Welcome to the Kleinert Foundation Weekly Reader! Each Monday, we deliver a variety of resources to help keep our community informed and engaged.
Articles, Blogs, & Reports
The Impact of COVID-19 on Texas Nonprofit Organizations By: United Way Texas & OneStar Foundation
“From late March through May 2020, United Ways of Texas and OneStar Foundation administered a survey open
to all Texas nonpro ts inquiring about their sta , programmatic, and organizational needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We received a total of 458 responses from nonpro t workers representing diverse communities and areas of focus, with 130 responses from the human services sector alone (e.g. foster care, child care, counseling, nancial coaching, housing, employment, youth development). A range of budgets was also represented, with more than 40% of nonprofits having annual budgets under half a million dollars a year. The largest category of survey respondents (32%) reported budgets ranging between $50K and $499K a year, while 15% reported budgets of more than $8 million annually.This report highlights key themes from various surveys assessing the impact of COVID-19 on Texas nonpro ts and o ers opportunities for improvements to strengthen the nonpro t sector. We have included data on the role of nonpro ts in the state, a summary of survey ndings, and speci c ideas to take action for policymakers, funders, and the business sector based on survey results, other state practices, and the Built for Texas report.” Read more here.
The Spirit of Giving By: FWD>DFW
“In this age of uncertainty, the work of nonprofits and those who support them is more important than ever. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, North Texas nonprofits have continued to serve the most vulnerable members of our community — and you can do your part.
Now is your chance to give back to one or more of thousands of local charitable organizations on the 12th annual North Texas Giving Day. On Sept. 17, from 6 a.m. to midnight, you can support your favorite D-FW nonprofits by going to NorthTexasGivingDay.com and donating to the certified organization (or organizations) of your choice.
North Texas Giving Day is powered by Communities Foundation of Texas, a 67-year old community foundation that professionally manages more than 1,000 charitable funds for families, companies, foundations and nonprofits and has awarded more than $2 billion in grants since its founding in 1953.” Read more here.
Tastes Great, Less (Land)Filling By: Cause Consumer, Robert Jones
“The road from brewery to breakfast table began in 2016 while a young entrepreneur was preparing a fateful batch of beer for his rugby team in 2016. “I noticed there was just a lot of this excess material that was just going to a dumpster,” says Yoni Medhin. The observation inspired him and his friend Matt Metchly to spend the next few years exploring the upcycle potential for spent grain.
“We were in an entrepreneurship class at the time and dug in a little bit more,” Yoni says. “We were just blown away by the volume of this problem, and how little innovation there has been in this space.”
Ultimately, by borrowing drying and milling techniques from the pharmaceutical industry, the two San Antonio residents were able to upcycle spent grain into a low-cost, nutrient-dense flour that’s lower in carbs and higher in both protein and fiber than traditional wheat flour.” Read more here.
Genesis Women’s Shelter to announce plans for $15 million Dallas facility By: Star Telegram, Nichole Manna
“The new space will be twice the size of Genesis’ offices on Lemmon Avenue in Oak Lawn, and it will allow the organization to increase the number of nonresidential clients it serves each year from 3,700 to 7,500. Genesis also operates an emergency shelter and transitional housing for people who are escaping domestic violence. Langbein said most abused women won’t seek shelter and rely instead on nonresidential services such as counseling, advocacy and legal help.
“We want to be sure we stand ready for services for those women and kiddos who either haven’t left, or they’ve left and have other residential resources,” she said.
The organization has raised about 80% of its $15 million goal for the facility, with donations from the David B. Miller Family Foundation, the Rees-Jones Foundation and Nancy Best, the chairwoman of the board of Shelter Ministries of Dallas. Genesis also received a challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation.” Read more here.
Podcasts
Podcast on Crimes Against Women- Episode 14 - Navigating Justice for Women in Indian Country
“It is well-documented that women in tribal communities experience a significantly higher rate of domestic violence and human trafficking throughout the United States. To confront that reality, tribal communities have established organizations dedicated to understanding and implementing the law to better protect women and prevent these criminal acts. Another approach to supporting and empowering tribal women is through advocacy organizations like the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition- a statewide tribal coalition and a national tribal technical assistance provider, providing support, advocacy, and activities that utilize traditional teaching and other cultural strengths to encourage healing, build resilience, and counter the normalization of violence against tribal women.
Joining the conversation is Nicole Matthews. Nicole is Anishinabe from the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and is the Executive Director for the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition, where she has been employed since 2002. MIWSAC is a statewide Tribal Coalition and a national Tribal Technical Assistance Provider. ” Listen here.
