The RBF Journal: The Official Blog

Enhancing Our Transparency

Short Description: 

Rockefeller Brothers Fund President Stephen Heintz introduces the new RBF Web site, which makes accessing information about the Fund easier for grantseekers, grantees, and the public.  He also highlights the release of three new reports by the Fund, and shares news from the field.

By Stephen Heintz

Hello, and welcome to the RBF Journal!

We hope that our new Web site has made accessing information about the Fund easier. Our goal is to use the Web site to enhance our transparency and to assist grantseekers, grantees, and the public in their interactions with the Fund.

Publish Date: 
12/08/2010

Moving Toward a Clean Energy Future in Kosovo

Short Description: 

Not long ago, Nezir Sinani was working for a state-owned power company in Kosovo. As he learned about the detrimental effects of coal on human health and the environment, he decided to make a change. Now, Mr. Sinani is advancing clean energy solutions in Kosovo with RBF grantee the Institute for Development Policy.

Not long ago, Nezir Sinani was working for a state-owned power company in Kosovo. As he learned about the detrimental effects of coal on human health and the environment, he decided to make a change. Now, Mr. Sinani is advancing clean energy solutions in Kosovo with RBF grantee the Institute for Development Policy.

Publish Date: 
02/29/2012

The Value of Artist Residencies

Short Description: 

Poet Kwoya Fagin reflects on her residency at The Pocantico Center. The impact of the time and setting were invaluable to her as an artist and as an individual, she says.

By Kwoya Fagin

The word stanza is an Italian word, and it literally means “room.” A poem may contain several rooms, each with similar connecting ideas, but each possessing a sense of individuality. Because of its beauty, precision, and original concept, the Marcel Breuer House at Pocantico could be called a poem. Each room is a separate entity and possesses its own influences and ideas. It makes perfect sense that an artist would enjoy living and creating within a work of art.

Publish Date: 
02/08/2012

The 990-PF as a Storytelling Tool

Short Description: 

Gail Fuller, director of communications, highlights the importance of the 990-PF in helping to tell a foundation's story on Philanthropy New York's blog. More than just an annual information return filed with the IRS, Fuller discusses how the wealth of data can be repurposed to increase a foundation's transparency and enhance its storytelling.

Gail Fuller, director of communications, highlights the importance of the 990-PF in helping to tell a foundation's story on Philanthropy New York's blog, Smart Assets. More than just an annual information return filed with the IRS, Fuller discusses how the wealth of data can be repurposed to increase a foundation's transparency and enhance its storytelling.

Publish Date: 
12/22/2011

Family Philanthropy Burgeons in China

Short Description: 

Although the ability to accumulate private wealth in China has only been possible in the past three decades, philanthropy is growing fast. The RBF's Southern China program team discusses the often complex issues around effective philanthropy and how exchanges with U.S. counterparts can help.

Chinese-American exchange on family philanthropy

By the RBF Southern China program team

Publish Date: 
12/19/2011

Egypt’s Transition to Democracy: A Foundation’s Perspective and Support

Short Description: 

As Egypt undergoes a historic and swift transformation, there is a need for flexible, targeted, and immediate philanthropic support, says Stephen Heintz, president of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. In recent months, the RBF has been exploring the most effective ways to offer its support to Egyptian-led initiatives that take into account both the immediate and longer term needs of Egyptian civil society.

By Stephen Heintz

The historic events in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria have the potential to transform both the Arab world and regional dynamics across the Middle East. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Soviet tyranny over 20 years ago, the rise of citizen-driven political change in the volatile and geo-strategically vital Middle East has profound implications that are reverberating across the globe.

Publish Date: 
10/26/2011

A Fall Bounty of Arts in the City

Short Description: 

Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, New York City program director, reviews an extraordinary summer of arts and culture, and looks ahead to an exciting fall season of programming. But, he argues, none of it would be possible without support from enthusiastic audiences made up of New York City residents and tourists, as well as private donors.

By Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas

As New York City is enveloped by the autumn air and the season’s latest fashions, many of us are left with lasting impressions of its vibrant summer cultural scene.

Publish Date: 
09/29/2011

The Communications Network Launches New Interview Series

Short Description: 

The Communications Network has launched a new interview series about foundation communications. In the first installment of "A Quick Word With...," Gail Fuller discusses her role as director of communications at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The Q&A is meant to provide an inside look at the responsibilities and inspirations of communications professionals in philanthropy.

The Communications Network has launched a new interview series about foundation communications. In the first installment of "A Quick Word With...," Gail Fuller discusses her role as director of communications at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The Q&A is meant to provide an inside look at the responsibilities and inspirations of communications professionals in philanthropy.

Publish Date: 
09/14/2011

Economic Disparities Distort Democracy

Short Description: 

Democratic Practice Program Director Benjamin Shute, Jr. discusses the need for campaign finance reform, especially as the concentration of wealth among fewer Americans increases, and unemployment soars. Those who can most easily afford to make large donations to candidates are having a disproportionate effect on public policy, he says, and more and more people believe that the government doesn’t work for them.

By Benjamin Shute, Jr.

The new reality of politics in a post-Citizens United world is more outside money—much of it secret—and most of it from a relatively small handful of individual donors and corporations.

Publish Date: 
08/04/2011

The Diversity of Grantmaking: Learning from our Grantees

Short Description: 

How do you define affected communities when, arguably, an entire country or even all of human kind will benefit? To answer this question, the RBF is piloting a project to gather data on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our grantmaking. This follows on the our foundation-wide effort to assess and improve diversity and inclusion in its operations and grantmaking.

By Hope Lyons

Publish Date: 
07/13/2011
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