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Recent News

Food: A Cause of Chronic Disease?

The national statistics are chilling:  seven out of ten deaths each year are from chronic disease; heart disease, cancer and stroke account for more than 50% of all deaths each year; obesity and diabetes among adults and children are at epidemic levels.

Westchester County is not immune to the nationwide epidemic of diabetes and the rising incidence of heart disease.  According Westchester County Department of Health Community Health Assessment, 2010-2013, less than half of resident’s have a healthy weight. Westchester County Blue Ribbon Task Force on Health Disparities noted communities of color are disproportionately affected by a wide range of preventable health conditions that impact life expectancy and quality of life. Low-income families throughout the county live in neighborhoods where there is little to no access to fresh, local fruit and vegetables.  They also suffer disproportionately from the effects of poor diet and nutrition.

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WCF Welcomes Rebecca Putter
The Board of Advisors of the Westchester Community Foundation (WCF) announce Rebecca Kraley Putter was appointed program officer at the Westchester Community Foundation in December 2011. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing strategic grantmaking in the areas of the arts, academic opportunity, strong nonprofits, and the Westchester Fund for Women and Girls. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Putter served as a consultant to regional community foundations and nonprofit organizations; a grantmaker at The Columbus Foundation in Columbus, Ohio; a development consultant for a government agency in the West Indies; and an associate at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York, New York. She has been an active volunteer with a number of nonprofit organizations, most recently Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vassar College and a master’s certificate in international security from Stanford University.

“We are so pleased to welcome Rebecca to our staff,” said Catherine Marsh, Executive Director of the Westchester Community Foundation, “Her combination of talents, along with her background addressing community challenges, bring a unique perspective to our work as a community foundation.”

“I am thrilled to accept this position as program officer” said Ms. Putter, in accepting the appointment, “and look forward to bringing my experience in the nonprofit, government, and community foundation world to the Westchester Community Foundation where I join a group of skilled professionals dedicated to strengthening our community through charitable giving.”

 
"Community Matters" Film 3
307285_10150348690280966_131314930965_8342751_258809645_nWestchester Community Foundation is sponsoring a 2011-2012 film series dedicated to generating discussion around topics that affect us locally, including health, environment, education, housing, and energy. The third film in this series was "Mothers of Bedford" which was shown on Tuesday, November 15 at Jacob Burns Film Center.  This film offered a look into the minds and hearts of the women inmates of New York’s Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. 
 
Strong Nonprofits PDF Print E-mail

These are challenging times for nonprofits, one in which many nonprofits will pursue opportunities for joint programming, mergers, or other collaborations. The Westchester Community Foundation is committed to strengthening the county’s nonprofits with Technical Assistance grants that will support these types of collaborations.

We also know that modest support can make a big difference in improving the operations and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations.  In 2011, the Foundation awarded more than $200,000 in technical assistance to 13 nonprofits.  Grant awards supported strategic planning, impact analyses, leadership training, financial management workshops, database upgrades, and pro bono legal services to nonprofits.

Requests are considered throughout the year.  Requests will be individually evaluated by WCF staff, taking into consideration the role of a particular agency in the community and the nature of the project. Preference will be given to agencies that are current or recent grantees of the Westchester Community Foundation.  Applicants must contribute at least 50% of the project budget.

Requests will be considered throughout the year.  Interested applicants should contact Rebecca Putter, Program Officer, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (914) 948-5166 x 7.  Invited proposals will be due on the following dates:  January 13, 2012, April 27, 2012, July 6, 2012, and September 7, 2012.

 

2011 Grants