News

In early 2008, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund launched a foundation-wide project to assess and improve diversity within its operations and grantmaking.  A Diversity Working Group  consisting of staff members from across the Fund was created to explore diversity and inclusion at the RBF, with an initial goal of determining whether the Fund might embark on specific initiatives or strategies to strengthen its commitment.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) is pleased to announce the election of Kavita Ramdas to the Fund’s board of trustees, effective November 17, 2010.  Ms. Ramdas is a senior advisor to the Global Fund for Women, after serving as its president and chief executive officer from 1996 to September 2010.  She has been appointed to serve a three-year term.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund's stewardship of the Pocantico Historic Area includes overseeing the maintenance, care, conservation, and restoration of the historic buildings, gardens, and collections of decorative and fine art. Historic structures featured in this video include: Kykuit, The Orangerie, and the Marcel Breuer House at Pocantico.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund's stewardship of the Pocantico Historic Area includes overseeing the maintenance, care, conservation, and restoration of the historic buildings, gardens, and collections of decorative and fine art. This video features the Inner, Brook, Rose, and Japanese gardens.

More than 259 investors from around the world with collective assets totaling more than $15 trillion have signed a statement on climate change calling for "national and international policies that will spur private investment into low-carbon technologies."  The signatories, which include the RBF, cited "potential climate-related GDP losses of up to 20 percent by 2050 and the economic benefits of shifting to low-carbon and resource-efficient economies."

During the 2010 midterm elections, voters below the age of 30 were racially and ethnically diverse and primarily voted for Democrats, according to data released by Generational Alliance, a project of RBF grantee the Tides Center, and the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).  The findings were compiled from data of the National Exit Poll by Edison Research.

The Promise of Pocantico is a comprehensive document aligning statements of mission, vision, and principles with the insightful program initiatives and responsible financial considerations, based upon the significant history and assets of Pocantico. The report presents the plan that was approved by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund's board of trustees in June 2008.

RBF grantee the Global Action Project (GAP) was one of 15 organizations honored at the White House with a 2010 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award. First Lady Michelle Obama presented the awards to the honorees.  More than 400 organizations were nominated, and GAP was selected from 50 finalists. The Global Action Project was recognized for its work in youth leadership and creativity.

RBF President Stephen Heintz spoke about the importance of building a sustainable world during his speech at the Independent Sector's annual conference.  Mr. Heintz told conference attendees that the private, public, and nonprofit sectors must work together on managing global interdependence, building a new model of sustainable development, and revitalizing democracy, in order to lead the world out of the difficult times it currently faces.

Rachel Kleinfeld, CEO of the Truman National Security Project, a Sustainable Development program grantee, was recognized as a civic leader in Time Magazine's list of "40 Under 40." The Truman National Security Project is an organization that recruits and trains leaders to make an impact on national security issues, which include climate change and the energy debate.