National Nonprofit Organization Research Articles

Role of public-private partnerships in tackling the tobacco and obesity epidemics.

In response to the illness and death caused by preventable chronic diseases, the US Department of Health and Human Services created Communities Putting Prevention to Work to support community efforts in tackling tobacco use and obesity through policy, systems, and environmental change. As part of this program, 10 national nonprofit organizations with prevention expertise were funded and matched with specific community objectives. Most tobacco and obesity-related matched objectives were successfully accomplished by communities. Public–private partnerships should be considered when addressing chronic disease prevention.

The impact of an arts‐integrated curriculum on student literacy and engagement

This paper presents the results of mixed‐method examination of the implementation and outcomes of the Arts Integration Program (AIP). The AIP was created by a national nonprofit organization that works with educational systems, the artscommunity, and private and public sectors to provide arts‐related education to elementary school aged children. The arts‐based literacy curriculum included an artist‐in‐residence component. The study design included classroom observations,interviews, and a pre–post standardized Literacy Assessment Tool in 11 schools in the Midwest. Results show high levels of student enthusiasm and engagement in the AIP, with consistently sustained levels of student engagement when the artists in residence facilitated learning. Student scores increased modestly in literacy knowledge, and the findings provide avenues for other schools to infuse arts into their literacy instruction.

Effects of solar UV radiation on photosynthetic performance of the diatom Skeletonema costatum grown under nitrate limited condition

National Natural Science Foundation [40930846, 41120164007, 41206132]; Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team [IRT_13R51]; China-Japan collaboration project from MOST [S2012GR0290]; Special Research Fund for the National Non-profit Institutes [2008M15]; MEL Visiting Fellowship Program [MELRS1006]

Improving School Climate for LGBT Youth: How You Can Make Change Now!

Improving School Climate for LGBT Youth: How You Can Make Change Now! Martha Langmuir (bio) “Despite living in a very liberal city, I got mixed reactions, ranging from confusion to people hurling anti-gay slurs.” When Amelia came out in eighth grade, she was the first out student in her middle school’s history and her classmates and the school had a wide range of reactions from positive and supportive to negative and bullying. Amelia’s experience, even in a very liberal and presumably accepting environment, is indicative of the bullying and harassment youth in schools across the country experience because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Seventy percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth report hearing derogatory remarks like “dyke” or “faggot” frequently or often in their school. Whether the harassment is from their peers, their teachers or even school administrators, youth deserve better. All youth deserve a safe, healthful, and respectful school environment. You can help make schools safer for youth in your city and across the country, providing youth with a better chance of finishing school and continuing their education. The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is a national nonprofit organization that strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. One way we work towards safer and more respectful school environments is to collect and analyze data to quantify and [End Page 37] describe the experiences, both positive and negative, of LGBT youth in school. We then use the data to inform policy makers, administrators, educators, youth, and community members of the issue and use it to support students and educators in designing appropriate resources and services to combat anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. To this end, GLSEN has been conducting the National School Climate Survey every two years since 1999 to gather information about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in school and to document interventions that can make a difference in school climate. The survey seeks participants ages 13 and up who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning and who attended high school or middle school in the United States in the past year. Thanks to our research, we know that the situation is getting better but change is slow. Until 2011, we had seen little change in negative indicators of school climate such as homophobic remarks and experiences of harassment and assault. However, we had seen small but gradual increases in the number of LGBT-related supports. In our 2011 survey, we saw continued increases in many school supports but, for the first time, small but significant decreases in negative indicators of school climate such as biased remarks and victimization. Even with the reported decrease in frequency of homophobic remarks, the vast majority of LGBT youth nationwide who are hearing remarks like “dyke” and “faggot” at school need change to come faster. There is still much progress to be made toward making school environments safe. Our research has determined that there are four key interventions that schools can make to move toward a safe, healthful, and respectful environment for all students. Gay-Straight Alliances A gay-straight alliance (GSA) is a term that GLSEN uses to refer to student clubs with a range of names, from Gay-Straight Alliance to Queer-Straight Alliance, to Spectrum or Rainbow club. A GSA brings LGBT youth together, often with their allies, in a safe space at school, to socialize and often to support change in their school. LGBT students in schools with GSAs report hearing fewer homophobic remarks and less victimization than LGBT students in schools without a GSA. LGBT students at schools with GSAs also report stronger sense of connectedness and that staff are more likely to intervene when hearing a homophobic remark. [End Page 38] Amelia, mentioned above, decided to start a GSA to educate her school community. The group started out small, with mostly Amelia’s friends, but grew to having over 20 members in a school of 180 students. Amelia believes that the GSA made an impact on the daily lives of students, but the clearest...

