A Message from Judy Dodd, ADAF Chair

The beginning of summer marks the end of the Foundation’s fiscal year and as we review our accomplishments from the past year, we are very grateful for the tremendous support we have received. The American Dietetic Association Foundation has continued to thrive during this difficult economy thanks to the generosity of ADA members, corporate partners, Dietetic Practice Groups and State Dietetic Associations. I want to extend a special thank you to all of the states and DPGs who raised money for the Foundation during the spring meetings and to the state fundraising chairs for leading this effort. The Foundation is also extremely grateful for the following financial support it recently received:

• Jim and Susan Finn will generously support the Foundation with a $100,000 gift to fund a history project as the 100th anniversary of the ADA nears closer. Susan and Jim are longtime supporters of the ADA Foundation and most recently made a significant contribution to the Foundation’s Research endowment. Susan is a past President of the ADA and past Chair of the ADA Foundation. She has also been instrumental in the development of the Foundation’s Healthy Schools Partnership program. Jim Finn is a Harvard MBA and former advertising executive who built several businesses worldwide. He is a frequent attendee of the ADA FNCE and has a special place in his heart for Registered Dietitians. The Foundation looks forward to developing this project as a testament to the positive impact dietitians have made on the history of food and nutrition in the United States.
• The Commission on Dietetic Registration renewed their support of our scholarship fund and will again provide 10 $10,000 doctoral scholarships. Their initial support last year resulted in an increased number of applications from doctoral candidates. We appreciate CDR’s assistance in addressing the financial needs of our students.

Additionally, there are many ADA members that support the Foundation by serving on review committees and the Foundation Board. We are lucky to have such a talented volunteer base to drive the work of the ADAF. Thank you for your work to help the Foundation continue to grow and prosper in its goal of building a healthier future through dietetics education, research and opportunity.

In addition to the highlights listed above, here are a few more.

• The Foundation provided $50,000 to the Dietetic Practice Based Research Network. An additional $91,000 was made available to ADA members through Foundation named research grants.
• More than $58,000 was made available to ADA members through the Foundation’s Awards Program.
• The conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year included the expansion of the Healthy Schools Partnership to Des Moines, Iowa and assessing the positive impact the RD Nutrition Coach is having on creating healthier habits for children and their families.

All of this is possible because of your generosity, and we are truly appreciative of your continued gifts of time and dollars. This is just a sample of the Foundation’s programs. Learn More »

Sincerely,

Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN
ADA Foundation Chair

ADA Foundation Announces New Board Members

The Foundation is excited to welcome Sonja Connor and Sylvia Escott-Stump to the ADA Foundation Board of Directors. Diane Heller will return for a second term, and we are grateful for her continued support. We also appreciate the wonderful contributions of Judy Rodriguez and Susan Finn for their valuable contributions and expertise. View complete list of ADA Foundation Board Members ».

ADA Foundation and General Mills Partner Again to Give Away $500,000

Since 2003, the ADA Foundation has partnered with the General Mills Foundation to award 50 $10,000 grants annually to nonprofit, community organizations across the United States. The funded programs educate youth about fitness and nutrition in innovative and behavior-sustaining ways. Through this grant program, the ADAF helps extend the work of the registered dietitian and dietetic technician, registered. The grassroots grants provide an opportunity for an RD or DTR to work with a non-profit organization and apply for funding.

In May, leaders from the General Mills Foundation, University of Minnesota and ADAF met in Minneapolis at General Mills headquarters to select the 50 grant recipients from the 1,272 applicants. 2010 Champion Grant recipients »

The 2011 grant application will be available in October. Special thanks to the General Mills Foundation for their generous support.

Good News for Dietetics Students, ADA Foundation Scholarships are Awarded

The 2010–2011 Scholarship Committee met in Evansville, Indiana in May to select the scholarship recipients for the 2010–11 academic year. This year $265,150 was awarded to 139 dietetics students around the country. These scholarships provide the much-needed financial support the future leaders of our industry need to achieve their advanced education. We are grateful to the many generous supporters of the scholarship program. Special thanks to all scholarship donors, especially the Commission on Dietetics Registration and Mead Johnson Nutrition for their generous support.

Foundation Kicks off 2010-2011 Fiscal Year with Announcement of Two New Awards

In order to better serve the dietetics industry as well as those serving in it, the ADA Foundation is excited to announce two new awards. The American Overseas Dietetic Association is proud to collaborate with the ADAF to provide a new award designed to benefit the international dietetics community. In addition, the Healthy Aging Dietetic Practice Group has announced plans to create a new fund in honor of longtime member, Jean Lloyd. Additional details on these awards, including eligibility and application information, will be available soon.

