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Now, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina, Save the Children has commissioned research to determine progress made on these recommendations. While the federal government has made progress in addressing the commission's recommendations, our research indicates that nearly four in five of the recommendations have not been fully met.

Evaluating Post-Hurricane Katrina Investments: Strengthening Decision-Making and Organizational Impact

December 3, 2012

Per the Foundation's policy, the Foundation does not provide disaster relief. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita created an unprecedented scenario that caused the Foundation to make an exception. Following these natural disasters, the Foundation put aside its usual grantmaking process and provided expedited support to help rebuild affordable housing and assist community development efforts in the affected region. It started this process by first reaching out to organizations with which the Foundation had a pre-existing relationship and approved all of their requested support within months of the hurricanes. Overall, the Foundation supported a total of eight organizations by making one-time grants and Program-Related Investments (PRIs) that totaled $4,875,000 and by providing $1,708,500 in interest and principal forgiveness for existing PRIs.In 2012, the Foundation commissioned an evaluation of this 2005 hurricane-related funding. Our charge to the evaluation team was twofold:Assess the outcomes and impact of our grants and PRIs.Identify any important lessons from this one-time response for future occasions when the Foundation might make an exception to its policy and provide disaster-related support.

Key Facts on Foundations' Public Policy-related Activities

December 1, 2010

The Foundation Center's first report benchmarking the level of engagement of U.S. foundations in policy-related activities reflects an increase in grantmaker support for research, public education, and resources to policymakers in recent years. Key Facts on Foundations' Public Policy-related Activities finds that one-quarter of the more than 1,300 foundations that responded to a survey either fund or are engaged in such activities, with larger foundations far more likely to participate than smaller ones. In fact, more than half of those who engage in public policy-related activities increased their levels of support over the last five years.

Giving in the Aftermath of the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Profile of the Ongoing Foundation and Corporate Response (2007-2009)

August 1, 2009

Private and community foundations awarded an additional $125 million in grant support for recovery and rebuilding efforts from January 2007 to mid-2009, according to Giving in the Aftermath of the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Profile of the Ongoing Foundation and Corporate Response (2007-2009). Economic and community development captured the largest dollar share, a shift from giving for human services in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Resilient Coasts: A Blueprint for Action

April 23, 2009

Highlights the need to mitigate climate change-related risks to coastlines. Calls for better science, strengthened ecosystems, risk-based land use planning, viable insurance markets, and adaptable standards for infrastructure, building, and investment.

Rewarding Persistence: Effects of a Performance-Based Scholarship Program for Low-Income Parents

January 14, 2009

This report describes the impacts of a performance-based scholarship program with a counseling component on academic success and persistence among low-income parents. Students who participated in the program, which was operated at two New Orleans-area colleges as part of MDRC's multisite Opening Doors demonstration, were more likely to stay in school, get higher grades, and earn more credits.

Drilling for Oil is Not the Answer

September 18, 2008

Background:The United States consumes nearly 21 million barrels of petroleum per day (7.5 billion barrels per year), one fourth the world total.Of the crude oil consumed in the U.S., 66 percent is imported.The U.S. is on pace to spend over $500 billion on petroleum imports in 2008.U.S. oil production currently occurs onshore in the lower 48 states (2.9 million barrels per day (mbd)), offshore (1.4 mbd, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico), and in Alaska (0.7 mbd).

Best Practices in Disaster Grantmaking: Lessons From the Gulf Coast

April 30, 2008

Summarizes NYRAG members' response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, highlights innovative grantmaking, and outlines best practices, practices to avoid, and strategies for promoting the recovery, transformation, and revitalization of the Gulf Coast.

In the Eye of the Storm: A Special Report About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Response to the 2005 Gulf States Disasters

April 14, 2008

Describes the foundation's early decision-making, immediate response, and long-term commitment to rebuilding in the hurricane-affected areas. Highlights staff and grantee activities, as well as lessons learned about the grantmaking process and strategy.

Donors' Guide to Gulf Coast Relief & Recovery

December 31, 2007

Lists nonprofits involved in Gulf Coast relief and recovery that have received grants from NYRAG members, with descriptions, previous funders, funding date, and contact information. Includes key indicators of recovery two years after Hurricane Katrina.

Power Amidst Chaos: Foundation Support for Advocacy Related to Disasters

December 31, 2007

Lays out principles for funding effective disaster-related advocacy: build robust civic sectors before disasters hit, support local groups that give voice to vulnerable populations, and establish strong organizations that can advocate for the long term.