News

Vice President for Programs Elizabeth Campbell was elected chair of the Winrock International board of directors at its May 7 meeting. Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works nationally and globally to empower disadvantaged people, stimulate economic development, and promote sustainable use of natural resources. Ms. Campbell has served on the Winrock International board since 2006, most recently as vice chair since May 2009.

Seventy percent of the 2012 primary ads aired on television were negative, according to analysis released by the Wesleyan Media Project, an RBF grantee. In 2008, only nine percent were negative during the same part of the election cycle. The surge of negative ads correlates to the rise in the number of ads sponsored by interest groups; in 2008, 97 percent of ads came from candidates, while this year, 60 percent were sponsored by super PACs.

Clean economic growth has the potential to raise GDP contributions to $142.7 billion in the United States' West Coast region by 2020, growing clean economy jobs by 200 percent over current numbers, according to a report published by Globe Advisors with RBF grantee The Center for Climate Strategies. The three key sectors with the highest potential for job growth are energy efficiency and green building, environmental protection and resource management, and clean transportation.

Civic Engagement: The Next Chapter sheds light on the critical role human service organizations play in strengthening democracy in the United States by developing and supporting an engaged and active citizenry. The report was released by the Alliance for Children and Families, an RBF grantee, and its sister organization United Neighborhood Centers of America.

The Center for Political Accountability has reached a major milestone, as 100 companies have committed to its framework for political transparency and accountability. During this 2012 proxy season, 12 additional companies have adopted corporate disclosure of political spending, including Halliburton, one of the country's largest oil field service companies, and supermarket chain Safeway.

The world has been making progress in recognizing the importance of gender issues in conflict areas, but not enough has been done on the ground, according to the Peace and Security Funders Group's new report, Philanthropic Investments in the Emerging Field of Women, Peace and Security. The report examines the significance of empowering and protecting women in conflict areas and the urgency to fund these efforts.

The Investigative News Network (INN) has been granted nonprofit 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. INN's new tax status will allow the organization to receive support directly from foundations and other donors, making it easier for the organization to help its member news organizations in producing and distributing reliable investigative and public service reporting.

In 2008, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund launched a foundation-wide project to assess and improve diversity within its operations and grantmaking. The 2012 Diversity Project update summarizes the Fund’s progress in collecting and analyzing data on human resources, operations, grantmaking, public programs, and conference activities. This report also provides a brief update on board diversity, which was previously examined by staff in 2010.

By 2030, the sea level along many of the United States' coasts will rise at least four feet, affecting the nearly five million residents who live in homes on land below this level, according to a report published by Climate Central. New data from the report, Surging Seas, and the accompanying website, are featured in a front-page New York Times article, detailing the sea level rise that has already doubled the annual risk of coastal flooding in the country.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund has made revisions to its Southern China program guidelines, primarily aiming to refine the strategies under the environment and health goal. While there has not been a significant change in the direction of the Fund’s current work in southern China, the changes reflect the RBF’s grantmaking experience in the region over the past six years.