by Elisa Klein | Nov 17, 2021 | General, News
Los Angeles, CA. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted its 10th annual Art+Film Gala on November 6th, honoring artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley and filmmaker Steven Spielberg. The event, attended by more than 650 prominent guests from the art, film, and fashion industries, was co-chaired by LACMA trustees Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio. Honorees Kevin Pemberton, Amy Sherald, Kate Capshaw, and honoree Steven Spielberg, were all wearing clothing by the event’s sponsor, Gucci. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for LACMA) This year’s event raised $5 million to support LACMA’s film initiatives, as well as future exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming. Returning once again as presenting sponsor of the Art+Film Gala, Gucci expanded its longstanding and generous partnership with the museum by supporting LACMA’s presentation of The Obama Portraits Tour and the companion exhibition Black American Portraits. Audi provided additional support for the gala for the third year.
Art+Film Gala Co-Chair Leonardo DiCaprio and honoree Steven Spielberg, both wearing Gucci, and Bob Iger (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Diane Keaton and Serena Williams, both wearing Gucci, attend the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus, both wearing Gucci. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for LACMA)
Paris Hilton attends the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Chris Martin and Judd Apatow (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Blackwell and Lil Nas X, both wearing Gucci, (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Morgan Spector, Rebecca Hall, Sophie Hunter, and Benedict Cumberbatch, wearing Gucci, (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Julia Carey and James Corden, both wearing Gucci, The Bullitts, Nicole Avant, and Ted Sarandos (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA)
Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for LACMA)
“It meant so much to honor Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, both artists of extraordinary vision, as we welcomed their iconic portraits of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to LACMA, alongside Steven Spielberg—one of the greatest artists of American cinema,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO, and Wallis Annenberg Director. “As co-chairs of the Art+Film Gala for 10 years, Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio have made this such an important event for all the creative industries in Los Angeles, and I’m so appreciative of their dedication to the gala and the museum.”
The Obama portraits by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, at LACMA through January 2, 2022.
Art+Film Gala co-chair Eva Chow said, “I am delighted that the return of the Art+Film Gala was such a tremendous success. It was such a pleasure to recognize the creative achievements of all three of our honorees and to celebrate a decade of art and film at LACMA with our longstanding partner Gucci. I’m so grateful to Alessandro Michele, Marco Bizzari, and everyone at Gucci for their friendship and steadfast support, as well as to Celeste for giving us a spectacular performance that no one will soon forget.”
Renowned artists, distinguished guests, and luminaries from the art, film, fashion, music, and entertainment industries arrived at the Art+Film Gala’s red carpet adjacent to Chris Burden’s iconic Urban Light (2008) on Wilshire Boulevard. Guests then enjoyed a cocktail reception and a DJ set by the legendary D-Nice outdoors. Guests also visited the Resnick Pavilion to see two new exhibitions, The Obama Portraits Tour featuring paintings by honorees Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, as well as Black American Portraits. Following cocktails, guests moved into the Art+Film pavilion overlooking Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass (2012) for a special dinner—a collaboration between chef Joachim Splichal of Patina Restaurant Group and chef Mattia Agazzi of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills. Recently awarded a Michelin Star, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills represents a culinary universe by interlacing the colors and flavors of Italy with its new Californian surroundings.
After Michael Govan and Eva Chow welcomed the crowd, Tracee Ellis Ross gave a tribute to honoree Amy Sherald. Ava DuVernay then gave a tribute to honoree Kehinde Wiley, which was followed by a short film about the artists by Christine Turner. Guillermo del Toro then presented a tribute to Steven Spielberg, and guests enjoyed a montage of the director’s films.
