George Gund

The Fund for Our Economic Future, a collaborative effort by Northeast Ohio funders, has released a study examining the cost of government in the region.

The study points out that money spent on public administration in Northeast Ohio from 1992 to 1996 grew 2.3 times faster than inflation, while the population has stood still. “Our region is engaged in an intense economic global competition, and we must be smart about how we invest our public dollars. An essential first step is increasing our ability to measure government expenditures,” explained Bob Jaquay, George Gund Foundation associate director and Fund vice president. “We expect that elected officials and the public will use this information to inform ongoing and new efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government in Northeast Ohio.”

To access study go to:
http://www.futurefundneo.org/page10000600.cfm

The George Gund Foundation now requires a proposal cover sheet for requests submitted to the Foundation.

Applicants will find the cover sheet on the Foundation website, or can receive it by mail by calling the Foundation at 216.241–3114. Revised program guidelines and proposal procedures also are on the website, www.gundfoundation.org.

The George Gund and Cleveland foundations have released a report, “Cleveland Schools that are Making a Difference,” which highlights 13 urban schools recognized by independent researchers for inspired leadership, thoughtful curriculum, innovative instructional practices and well-cultivated community and parental involvement.

The foundations engaged independent researchers to provide tangible evidence that quality education can be—and has been—created in a cross section of schools located in the City of Cleveland. The goal of the project was to identify, describe and share best practices that exist within Cleveland’s traditional public, private, parochial and charter schools that make a positive difference in students’ achievement.

Schools featured in the report are:
Louisa May Alcott (Cleveland Metropolitan School District — CMSD)
Citizens’ Academy (charter)
Cleveland School of the Arts (CMSD)
Benjamin Franklin (CMSD)
The Intergenerational School (charter)
Joseph Landis (CMSD)
Miles Park (CMSD)
Orchard School of Science (CMSD)
St. Francis (parochial)
St. Martin de Porres (private Catholic)
St. Thomas Aquinas (parochial)
SuccessTech (CMSD), and
Urban Community School (private Catholic/Christian)

To ensure independence and objectivity, the foundations contracted with the New York-based Institute for Student Achievement and the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University, to act as principal investigators. A Cleveland consulting firm, Candor LLC, provided analysis of student achievement data that was used to identify schools for this project.

All 13 schools selected for this report met several key criteria: they were operating in the 2004–05 school year; the majority of students were economically disadvantaged; and they were demonstrating progress in student achievement gains as evidenced from state report card data, value-added student achievement data, standardized test scores and graduation rates.

Researchers spent months conducting site visits, reviewing data and interviewing students, teachers, principals and parents. They looked at six dimensions that research shows are critical factors in positively impacting student learning: shared vision; strong curriculum and instructional methods; use of multiple data types to drive instruction and student outcomes; presence of a nurturing, safe learning environment; and positive professional development opportunities for teachers and staff.

Dr. N. Gerry House, a nationally recognized urban education leader who currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Institute for Student Achievement, said the report is unique for bringing together four types of schools—traditional public, private, parochial and charter—all serving the same student population. Both an executive summary and a full report are available.

The project evolved from the foundations’ larger strategy to help create a portfolio of new, excellent schools in Cleveland. Both the Gund and Cleveland foundations have dedicated substantial resources to support new schools in Cleveland. Foundation grants totaling $1.5 million have supported research, planning and start-up support for new schools in Cleveland, including the CMSD’s four single-sex elementary schools that opened in 2007 and a new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) high school scheduled to open this fall. The foundations granted another $1 million to open and staff the Office of New and Innovative Schools at the CMSD, which will assume overall strategy and supervision of the district’s new opportunity schools, and have also supported various new Cleveland charter and private schools.

George Gund Foundation grantees are becoming increasingly aware of the threat posed by global climate change and are taking thoughtful steps to promote environmental sustainability, according to global climate change statements that have been part of the Foundation’s application process since September.

“We have received more than 175 climate change statements in the two grant cycles since we began the requirement and are impressed with the many ways in which our grantees are taking positive steps in everything from waste reduction to energy conservation,” said David Abbott, the Foundation’s executive director. “While some organizations are just beginning to think about their role in global climate change, others already have made significant adjustments in their operations.”

He said efforts fell into six general categories—energy conservation, green building, green purchasing, transportation, waste reduction and education and advocacy.

Abbott said the Foundation is sharing some of the actions and strategies that had been adopted by grantees on its website to encourage others to think about how they can become more proactive in addressing climate change.

“We are pleased to be able to share this information and are also using it to help reduce our own carbon footprint,” he added. “I am pleased to report that our internal Foundation “green team” has completed the Entrepreneurs for Sustainability Sustainability Implementation Training Program, and that more than 75% of the dollars we spend on office supplies are now purchasing green products. We also have eliminated the use of disposable dishware and individually bottled water as a waste reduction measure, and have conducted an energy audit of our offices.”

In addition to information from the grantee climate change statements, the Foundation’s website also includes sample statements for different types of organizations, online resources to help organizations better understand climate change and reduce their carbon footprint and a list of frequently asked questions about our climate change policy. These resources will be updated periodically to support the evolution of organizations’ practices related to climate change.

George Gund Foundation Executive Director David Abbott has been elected chairman of The Fund for Our Economic Future, a collaborative philanthropic effort to strengthen the regionís economic competitiveness through grantmaking, research and civic engagement.

More than 100 foundations, organizations and individuals have contributed over $50 million to the Fund since it was established in 2004. Abbott replaces Robert Briggs of the GAR Foundation who was the organization’s founding chair.

The Fund collaborates with others in the 16-county region to improve the region’s economic competitiveness in four action areas:

• Business Growth & Attraction
• Talent Development
• Growth Through Racial & Economic Inclusion
• Government Collaboration & Efficiency

The Fund is in its second, three-year phase of work. In Phase Two, the Fund is collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to implement Advance Northeast Ohio, the region’s economic action plan.

www.futurefundneo.org

www.futurefundneo.org/page9075.cfm