Fundatio Europaea—risk of abuse by tax shopping?

The proposal made by the European Commission for a Regulation on a European Foundation raises the question of the repercussions on national non-profit organisation law of the supranational legal form for the cross-border activity of foundations. This article shows that the lever of automatic tax recognition means that severe inroads are to be expected in national non-profit organisation law. There is a need for modification of the economic activities of the FE, of the unlimited retention of the foundation’s funds and with regard to the automatic recognition of the FE as a public benefit purpose entity in all Member States.

Do Caregivers Benefit More From Educational and Volunteer Activities Than Their Noncaregiving Peers?

Informal caregivers are a critical component of the US long-term care system, but caregivers often experience poor physical and mental health as a result of strain from the caregiving role. Engagement in community-based educational and volunteer activities contributes to older adult well-being, but previous studies have not assessed whether the effects of these types of engagement are different for older adults who are also caregivers. Using a sample of participants in educational and volunteer activities sponsored by a national nonprofit organization, we find that participants who are caregivers report more benefit from these community-based activities than their noncaregiving counterparts. Connecting caregivers to existing community-based activities may be an efficient strategy for improving caregiver well-being.

Active Living by Design's Contributions to the Movement

In the summer of 2002, we each agreed to serve as members of the first National Advisory Committee (NAC) for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF’s) Active Living byDesign (ALbD) program. Two of us were serving as presidents of national nonprofits and one as president of a national consultancy. In diverse ways, we were each addressing elements of the ALbD mission in our day jobs. In this brief commentary reflecting on 9 years of activity, we note a few key successes, a few areas of challenge, and opportunity for further development and provide a summary pointing to the everprogressing, but clearly unfinished, story of the national movement for healthy people in healthy places. What attracted us to the invitation to serve on theNAC was our aspiration that ALbD would contribute to achieving three broad objectives:

OASIS: A Community-based Model for Successful Aging

OASIS, a national non-profit organization founded in 1982, is dedicated to enriching the lives of people age 50 and older by offering programs that stimulate the intellect, promote healthy and active lifestyles and encourage community service. The OASIS vision is for older adults across the United States to have opportunities to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives. OASIS seeks to positively impact the older adults’ lives—by partnering with other organizations to share knowledge; offer evidence-based programs; conduct evaluations; and adapt to meet the needs of diverse audiences. Today, nearly 40,000 people participate at any one time in OASIS programs, with more than 6,700 volunteers providing over 488,000 hours of service each year. Approximately 370,000 adults are members of OASIS in 39 cities across the country. This number is expected to increase dramatically with the aging of the United States population. It is estimated that, between the years 2000 and 2030, the number of older adults will grow from 35 million to 72 million.

The Public Health and Policy Implications of Epigenetics and Pediatric Health Research

