How Giving Contests Can Strengthen Nonprofits and Communities

Presents a case study of Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, its financial performance and impact on area nonprofits' relationships with donors, capacity building, and the sector. Outlines successful strategies and tips for nonprofits and organizers

New Media and Youth Political Action

To rigorously consider the impact of new media on the political and civic behavior of young people, The MacArthur Research Network on Youth and Participatory Politics (YPP) developed and fielded one of the first large-scale, nationally representative studies of new media and politics among young people. The two principal researchers for the survey component of the YPP, Cathy J. Cohen of the University of Chicago and Joseph Kahne of Mills College, oversaw a research team that surveyed nearly 3,000 respondents between the ages of 15 and 25 years of age. Unlike any prior study of youth and new media, this study included large numbers of black, Latino, and Asian American respondents, which allows for unique and powerful statistical comparisons across race with a focus on young people.Until now there has been limited opportunity and data available to comprehensively explore the relationship between new media and the politics of young people. One of the few entities to engage in this type of rigorous analysis has been the Pew Internet and American Life Project. The YPP study expands on this field-leading work by including an extensive battery of items addressing participatory politics and adequate numbers of participants from different racial and ethnic groups, thus allowing for analysis of how different groups of young people were engaged with new media in the political realm.The YPP study findings suggest that fundamental changes in political expectations and practices may be occurring -- especially for youth. The analysis of the data collected reveals that youth are taking advantage of an expanded set of participatory practices in the political realm in ways that amplify their voice and sometimes their influence, thus increasing the ways young people participate in political life. The YPP researchers label this expanded set of opportunities and actions participatory politics

Achieving Better Chronic Care at Lower Costs Across the Health Care Continuum for Older Americans

Outlines challenges to improving care for seniors, such as fragmentation of financing and care; promising models for infrastructure development, targeted care delivery improvements, and innovative payment methods; and resources in the 2010 reform act

Transportation, Terrorism and Crime: Deterrence, Disruption and Resilience

Abstract: Terrorists likely have adopted vehicle ramming as a tactic because it can be carried out by an individual (or “lone wolf terrorist”), and because the skills required are minimal (e.g. the ability to drive a car and determine locations for creating maximum carnage). Studies of terrorist activities against transportation assets have been conducted to help law enforcement agencies prepare their communities, create mitigation measures, conduct effective surveillance and respond quickly to attacks. This study reviews current research on terrorist tactics against transportation assets, with an emphasis on vehicle ramming attacks. It evaluates some of the current attack strategies, and the possible mitigation or response tactics that may be effective in deterring attacks or saving lives in the event of an attack. It includes case studies that can be used as educational tools for understanding terrorist methodologies, as well as ordinary emergencies that might become a terrorist’s blueprint

Motivations Matter: Findings and Practical Implications of a National Survey of Cultural Participation

Presents findings from a national survey of 1,231 Americans. Examines the motivations and expectations of those who attend plays, musical performances, and other arts events. Looks at practical implications for audience participation building

Separation of Church and School: Guidance for Public Charter Schools Using Religious Facilities

Public charter school leaders and advocates are dedicated to growing the number of high-quality public charter schools available to all families, especially those in communities where there are very few opportunities to attend a high-quality public school. To realize the promise that public charter school expansion can bring, public charter schools need reasonable access to facilities in every community.This is a guidebook to help public charter school leaders -- and the advocates, attorneys, and others who support them -- navigate the increasingly complicated legal landscape surrounding public charter school use of a facility owned or operated by a religious organization. By presenting an analysis of the legal standards that govern application of the Establishment Clause and offering practical advice on how to ensure compliance with the it when a public charter school decides to locate in a religious-owned facility, this guidebook will help charter school leaders protect their access to an important facilities option and foster continued public charter school growth