UN’s new treaty on mercury: A breakthrough opportunity for reduction of mercury globally

In January, representatives from more than 140 nations met in Geneva and approved a new treaty to reduce the use and release of mercury worldwide and minimize its effects on people all over the world.  Yet the need for tighter regulations on mercury have been on the civil society agenda of social and environmental organisations for a long time.

Tides Awards 2013 Pizzigati Prize to Fair Elections Pioneer Micah Altman

Politicians have been gerrymandering legislative districts — and distorting democracy — for almost as long as the United States has been a nation. But average American citizens now have a powerful tool to challenge those distortions, thanks to the talent and vision of the seventh annual winner of the Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest.

Stop Global Warming: An Interview with Dawn Woollen

The Stop Global Warming Virtual March, initiated in 2005, is a non-partisan effort to bring citizens together to declare that global warming is here now and that it is time to demand solutions. We are all contributors to global warming and must all be part of the solution.

The Talent Agenda

Nonprofits employ 13.5 million people, making the sector the third-largest private workforce in the United States. During the recession, jobs at nonprofits grew by 2% while for-profit jobs declined by 4%. And nonprofits are still hiring. As we grow, nonprofits face increasingly complex management environments and endure ongoing pressure to provide more services to communities in the face of budget cuts.

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn Announce Half the Sky Movement: The Game to Help Empower Women and Girls Around the World

Pulitzer-Prize winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn announced this morning the March 4^th launch of the latest installment of the Half the Sky Movement: a web-based game. Half the Sky Movement: The Game is a game-based adventure that aims to reach mainstream audiences to raise awareness and donations to empower women and girls around the world.

The 2012 Jane Bagley Lehman Award Ceremony: A Successful Event and Two Phenomenal Awardees

In November 2012, Tides Foundation awarded the Jane Bagley Lehman Award for Excellence in Public Advocacy to Brenda Dardar- Robichaux and Marylee Orr, for their innovative approaches to social change in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Jane Bagley Lehman Award for Excellence in Public Advocacy is named after Jane Bagley Lehman, one of the founders of Tides and the Chair of the Board until her death in 1988.

In Memoriam: Jill Benderly

On January 10^th Jill Benderly, one of our nation’s leading activists in the Baltic region, passed away after a struggle with colon cancer. Benderly was a beloved employee of Tides in the early 90’s and an instrumental part of the team that has developed Tides into the organization it is today. Her death leaves a huge hole in the activist community. She will be missed.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Oh well it's that time again in the calendar year to take a moment and think about the history of black people in the United States of America.  But this year...I want to pose some questions to you.

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even: Challenge Prosecutors, not Scapegoats

Two tragic events last Friday have prompted heated debate about torture, secrecy, freedom of information, and prosecutors run amok. But are critics assigning blame where due, or merely where convenient? And is the convenient option too charitable, letting powerful systems of oppression off the hook in favor of scapegoating only the most visible perpetrators? First (only because it’s an anniversary and was therefore predictable) was the 11th year of military detention at Guantánamo Bay, where prisoners under US control have endured torture–and in some cases, been murdered in custody while their deaths have been presented in public as suicides.

Women's Community Clinic: An Interview with Carlina Hansen

The mission of the Women’s Community Clinic is to improve the health and well-being of women and girls within the context of their values:  “We believe preventive, educational care is essential to lifelong health and that all women deserve excellent health care, regardless of their ability to pay and that “We work hard to ensure that each client feels comfortable and safe using her voice to direct the care she receives.” Each year, the Clinic has expanded the number of patients served or the scope of care offered, and often both, to continue to scale up its efforts and care for more women. 95% of the women that seek care from the Women’s Community Clinic are uninsured and as clients of the Clinic, they are able to get high-quality care for low or no cost; thereby providing a “safety net” for those most in need.