Following the dinner program, guests were invited back outside where Sienna Miller introduced the evening’s performer, Celeste, who delivered a captivating performance of soulful hits from her debut album “Not Your Muse.” Shabaka Hutchings and the Free Nationals shared the stage for her set, and Florence Welch joined Celeste for a special duet of the Marvin Gaye classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
About LACMA:
Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 147,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Committed to showcasing a multitude of art histories, LACMA exhibits and interprets works of art from new and unexpected points of view that are informed by the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse population. LACMA’s spirit of experimentation is reflected in its work with artists, technologists, and thought leaders as well as in its regional, national, and global partnerships to share collections and programs, create pioneering initiatives, and engage new audiences.
by Elisa Klein | Nov 23, 2020 | General, Lifestyle, News
New York, NY. CARE, a leading humanitarian organization working to defeat poverty and achieve social justice by empowering women and girls, held its 3rd annual CARE Impact Awards. At the event, Eva Longoria spoke about her passion for the organization. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
The virtual event, on November 18th, was hosted by journalist Lisa Ling, featured a performance by Andra Day and honored Ava DuVernay, Eva Longoria, Bozoma Saint John, Venus Williams, and more for their philanthropy, activism, and groundbreaking work to advance equality. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who serves as honorary chair for CARE’s 75th Anniversary Campaign, provided brief remarks.
In this screengrab, Lisa Ling speaks during the 3rd Annual CARE Impact Awards. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE) was hosted by journalist Lisa Ling,
In this screengrab, Iman speaks during the 3rd Annual CARE Impact Awards. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
In this screengrab, Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during the 3rd Annual CARE Impact Awards. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
In this screengrab, Ava DuVernay speaks during the 3rd Annual CARE Impact Awards. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
The event celebrated the innovation that creates opportunity and promise for women and girls around the world, especially in the face of a once-in-a-generation pandemic. Throughout the evening, CARE honored extraordinary activists, politicians, philanthropists, and leaders, who champion the rights of women and girls everywhere. Speakers and remarks spotlighted the incredible work in the U.S. and abroad to lift up women and girls and paid tribute to those who are delivering real impact across the globe.
Michelle Nunn, CARE President & CEO said, “When COVID-19 hit, our teams jumped into action to do three key things: we provided the basics, including hand-washing stations, we strengthened basic healthcare infrastructure, and we empowered local women leaders. With the help and encouragement of our everyday heroes we learn together how to be even more flexible in this ever-changing environment and each day we continue to be amazed by the resilience of the women and the men that we work with. Their ingenuity and compassion is empowering their communities and it’s an inspiration to us all.”
That impact is exemplified by the four female mayors who received the CARE Impact Award for Leadership: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. The mayors came together for a historic conversation about their experiences leading on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and each emphasized the enormous difference it makes having women at the decision-making table during a crisis.
Venus Williams was honored and expressed her gratitude. “There are just so many individuals being honored today for their tireless work in their communities and beyond, so I am humbled to be included alongside these global leaders. In 2013, I was fortunate enough to experience CARE’s work firsthand, when I traveled with them to Kenya to help women provide clean drinking water for their families. As I walked alongside these women and saw the pride in their faces, they were able to take care of themselves, take care of their families and offer solutions for their future, it just touched my heart. I was reminded of the unparalleled strength of women. The women I met on this trip are the foundations of their communities and being able to see how education can transform, not only just girls themselves but benefit their families and communities.”
The Impact Awards brought together caring and engaged people from around the world to support those in crisis brought on by COVID-19 and to raise awareness and funds for CARE’s efforts in 100 countries through their Crisis Response Campaign. As part of that campaign, CARE called on all Americans to help provide CARE Packages – meals, critical supplies, hand washing and hygiene kits, financial support, messages of hope, and more – to frontline medical workers, caregivers, essential workers, and individuals in need in every corner of the world. To date, CARE supporters have delivered more than 1.6 million CARE Packages to support vulnerable people across the U.S. and across the globe.
More information about CARE’s work can be found at www.care.org.
