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From time to time there are news items or resources from the philanthropic sector that we like to share broadly. In addition to sending electronic announcements to our constituents that include information about these items, we will also post items of general interest here.

06 June 2010

Mott's World Cup project: focus attention on good works in South Africa

Announcement provided by The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is harnessing a unique opportunity - the excitement created by the 2010 World Cup games - to showcase the compelling work done by nonprofit organizations funded by the Foundation in South Africa.

With millions of soccer enthusiasts around the globe turning their attention to the games and getting a glimpse - often for the first time - of South Africa, the Foundation saw the month-long event as an ideal time to take fans beyond athletics and offer an insider's view of the work being done by the nonprofit sector there by posting online a series of short essays written by the staff of Mott-funded non-governmental organizations based in South Africa.

Under the banner "Beyond the Games: Reflections from South Africa", essayists will share their perspectives on what is being done, and what needs to be done, to improve daily life for the nation's 49 million people. Writers will include representatives from philanthropy, education and humans rights, among other sectors.

New entries will be posted several times a week, beginning June 11, 2010 at http://blog.mott.org. More about the project and the essayists here.

To create awareness of the series, the Foundation also will use a range of social media tools, starting with the blog-like format used to publish the essays and including promotions on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

The Mott Foundation first began funding in South Africa in 1988. In 1993, Mott opened an office in Johannesburg, the Foundation's first office outside the United States. (Today, there also is an overseas office in London.)

From 1998 through 2009, the Foundation awarded 677 grants in South Africa, totaling about $69.6 million. Mott's funding supports three key areas: developing and strengthening philanthropy and the nonprofit sector; upholding and advancing citizens' rights, responsibilities and participation; and addressing race and ethnic relations.

The Mott Foundation, established in 1926 in Flint by an automotive pioneer, is a private philanthropy committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. It supports nonprofit programs throughout the U.S. and, on a limited geographic basis, internationally. Grantmaking is focused in four programs: Civil Society, Environment, Flint Area and Pathways Out of Poverty. Besides Flint, offices are located in metropolitan Detroit, Johannesburg (South Africa) and London. The Foundation, with 2009 year-end assets of approximately $2.1 billion, made 469 grants totaling $109.3 million. For more information, visit Mott.org.

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