FOUNDATIONS

CONTENTS:

• The Abell Foundation
• ADM Foundation
• Fannie Mae Foundation/Help the Homeless Campaign

With an increase in the number of homeless people and families seeking shelter as a result of layoffs and a decline in donations, homeless shelters are facing major financial challenges. In Chicago alone, two homeless shelters that together serve more than 100 people a night are in danger of closing next month. And, in the last several months, the number of callers seeking help with rent and other bills from Catholic Charities of the Chicago Archdiocese has shot up from 900 to 2,000 a week. The problem is not just in Chicago, but nationwide. This month we look at several foundations that support direct service to the homeless.

THE ABELL FOUNDATION

The mission of the Abell Foundation, an independent foundation headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is to effect positive change with regard to societal problems. The Foundation has a strong focus on programs promoting job creation; alleviating hunger and homelessness; strengthening families; reducing drug addiction; facilitating educational reform; and encouraging tourism. The Foundation makes grants exclusively to organizations in Maryland.

ADM FOUNDATION

ADM Foundation is a company-sponsored foundation headquartered in Decatur, Illinois. It focuses on aiding the poor and homeless and funding educational projects and projects in areas germane to the business of the Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), one of the largest agribusiness processing companies in the world. Dwayne O. Andreas, chairman emeritus of ADM Company, is a member of the Horatio Alger Association (HAA). Check out the informative review of the HAA site in this month's People Section. We learn from Andreas' bio on the HAA site that after years of focusing on his role as head of ADM, he has become involved in various monstrous projects to feed the world's hungry.

http://www.admworld.com

FANNIE MAE FOUNDATION/HELP THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN

The Fannie Mae Foundation is the largest foundation in the country devoted to creating affordable home ownership and housing opportunities and revitalizing communities. They accomplish these goals through innovative partnerships and initiatives that build healthy, vibrant communities across the U.S.

http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org

The Fannie Mae Foundation also sponsors the Help the Homeless (HTH) campaign in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. HTH raises awareness of and raises funds for homeless services and special needs housing providers. Focus is on programs that help the homeless to return to independent living.

http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org

Cathy Hampton