23 September 2005

MSI Engages Policy Development
For West Africa NGO Training

We are very pleased to announce a new relationship between Management Systems International (www.msiworldwide.com) and Policy Development. PD Executive Director Aron Goldman will be leaving on September 28th for Ghana to help run a training session for members of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (www.wanep.org) and representatives of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS). The training topics will include NGO evaluation and capacity-building tailored to environments affected by conflict. For further information, see www.ngoconnect.net.

Solidago Foundation Awards Anti-Sprawl /
Wal-Mart Grant to Policy Development 

The Solidago Foundation in Northampton, Massachusetts announced that Policy Development will receive a $10,000 grant to mobilize a regional response against sprawl in the Pioneer Valley. The campaign will focus on the infamous mega-mall developer, Pyramid Cos., and their plans to replace farmland and wetlands with a Wal-Mart "Supercenter." Recognizing the David and Goliath dynamic, Policy Development will draw on the expertise and influence of national and local groups to raise awareness and develop sustainable alternatives. We will draw on the wide range of offenses that Wal-Mart is already defending itself against around the world, including: environmental destruction, exploitative domestic and foreign labor practices, dying local and downtown economies, and diminished quality of life generally. It is our hope that this regional policy experiment can be repeated elsewhere. Visit our web site at: www.StopSprawlMart.org.

Policy Development Helps the North End
Outreach Network Grow

The North End Outreach Network (NEON) is a small but vital community-based health organization in Springfield, Massachusetts. Rather than focus on a single social issue, NEON uses a holistic approach, responding to the wide variety of interrelated challenges that real families face. NEON has engaged Policy Development to help it expand. In just a few months, we have developed a new urban environmental health project, a criminal justice system and community health services "bridge project," and a health insurance enrollment project.  Policy Development is also helping NEON plan increased institutional capacity that is needed to keep pace with additional programmatic activities.

Social Edge "Policy Portal" Getting
Thousands of Hits Per Month
(Hosted by the Skoll Foundation & Policy Development)

Tracking developments in Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy, and Social Sector Reform, the Social Edge "Policy Portal" considers the social impact implications of policy and decision-making. And we try to have a little fun along the way (e.g., 6/1/05 entry: "Separated At Birth: Shell & Halliburton Spokespeople"). Apparently the formula is a winner, because the Policy Portal is getting "thousands" of hits every month (according to the Socialedge technical crew)! In fairness, the number of "unique users" is actually less than that, but with the arrival of Social Edge's new Executive Director, Victor d'Allant, more exciting things can be expected. Visit the Portal at: www.socialedge.org/policy

Policy Development Begins Fourth Year
With GlaxoSmithKline Community Partnerships

In October, Policy Development will begin its fourth year of administering the GlaxoSmithKline Community Health grantmaking program. We perform comprehensive organizational assessments and site visits with short-listed grant applicants. The work can be time consuming, but the end result is effective grantmaking and rewarding work. It has been our privilege to become acquainted with the stars of the nonprofit community in Philadelphia.