Despite considerable attention to the field of epigenetic regulation in the scientific literature and its heightened profile at scientific conferences and workshops, the unique connections between epigenetics and pediatric environmental health have not been given specific focus in public meetings. The Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) convened a research conference, The Contribution of Epigenetics in Pediatric Environmental Health, on 30 May–1 June 2012 in San Francisco, California, to address this increasingly important research. CEHN is a national nonprofit organization celebrating 20 years of vital work to protect the developing child from environmental hazards by promoting safer and healthier environments (CEHN 2012). The conference successfully fostered collaborations across various scientific disciplines to further the understanding of the role of epigenetic regulation in pediatric environmental health, identified research gaps, and explored the relationship of pediatric environmental exposures with epigenetic regulation. The conference also laid the groundwork for translating research findings on epigenetic regulation important to pediatric health outcomes and informing the scientific and public health community about this rapidly growing field. Key leaders in pediatric and epigenetic research presented their work and actively participated in discussions (see abstracts online; CEHN Research Conference 2012). Much of the research focused on DNA methylation, an important mechanism of environmental influence on gene expression. The scientists addressed important research parameters, including critical windows of exposure, possible differences in epigenetic profiles between boys and girls, and changes in epigenetic markers as children age. Their research covered a range of environmental exposures associated with adverse health effects in children, including alcohol, bisphenol A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, lead, organochlorines, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, secondhand smoke, and indoor allergens. Findings from a mix of animal and human subject studies generated stimulating discussions of how these exposures affect genes that code for inflammation, asthma, growth, obesity, cognitive development, hormone receptors, and tumor suppression, among others. Several researchers presented results from their work evaluating the role of nutrients such as choline and folate as modifiers of epigenetic changes with regard to specific environmental exposures such as alcohol or arsenic (CEHN Research Conference 2012). A total of 170 participants—scientists, health care workers, public policy advocates, and educators—participated in the conference. Young investigators were prominent, with 31 student and postdoctoral researchers in attendance. Three Junior Investigator Abstract Awards were presented for outstanding research in the areas of epigenetic effects of prenatal BPA exposure (Marija Kundakovic), DNA methylation and infant growth (Carolyn E. Banister), and epigenetic regulation after environmental intervention (Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir). The international research community was represented by colleagues from Malaysia, Italy, Brazil, India, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Austria, France, and China. Federal agencies were represented by participants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Media representatives from Epigenie, New Scientist, and Environmental Health Perspectives were also present.

HIV Prevention Toolkit for Unaccompanied Men Who Perform Agricultural Labor

Farm workers are vulnerable to irregular employment and job uncertainty. These conditions increase the likelihood they will find themselves in living and working sites where risk for HIV is present. Considering the exacerbated risk for HIV among unaccompanied male agricultural workers, a national non-profit farm worker health training and technical assistance organization planned and developed an HIV prevention-education toolkit to assist migrant and community health centers with HIV education to reach this population of vulnerable male farm workers. This article reviews iterative development of the toolkit in three phases, outlines the process whereby community input grounded the product in ways that were culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate for the target population of male farm workers, explores implications of the project as a national initiative to reduce HIV risks in a sizeable but dispersed community, and briefly describes how the overall project was assessed through community-based strategies.

The Impact of Consumers’ Beliefs on Attitudes and Patronage Intention Toward Green Restaurant in Taiwan

Since 1990, the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a United States based national non-profit organization, has led the green restaurant movement by providing certification for restaurants to become more environmentally responsible. Certification services include rating existing restaurants and food service operations with points in seven environmental categories. The present study intended to employ Fishbein and Ajzen’s Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to examine and understand the impact of consumers’ beliefs on attitudes and patronage intention toward green restaurant in Taiwan. A total of 389 respondents completed a survey conducted at the downtown hectic transit station of Taipei’s Metro system. The results of a structural equation analysis revealed that consumers’ beliefs of green restaurant positively affected their attitudes and patronage intentions toward green restaurant. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Abstract LB-49: Surviving by empowerment

Abstract Men's Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where theylive, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. MHN was founded in 1992 by a group of men's activists, therapists, and writers interested in improving the health and well-being of men, boys and families. It is a nonprofit incorporated in the District of Columbia. MHN has also been designated as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code. MHN has received the highest rating (4 stars) from Charity Navigator. Men's Health Network (MHN) is undertaking a series of free state symposia on the health of men and their families around the country. MHN is presenting these symposia as an effort to educate health professionals and the public-at-large about significant family health issues. The symposia create awareness of such issues with state policy leaders, elected officials, and healthcare leaders as they deal with the reality of rising health care costs. These state symposia also create opportunities for additional networking for community outreach organizations throughout the state, as well as encourage preventative health measures and physician and patient dialogue. Among those invited to participate are: local, regional, and state public health department officials, key legislators, advocacy groups, medical associations, patient advocacy organizations, churches/parishes, community health leaders, and healthcare providers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-49. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-49

