News

Sanctions imposed by the United States against Iran have fallen short of expectations and the unintended consequences may pose risks, according to The Iran Project's latest report, released on Wednesday. The report, backed by former senior U.S. officials and outside experts, recommends that Washington rebalance its dual-track policy by strengthening its diplomatic efforts.

United States forces and agents engaged in torture following the attacks on September 11, 2001, according to a nonpartisan, independent study by The Constitution Project. The report found that the country's most senior officials were ultimately responsible for allowing and contributing to torturous interrogation techniques. There also is no firm evidence that the widespread use of torture produced significant and valuable information.

According to Bob Moser, executive editor of The American Prospect, democracy suffered a blow in the 2012 election, due to big money and voter suppression. In a special report supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Moser argues that the enormous influence and amount of money spent on campaigns and attempts to disenfranchise populations of voters across the country, contributed to the failure of American democracy.

Charting Our Progress is an annual report of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s activities over a three-year period. This year's cover story, in the form of two videos, highlights the New York City program's Charles E. Culpeper Arts and Culture Grants. The arts and culture grants account for approximately one half of the New York City portfolio and is a prominent aspect of program offerings at The Pocantico Center.

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 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.

RBF grantee, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc. (CSIS) has published an analysis paper encouraging external institutions and government agencies to support a stronger public policy environment in the Middle East. CSIS's Middle East Program recommends that donors nurture the development of young leaders and the region's public policy environment by committing to long-term, sustained investments.

Most Albanian business leaders believe philanthropy helps to make their companies more successful, with 62 percent of the nearly 150 companies surveyed active in giving. Partners Albania, Center for Change and Conflict Management conducted a survey of philanthropic activity by Albanian enterprises. It recommends better tax incentives, more public recognition, and educating the public about corporate social responsibility to bolster giving.

In March 2011, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s board of trustees approved the new direction of the Peacebuilding program (formerly known as Peace and Security). This paper served as the foundation for the program’s new framework and funding guidelines, and was the basis of discussion at the March 2011 board meeting.

The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) has published a report, which confirms that a public campaign finance policy would improve election participation. The new report is based on analysis of public financing in six Midwestern states during the elections of 2006-2010.