Invest Your Tax Rebate/Refund Wisely
The American economy is under great strain, and what is Washington’s solution? Tax rebates! And just as he did after the tragic attacks of 9/11, President Bush is suggesting that when times get tough, we the people should just “go shopping.” We’re not buying it. When the check comes in the mail, we’re giving a portion of our rebate or refund to the Foundation for Change, to support local organizations working for progressive social change. It’s the exact opposite of “going shopping.” Instead of chasing that short-lived high that comes with a trip to the mall, take satisfaction that your dollars are going to grassroots groups working for social justice.
Think of it as a nice way to say “thank you” to President Bush. get more info >>
Donations by check or money order can be mailed to: Foundation for Change, 3758 30th Street, San Diego,
CA 92103. Please make all payments to “Foundation for Change”
and please note "Tax Rebate " on the memo
line. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.
25th Anniversary Update
Over 300 guests celebrated 25 years in the life of the Foundation for Change at our gala celebration on Saturday, April 5. Honorees were Donald Cohen, San Diego LGBT Pride, and Victoria Danzig. Roberto Martinez, unable to attend for health reasons, was honored in absentia. Thanks to all who made the event a smashing success. Special thanks go to honorary hosts Victoria Danzig and Michelle Ciccarelli, Master of Ceremonies Eric Isaacson, and over 30 volunteers coordinated by Mary La Russa. Photos and commentary from the April 5 event will be posted later this month and will be advertised in next month's e-newsletter.
Strategic Planning Underway
The Foundation for Change has contracted with Juan Sepulveda, principal of the San Antonio-based The Common Enterprise, to lead us in a program of strategic planning funded by the California Endowment. Working with Juan, John Fanestil has convened a "Lead Thinking Team" whose membership include Foundation for Change Board members Nicole Trombley, Olivia Puentes-Reynolds and Michael Brau. Others on the team include Victoria Danzig, Bud Emerson, Xavier Leonard, Bob Meinzer, Shannon Thompson and Andrea Rocha. Do you have ideas to share about the future direction of the Foundation for Change? Contact any one of our Lead Thinking Team or e-mail John Fanestil at john@foundation4change.org.
Spring Grantmaking
The Foundation for Change Grantmaking Committee is now reviewing over 30 applications received as part of the Foundation for Change's spring granting cycle. Within the next few months the Committee expects to bring recommendations to the Board of Directors that will bring our 2008 grantmaking total close to $100,000. The grants will be awarded from three "Special Funds".
Media Justice Fund
Grants will be awarded to grassroots organizers working to shape the media institutions and policies that affect their lives. To learn more about the national program of which this grantmaking project is a part, visit www.fex.org/mjf or visit the FEX/Media Justice Fund page.
Pride/LGBT Fund
To foster pride in and respect for the LGBT community, San Diego LGBT Pride has joined with the Foundation for Change to offer grants for lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender organizations in San Diego and Tijuana. To learn more visit the San Diego LGBT Pride Fund page.
Fires 2007 Fund
To ensure a more just distribution of resources than traditional disaster-relief operations are able to provide, the Foundation for Change will award grants to grassroots organizations working with hard-to-reach populations who were affected by the fires. To learn more visit the Fires 2007 Fund page.
Are You 'Pro Cambio'? -- April 30, 6 p.m.
The phrase means "for change" in Spanish and many people are. Each month, on the evening of the last day of the month, a group of younger people (you can define "younger" for yourself) meet together to explore the intersections between philanthropy and social change. Gatherings so far have been informal, including the successful grassroots art auction held on February 29. We next meet at the Foundation for Change offices on the evening of Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served. To sign up e-mail John Fanestil at john@foundation4change.org.
In Defense of Government -- May 18, 3 - 5 p.m.
The way some right-wing politicians talk about it, you'd think that government is always part of the problem and can never be a part of creating positive social change. In recent years Colorado has been a laboratory for anti-government initiatives like term limits and tax and spending limitations. Wade Buchanan, President of the Denver-based Bell Policy Center, believes progressives need to "rescue the public sector from the jaws of conservative rhetoric." He says, "Our capacity to talk about good government addresses a critical tenet of the conservative agenda and as such has to be at the core of any effective counter movement." Come meet Wade Buchanan at a Foundation for Change fundraiser on Sunday, May 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. The venue will be the spectacular Noel-Baza Fine Art Gallery, recently opened in Little Italy by Foundation for Change supporter Ron Baza. Prime your pump for the coming campaign season. Suggested Donation: $100. For more information contact John Fanestil at 619-692-0527 or john@foundation4change.org.
Visit
Grassroots Tijuana - June 14 and August 9, 2008
Foundation for Change Executive Director John Fanestil
leads seasonal tours of of grassroots organizations
working for social justice in Tijuana. The day begins with a meet-up at the border at 9 a.m.
We park, walk across to Tijuana and return to our cars
no later than 4 p.m. The suggested donation - $60 per
person- includes travel, lunch and an honorarium to
Victor Clark-Alfaro, Director of the Bi-National Center
for Human Rights, a Foundation for Change grantee. Upcoming tours are scheduled for June 14 and August 9. Questions? Contact John Fanestil at at 619-692-0527 or e-mail john@foundation4change.org.
Download a PowerPoint
of the most recent Border Tour >>
Mark Your Calendars
Thursday, July 31, 5 p.m.
Deadline for "General Fund" Grant Applications.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 3 - 6 p.m.
Foundation for Change Open House and Donor Appreciation Party. The Foundation for Change offices are getting a makeover! Come and see what's new.
Saturday, November 15
2008 Celebration of Grantees. Plan to spend a part of your day -- yes, your day! -- in Balboa Park. Times to be announced.
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