How information matters: networks and public policy innovation

Introduction: Information Relationships and Innovation 1. Intergovernmental Relationships, Information, and Policy Change 2. From Information to Innovation: The Drug Court Experience 3. Network Relationships, Implementation, and Policy Success: A National Influence 4. Using Strategic Information to Build Programs: Templates, Mentors, and Research 5. Information and Systemic Change: New Professionals and New Institutions 6. Information, Synthesis, and Synergy: A National Nonprofit Information Network 7. Bringing Value to Public Decisions: Information Relationships, Tools, and Processes Appendix: Methodology Index

Citizen Schools' partner‐dependent expanded learning model

Citizen Schools, a national nonprofit organization, shares lessons learned through years of experience developing and sustaining effective partnerships with schools around the country.

Student Achievement in Identified Workforce Clusters: Understanding Factors that Influence Student Success

This study blends elements from two South Carolina Technical College System initiatives—Achieving the Dream and a workforce cluster strategy. Achieving the Dream is a national non-profit organization created to help technical and community college students succeed, particularly low-income students and students of color. This initiative, combined with a recent strategy that places particular emphasis on five workforce clusters (advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, tourism, and transportation and logistics), necessitates an exploration into student retention and achievement specific to these cluster areas, which are critical to the state's advancement in the knowledge economy. All students in this study were first-year, first-time South Carolina Technical College System students assigned to one of three cohorts based on start date (2002, 2003, or 2004). Outcomes were analyzed using backward binary logistic regression to determine academic preparedness as defined by enrollment in developmental studies, financial aid receipt, full-time/part-time enrollment, and demographic variables including age, ethnicity, and gender. Additional analyses were performed to disaggregate outcome and student-level variables by workforce cluster. Results of the analyses in this omnibus study assist in determining which factors are most important in predicting student success in technical and community colleges. Findings show enrollment in developmental studies courses, gender, and availability of financial resources are significant when predicting student persistence. The number of credit hours earned each semester, age, and gender are significant when examining students' likelihood of graduating. Implications for future research and policy decisions, including the need for cluster-specific initiatives, are also discussed.

Improving Med-Peds Resident Compliance with Reach Out and Read Book Distribution

Reach Out and Read (ROAR), a national non-profit organization, is designed to incorporate early literacy awareness into well child visits (WCV) from age 6 months to 5 years. Research demonstrates importance of early literacy and parental reading to children as factors in long-term adult literacy. Utilization of ROAR resources has not been optimal in the Duke Med-Peds continuity clinic.

Abstract LB-83: Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3) and Thomas P. O'Sullivan Foundation: Advocacy, Research Funding, and Education

Abstract Following the death of Doug Sharp's good friend, Tom O'Sullivan, in 2007, his widow and I established the Thomas P. O'Sullivan Foundation with the mission of raising funds for research and increasing public awareness and education about colorectal cancer. The foundation has held three annual golf tournaments which have collectively raised over $75,000. The foundation has provided funds to specific research projects at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The Foundation is also tentatively funding an education day through the Kansas University Cancer Center in 2012 which will give doctors, scientists, staff and others a chance to speak and network with approximately 300 to 400 people who have an interest in colorectal cancer. Also, in 2012, the foundation is looking into funding a “Day at the Royals”_a major league baseball franchise in Kansas City, to increase education and awareness. Through his involvement in the fight against colorectal cancer following my friend's death, Mr. Sharp became involved in Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3) in 2010. C3 is a national nonprofit advocacy organization whose mission is fight colorectal cancer through research, empowerment, and increased access to treatment. The Coalition was established in 2005 in order to provide focus, infrastructure and support to the growing colorectal cancer advocacy movement. Nationally headquartered near Washington, DC, the Coalition is the sole colorectal cancer advocacy organization focusing on providing a voice for patients in the Halls of Congress and in research centers and regulatory agencies throughout the country while working to educate patients and caregivers about the disease and empower them to be their own best advocate. Mr. Sharp attended C3's annual “Call on Congress” conference where he, alongside other advocates, was trained to lobby their member of Congress in Washington DC. The group specifically asked for support from the members on three legislative bills: HR 1330, the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Act; HR 1189, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act; and an increase in cancer research funding of $50 million for the fiscal year 2011 in the Department of Defense through an appropriations bill. Earlier this year, he was one of six individuals from across the country asked to serve on C3's Grassroots Action Committee (GAC). The GAC is a steering committee charged with growing the C3 advocacy's membership, increasing awareness for C3 activities & goals, as well as organizing the 2011 “Call On Congress”. This year, advocates will be lobbying for the same pieces of legislation. In addition to those efforts, advocates will also be seeking support for a bill to issue a US Postage Stamp to bring about awareness and proceeds to fund colorectal cancer research. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-83. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-83