LIST OF HONOREES
· Eva Longoria, Actress, Director, & Activist, CARE Impact Award for Exceptional Activism
· Ava DuVernay, Filmmaker and Founder of ARRAY, CARE Impact Award for Global Feminism
· Venus Williams, Tennis champion, Founder and CEO of EleVen by Venus Williams and V Starr, CARE Impact Award for Gender Equality
· Bozoma Saint John, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Netflix, CARE Impact Award for Transformational Change
· Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, First Female President of Liberia & Nobel Peace Laureate, CARE Impact Award For Global Health
· Betsy Price, Mayor, Fort Worth, CARE Impact Award For Leadership.
· Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia, CARE Impact Award For Leadership
· Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor, Atlanta, CARE Impact Award For Leadership
· London N. Breed, Mayor, San Francisco, CARE Impact Award For Leadership
· Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago, CARE Impact Award For Leadership
· CARE Everyday Heroes (CARE activists and program participants from each region of CARE’s work), CARE Impact Award For Resilience
· Helene Gayle, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust, CARE Impact Award For Global Health & Visionary Leadership
· Michael Miebach, President and CEO-Elect, Mastercard, CARE Impact Award For Corporate Vision
· Dave MacLennan, Chairman And CEO, Cargill, CARE Impact Award For Global Leadership
· Virginia Sall, Co-Founder and Director, Sall Family Foundation Board Emeritus, CARE Impact Award For Global Vision
by Elisa Klein | Jun 24, 2020 | News
Seattle, WA. An impressive group of performers joined forces for a virtual concert on June 24th. It was the “All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief” event and viewers pledged over $45 Million to Washington State COVID relief fund during the broadcast. Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, and his wife Ciara also spoke during the broadcast. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for All In WA)
Dave Matthews performs during All In WA: A Concert For COVID-19 Relief. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for All In WA)
Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Courteney Cox, and Tatum Dahl speak during the concert For COVID-19 relief. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for All In WA)
Sir Mix-a-Lot performs during All In WA. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for All In WA)
Bill Gates joined the broadcast.
The extensive lineup of entertainers also included Dave Matthews, Macklemore, Pearl Jam, Ciara, Allen Stone, Ben Gibbard, The Black Tones, Joel McHale, Mary Lambert, Pete Carroll, Bill Nye, Candice Wilson, Chad Charlie, Courteney Cox, Dove Cameron, Edouardo Jordan, The Head and the Heart, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Jessica Dobson, Prometheus Brown, Joshua Karp, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark Diamond, Mimi Jung, Nancy Wilson, Noah Gundersen, Rainn Wilson, Ryan Lewis, Sleater-Kinney, and Travis Thompson. Presented by Amazon and produced by Anonymous Content and Done + Dusted, the All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief was streamed on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel (www.twitch.tv/amazonmusic and through www.AllInWA.org.
From All In WA:
All In WA hopes to help all Washingtonians find a way to give back. You can support the All In WA fund, created to fill the gaps in funding across the state and governed by an advisory board you can see here. You can also support a Cause Fund, focused on issues of most need, or donate to a Community Fund near you to support a place you love, or use the PowerOf tool.
Please donate today and join us in celebrating the strength of this state by tuning in to All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief by Presenting Sponsor Amazon, a virtual event to bring attention to our state’s needs and resilience. This concert will be broadcast live here and on Twitch, KREM, KING 5, KONG, and KSKN.
by Elisa Klein | Jun 22, 2020 | General, News
New York, NY. Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) held its first-ever Virtual Hot Pink Evening, taking their renowned Hot Pink Party to a new virtual format with a live-stream viewing experience. The May 20th event raised over $5.2 million to support BCRF’s global legion of leading scientists pursuing high-impact breast cancer research that is saving lives, even in the midst of the current global crisis. Elizabeth Hurley (pictured above) spoke during the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Virtual Hot Pink Evening. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Breast Cancer Research Foundation).
