FISA Foundation Announces Grantmaking Strategy

posted June 26, 2009
In this difficult economic climate, everyone (individuals, families, communities, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, government…) is taking a critical look at financial investments. FISA Foundation, like most funders, has fewer dollars to distribute. After soliciting input from our grantees and nonprofit partners, we have adopted the following general strategies to guide decisions over the coming year.

• We will honor multi-year grant commitments.
• We will keep our focus on improving the lives of women, girls and people with disabilities and will maintain existing grantmaking priorities for each population.
• We will continue to consider general operating support for successful programs within strong organizations that advance our mission.
• We believe it is extremely important to continue investing in under-resourced rural communities.
• We have not established a “cap” on grant size, but we do acknowledge that the application process will be highly competitive.
• We will continue to conduct three grant cycles during the year. Potential applicants are encouraged to call the office to discuss their request or submit a brief letter of inquiry (follow guidelines posted under “grant application”). Unsolicited full proposals will not be accepted.
• We will set aside a small fund to enable us to respond promptly to emergency needs affecting women, girls and people with disabilities.

Watch this great ten minute video about how people with disabilities shaped Pittsburgh's history!

posted June 10, 2009
Voices of Our Region is an oral history project capturing the life, love and passion of area residents living with disabilities. Audio interviews with 57 individuals with disabilities of all types across generations and culture comprise Voices of Our Region. The fifteen hour oral history encourages listeners to learn about both the struggles and triumphs individuals with disabilities have experienced in seeking self-determination and non-discrimination by providing candid, non-scripted stories of the progress made in pursuit of personal goals.
View the ten minute "preview" version at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiywrfcjlHc

To hear all of the oral histories go to www.voicesofourregion.com.

Public Radio covers Dental Care for People with Disabilities

posted May 10, 2009
Follow the link below to listen to an informative seven-minute audio segment by Erika Beras on WDUQ 90.5 public radio in Pittsburgh.
Look under Recent News Reports and then click on Listen.
www.wduq.org/news/newsaudio2.html

While FISA Foundation is not specifically mentioned, several of our grantees and partners are profiled. Many people with disabilities face barriers in obtaining quality oral health care. This has significant implications for overall health. For more information about FISA's initiative to improve access to dental care for people with disabilities, look under "Grants" then "Current Initiatives."

Website Accessibility Resources

posted December 04, 2008
It is more important now than ever for all organizations to make sure their websites are welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. FISA Foundation is proud to be working with the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University to offer classes on website accessibility. Download this PDF handout of resources on web accessibility and stay tuned for more information about the upcoming spring classes!