Monday, September 26, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #90
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

Note: Documents on this page or in this section may be in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. In order to read them, you require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is downloadable free from Adobe.

In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• IRS Mileage Rates Increased
• Southeast Asian Youth & Family Alliance
• The Markle Foundation
• AAPIP-DC
• Society for Nonprofit Organizations
• Facing a Financial Crisis
• Proposal Writing Seminar
2. Promising Practices
• 55 Ways for Boards to Raise $500
3. News
• Far from the Madding Crowd in Laos
• US Storm Turns Vietnamese Into Refugees Once More
• In Mostly White Wisconsin Courtroom, Observers Look for Justice
• Bayou's Asian-Americans Try to Recover: 'We'll Get by'
• Doug Grow: Many Eyes Are on the Trial in Hayward
• Hmong Celebration Is a Chance for Generations to Come Together
• Passing of an Old Soldier
• Hmong Immigrants, Northwoods Outdoorsmen Work to Bridge Rift
• Vietnamese American Elected to San Jose Council
• Evacuees' Tab Worries Fresno Supervisors
• Madison Nguyen: Rising Star Has Much to Prove in Dist. 7
• Vang Weeps After Telling Judge He Will Testify
• Vietnamese Lose All, This Time to Katrina
• Local Forum Explores Impact of Race on News, Media
• Hmong Women Gaining by Degrees
• Hmong Man Found Guilty in Hunter Deaths
• Volunteer Doctor Fills Void in Vietnamese Community
• Andrew Lam's Perfume Dreams
• Vang Trial Puts Spotlight on Hmong Immigrants
• Order Limits Lowell's Hiring of Asian Police
• Pioneering Councilwoman Walks Elite Path
• Race Divides Opinions of Vang Verdict
• Teaching Hmong Hunter Safety
• Vietnamese Translators Help Process Fema Papers on Gulf Coast
• Hunting Season Looms After Vang Verdict
• Making a Name in San Jose Politics
• High Secondhand Smoke Exposure Rate Among Asian Americans
• Vang Conviction Opens Hmong Discussions
• Carefirst Promotes Cancer Screening for Vietnamese Women
• Pledges, Promises Echo at City Candidates' Forum
• Lorraine Ahearn on the Street: Life Is No Box of Chocolates
• Freshmen Turn New Page
• Lorraine Ahearn on the Street: Life Is No Box of Chocolates
• Hmong Meet with Police About Deer Hunting
• New Program to Aid Aides in Becoming Licensed Teachers
• Garden Grove Official's Remark Is Called Bigoted
• Us Grants Asylum for Last Vietnamese Boat People
• Numbers Hide the Whole Story
• A Jury of Our Peers?
• Tou Hang: Don't Judge Hmong by What One Man Did
• Ground Broken on Hmong Memorial
• Pilot Project Shows How School Could Help
4. Funding Opportunities
• Youth Service America
• Allstate Foundation
• Conagra Foods Foundation
• The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
• The Community Technology Foundation of California
• The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
• Shopko Foundation
• Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF)
• Youth Service America and the State Farm Companies Foundation
5. Resources
• Report on Foundation Trends
• Match My Donation

I. Announcements

IRS Mileage Rates Increased

The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced today an increase to the optional standard mileage rates for the final four months of 2005.

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On behalf of the Southeast Asian Youth & Family Alliance, we would like to invite you to the 2nd annual "SEA Youth Stopping Violence" Summit which will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at LoVonya DeJean Middle School at 3400 MacDonald Avenue in Richmond.

Last year, our inaugural event brought together over 150 youth and adults from across West Contra Costa County to address issues that impact the Southeast Asian community, such as gang violence, drugs & alcohol, and education. The catalyst for the Summit was the death of 15-year-old honor student, Chan Boonkeut, who was killed in a gang-involved shooting. This year's Summit continues to be organized and held in Chan's memory as well as other victims of violence.

• Gang Perspectives Panel: Due to the popularity of this topic last year, we have decided to offer this workshop to all Summit attendees. Panelists include former gang members, victims of gang violence, and law enforcement. We will also show a short documentary called, "C Me In, C Me Out" produced by Streetside Productions/Reel Peeps Video.

• Workshops: Educational workshops will be provided on the topics of careers, drugs & alcohol, domestic violence, and sex education.

