Senate Approves Science in Motion Bill

[From Senator Robbins Newsletter] The Senate recently unanimously approved Senate Bill 766, legislation I introduced that would formally enact into law the Science Technology Partnership Program, better known as "Science in Motion."

Governor Rendell has repeatedly eliminated funding for the program in his budget proposals and left it to the Senate to restore the money. We provided $1.9 million for the program in the current budget, only to see the Governor eliminate the funding as part of his budget freezes earlier this year. Fortunately, $1.71 million or about 90 percent of the funding was restored in February.

Funding is again eliminated in the Governor's proposed 2010-11 budget and this line item will again be considered by the Legislature during our budget deliberations. The program makes state funding available to higher education institutions to purchase high-tech science equipment. This equipment is then transported to and shared with surrounding schools. More than 300 public, private, and parochial schools were served throughout the state by 12 higher education institutions: Cedar Crest College, Clarion University, Drexel University, Elizabethtown College, Gannon University, Gettysburg College, Juniata College, Susquehanna University, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Ursinus College, Westminster College, and Wilkes University.

Walmart Foundation Awards $3.4 Million for Workforce Development Efforts

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The Walmart Foundation has announced grants totaling $3.4 million to seven nonprofits working to help individuals gain the skills they need to re-enter the workforce.

Awarded through the foundation's workforce development program, the grants of between $400,000 and $550,000 will be used to expand and deepen existing collaborations among workforce boards, community colleges, faith-based organizations, chambers of commerce, regional transportation authorities, organizations focused on adult basic education, and other regional partners in ways that will directly promote economic growth.

The grantees and the regions in which they will work are the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (Cali-Baja); Workplace, Inc. (Connecticut-New York); the Mid-America Regional Council (Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri); the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board (Lancaster, Pennsylvania); the West Central Job Partnership (Ohio-Pennsylvania); the Montgomery Institute (Eastern Mississippi); and the West Michigan Strategic Alliance (Western Michigan).

"Now more than ever, we are looking for ways to provide opportunities for those who are out of work and facing tough times," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. "These grants will support people across the country to gain the necessary life and job skills to obtain long-term employment."

“Walmart Foundation Donates $3.4 Million to Help Americans Get Back to Work.” Walmart Foundation Press Release 4/06/10.

Basic Proposal Writing Workshop

Friday, April 9, 2010

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

This full-day course is targeted toward those individuals who are new to the proposal writing process or want to polish their skills. Attendees will learn the basic components and format of a grant proposal and the process used to develop a project into a written grant request.

Building sustainable organizations and communities is the work of the instructor, Patricia Murphy, President of Cornerstones for Development. A frequent presenter on developing a diversified resource base and “making your case to funders,” Pat also teaches grant proposal writing at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Social Work.

Please call the Foundation Center at (412)622-6277 to register for this program. Email registrations will not be accepted

Presented by: Pat Murphy

Event fee: $30.00

Light continental breakfast

Location:

Downtown & Business

612 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Contact:

Foundation Center

(412) 622-6277

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