News

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.

The Americas Society has released the first comparative white paper that examines the economic impact of immigration-related city policies on the local business environment. The paper, The Economic Impact of Immigrant-Related Local Ordinances, focuses on 53 cities that passed either restrictive or non-restrictive city ordinances between 2006 and 2008, and which were still being enforced through 2009. 

Nearly 150 artists, professors, journalists, and other professionals from countries of the former Yugoslavia signed a letter in support of the establishment of RECOM, the regional commission to identify and disclose facts about war crimes that occurred in the Balkans during the 1990s. The letter was released at a press conference in Sarajevo on October 7, 2011.

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.

Alexandra Toma, executive director of the Connect U.S. Fund, was recognized as one of the top 99 most influential international professionals under the age of 33 by Diplomatic Courier, A Global Affairs Magazine. In the interview, Toma talks about the importance of stronger collaboration for more effective foreign policy.

In response to the Architecture 2030 challenge for the building sector to become carbon neutral by the year 2030, a downtown Seattle neighborhood has transformed into the first ever high-performance district in the country.

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 John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo and Innovations in Civic Participation have released a report identifying the youth-led actions that culminated in the January 2011 revolution in Egypt. The report, Youth Activism and Public Space in Egypt, includes profiles of three youth-led organizations, and analysis of the roles of social media and public art.

The 2010 Audited Financial Statement presents the financial position of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

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.