Press Archives: April 2010
MEAF debuts Promising Practices Series, announces New Grants
posted April 08, 2010![Promising Practices logo](javascript:pop("photopop.php?pp=http://meaf.org/css/news/4553.jpg&alt=Promising Practices logo", 550, 550);)
Focus on Full Inclusion of Young People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, DC, April 8, 2010 —Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation announces $411,000 in new and continuing grants, and a new Promising Practices in Inclusion Series to help organizations develop inclusive practices. All are part of the Foundation’s nine-year, $3.2 million national inclusion initiative.
Grants include $13,000 in new funding and $288,000 in continuing multi-year projects to promote the full participation of youth with disabilities in the community. In addition, $110,000 will be awarded in matching grants and matching gifts to organizations selected by Mitsubishi Electric US employees in the communities where they live and work.
The Promising Practices in Inclusion Series, which debuted today on Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation’s award-winning website — www.meaf.org — presents best practices, lessons learned and case studies developed from the experiences of inclusion initiative grantees over the past eight years. The series expands on the Paths to Inclusion guidebook, which was recently developed and disseminated to mainstream youth-serving programs such as scout troops and after-school programs as an introduction to inclusive practices. The series can be found online at www.meaf.org/news-practices.php.
“The Promising Practices in Inclusion Series highlights the results of Inclusion Initiative grantees over the past six years,” says Kevin R. Webb, the Foundation’s director. “These one-page documents are designed to provide quick lessons on inclusion to busy professionals, and have links to more in-depth resources. The grants awarded by Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation will continue to build on this body of knowledge, providing more opportunities for youth with disabilities to be fully included.”
New and continuing grant projects for 2010:
- $13,000 in funding to Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Md. to support a Youth Inclusion Voices project to host a youth summit and a program to promote Inclusive Practices in the Arts.
- $98,000 for the ninth year of the signature MEAF/AAPD Congressional Internship Program for the Washington, DC-based American Association of People with Disabilities to continue placing college students with disabilities in summer internships in Congress.
- $10,000 to support the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award Program.
- $65,000 to San Diego, Ca.-based Kids Included Together for the third year of an initiative to train after-school providers on techniques to develop inclusive environments for youth.
- $100,000 to the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital for the third year of their joint Include All Girls project.
- $15,000 to National Inclusion Project of Raleigh, NC and National Summer Learning Association to conclude their work to develop an Inclusive Summer Learning Curriculum.
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, based in the Washington, DC area, was established in 1991 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Japan and the Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies, which produce, sell and distribute a wide range of consumer, industrial, commercial and professional electronics products. With an initial endowment of $15 million, the Foundation has contributed more than $9 million to organizations assisting young people with disabilities to lead fuller and more productive lives.
For more information, please visit the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation’s fully accessible, award-winning website at www.meaf.org.
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Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation Wins Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications
posted April 08, 2010![MEAF Director Kevin Webb receives the Rich Award from Council on Foundations board member Ann Cramer, of the IBM Corporation](javascript:pop("photopop.php?pp=http://meaf.org/css/news/5553.jpg&alt=MEAF Director Kevin Webb receives the Rich Award from Council on Foundations board member Ann Cramer, of the IBM Corporation", 550, 550);)
ARLINGTON VA., April 8, 2010 – Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation has been named a gold award winner for excellence in communications by the 2010 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program. Sponsored by the Council on Foundations, the awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation was recognized for its website, www.meaf.org.
The award will be presented during the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, April 25-27, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202.
Entries to the awards program included annual or biennial reports electronic publications, magazines/periodicals, special reports, public information campaigns and websites. This year, 166 entries were received.
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The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, based in the Washington, DC area, was established in 1991 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Japan and the Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies, which produce, sell and distribute a wide range of consumer, industrial, commercial and professional electronics products. With an initial endowment of $15 million, the Foundation has contributed more than $9 million to organizations assisting young people with disabilities to lead fuller and more productive lives.
Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
1560 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1150
Arlington, VA 22209
1560 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1150
Arlington, VA 22209