網頁

星期四, 10月 22, 2020

City of Boston Funding Update

 

CITY of BOSTON

The Funding Update

 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUNDING UPDATE


City of Boston, 11/16/2020
Boston Cultural Council grants are available to medium-sized organizations with budgets under $2 million. Grants support arts programming including music, film and video, folk and traditional art, visual art, theater, dance, humanities, literary arts, performance or time-based arts, social and civic practices, and multi-disciplinary arts. Max award: $5,000.


New this week: Classics for Kids Foundation, 12/31/2020
Matching grants are available to K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations to help purchase stringed instruments.

Mass Cultural Council, 1/15/2021
MassDevelopment is pleased to approve the opening of another round of the Cultural Facilities Fund, a critical resource for helping cultural organizations across the Commonwealth build, renovate, and improve their facilities – including through upgrades that address COVID-19-related health and safety infrastructure needs. 


The Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture lists additional funding resources here.


The Creative Capital blog lists a variety of resources and opportunities.

 

 

City of Boston, Open
The Boston Resiliency Fund helps coordinate philanthropic efforts to provide essential services to Boston residents whose health and well-being are most immediately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funding priorities: providing food to Boston's children, families, and seniors; providing technology to Boston Public Schools students for remote learning; and providing support to first responders, front-line workers, and healthcare workers so they can effectively do their jobs and promote public health.


City of Boston, 10/28/2020

The Parks and Recreation Department requests proposals from an Urban Forest planning consultant to develop an equitable vision for the protection and expansion of the City's tree canopy goals.


Beacon Hill Community Fund, 11/1/2020
Funding priorities: Arts and Education, Youth Sports and Recreation, Day Care Centers, Playgrounds, activities for Seniors and persons with Special Needs and Disabilities, Community Gardens and Spaces, Affordable Housing, Social Services, and other activities that serve the public interest. Grants range from $500 to $10,000. 


Act now: City of Boston, 11/9/2020
Youth Development Fund grants are available through the Mayor’s offices of Public Safety and Health & Human Services. Funding priorities: violence prevention, intervention, or response services. Max award: $100,000.

New this week: National Geographic Society, 11/15/2020
The COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists is intended to support journalists worldwide who are delivering news to underserved populations, particularly where there is a dearth of evidence-based information getting to those who need it. Grants range from $1,000 to $8,000.

New this week: Haymarket People’s Fund, 12/2/2020
Funding objective: strengthening the movement for social justice throughout New England. Funding categories: Sustaining Grants and Urgent Response Grants. Use of funds: General Operating and Project-Specific. Awards range from $4,000 to $10,000.

New this week: US Department of Labor, 12/31/2020
Stand Down grants of $7,000 or $10,000 will support one- to three-day events that connect homeless veterans to supplies and services, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, the Department of Labor, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers.

New this week: Citizens Bank, Open
Funding priorities: hunger/food insecurity; money management/financial literacy; economic development; job training; small business development; affordable housing; neighborhood revitalization. Funding focus: direct service to low- or moderate-income populations. 


*********************************************************


Confirm your City of Boston residency here, as part of the annual city census. This also protects your voting rights.


*************************************
Learn More About Voter Registration and the 2020 Election Process Here.

*******************************************

REGISTER BY 10/24/2020 to VOTE IN THE
NOVEMBER 3 FINAL ELECTION.

 

City of Boston, Open
The Reopen Boston Fund was established to help small businesses minimize risk and manage economic recovery. Eligible costs include Personal Protective Equipment, safety partitions for customers and employees, and managing outdoor space that’s approved for business use. The grants are for brick-and-mortar businesses, with fewer than 15 employees, where people work close to each other or to customers.

Boston Local Development Corporation, Open
The Standard BLDC Loan Fund is available for existing businesses, new
ventures, and businesses relocating to Boston. Loans range from $25,000 to $150,000. The Backstreets Boston Back-up Loan Program provides financing of up to $250,000 for Boston companies in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Also, BLDC recently received a $693,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant from the Economic Development Administration at the US Department of Commerce to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund to provide loans to coronavirus-impacted small businesses in Boston. For more information, contact Bill Nickerson or Gisella Soriano. 

Act now: City of Boston, Open
The Rental Relief Fund will help income-eligible tenants in the City of Boston who do not have access to expanded unemployment benefits, or because of the nature of their jobs, the unemployment benefits they will receive represent a significant reduction in their actual income. Application materials are available in multiple languages.

New this week: The US Small Business Administration has released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less. Here are the instructions. 

Act now: Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, 11/12/2020
COVID-19 grants help businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic. Preference will be given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, and members of other underrepresented groups, who are focused on serving Gateway Cities and those most negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference will also be given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs related to COVID-19.

New this week: US Department of Commerce, 12/3/2020
The SPRINT Challenge seeks to rapidly address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation. Registration is now open for the webinar on 10/28/2020 at 2PM Eastern, which will provide a strategic overview, highlight program goals, and address technical application questions. Awards range from $500,000 to $750,000.


The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development holds
Virtual Office Hours on Wednesdays from 11AM to 1PM.

Learn about becoming a City of Boston-certified Minority/Woman-Owned Business

 

Bezos Scholars Program, 1/11/2021
Seeking passionate and intellectually curious young people who are rising leaders in their schools and communities. Student applicants are required to identify and a trusted adult from their school to become their educator nominee. A formal recommendation is also required.

National Science Foundation, 1/15/2021 and Continuing
Law & Science grants support research that explores connections between human behavior and law, legal institutions, or legal processes; or the interactions of law and basic sciences, including biology, computer and information sciences, STEM education, engineering, geosciences, and math and physical sciences. Past awards have ranged from $25,000 to $1M.