The Good Office Podcast- Episode 14: A guide to shopping ethically without feeling overwhelmed
“Money is the most powerful tool you have, so spend it in a way that makes a difference in the world. That’s the idea behind purchasing power, which this week’s returning guest, Bethany Tran, illustrates as the founder and CEO of The Root Collective. By partnering with independent Guatemalan workshops, her brand offers ethical shoes and accessories that provide above-fair trade wages to its workers.
Bethany started her business 7 years ago with the mission to create change in the world through social enterprise. By giving local Guatemalan artisans jobs with fair wages, she has moved away from the common practice of simply providing charity and instead gives them meaningful work to help their communities. She discusses the domino effect of ethical retail and how investing in quality pieces can be far more gratifying than a quick shopper’s high.” Listen here.
Upcoming Events
New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon Featuring Cyntoia Brown-Long
September 18, 2020 | 11:30 am CST
“Cyntoia Brown-Long is a sex trafficking survivor and advocate for criminal justice reform. Arrested at the age of 16, Brown-Long was a juvenile sentenced as an adult to life in prison without the chance of parole for killing a man who solicited her for sex. Her trafficker was never arrested. While in prison she earned her GED, an associate and a bachelor’s degree, both with a 4.0 GPA, from Lipscomb University. In recent years, Brown-Long’s story received unprecedented national and international support from social media advocates, pastors, and celebrities. She was released from prison in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 7, 2019, after serving 15 years, receiving a commuted sentence by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.” Learn more here.
Austin Street Center’s 20th Annual Humble Beginnings Luncheon
September 25, 2020 | 11:30 am
“Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer, Leslie Odom Jr. will take the stage as the keynote speaker at Austin Street Center’s annual Humble Beginnings luncheon.
Best known for his breakout role as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the smash hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, Odom Jr. received a 2015 Drama Desk Award nomination and won the Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” for his performance. He also won a Grammy Award as a principal soloist on the original cast recording. Odom Jr. was most recently seen on the big screen starring alongside Cynthia Erivo and Joe Alwyn in “Harriet”, the story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes responsible for freeing hundreds of slaves. This spring, he released a book – FAILING UP: HOW TO TAKE RISKS, AIM HIGHER, and NEVER STOP LEARNING. In 2018, Odom Jr. released “Mr” – his first album of original songs.” Learn more here.
Wed, Oct 28, 2020, 11:00 AM -Sat, Oct 31, 2020, 12:00 PM
“Building systems that are equitable for women and people of color expands prosperity for everyone. The opportunities for human-centered design, innovation and impact that will take us there are unprecedented. But even as there are growing reasons to hope, we must commit to reform through principles, policies, and practices that level the playing field and create opportunity. bigBANG! 2020 will lift up rightful disruption and its methods to dismantle injustice and intentionally rework and rebuild systems that provide equal opportunity for all people to participate with dignity in the economic life of our society.” Learn more here.
From Dallas Doing good
Community Matters: Felicia Frazier and M.I.N.T. Foundation By: Jasmine Fain
“Talking with Felicia, it is clear how passionate she is about making sure others learned and improved from her mistakes. A phrase continues to pop up throughout our conversation, “If we train them, then we can impart in them.” Felicia is focused on how the root of spreading knowledge lies in community engagement. “We can spend a lot of time with the community, and you can make sure you understand that community is important and to take value in it,” Felicia says. “Not only do you have to reach back and help those behind you, but also always have your eyes looking forward to being innovative.”” Read more here.
From The Liberty Line Newsletter
“CEO of Ranch Hands Rescue Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary Bob Williams announced plans to open a long-term safe house exclusively catering to male victims of sex trafficking 18-24 years old.
He says it’s the first of its kind in the country.
“If we don’t provide shelter for victims of sex trafficking, their abusers are extremely likely to find them and bring them back into the trade,” Williams said. “No person should be subjected to such a monstrous situation, but trafficked boys in particular are being overlooked; we’re going to change that, now.”” Read more here.
September Book of the Month
Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System By: Cyntoia Brown-Long
“In her own words, Cyntoia Brown shares the riveting and redemptive story of how she changed her life for the better while in prison, finding hope through faith after a traumatic adolescence of drug addiction, rape, and sex trafficking led to a murder conviction.
Cyntoia Brown was sentenced to life in prison for a murder she committed at the age of sixteen. Her case became national news when celebrities and activists made the hashtag #FreeCyntoia go viral in 2017. She was granted full clemency after having served fifteen years, walking out a free woman on August 7, 2019.
This is her story, in her own words.” Purchase a book here.
September Product of the Month
The Worthy Co. - Londyn Earring
These earrings were handmade by women survivors of trafficking in Fort Worth, TX and 100% of every purchase employs and empowers them. To purchase a pair, visit The Worthy Co.
By: Hannah Rabalais, Program Officer