• Performances: The Summit will feature a number of traditional Southeast Asian dances as well as breakdancing and community-conscious rap artists.

• Community Resource Fair: The Community Resource Fair will give students and the general public an opportunity to learn more about organizations and services that are available to the community.

• Free prizes: There will also be goodie bags and a chance to win exciting prizes through our raffle drawing.

• Free lunch and snacks will be provided to all registered attendees.

We hope that you will take the time to personally encourage students to be a part of this Summit. Students who want to attend should fill out the pre-registration form that is included in this packet and return it to us through the ways listed at the top of the form. The pre-registration deadline is Friday, September 23rd, 2005. For additional details, please contact Ping Pong Vilaisouk or Sang Saephan at (510) 235-5005 or by email at seayl2005@gmail.com.

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The Markle Foundation Presents

Connecting Americans to Their Health Care: Empowered Consumers, Personal Health Records and Emerging Technologies

National Conference
Oct. 11, 2005
Washington, DC

TIME IS RUNNING OUT to register to attend this free, one-day conference.

Advocates for consumers and patients will join government officials and technology and health care leaders on October 11 for a free, one-day conference focused on empowering health care consumers through health information technology.

Attendees will discover how health IT is transforming how Americans experience health care.

Key topics to be discussed:

• How personal health records and electronic health information exchange work.
• Consumer research showing how Americans view health IT.
• Safeguards enabling patients to share their health information without compromising privacy.
• Consumer principles to guide and enhance health IT.
• Legislative proposals that would affect how Americans access their personal health information.

Register now at http://www.phrconference.org/register.php for this timely conference. A limited number of hotel rooms are available at a discount rate at http://www.phrconference.org/travel.php

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The Metro DC/Baltimore Chapter of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy is inviting APA-serving and APA-led nonprofit organizations to participate in our 15th Anniversary Celebration. Please join us on November 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Flashpoint (916 G Street, NW) to celebrate, expand your circle of volunteers, share information about your organization, and communicate your own experiences as nonprofit leaders!

The Anniversary program will feature a panel on board service and a reception for APA professionals to connect new volunteers and potential board members to nonprofit organizations.

You can help by agreeing to attend the program and to share information about your organization's work and potential volunteer or board opportunities. We ask that you send one staff member and one board member or volunteer to the event to network with the invited APA and other professionals interested in board service. Please RSVP by October 7.

If there are other nonprofit organizations that you feel would benefit from participation in this program (or if you know of other potential board members who should be invited to this event) please reply with their contact information or send an e-mail to Rea Pañares at rpanares@familiesusa.org.

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is a national membership and advocacy organization dedicated to improving Asian Pacific American communities through philanthropy. AAPIP seeks to advance traditional philanthropy by making it more inclusive, just, equitable, and accountable. The Metro DC/Baltimore Chapter of AAPIP includes 35 members representing foundations, philanthropic support organizations, and nonprofits in Greater Washington and Baltimore.

We hope you will join us on November 1! Please don't hesitate to contact Donna Ortega at dortega@meyerfdn.org, or 202-483-8294, should you have any questions or need further information.

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The Society for Nonprofit Organizations announced a series of online courses designed to focus on enhancing skills for managers in the nonprofit sector. SNPO's Learning Institute has implemented an eight-program series of online courses entitled "Excellence in Nonprofit Management and Leadership" that focuses on the key result areas of managing and leading a nonprofit organization.

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Facing a Financial Crisis

the Sixteenth in a Series of Wi$e Up Teleconference Calls

The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau and Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives invite you to join us:

Friday, September 30, 2005
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST

When a disaster strikes, life suddenly changes. Find out what you need to know about preparing for and recovering from a disaster. Get answers to your financial questions.

Invited speakers include representatives from the:

• American Red Cross
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• National Endowment for Financial Education
• Internal Revenue Service, and
• Federal Reserve Bank

Register online or call 202-693-6767 to receive the toll free call-in number and passcode.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions on the call and afterwards by email.

The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau Wi$e Up program is dedicated to improving the financial security of Generation X women. Visit our Web site at www.dol.gov/wb/.

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Proposal Writing Seminar

Based on the Foundation Center's best-selling book, this full-day course has helped more than 25,000 grantseekers build, strengthen, and polish their proposal writing skills. Focusing on must-have components of a grant proposal package, it will benefit everyone on your fundraising team. Now offered in fourteen cities.

