Below are examples of projects and initiatives supported by the Corfu Foundation.
Exploring the Meaning of the Mayan 2012 Prophecies Through Art
Funding will support the American Visionary Arts Museum’s “ALL THINGS ROUND” exhibit that will honor cyclical notions of time and explore the Mayan calendar prophecies, with the goal of increasing understanding and dialogue around this widely-publicized phenomenon. A related conference featuring indigenous artists and environmental scholars will spotlight their views about the significance of this critical period of human and planetary evolution, and the need to fundamentally realign humanity’s relationship with the Earth.
Grant Award: $10,000
Improving Health and Nutrition in Schools
Grant support will fund the production of a documentary film chronicling efforts to ensure that Baltimore City’s 83,000 public school students are fed healthy, nutritious, locally grown meals. The film seeks to educate audiences about positive efforts being undertaken to ‘green’ the public school diet, to encourage dialogue around effective strategies, and contribute to policy reform.
Grant award: $25,000
Surveying Youth Engagement in Civic Life
What issues and forms of engagement will drive the Millennial generation to participate in American governance beyond the 2008 election? Support was provided to Mobilize.org to conduct the second annual Democracy 2.0 Survey of 16- to 30-year-olds about their level of engagement in volunteer activities and civic organizations. Special attention was placed on youth views and priorities in light of the global economic crisis.
Grant award: $5,000
Developing Renewable, Clean Energy Alternatives
The Trees for Clean Energy Network (TCEN), a nongovernmental organization in Kenya, seeks to boost rural farm incomes through the cultivation of Jatropha curcas, a clean energy biofuel. Grant support will enable TCEN’s Executive Director to participate in the 2008 Washington International Renewable Energy Conference and network with organizations focused on developing alternative energy solutions.
Grant award: $3,000
Connecting Native American Youth to Their Roots and Their Futures
Launched in 2006, Can Wigmunke is a holistic environmental education organization serving Native American children and youth on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Its goal: to empower young people to become better stewards of their natural world. Support will be used for the creation of community gardens, farmer’s markets, outdoor science projects, and application for non-profit status as a 501(c)3.
Grant award: $10,000
Promoting Youth Leadership on Social and Political Issues
Founded in 2002, Mobilize.org is an all-partisan organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and energizing young people in the U.S. to increase their civic engagement and political participation. Support from the Corfu Foundation is being used to ensure that the youth voice is amplified and addressed during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. Funds will support two conferences, including the “Party for the Presidency,” a four-day youth leadership conference to be held prior to the presidential primary.
Grant award: $10,000
Teaching Meditative Intelligence in Schools
Evaluation data from a 2005 pilot project conducted by the Goldie Hawn Institute found that teaching meditative intelligence to children resulted in decreases in negative and depressive thinking, and increases in a child’s self-concept and optimism. Funding from the Corfu Foundation is being used by the Goldie Hawn Institute to support the adaptation of its approach to classrooms in the United States, including teacher training and the development of resource materials.
Grant award: $12,500
Promoting Whole Person Healing Traditions
In April 2005, the Corfu Foundation was among the co-sponsors of the Whole Person Healing Summit organized by the Campaign for Better Health, a grassroots action network dedicated to bringing national attention to integrative health and wellness practices. The Summit brought together top Ayurvedic scientists, Qi Gong masters, spiritual health researchers, and expert physical scientists — enabling each to contribute to a greater understanding of one another’s healing traditions and practices, while furthering collaboration among participants.
Grant award: $5,000