News

The Fund has revised the guidelines for its China grantmaking program to express the increasingly integrated nature of the RBF's work on pollution mitigation, public health, and climate change, as well as the development of China’s philanthropic sector.

More than 100 corporations, states, regions, and cities around the world have committed to ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to research published by CDP and The Climate Group, an RBF grantee. At least 40 companies, 13 states and regions, and 74 cities have committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 100 percent, or acquiring 100 percent of their power from renewable sources.

RBF President Stephen Heintz is among nearly 70 foundation leaders asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to require corporations to disclose their political spending. In an interview with NPR, he said that shareholders have a right to know how public companies are using unreported spending to influence elections.

China faces environmental challenges as its continuing growth meets the reality of finite water resources, according to a report published by China Water Risk. Water plays a key role in energy generation, in addition to providing for agriculture needs and municipal use. The report explores the risk exposure of different water usages as well as strategies to slow energy demand and achieve the right mix of power sources.

In considering the specific challenges and opportunities facing today’s democracy and democratic engagement in the United States, the Fund has revised the program guidelines for its Democratic Practice–United States portfolio. The revised guidelines recognize that the goal of advancing a vital and inclusive U.S. democracy is both to improve democratic systems and to enable U.S. citizens and residents to leverage these systems to advance social, racial, and economic justice.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), is among four recipients of the 2015 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Ma was recognized for his leadership of IPE and its ongoing work on projects that strengthen public participation in environmental governance.

The Iran Project has released a statement on the April 2nd announcement detailing the framework agreement reached by Iran and the United States along with five other world powers to limit Iran's nuclear program. The statement applauds the achievement reached after 18 months of complex negotiations, while recognizing there is still more work to be done.

In an editorial, Valerie Rockefeller, chair of the Fund and a great-great granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, explains the RBF’s rationale for joining the global shift toward divesting from fossil fuels and investing in clean energy businesses. RBF President Stephen Heintz and Trustee Justin Rockefeller also discuss the Fund's initial investments and its timeline for divesting.

A recent report by Princeton University’s Innovations for Successful Societies highlights the collaboration among civil society leaders to make necessary changes to Kosovo’s judicial processes during its nascent independence.

During one of two Composers Now residencies at The Pocantico Center in October 2014, composer and violinist Mari Kimura wrote "Breuer Vivant," a piece inspired by the historic Marcel Breuer House, and performed it at The Pocantico Center in February 2015.