Contributing to the Interview of a Lifetime

Contributing to the Interview of a Lifetime

Political advocacy or electronic advocacy?

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory paper is to examine how affiliates of a Japanese Social Welfare Corporation, a national nonprofit organization (NPO) which provides services for social improvement, have utilized electronic techniques for advocacy purposes and explores the factors that identify those organizations which are likely to be most successful at adopting this resource.Design/methodology/approachThe total number of affiliates investigated was 320, representing the entire country. For these affiliates, advocacy was part of their mission statement. A survey was conducted among representatives of these affiliates.FindingsThree crucial explanatory factors in differentiating those affiliates that adopt new techniques from those that do not were identified. These are: “perceived time spent on government accountability demands,” “use of professionals,” and “perceived effectiveness.” Furthermore, by showing that time spent by nonprofit affiliates on government accountability demands reduces the time available to them for learning how to implement electronic techniques for advocacy purposes, the empirical results suggest that Japanese NPOs are put under pressure by statutory accountability demands and, consequently, their advocacy practice (as one of the most important mission‐based activities within the nonprofit sector) is being jeopardized.Practical implicationsThis research will help state and local government policy makers towards a better understanding of their nonprofits so that statutory accountability demands do not longer obstacle nonprofits to enhance their advocacy functions.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies primarily in the fact that it was the first time that this type of research has been conducted on Japanese nonprofits.

Unexpected dermatologic toxicities from anticancer therapies: Survivors’ perspectives

e20673 Background: As oncologic therapies have shown improved survival, there is a growing attention to other aspects of the cancer experience from the survivors’ perspectives. Gastrointestinal, constitutional, and dermatologic toxicities are frequently experienced and further study of their impact is important to prevent inconsistent antineoplastic drug administration. This study is aimed to evaluate survivors’ perceptions of unexpected toxicities. Methods: CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization, mailed 1,369 surveys to cancer survivors completing their treatment. The survey divided into two sections asked patients to rate their concern about dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and constitutional toxicities prior to and after therapy completion. Toxicities were also rated on a 1 to 10 scale based on their negative impact. Results: 379 survivors responded to the survey, yielding a 28% response. Of those 379, 250 (66%) were diagnosed with breast cancer. The remaining 127 (33%) had ovarian, lung, colorectal, prostate, bladder, kidney, or other malignancy. Prior treatments included: chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, targeted therapies, or any combination of the preceding. The most frequently unanticipated events carrying a negative impact were dermatologic: dry skin and skin irritation. Following were constitutional (insomnia and fatigue) and gastrointestinal toxicities (diarrhea and constipation). Before undergoing treatment, skin irritation was concerning to 40%. After treatment, 80% reported concern and 47% were negatively impacted. Dry skin prior to treatment was concerning to 34%, and 79% were concerned after having undergone therapy. In retrospect, 44% reported that having dry skin caused a negative impact. Gastrointestinal and constitutional toxicities were also examined, and overall, respondents’ level of concern remained largely unchanged pre and post treatment. Conclusions: Dermatologic toxicities are least anticipated by the cancer patients prior to their treatments, when compared to gastrointestinal and constitutional events. Since dermatologic toxicities have a negative impact on survivors’ lives, pre-therapy counseling and effective interventions are crucial, in order to maximize quality of life. [Table: see text]