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Wilson Foundation makes lasting impact

Making a Difference

Wilson Foundation makes lasting impact

In 1984, the Wilson Foundation took the greatest risk in its 20-year history by initiating Wilson Commencement Park with grants of $2 million – 20% of its total endowment. 

A multidimensional housing facility, Wilson Commencement Park provides long-term shelter and services to low-income, single-parent families in Rochester, NY.  Read More…

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Welcome to SmartLink!
A program of the Neighborhood Funders Group

SmartLink is your one-stop-shop for free and useful ideas and insights, created just for donors, foundation trustees and others who give locally, to neighborhoods and communities.

SmartLink solves your toughest giving problem: it helps you learn who is building strong communities, what is working to make a difference, and how to connect your giving (whether modest or substantial) to the most effective ideas and projects. Connect, with just a few clicks! Among the treasures you will find here are candid profiles of donors and small foundations from all over the country, making a difference on a range of issues in their communities. With a few clicks on the left navigation menu, you can search briefs and tools focused on six key issues.

Don't stop there, drill deeper to explore action- and results-oriented topics and strategies. We won't tell you where to give; instead, SmartLink makes your giving smarter and more focused on making a difference. Please note: SmartLink is not a grantmaker.

In the News

  • At the start of each year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes poverty guidelines.  These guidelines establish minimum income levels that determine whether families and individuals are at 'poverty levels.' Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify families for state or federal benefits, such as children's health insurance and food stamps.   
     Read More...
  • Minimum wage facts at a glance Read More...
  • The Center for Law and Social Policy has created a basic fact sheet on the US Child Support system.  Read More...

Facts & Figures

  • 84% of low-wage workers do not have access to paid sick days.  So, when these workers get sick they are forced to work or stay at home without pay, and risk losing their job
  • In 2006, Giving Circles donated $13 million for community needs.
  • 1 in 5 Kindergarten-12th grade students has an immigrant parent
  • 1 in 4 Americans is asset poor: if they had to live only on their savings, home equity or other asset, they could not survive at the poverty level for 3 months.