In this screengrab, Mandy Gonzalez and the Broadway Company of In The Heights perform during the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Virtual Hot Pink Evening. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
In this screengrab, Janet Dacal performs during the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Virtual Hot Pink Evening on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
Guests were treated to an opening number featuring Norbert Leo Butz singing “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story. A Broadway tribute to breast cancer survivor and current Hamilton star Mandy Gonzalez featured Lin-Manuel Miranda, Laura Benanti, Krysta Rodriguez, Tituss Burgess, Tommy Kail, Alex Lacamoire, Judy Kuhn, James Monroe Iglehart, Sierra Boggess, and many more friends and cast members from In The Heights. Gonzalez herself offered a stunning performance of “Breathe” from In The Heights. Nile Rodgers and CHIC’s performance of “We Are Family” had viewers tapping their toes as he closed out the evening. The program also featured appearances by Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Karlie Kloss, Edie Falco, Rachael Ray, Gretta Monahan, Amy Robach, Joan Lunden, Deborah Norville, Anne Thompson, and many more. Steven Tabakin served as Director and Executive Producer of the program. Video design and production for the evening was provided by batwin + robin productions.
Rachael Ray celebrated her friend Gretta Monahan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago with a heartfelt message: “When I was a young woman, ’breast cancer‘ were the two scariest words a woman could hear because there was so little hope and now there’s so much hope. I know that because of my friend Gretta [Monahan]. She shared her entire experience so that every woman could know, step by step, what she was going through as it was happening. What’s extraordinary about Gretta is that to have her second child, she had to go through a treatment regimen that she knew would raise her risk greatly for getting breast cancer. And I don’t know the better definition of a mom than someone who fights for their life to give life to someone else. I applaud her in every way there is.” Professional ballet dancer Maggie Kudirka, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage IV metastatic breast cancer shared, “I’m that one woman in a hundred thousand to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer before the age of twenty-five. Since the COVID crisis occurred, cancer patients got a new, new normal,” said Kudirka as she described her experience. “Our support system and loved ones are no longer allowed to come with us to treatments and doctor’s appointments. We have to keep our distance from everyone because of our immune system. We have to wear extra protective gear, but we still need our treatments and we are still figuring it out.
We as a community are in uncharted waters and we’ll get through this together.” “I’m always honored to support the incredible work of BCRF,” said Sir Elton John in a special message to attendees. “Until the day that we can all celebrate the end of breast cancer, I want you to know, I stand with all of you. For all those treating patients, caring for a loved one who is sick, grieving for someone who has left us too soon, or valiantly fighting the disease, you are not alone. Stay strong. We are in this together.” Judy and Leonard A. Lauder and Anthony von Mandl served as Honorary Co-Chairs for the evening. Kinga Lampert and Aerin Lauder were Lead Co-Chairs. Event Co-Chairs included Sandra Brant, Patsy and Patrick Callahan, Cindy and Rob Citrone, Mary-Ann and Fabrizio Freda, Roslyn Goldstein, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Dee and Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Shelly and Howard Kivell, Terri and Jerry Kohl, Michael Kors, Jane Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Laura and Gary Lauder, Lori Kanter Tritsch and William P. Lauder, Adrienne and Dan Lufkin, Patricia Quick, Bryan Rafanelli, Lois Robbins and Andrew Zaro, John Rosenwald, Jeanne Sorensen Siegel and Herbert J. Siegel, Arlene Taub, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch, Ingrid Vandebosch and Jeff Gordon, Vera Wang, Candace King Weir, and Nina and Gary Wexler. The event’s Underwriters included ascena retail group inc., Kinga and Edward Lampert, and von Mandl Family Foundation; Benefactors included Firmenich, Roslyn & Leslie Goldstein, Hearst, and Leonard & Judy Lauder Fund; Visionaries included Jody & John Arnhold, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Kendra Scott, Terri and Jerry Kohl, William P. Lauder & Lori Kanter Tritsch, Lufkin Family Foundation, Rafanelli Events, Jeanne Sorensen Siegel & Herbert J. Siegel, Marilyn & Jim Simons, and Candace King Weir.
