Long Beach

June 15, 2009, Business Week — The nonprofit Bikestation reached a crossroads in late 2007. Founded in Long Beach, Calif., in 1996 to design, build, and manage bike transit centers, the 10-employee organization couldn't handle all the calls coming in on its $300,000 budget, funded mostly through earned income. With little grant funding available, the board determined that the best way to meet demand was to raise money from private investors­—which meant turning Bikestation into a for-profit social venture. "We just didn't have the resources to expand the mission and the vision further," says Andréa White-Kjoss, who joined the nonprofit as CEO in 2004.

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2009 — The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced today that its prestigious National Grant Program is awarding a total of $634,070 to 10 nonprofit organizations, public school districts, and other agencies across the United States to improve the literacy skills of parents and their children. Since its inception in 1989, the Foundation has awarded nearly $32 million to 730 family literacy programs in 50 states, including the nation’s capital.

TROY, Mich., April 9, 2209 — Signaling the importance of affirming and strengthening philanthropic support for nonprofits in times of crisis, the trustees of The Kresge Foundation awarded nearly $73 million in grants in the first quarter of 2009. The awards represent the largest quarterly commitment in the 85-year-old foundation's history. It also reflects the foundation's continuing effort to build-out its longer-term strategies to fortify the essential components of healthy, vibrant communities while identifying ways to help improve the life circumstances of low-income citizens in the here-and-now.

The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach has received a big boost to its long-term financial outlook with a $25-million endowment from the estate of its founder. Dr. Robert Gumbiner, a pioneer in managed healthcare, who established the museum in 1996 and died in January at 85, made the gift to help preserve his cultural legacy.

May 16, 2006 By Vivian M. Linderman When was the last time you brought a little innovation to your annual campaign? Now might be a good time to raise the bar on campaign strategies, as more and more donors try to juggle their available gift-giving dollars with support for national emergencies, increased community need, and rising transportation and housing costs. First, offer your donors a number of giving opportunities. Send out your direct-mail piece. Follow up with a phone call for those who don't respond promptly. Send a handwritten reminder. Schedule your newsletter and provide a donation envelope to

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