NFG REPORTS
WINTER 2000  ISSUE FOUR • VOLUME SEVEN

Resources

Meetings

The Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and PolicyLink have scheduled a meeting of the Smart Growth and Equity Learning Action Network. It will be in Baltimore, Maryland on February 1-2, 2001.

Publications

The Funders' Network also recently published Opportunities for Linking Movements: Workforce Development and Smart Growth. Written by Greg LeRoy and Sara Hinkley of Good Jobs First, it relates the implications of urban sprawl to issues of importance to America's communities and suggests opportunities for progress that would be created by smarter growth policies and practices.

Opportunities for Linking Movements is written from a workforce development perspective and articulates why funders who seek to help workers gain family-supporting skills and jobs should also become involved in the emerging smart growth movement. It details how sprawl reduces opportunity for low-skill workers and contributes to the geographic concentration of poverty. It argues that if unchecked, sprawl will continue to undermine the basic systems necessary for core-area residents to gain skills and jobs and describes how smart growth policies can help keep jobs, education and training accessible to core-area workers. To find out more about the February meeting in Baltimore or to get a copy of the paper, call the Funders' Network at 305-377-4484 or send an email to bstarrett@collinscenter.org.

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) Update's September 2000 issue focuses on the fourth anniversary of enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the welfare reform law. To receive the Update, call 202-328-5140 or go online to www.clasp.org.

Building Strong Foundations is a 34-page handbook that explains how communities can make sure that a nonprofit's charitable assets will continue to serve the public after a non-profit health care organization is converted to a for-profit company. Released by the Community Health Assets Project, a partnership between Consumers Union and Community Catalyst, the handbook is available only in PDF format at www.consumersunion.org/health/build_info.htm.

Smart Growth, Better Neighborhoods is the first major report from the National Neighborhood Coalition's Neighborhoods, Regions and Smart Growth project. The report includes examples, lessons, and recommendations from community, neighborhood, and faith-based groups that are using smart growth strategies to revitalize low-income communities and create stronger neighborhood-regional connections. For more information, or to order, contact Leah Kalinosky at 202-986-2096 or leah@neighborhoodcoalition.org.

Vouchers: A Trap, Not A Choice, California School Vouchers Will Increase Racial Inequality is a recent report from the Applied Research Center. It can be accessed and downloaded at www.arc.org.

The State Policy Documentation Project's (SPDP) Web site, www.spdp.org, has reports on all 50 states with information on each state's policies regarding TANF. There are reports on childcare policies, information on the definitions of key terms that state TANF agencies use; and work activities and requirements. SPDP is a project of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Center for Law and Social Policy.

From the Pulpit to the Pavement: Faith-Based Initiatives, a special focus issue of Shelterforce, will feature articles about congregation-based organizing, mainstream denominations and progressive social justice activities, faith organizations and physical development, and the implications of Charitable Choice legislation. Forthcoming, January/February 2001 Shelterforce. $5. 973-678-9060 to reserve a copy.

The Aspen Institute Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Children and Families has launched the Community Building Resource Exchange. The Web site, www.commbuild.org, provides a broad array of resources and information about innovative community building efforts to revitalize poor neighborhoods. They are looking for input and suggestions for materials to include on the site.

Leadership for a Changing World was launched by the Ford Foundation in partnership with the Advocacy Institute and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University. Over six years, the program will recognize community leaders across the country who are successfully tackling tough social problems. Leaders will receive awards of $100,000 to advance their work, plus $30,000 for supporting activities. Nominations will be accepted from September 18, 2000 through January 5, 2001. For more information, or to download a nomination brochure, go to www.leadershipforchange.org. Specific questions can be submitted via email (info@leadershipforchange.org), phone 202-777-7560 or by writing to Leadership for a Changing World, Advocacy Institute, 1629 K St., NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006-1629.

Predatory Lending

At NFG's annual conference, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Executive Director Steve Kest previewed a new video describing predatory lending practices and strategies for reversing them. The informative 12-minute video is available for $10 from ACORN, 88 Third Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217. Updates on ACORN's predatory lending campaigns are online at www.acorn.org.

Another resource is the Coalition for Responsible Lending's Web site at www.responsiblelending.org. In addition to Self-Help President Martin Eakes' overview of the proposed Citigroup/Associates merger, the site contains other background information and useful links to other sites.

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