About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is dedicated to being the end of breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF-funded investigators have been deeply involved in every major breakthrough in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. This year, BCRF has awarded $66 million in grants to support the work of nearly 275 scientists at leading medical and academic institutions across 14 countries, making BCRF the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide.
BCRF is also the highest rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. Visit www.bcrf.org to learn more. ### CONTACTS: Shawn Purdy / Lindsey Brown SLATE PR [email protected] / [email protected]
by Elisa Klein | Jun 21, 2020 | News
Atlanta, GA. On June 9th, the leading international humanitarian and development organization CARE hosted its first-ever Virtual Advocacy Summit. Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate of the United States pictured above, was a featured speaker. CARE transformed its annual CARE National Conference, which has been held in Washington, DC for the past 17 years, into a digital gathering.
CARE Action advocates are calling on the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to include additional funding — no less than $12 billion for the global response — for prevention and response in the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the world.
In this screengrab, President and CEO of CARE Michelle Nunn and Hillary Clinton speak.
The event included high-caliber speakers, in-depth conversation, and plenty of inspiration about how we can all do our part in the global fight for gender equality, even during times of crisis. The Virtual Summit focused on the unprecedented challenge presented by COVID-19 that threatens to reverse decades of progress toward ending global poverty and hunger. Speakers and participants discussed how with economies shuttered, there is a very real possibility that more than 500 million people will slip back into poverty.
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and places a special focus on supporting women and girls. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
In this screengrab, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi speaks as Hillary Clinton, Stacey Abrams, Iman, Bellamy Young, and more joined the CARE Virtual Summit. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for CARE)
The event was streamed live on https://www.facebook.com/carefans/live/, NowThisNews, NowThis Politics and NowThis Her. For more information, visit CARE.org.
The event provided people interested in speaking out about injustice, especially gender injustice, the avenue and tools to do just that. “The pandemic is having a profound impact on vulnerable people around the world from New York City to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. In the struggle for lives and livelihoods in the face of COVID-19, women and girls – especially those living in poverty, in countries experiencing conflict, and in refugee and displacement settings – face unique challenges. As a global community, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure that women are not overlooked and underserved as the world recovers and rebuilds,” said Michelle Nunn, President & CEO of CARE. “CARE is working tirelessly to help struggling communities around the world respond to this pandemic equitably and justly so that all of us come out of it stronger. We invited people from all walks of life to join the CARE Virtual Summit to learn about these challenges and how they can become part of the solution.”
As we face the challenges of both a global pandemic and systemic racism in the U.S., CARE is standing in solidarity with the most marginalized populations fighting to build a more just and equal world. While the focus of the Summit remained largely on the global COVID response, the event also addressed the moment that we are in and the intersection between racial justice and social justice.
Key speakers included: Michelle Nunn, President & CEO, CARE; Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Stacey Abrams, founder of Fair Fight Action; Representative Susan Brooks; Sylvia M. Burwell, President, American University; Ambassador Mark Green; Honorable Mark Dybul, Former United States Global AIDS Coordinator; Helene Gayle, President and CEO, Chicago Community Trust; Iman, CARE’s Global Advocate; Valerie Jarrett, Former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama; Anja Manuel, Co-founder and Partner, Rice, Hadley, Gates, and Manuel LLC; Representative Grace Meng; Bellamy Young, Actress, Singer and CARE Ambassador; Senator Cory Booker; Sofia Sprechmann, Secretary General, CARE International, Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, and more.
The CARE Virtual Summit was open to anyone interested in these issues to meet other passionate advocates, learn about the latest policy issues affecting women and girls around the world, and meet members of Congress to speak up and stand in solidarity. CARE encouraged conference participants to sign the petition asking to Congress to put women and girls at the center of the COVID-19 response.
