Charities Spend Millions On Census Outreach

Foundations and nonprofit organizations are taking an unusually active role in this year's U.S. Census, spending millions of dollars on campaigns to bolster participation from minority and low-income people. The Open Society Institute and the Ford, Knight, and Silicon Valley foundations are among the groups working with local organizations to reach people who have traditionally been hard to count, such as the homeless, or those who move frequently or are suspicious of the government.

Full text article by Pam Fessler is available via National Public Radio, 3/9/10.

As Its Popular Chief Retires, U. of Southern California Eyes an Encore

Steven B. Sample has been called many things on this campus—darling of donors, beloved leader, brilliant scientist—but above all he is a master marketer. Mr. Sample, 69, president of the University of Southern California, delights in promoting his institution. After Time magazine named USC its College of the Year a decade ago, he had the article reprinted 600,000 times.

Full text article by Josh Keller is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/7/10.

Indian eye care group wins top world aid prize

An organization in India that provides eye care for the poor has been awarded a $1.5-million prize for humanitarian aid. Aravind Eye Care System, which performs 300,000 free or subsidized eye surgeries a year, is the winner of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, which has been awarded annually since 1996 by the late hotel magnate's foundation. The honor, which was announced on March 5, will be presented April 20 in Redwood City, Calif.

Full text article by Ros Krasny is available via Reuters, 3/5/10.

A State College Begins to Transform Its Curriculum

When Stephen R. Portch became chancellor of the University System of Georgia in 1994 he traveled the state, hearing the same pitch, again and again: Georgia needed a public liberal-arts college. In 1996 the regents designated Georgia College & State University, a regional institution in Milledgeville, the state's antebellum capital and home of the writer Flannery O'Connor, as Georgia's public liberal-arts college. Actually transforming it into one has been a slower process.

Full text article by Karin Fischer is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/28/10.

Older Workers Bring New Purpose to Volunteer Work

As the recession drives an increase in community service, baby boomers with ideas about how they want to help nonprofit and community organizations are remaking the face of volunteerism. Volunteerism among people older than 45 jumped 4.2 percent during in the 12 months that ended last September, compared with 0.7 percent for younger people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Full text article by the Associated Press is available via The New York Times, 3/4/10.

Baylor U. to Receive $200-Million Bequest for the Study of Aging

A graduate of Baylor University has pledged to leave a bequest with an estimated value of $200-million to the university for the study of aging, Baylor announced on Thursday. When received, it would be the university's largest donation. The gift will finance research in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Social Work, and other university programs. The university, in Waco, Tex., said the interdisciplinary nature of the gift would contribute to a holistic study of aging, including the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the aging population.

Full text article by Kathryn Masterson is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/4/10.

UN asks fliers to click $2 for MassiveGood health charity

Former President Bill Clinton joined United Nations officials Thursday to formally open an online effort to enlist American air travelers in an effort to fight diseases in the developing world. Through the MassiveGood program, travelers can donate $2 or more when buying flight tickets online. Several major ticket distributors and sellers such as Travelocity will offer the giving option, but it will not be available directly from an airline's Web site.

Full text article by John Heilprin is available via The USA Today, 3/4/10.