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Melt Thy Rifles Into Garden Tools

Patricia Leigh Brown

November 06, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Raw Tools, is a nonprofit that converts guns into garden tools. The organization was created by Michael Martin, a pastor who wanted to do something after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that resulted in the death 20 children and six educators. “You’re taking a weapon of death and turning it into the complete opposite, which is life.”

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Birth Control to Fight Poverty in Guanacaste

Noelia Esquivel

November 03, 2018 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, Huacas, Guanacaste

In the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, a non-profit is donating IUDs to women, acknowledging that the lack of access to contraception and family planning services is part of a cycle of poverty for many women and families. So far, paired with education about the process and based off of similar programs in the U.S. and other countries, organizations have helped 60 women receive IUDs.

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To Get Rid of Blight, Baltimore Tries Something New

David Kidd

November 01, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

As Baltimore's population has rapidly declined in the past few decades, outmigrants have left a trail of over 16,000 vacant homes. After decades of underwhelming initiatives, the city thinks it might have found a partial fix - the Vacants to Value program sells city-owned vacant homes to individuals or developers who then have a set period of time to rehab the property.

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ReCity. Durham, North Carolina

Richard Davies Jim Meigs

November 01, 2018 |

How Do We Fix It? |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

In Durham, North Carolina, ReCity is bringing together various non-profit organizations, social activists, and mission-driven companies in a shared coworking space to meet, innovate, and collaborate with each other. This “WeWork for non-profits” encourages knowledge sharing (e.g., vetted technology vendors or other best practices) and mentorship among these groups, placing an emphasis on the benefits that come from sharing the same physical space, at a time when community groups are declining.

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The Pirate Cell Towers of Rural Mexico

Martha Pskowski

November 01, 2018 |

New York Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Talea de Castro, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities in rural Mexico have typically faced challenges accessing internet and cell phone service. This is changing thanks to TIC, a nonprofit cell service provider. Lower costs, local community management, and open source technology keep the service affordable. After overcoming several legal battles, the nonprofit cell model is spreading to other areas in Mexico, Brazil, and more.

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Neighbors create a solution for families who need diapers in Washington Heights and beyond

Jane Simons

October 25, 2018 |

Second Wave Michigan |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Battle Creek, Michigan

A neighborhood dentist asked his underserved community what he could do to improve their lives. The answer? Diapers. Now, his Battle Creek, MI organization delivers diapers to families in need around county, regardless of recipients' economic or social status.

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How Communities of Practice Make a Difference in Middle Neighborhoods

Oscar Perry Abello

October 22, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Community development groups are working closely with "middle neighborhoods" - areas "that aren't distressed today, but they may become so sooner than anyone expects." From Cleveland to Milwaukee to Chicago, CDCs are improving the lives of long term homeowners and helping interested parties generate the capital to move into these neighborhoods: “You're investing to a place that is on the edge, still has assets, still has people who want to be there, but need a nudge to get over the top, versus investing 60 homes in a non-functioning market."

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This Radical Bank Will Free People Of Debt By Literally Blowing It Up

Sarah Shearman

October 10, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: England, London

The Hoe Street Central Bank is an artist run project that raises money through events taking place in a former bank and sells prints designed to mimic paper money. Through the money they raise, the organization buys and eliminates private debt as well as makes donations to organizations affected by austerity measures.

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What happens when a food bank is a grocery store?

Hallie Golden

October 08, 2018 |

Curbed Seattle |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

The White Center Food Bank has transformed its storage space to mimic a normal grocery store setup, complete with shopping carts, volunteer baggers, and stocked shelves. This has made all the difference for some of the one in five Washington state residents who rely on food banks: with the new model, patrons report reduced stigma and shorter lines.

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Can Zoning Actually Save Manufacturing Space in San Francisco?

Emily Nonko

October 03, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Kate Sofis created SFMade in San Francisco to find creative ways to support local manufacturing. The organization has helped push the local government to create more inclusionary industrial zoning, which incentivizes developers to build manufacturing space along with traditional office space. Funded by grants and a New Markets Tax Credit, SFMade has opened 150 Hooper, a manufacturing hub. Its challenge now is how to maintain a sustainable funding source in the pricey city.

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