The CARE Virtual Summit was generously supported by Delta, The UPS Foundation, Cargill, and P&G. In a virtual invite-only gathering prior to the Summit, CARE hosted members of its Global Leaders Network (GLN) to hear from US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as well as Admiral Mike Mullen (USN, Ret.), Senator Richard Shelby, Senator Patrick Leahy, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Michèle Flournoy, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Vice Chair, CARE Board of Directors on the future of U.S. National Security. The GLN also hosted a conversation on First Families and Humanitarian Leadership with Neil Bush, Chairman of the Board, Points of Light Founder, George H.W. Bush Foundation for China-U.S. Relations, Jason Carter, Partner, Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP, Chair, The Carter Center , Susan Eisenhower, Chair, The Eisenhower Group, and author, How Ike Led (Thomas Dunne Books, 2020) and Lynda Johnson Robb and Lucinda Robb Board Member, Library of Congress Rubenstein Awards Board member, Nat’l Archives Foundation.
ABOUT CARE:
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. That’s why women and girls are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to confront hunger, ensure nutrition and food security for all, improve education and health, create economic opportunity and respond to emergencies. In 2019, CARE worked in 100 countries and reached more than 68 million people around the world.
MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
by Elisa Klein | Jun 14, 2020 | Coming Up, News
Los Angeles, CA. The California Department of Justice Charitable Trusts has issued new guidelines during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and State’s shelter-in-place order.
Right now charitable organizations are called upon more than ever to meet the critical needs of communities. In California, Attorney General Becerra (pictured above) is conducting outreach to nonprofits with the new information.
Here are a few of the modified details:
Unless prohibited by the nonprofit’s emergency bylaws, the following actions can be taken to conduct the corporation’s ordinary business operations and affairs during an emergency: Directors may participate in the board meeting through telephone conference calls, video conference calls, or through electronic transmission provided that each director can communicate with other directors concurrently and has means of participating in all matters before the board.
Directors of public benefit corporations can take action without a board meeting if all directors consent in writing and the quorum requirement is met. (Corp. Code, § 5211, subd. (b).) The written consent of the directors must be kept with the minutes of the proceedings of the board. (Id.) Note that directors cannot vote by proxy.
Many nonprofit organizations have endowment funds, which are donor-restricted funds that are intended to be invested and used in perpetuity to support the nonprofit’s charitable programs. Endowments are subject to the requirements of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA). Nonprofits need to be cautious on how much they spend from their endowment funds. Spending more than 7 percent of the fair market value of an endowment fund may create a presumption of imprudence. While your organization may be tempted to look to endowments as a means of addressing unanticipated costs and budget shortfalls, before your organization decides to invade principal or borrow against the principal, which is not permitted, the board should contact the donors to inquire whether they are willing to release or modify restrictions to allow for more spending authority.
For more information, here’s a link with all the information:
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/charities/publications/charities-covid19-governance.pdf
by Elisa Klein | Jun 9, 2020 | News
Los Angeles, CA. #UnitedforLA and #ChipinLAOn are the social hashtags for the United Way of Greater LA as it promotes its Pandemic Relief Fund. Leaders say thousands of workers in L.A. County are losing wages and jobs due to the pandemic and thousands more do not qualify for government assistance. The Pandemic Relief Fund is providing immediate assistance and daily necessities to people living on the streets, people at risk of homelessness, students, individuals, and families.
The fund also offers financial assistance to low-income entrepreneurs such as food truck vendors, day-laborers, and domestic workers.
From United Way of Greater Los Angeles:
We’re experts in fighting and preventing homelessness and poverty.
Across Los Angeles County, 52,765 residents are experiencing homelessness, 5 out of 10 students are graduating poorly prepared for college or careers, and 1.63M are living in poverty.
We’re attacking these issues at their roots, championing for systemic change and supporting more than 100 community-based organizations. It takes a village but Los Angeles is the strongest one we know.
