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Funded Projects: 2014
The Foundation made nine grants in November 2014, totaling $55,000.00. Awards were given to:
- Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in the amount of $9,000.00. MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization that assists people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. In over 70 countries around the world, MSF saves lives by providing medical aid where it is needed most -- in armed conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters, and other crises. The people who work for MSF are doctors, nurses, midwives, epidemiologists, water-and-sanitation experts and many others who combine their professional expertise with a commitment to the world’s most vulnerable people. Each year, these medical teams run more than 400 projects where they care for millions of people. MSF provides medical relief without regard to race, religion, or political affiliation. MSF does not take sides in armed conflicts, provides assistance on the basis of need alone, and advocates for independent access to victims of conflict and other disasters.
In 2015, MSF will work to provide refugees and internally displaced people with everything they need, from medical and psychological care to nutrition. They will provide lifesaving humanitarian aid to the victims of extreme violence in South Sudan, and are already providing medical care, water, and sanitation for Sudanese refugees in all four camps at the Ethiopian border. In places with high maternal and infant mortality, MSF teams will assist in the delivery of about 185,000 babies, perform over 15,000 c-sections, and conduct about 800,000 prenatal consultations. MSF is also increasingly focusing on finding the most effective methods for tackling drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in adults and children in countries where it is a major threat, such as India, South Africa, Armenia, Swaziland, Myanmar, and Uzbekistan.
charity: water, in the amount of $8,000.00. charity: water funds water projects in 22 developing countries around the world. They choose countries based on their very limited access to a safe water supply, high rates of water-related deaths, and the presence of exemplary local partners on the ground. They vet local partners carefully and choose only those with a track record of work in their region. They believe in the power of proof, using 100% of all public donations to directly fund water projects for communities in need, and proving each one using GPS coordinates on Google Maps. It takes 18 months to fully complete and report back on a charity: water project.
Their 2014 Annual Goal is to bring clean water to over 1 million people. In 2014, a generous donor agreed to match all water project sponsorships in Ethiopia. GPK Foundation’s funding of one water project ($6,000.00) should automatically trigger these matching funds, ultimately doubling the impact of the Foundation’s grant.
Engineers Without Borders - USA, in the amount of $6,500.00. EWB-USA is a nonprofit humanitarian organization established to support community-driven development programs worldwide through partnerships that design and implement sustainable engineering projects. EWB-USA members, comprised of professional and student engineers or other disciplines, work with local communities and NGOs in over 46 developing countries around the world on projects such as water, renewable energy, sanitation and more. EWB-USA believes that all people should have access to clean water, adequate sanitation, sustainable, low-cost energy sources, and community structures like schools, clinics and bridges. It brings together students, academia, and professional practice to focus on a need in the community, rather than the need of a student, of a university, or of a client.
In 2015, EWB-USA will implement new technology systems that will maximize productivity, bolster their relationships with stakeholders, and allow the organization to focus more resources on community-driven development programs worldwide. EWB-USA has contracted with Blackbaud, the leading provider of nonprofit software and services, to consolidate their multiple CRM systems into a single system for all constituents. They will pilot this expansion in Nicaragua, the second-poorest country in Latin America. They currently have more than 50 active projects in Nicaragua.
Map International, in the amount of $6,000.00. MAP International is a global health organization that partners with people living in conditions of poverty to save lives and develop healthier families and communities. Founded in 1954, and recognized for their 99% efficiency rating, they provide medicines, prevent disease, and promote health to create real hope and lasting change. They distribute medicines to over 115 countries annually, with offices in Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Bolivia, Ecuador and Indonesia.
In 2015, they will expand their rapid relief response to quick onset disasters within 3-10 days, building the capacity to respond to multiple disasters simultaneously. They will develop and implement digital monitoring and evaluation and supply chain management applications, for tracking and tracing shipments, patient surveillance, etc. They also plan to build MAP's international positioning with global alliances through responding to major relief opportunities, such as Rwanda (genocide), Sudan (famine, war), Bosnia (armed conflict), Indonesia (tsunami), Haiti (earthquake), and West Africa (Ebola epidemic).
Cure SMA (formerly Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy), in the amount of $5,100.00. Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) -- a disease that takes away a person’s ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. Since 1984, they’ve directed and invested in comprehensive research that has shaped the scientific community’s understanding of SMA. They are on the verge of breakthroughs in treatment that will strengthen our children’s bodies, extend life, and lead to a cure. Until they have a cure, they’ll do everything possible to support children and families affected by the disease.
2014/2015 funding awards will be allocated into three distinct research areas: Basic Research to understand the disease and provide seed ideas for drug development programs; Drug Discovery to develop new SMA therapies; and Clinical Research to provide the means to test new drugs effectively and to standardize the quality of care given to SMA patients. They have five drugs currently in clinical trials. Projects being conducted at respected institutions, such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital, University of Southern California, University of Massachusetts and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, will continue to fill the drug development pipeline.
Habitat for Humanity, in the amount of $5,100.00. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded in 1976 on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. They build with people in need regardless of race or religion, and welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. Habitat’s basic home building and finance model relies on a collaborative approach to providing decent shelter, enlisting volunteers, sponsors and homeowner partner families as key pieces of the solution. Monthly mortgage payments are "recycled" in a Fund for Humanity and used to fund more homes with other families.
In 2015, Habitat for Humanity aims to serve over 125,000 families with affordable housing solutions and other humanitarian aids; to engage more than 1 million volunteers of all ages; and to improve the living conditions of 170,000 individuals with microfinance and housing support services.
Planned Parenthood, in the amount of $5,100.00. Planned Parenthood is both a trusted provider of quality, affordable care to millions of women and men and a powerful advocate for women's health and rights at the state and national levels. With an emphasis on prevention, Planned Parenthood strives to ensure that all women have access to the services they need to protect their health, prevent unplanned pregnancy, and make informed, responsible sexual and reproductive health decisions.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s goals for the upcoming year include: Safeguarding improvements in women’s access to care under the Affordable Care Act; defeating attacks on women’s health in the states and at the federal level; strengthening Planned Parenthood affiliates in their mission to provide quality, affordable care to all women and young people in need; and using technology to expand access to education and services.
St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA), in the amount of $5,100.00. Formed as a grassroots organization in 1986, SEA creates innovative environmental education programs for children and adults, sponsoring engaging activities and remaining vigilant in seeking compliance with local and federal environmental regulations. SEA's mission is 'To promote conservation of environmental resources, provide education, and advocate for environmentally responsible actions.' These goals are met through independent initiatives and partnerships with local and federal agencies.
In the coming year SEA will undertake a major membership drive and strategic planning process to update their organizational goals and inform program priorities. In the conservation arena they are preparing to develop trails, bird-watching hides and sea turtle protection devices at their Southgate Coastal Reserve property. This property provides a venue for many of their education programs and provides habitat for resident and migratory birds, sea turtles and other wildlife. Two priority projects will be addressed: repair of a severely eroded stream in the Southgate watershed and management of an unpaved road network in the Solitude watershed. SEA will also continue to deliver all of their established education initiatives.
The Trevor Project, in the amount of $5,100.00. Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award©-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Since its inception, Trevor has worked to save young lives by providing support through its free and confidential crisis programs, as well as its national education and outreach resources.
Funds from the GPK Foundation will go to help support their life-saving programs, including the Lifeline, TrevorChat, TrevorText and TrevorSpace. Together these services operate 24/7, 365 days a year with the help of over 900 volunteers. Funds donated to The Trevor Project help train volunteers and ensure professional staff supervision of their nationally accredited program (American Association of Suicidology).
