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  • This Small Town Refused to Settle for Wal-Mart When Its Last Local Grocery Store Closed

    January 02, 2017 |

    Yes! Magazine |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Iola, Kansas

    The small town of Iola, KS, and Allen County's GROW Council offer a case study of how local communities across this prairie state have worked to solve the absence of grocery stores in many rural areas. Through local resourcefulness and organizing efforts; knowledge and financial support from the state government; and partnership with Kansas State University's Rural Grocery Initiative, towns have succeeded in bringing grocery stores, from locally-owned coops to school-based distribution hubs, back to their Main Streets.

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  • In Nepal, 'appalling' river runs cleaner in wake of unusual partnership

    December 18, 2016 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

    For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

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  • Did free college save this city?

    December 17, 2016 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Kalamazoo, Michigan

    In 2005, anonymous donors announced they would cover college tuition for most students in all future Kalamazoo, Michigan classes: "Other cities declare themselves open for business or tourism. Kalamazoo wants you to know that it’s funding knowledge." While the culture around college has changed dramatically since the program's inception and more students are attending college, the program hasn't come without challenges: many get to college but don't necessarily have the preparation to make it to graduation. As other cities start similar programs, Kalamazoo's long-standing initiative offers important lessons.

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  • 15 countries, other states use social impact bonds, too Audio icon

    December 13, 2016 |

    Detroit Free Press |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom, Peterborough

    A project launched in the United Kingdom uses social-impact bonds to reduce recidivism among prisoners, bringing together public and private resources to implement more effective and cost efficient social programs. Their success is inspiring other countries to follow suit.

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  • To fight poverty in Africa, a new-old solution: cash handouts

    December 11, 2016 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Lesotho, Maseru

    The approach of giving cash straight to poor people - rather than funneling goods or services indirectly through the slow, diluted, and complex systems of charities or governments - is nothing new, but evidence of long-term success and sustainability are few. That's why many NGOs and governments are now coupling cash transfers with more comprehensive programs such as job training and financial counseling, as well as addressing some of the root causes that keep people poor, like lack of infrastructure and market access.

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  • Sex ed program goes far beyond sex, succeeds by meeting basic needs

    December 07, 2016 |

    Detroit Free Press |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    Research has shown that when young people have their basic needs met and feel positive about their futures, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. The Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program has reduced pregnancy rates by 40 percent in New York by meeting teens educational, emotional, and employment needs.

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  • Big Bet Philanthropy: How More Givers Are Spending Big And Taking Risks To Solve Society's Problems

    November 30, 2016 |

    Forbes |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    For the superrich and the biggest U.S. charitable foundations, donating to universities, hospitals and cultural institutions is the norm. Less common are donations targeted at "social change" such as alleviating poverty or tackling global warming - but that is beginning to change. An in-depth study from the Bridgespan Group is showing how big bets in philanthropy are paying off, as well as what factors - such as a close donor-recipient relationship - are key to success.

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  • Santa Fe couple helps Homewise create solar power loan fund

    November 21, 2016 |

    The Santa Fe New Mexican |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

    For low- and moderate-income families in Santa Fe, home solar-voltaic systems can be an attractive but hard-to-finance idea. A local couple is partnering with Homewise to offer loans to homeowners interested in installing these systems. So far, Ann Alexander and Richard Khanlian’s $500,000 pledge has helped 19 homeowners get solar energy projects off the ground.

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  • Cash Cards For Syrian Refugees

    November 20, 2016 |

    BBC |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Lebanon, Beqaa Valley

    In a creative twist, Syrian refugees are being given cash cards to spend as they wish rather than being given food boxes or in-kind donations. Agencies and refugees themselves say that it gives them dignity and choice, which are important in the survival process. It was also much more efficient and cheaper to distribute money than buying food. This podcast cites a study done to prove its efficacy, talks to a couple refugee families, and notes that results could vary from country to country.

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  • A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

    November 11, 2016 |

    The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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