We can’t do it without you. Your donations and support made it possible to house 45,000 people, to provide 30,000 high school students with real-life work experience, and place nearly 1,300 veterans in stable employment.
https://pandemicrelief.unitedwayla.org/
#UnitedforLA #ChipinLA
by Elisa Klein | Jun 9, 2020 | General, Lifestyle, News
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by Elisa Klein | May 19, 2020 | Coming Up, News
Los Angeles, CA. While December continues to be the largest month for charitable giving, 2018 gave way to the biggest shift in distribution across other months. In 2017, approximately 18.2% of giving took place in December and this shifted to just 17% in 2018, according to a report by Blackbaud. June has continued to be the second-largest giving month of the year, which aligns with the end of the fiscal year for many nonprofit organizations.
The digital marketing firm for nonprofits, Blackbaud, released this finding in its 2018 Charitable Giving Report.
In 2018, overall charitable giving in the United States increased by 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Large organizations grew by 2.3%; medium organizations increased 2%; and small nonprofits experienced a decrease of 2.3% compared to the same time period in 2017. Since 2016, overall giving has grown 9% and giving to Foundations grew 5% over the same three year time period.
Online giving grew 1.2% in 2018 compared to 2017. Large organizations had a decrease of 0.5%; medium-sized organizations grew 3.7%; and small nonprofits grew 0.7% on a year-over-year basis. Since 2016, online giving has grown 17%, and average online gift amounts have continued to increase. The percentage of total fundraising that came from online giving once again reached another record high in 2018. Approximately 8.5% of overall fundraising revenue, excluding grants, was raised online. In 2018, 24% of online transactions were made using a mobile device.
This is the continuation of a growing trend we have measured over many years now. Arts and Culture organizations had the largest growth in both overall and online giving during 2018. Animal Welfare, International Affairs, Higher Education, and Public and Society Benefit organizations also experienced significant growth in overall giving compared to 2017. Public and Society Benefit, Healthcare, and Faith Communities also had growth in online giving in 2018. 2018 continued the longest sustained period of charitable giving growth since the last recession.
There are several key trends shaping charitable giving that are highlighted here. First, charitable giving in the United States is returning to normal levels following two years of significant growth. Second, online giving is entering a new phase where mobile and other digital channels continue to change how donors engage with nonprofit organizations. Finally, giving to Foundations and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) continues to grow in response to supporter preferences and changes in incentives. A 36-month view of fundraising from the same organizations reveals a 9% growth in overall giving and a 17% increase in online giving. When we take a broader view, spikes in giving during 2017 gave way to more normal growth rates in 2018. There is a tendency to want to identify a single reason for shifts in giving, but that is not how the philanthropic ecosystem works.
by Elisa Klein | Jan 26, 2020 | General, News
Portland, OR. The Northwest Film Center and the Portland Art Museum (PAM) continue their virtual offerings like the YouTube viewing of the film Monsters and Men, (pictured above) directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.
PAM leaders say they’re also creating a plan to reopen. For the past three months, the Portland Art Museum has been closed due to COVID-19. Now head of visitor services, Lisa Hoffman is announcing a plan to reopen. Beginning July 16th, the Museum will reopen some of its galleries and welcome a limited number of visitors. The popular Volcano! and Art and Race Matters exhibitions will now be extended through the end of the year. Exhibits that were slated for the summer and fall, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism and Ansel Adams in Our Time, will open at later dates.
Over the summer, more galleries in the museum will be reopened as conditions allow.
The museum still has many virtual options in the meantime:
Here’s more information about The Northwest Film Center’s virtual screening of Monsters and Men, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. The film, Monsters and Men is screening for free on YouTube via NEON. Monsters and Men is an important cinematic attempt to reckon with one of the central challenges of our moment and it’s free.
Portland Art Museum:
The mission of the Portland Art Museum is to engage diverse communities through art and film of enduring quality, and to collect, preserve, and educate for the enrichment of present and future generations.
