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Casey, Eos Foundations Launch Initiative to Advance Poverty Concerns in 2008 Presidential Campaign

The Chronicle of Philanthropy | October 31, 2007

The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Eos Foundation have announced a new initiative intended to advance the issues of poverty and opportunity during the 2008 presidential campaign. The Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity seeks to engage presidential, congressional, and local candidates in substantive discussions about poverty and keep these issues in the forefront as a new administration sets its agenda.

According to research conducted for the Alliance to End Hunger and Bread for the World, a growing number of likely Republican and Democratic voters are concerned about hunger and poverty, with 50 percent of likely voters saying they believe the hunger problem in the United States is getting worse — an increase from 38 percent in 2002. Between May 2003 and June 2007, the percentage of likely voters who said a candidate's position on reducing the hunger problem was very important when deciding their vote for Congress nearly doubled from 23 percent to 44 percent.

The three-tiered initiative features a Web site that includes information on candidates' statements and proposals on poverty, filmed responses of several candidates answering foundation-posed questions on the issue, and daily news, research, and opinion updates. The second tier includes forums and opportunities for national and local candidates and elected officials to discuss their views on and solutions to poverty in the U.S. In its third phase, the initiative will follow the issues post-election to ensure that poverty and opportunity issues remain prominent on the national policy agenda and ensure that elected officials fulfill their campaign promises.

Several national organizations have also announced new poverty initiatives or campaigns, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, Catholic Charities USA, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. In addition, local and state governments from New York City to Los Angeles and from Maine to Alabama are developing task forces, commissions, and councils to set benchmarks and promote policies designed to reduce poverty.

"The effects of poverty go far beyond the short-term hardship for millions of families, to its tragic long-term consequences for children," said Casey Foundation president Douglas W. Nelson. "Nearly thirteen million children in America are living in poverty, and it negatively affects their health, lowers their educational attainment, increases their risk of future arrest and incarceration, and robs them of hope for a successful future. At this important time, reducing poverty should be moved from the back burner of policy discussions."

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Read the Article in the Philantrhopy News Digest