See the website locations and dates.

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II. Promising Practices

55 Ways for Boards to Raise $500

by Kim Klein

• Give it yourself. This is the easiest way for those who are able, although if you are able to give them that much money you should be helping raise much more than $500.
• List all your friends who are interested in your organization, or similar organization. Decide how much each one should give. Write to them on your own stationery, include a brochure from the organization and a return envelope. Phone those people who don't respond in two weeks, Some people will need 10 friends to give $50, and some people need 50 friends to give $10. Most people will need a combination such as: 2-3 @ $50, 4-5 @ $25, 15 @ $10.
• Give part of the $500. Then ask your friends to join you in giving $25, $50, or whatever your gift is. This is most effective because you are not asking them to do anything you haven't done.
• Set up a challenge campaign. Challenge gifts can be quite small. Tell people you'll give $5 for every $25 they give, or will match every $10 gift up to ten gifts. For added suspense, make this challenge during a fundraising event. You or the host can announce, "We now have the Dave Buckstretch Challenge for the next five minutes. Dave will give $5 for every new member that joins Worthy Cause."

Read on...

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III. News

Far from the Madding Crowd in Laos
Stuff.co.nz
September 12, 2005

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US Storm Turns Vietnamese Into Refugees Once More
Reuters AlertNet
September 12, 2005

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In Mostly White Wisconsin Courtroom, Observers Look for Justice
Pioneer Press
September 12, 2005

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Bayou's Asian-Americans Try to Recover: 'We'll Get by'
AL.com
September 12, 2005

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Doug Grow: Many Eyes Are on the Trial in Hayward
Minneapolis Star Tribune
September 13, 2005

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Hmong Celebration Is a Chance for Generations to Come Together
Stevens Point Journal
September 14, 2005

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Passing of an Old Soldier
Greensboro News Record
September 14, 2005

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Hmong Immigrants, Northwoods Outdoorsmen Work to Bridge Rift
San Jose Mercury News
September 14, 2005

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Vietnamese American Elected to San Jose Council
San Jose Business Journal
September 14, 2005

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Evacuees' Tab Worries Fresno Supervisors
Fresno Bee
September 14, 2005

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Madison Nguyen: Rising Star Has Much to Prove in Dist. 7
San Jose Mercury News
September 15, 2005

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Vang Weeps After Telling Judge He Will Testify
Chicago Tribune
September 15, 2005

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Vietnamese Lose All, This Time to Katrina
USA Today
September 16, 2005

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Local Forum Explores Impact of Race on News, Media
The Capital Times
September 16, 2005

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Hmong Women Gaining by Degrees
Pioneer Press
September 16, 2005

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Hmong Man Found Guilty in Hunter Deaths
Washington Post
September 17, 2005

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Volunteer Doctor Fills Void in Vietnamese Community
WLOX
September 17, 2005

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Andrew Lam's Perfume Dreams
Pacific News Service
September 17, 2005

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Vang Trial Puts Spotlight on Hmong Immigrants
Duluth News Tribune
September 17, 2005

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Order Limits Lowell's Hiring of Asian Police
Lowell Sun
September 18, 2005

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Pioneering Councilwoman Walks Elite Path
San Jose Mercury News
September 18, 2005

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Race Divides Opinions of Vang Verdict
Duluth News Tribune
September 18, 2005

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Teaching Hmong Hunter Safety
WMTV
September 18, 2005

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Vietnamese Translators Help Process Fema Papers on Gulf Coast
San Jose Mercury News
September 19, 2005

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Hunting Season Looms After Vang Verdict
Minnesota Public Radio
September 19, 2005

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Making a Name in San Jose Politics
Civilrights.orgCivilrights.org
September 19, 2005

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High Secondhand Smoke Exposure Rate Among Asian Americans
Newswise
September 19, 2005

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Vang Conviction Opens Hmong Discussions
WBAY
September 20, 2005

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CareFirst Promotes Cancer Screening for Vietnamese Women
Baltimore Business Journal
September 20, 2005

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Pledges, Promises Echo at City Candidates' Forum
Lowell Sun
September 20, 2005

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Lorraine Ahearn on the Street: Life Is No Box of Chocolates
Greensboro News Record
September 21, 2005

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Freshmen Turn New Page
OSU - The Lantern
September 21, 2005