The Foundation is extremely grateful to both of these groups for their generosity and commitment to advancing the profession. More information on the awards program »

ADAF Announces $35,000 Member-funded Research Grant

The ADA Foundation proudly announces a Research Endowment Grant focusing on lifestyle interventions for childhood overweight and obesity prevention. This $35,000 grant was established through the contributions of ADA members and friends to support food and nutrition research by ADA members. The one-year grant is designed to fund an ADA member who is exploring lifestyle interventions which can reduce the risk of development of childhood overweight and obesity by focusing on nutrition and physical activity. Applications are due on July 1st.

For more information on eligibility, application requirements and important dates, visit the Research Endowment Grant page or contact Beth Labrador (blabrador@eatright.org; 312/899-4821).

RD Coaches Corner

The Healthy Schools Partnership expanded this year through generous funding from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation. The project involves a two and a half year University of California, Berkeley research study in four new schools in Kansas City and four schools in the greater Des Moines area. Read newsletters from Kansas City and Des Moines that provide insight into the RD Coaches and Energy Balance program in action.

Eat Right Society Off to a Great Start with More Than 150 New Members

This spring, the ADA Foundation unveiled a new giving society to recognize annual contributions of $250 or more to any of the Foundation’s initiatives including scholarships, awards, research and Kids Eat Right. Members of The Eat Right Society are listed on the Foundation’s website and will be recognized with a special ribbon at FNCE. Individuals, ADA members, Dietetic Practice Groups and State Dietetic Associations are eligible for membership.

The ADA Foundation is pleased to recognize these donors as the inaugural members of The Eat Right Society. Visit the Eat Right Society page after July 1st to view all current members of this important initiative. Membership is easy. Contact Jill Henden or visit the Donate page, and click on the “Donate Now” button.

Colonel Filomena R. Manor Supports ADA Foundation with $50,000 Gift to ADAF I WILL Legacy Society

ADA member and retired United States Air Force Colonel Filomena R. Manor passed away this past October and has remembered the ADA Foundation in her estate with a $50,000 gift. Colonel Manor was the first officer in the country to be commissioned from civilian life in the newly created Air Force Women’s Medical Specialist Corps. She led development of the Air Force’s enlisted diet therapy job standards and training courses and created the Air Force Dietetic Internship program. This prestigious new fund will be part of the Foundation’s Scholarship program and focus on providing scholarships to individuals who have been accepted into a supervised practice program accredited and approved by CADE. The ADAF is especially grateful to Colonel Manor and her entire family for this lasting gift.

Honoring the ADA Foundation and helping to ensure its longevity has never been easier. Through the ADAF I WILL Legacy Society, the Foundation has a wide variety of options to remember the ADAF in your estate plans without sacrificing current income or that of your heirs. Designating the ADAF as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or donating stocks, bonds or an insurance policy are just a few of the easy ways to ensure that the ADAF can continue its mission of funding the future of the dietetics profession through research and education. Lois Jackson, BS, MS, LDN, RD, is one of the more than 75 current ADAF I WILL Legacy Society members and recently had this to say of the program:

“I was a board member for the Foundation for six years and during that time realized how important the work of the Foundation is to advancing the profession especially through the scholarship program. I really believe in the mission of the Foundation and wanted to do my part to ensure that their important work continued, so I designated money in my will to go to the Foundation. This was an easy way of providing for the future of the Foundation and dietetics students. I encourage more ADA members to create their own legacies at the Foundation.”

For more information on planned giving opportunities, visit the Planned Giving page or contact Susie Burns at 312/899-4752.

2010 FNCE T-Shirt Design Contest Now Open

Do you have a way with words? Ever fancy yourself a fashion designer? Well, here is your chance to put your skills on display in front of thousands. Each year at ADA’s Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo, the ADA Foundation sells a unique t-shirt to support its annual fund. This year, the ADAF is holding a contest to find the most fun and clever slogan relating to the ADA and ADAF Kids Eat Right! campaign. Slogans should focus on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for kids.

Previous years' slogans have included “RD’s can help you fit into your genes” (FNCE 2009) and “Go Green, Start with Your Diet” (FNCE 2008). The slogan will need to fit across the front of the t-shirt and may or may not include graphics or be in color. To enter, submit your slogan to Beth Labrador. All slogans must be received by July 30th and will be decided by August 27th.