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Lorraine Ahearn on the Street: Life Is No Box of Chocolates
Greensboro News Record
September 21, 2005

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Hmong Meet with Police About Deer Hunting
WBAY
September 21, 2005

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New Program to Aid Aides in Becoming Licensed Teachers
Minneapolis Star Tribune
September 22, 2005

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Garden Grove Official's Remark Is Called Bigoted
UVSASC
September 22, 2005

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US Grants Asylum for Last Vietnamese Boat People
Xinhua
September 23, 2005

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Numbers Hide the Whole Story
Daily Californian
September 23, 2005

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A Jury of Our Peers?
Asian Week
September 23, 2005

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Tou Hang: Don't Judge Hmong by What One Man Did
Minneapolis Star Tribune
September 24, 2005

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Ground Broken on Hmong Memorial
Sheboygan Press
September 25, 2005

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Pilot Project Shows How School Could Help
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
September 25, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   Youth Service America

   A program of Youth Service America, the Harris Wofford awards annually honor exceptional individuals, institutions, and media figures who actively contribute to this nation's spirit of service. The Harris Wofford Awards honor former Senator Harris Wofford - one of our nation's greatest public servants - and recognize extraordinary achievements in three categories: Youth (ages 5-25), Organization (nonprofit, corporate, foundation), and Media (organization or individual). Nominations will be accepted through October 12, 2005.

   Sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation®, the Awards will be given at the 17th Annual Service-Learning Conference in Philadelphia, PA on March 22-25, 2006. A selection committee comprised of distinguished leaders in the service field is convened by Youth Service America to review nominations. The recipient in the Youth category will receive a $500 award for him/herself and a $500 award for the non-profit organization of his/her choice. To apply, please visit: www.YSA.org/awards and choose the nomination category to download the appropriate application. Self nominations are accepted. For more information about the Harris Wofford Awards, please contact the Grants Department at: 202-296-2992, ext.11, or via email: woffordawards@ysa.org.

   Deadline: October 12, 2005
2. (National)
   Allstate Foundation

   The Allstate Foundation provides support to national programs as well as local programs in company communities. Proposals must address needs within one of the following three focus areas to be considered for funding: Tolerance, Inclusion, and Diversity, including teaching tolerance and ending discrimination and hate crimes; Safe and Vital Communities, including disaster response, ending youth violence, and neighborhood revitalization; or Economic Empowerment, including financial education and business skill development.

   Deadline: Open

3. (National)
   ConAgra Foods Foundation

   The mission of the ConAgra Foods Foundation is to improve the quality of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live throughout the U.S. (To find out if your organization has a ConAgra Foods facility nearby, consult your local phone directory or contact your Chamber of Commerce.) The Foundation provides support to organizations or projects that provide solutions for specific community needs. Grants are focused in the following areas: arts and culture; civic and community betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition and food safety.

   Deadline: January, April, July and October.

4. (Maryland)
   The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

   The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has announced its second annual Maryland Family Literacy Initiative Grant Competition.

   The Maryland Initiative's grant program seeks to develop or expand projects that are designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children. A total of approximately $500,000 will be awarded; no grant request may exceed $50,000.

   To be considered eligible for a grant, an organization must have current nonprofit or public status and have been in existence for two or more years as of the date of the application; have maintained fiscal accountability; and operate an instructional literacy program that has been in existence for at least two years and includes one or more of the following components: literacy instruction for adults, parent education, pre-literacy or literacy instruction for children, or intergenerational literacy activities.

   Visit the Maryland Initiative's Web site for complete application information. The online application will be available on September 19, 2005.

   Applications will only be accepted from organizations in the state of Maryland.

   Deadline: November 18, 2005

5. (California)
   The Community Technology Foundation of California

   The Community Technology Foundation of California is a public foundation that seeks to foster social justice, equity, and access for underserved communities in California through the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). Since its inception, CTFC has invested more than $20 million in grants and ZeroDivide initiatives to nonprofit organizations serving low-income, disabled, minority, rural, and inner-city communities.

   With an overall focus on content and technology literacy, CTFC's current grantmaking for programs focuses upon the development and maintenance of, as well as the removal of barriers to, digital media, communications, and outreach for underserved Californians. Successful grantees will be those who effectively utilize ICT in a manner that enables their target communities to become more active and engaged participants in civic action.

   CTFC is soliciting proposals in the range of $10,000 to $50,000 that satisfy any of the program's organizational themes.

   In this round, CTFC will specifically not fund projects in the following areas: general operating expenses (unless an applicant organization's sole mission and purpose is to conduct work that falls within the grantmaking guidelines); grants to individuals; grants to non-501(c) (3) organizations (unless such organizations have a commitment in writing from a 501(c)(3) sponsoring fiscal agent); requests for only distribution or dissemination of completed media projects; media projects used solely for distribution at agency special events, memorials, annual fundraisers, anniversary celebrations, etc.; requests that are solely for equipment or software purchases without a corresponding content-based component; ICT projects that are only for organizational internal infrastructure upgrades or administrative/operational support; and any project that does not have a media, information, or communications technology component.

   Unlike previous years, CTFC will no longer conduct two discrete annual funding cycles. Applications for proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis, with funding decisions made at each of CTFC's quarterly board meetings (usually held in January, April, July, and October). Check CTFC's Web site for updated funding deadlines; in general, grant proposals are due six to ten weeks prior to the next scheduled board meeting, and decisions are made at that board meeting or the one immediately following.

   Deadline: November 1, 2005

6. (National)
   The Catholic Campaign for Human Development

   The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. CCHD's mission is to address the root causes of poverty in the United States through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. CCHD is committed to supporting groups of low-income individuals as they work to break the cycle of poverty and improve their communities. CCHD provides two distinct grant opportunities to community- and faith-based organizations. Community Organizing Grants focus on projects in which people work together to address the needs of their community and find ways to improve their lives and neighborhoods. Economic Development Grants support Economic Development Institutions that develop assets for low-income people that are owned by families and communities.

   Deadline: February 1, annually.

7. (National)
   ShopKo Foundation

   The ShopKo Foundation supports nonprofit organizations located in ShopKo communities that focus on education, health and wellness. (For information on ShopKo locations visit the ShopKo website at www.shopko.com and look under "Find a ShopKo Store Near You.) Support is provided for programs focusing on the following: at-risk students; people with learning disabilities; literacy programs and activities recognizing educational achievement; and activities promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness of health-related concerns.

   Deadline: first week of February, May, August and November, annually.

8. (National)
   Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF)

   Up to $9.6 million over three years is available to tobacco-prevention programs through the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF).

   The VTSF is calling for sealed proposals for youth tobacco prevention implementation programs to aid in the foundation's effort to reduce youth tobacco use. VTSF is committed to providing funding to local agencies and organizations; the foundation is funded by Virginia's share of the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement.

   Deadline for applications is no later than 4 p.m., Nov. 8. A pre-proposal meeting with the funder, to take place in September or October, is required in order to apply.

9. (National)
   Youth Service America and the State Farm Companies Foundation

   Youth Service America and the State Farm Companies Foundation are offering $1,000 and $2,000 grants to students (aged 5-25), teachers, school-based service-learning coordinators, and organizations to support service-learning projects and city and statewide events. State Farm Companies Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of National & Global Youth Service Day.

   One hundred $1,000 grants, funded by the State Farm Companies Foundation, are available from Youth Service America for teachers, youth (ages 5-25), and school-based service-learning coordinators to implement service-learning projects for National & Global Youth Service Day.

   State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants enable youth and educators to bring the positive benefits of service-learning to more young people across America. Service-learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service with curriculum or program-based learning. Schools and organizations use service-learning as a tool to help youth build stronger academic skills, foster civic responsibility, and develop leadership skills.

   Deadline: October 17, 2005

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V. Resources

The largest U.S. foundations provide 11 percent of their grant dollars to support structural changes aiding those least well off economically, socially, and politically. According to "Social Justice Grantmaking: A Report on Foundation Trends" - the first-ever study to benchmark foundation giving for social justice - support spans all areas of foundation activity, from promoting economic development in distressed areas, to ensuring access to health care for disadvantaged populations, to encouraging diversity in education.

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Match My Donation has launched a Web site to make known opportunities for the public to increase their charitable gifts through matching donations. Donors will find programs other than those that only match employee donations. The website is limited to organizations that pass through the full donation amount to the designated charitable cause with no deductions.

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If you wish to contribute to the VERB Weekly e-Digest, please send all materials to sophy@searac.org