US Department of Education, 11/4/2020
Center for Excellence grants encourage institutions of higher education to develop model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students. Max award $450,000.


American Association of University Women, 11/1/2020 - 12/1/2020
American Fellowships support women scholars who are pursuing full-time study to complete dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research full time, or preparing research for publication for eight consecutive weeks.
Career Development grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences.
Community Action Grants support innovative programs that promote education and equity through projects focused on encouraging girls to select, before entering college, the physical sciences or engineering as a career.

 

New this week: Sanofi Genzyme, 11/15/2020
Requests for Community Relations Contributions are reviewed quarterly; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

New this week: Movember, 11/23/2020
In partnership with The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Movember is proud to announce a new mental health grants funding program in support of First Responders, as well as their families. Grants will support current programs showing promise in improving the mental health of men and to build the evidence for effective interventions.

New this week: National Institutes of Health, 12/1/2020
Community Interventions to Address the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health Disparity and Vulnerable Populations grants support implementation and evaluation of community interventions that test the impacts of mitigation strategies to prevent COVID-19 transmission in NIH-designated health disparity populations and other vulnerable groups. The program also supports the implementation or evaluation of existing, new, or adapted interventions to address the adverse psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic on the health of these groups. This R-01 grant allows for multiple, distinct submissions, and also re-submissions. Pre-award costs are allowed. Max budget: $500,000.


Health Resources & Services Administration, 1/21/2021

Funding goal: to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals while also improving distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce and thereby increasing access to behavioral health services. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. Max award: $480,000.

School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network, Open
Grants support under-resourced public and charter schools to implement and expand access to quality behavioral health and general pediatric services on school campuses. Community Grants (up to $100,000) require a 40% match. Principal Grants provide up to $5,000 per academic year to principals of K-12 schools in selected states, as well as a mental health professional to support student behavioral health services on campus. 

 

GrantStation offers a searchable database of COVID-19 funding.


Act now: Borealis Philanthropy
The goal of the REACH Fund is to resource racial equity practitioners - the individuals and institutions working closely with nonprofit groups on the ground to advance their racial equity work internally and externally - who are independent consultants, a team of individual consultants, capacity building organizations, or firms.

New this week: Temper of the Times Foundation, 12/15/2020
Grants support marketing concepts to increase awareness about wildland ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000.


Bank of America and Philanthropy Massachusetts, 11/18/2020
The Nonprofit Learning Institute is a series of technical assistance and capacity building sessions with the goal of fostering and empowering leaders in the Massachusetts nonprofit sector. Funding focus: supporting nonprofit leaders who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The applicant’s annual operating budget should be between $500,000 and $2M

Red Sox Foundation, Open
Funding focus: children, families, veterans, and communities in need. Funding priorities: health, educational, and recreational opportunities. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000.


National Science Foundation, 1/29/2021
The Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program welcomes proposals that address cybersecurity and privacy, and draw on expertise in one or more of these areas: computing, communication and information sciences; engineering; education; mathematics; statistics; and social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Awards will range from $50,000 to $3M.

THE RESOURCE TABLE

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUNDING UPDATE

 

WEBINAR: How Nonprofits Can Use Crowdfunding to Raise More Money
11/10/2020 at 1pm Eastern

Courtesy of GoFundMe Charity


ONLINE LEARNING: Time Management for Grantwriters
Courtesy of GrantStation


Connecting Communities to Opportunity

Courtesy of Winn Companies
Use CONNECT to search for free and reduced cost services like food, healthcare, job opportunities, benefits enrollment, rent assistance and more.


Family Resources

Emergency Childcare
Good Neighbors
Coping Skills for Youth


Microsoft Digital Skills Center for Nonprofits - a collaboration with TechSoup Courses



Mel King Institute

Expand your knowledge on community development topics through virtual training courses.


XPRIZE Challenge Ideation Workshop
“CRAZY IDEAS WANTED”

In this session, the XPRIZE team will share the signature elements of competition design thinking. Pandemic Alliance Partners will break out into small groups to discuss COVID-19 solution gaps in key areas. The goal is to identify problems that could be solved through collaboration between Pandemic Alliance partners or through XPRIZE competitions.
Click here to contribute ideas that the world needs to focus on now.



Best Times to Post on Social Media
Courtesy of Nonprofit Tech for Good



5 Powerful Strategies for Your 2021 Annual Fundraising Plan
Courtesy of Mobile Cause and Constant Contact
10/27/2020 at 1PM Eastern


Visit the Intergovernmental Relations Resource Page for a wide variety of  fundraising tips, along with back issues of The Funding Update.

波士頓台灣影展11月放映「滿月酒」

     (Boston Orange)第二屆波士頓台灣影展因應新冠病毒疫情,改以每月一片形式舉行,十一月將選映探討同志養育下一代議題的「滿月酒」,正好呼應台灣訂1031日舉行第18屆同志大遊行。

                 購票觀眾可於1030(週五)112日之間,在網上欣賞影片,另於111(週日)美東時間晚上8點,在網上與導演鄭伯昱座談。哈佛大學東亞語言和文明系博士候選人,著有暢銷小說「永發街事」的陳濟舟將應邀與談。

    「滿月酒」一片,劇本創作費時3年,2015年拍成,由徐立功監製、金馬影后歸亞蕾主演、鄭伯昱編導,在台美兩地取景。全片內容取材自導演鄭伯昱的親身經歷,描述觀念傳統的母親從最初的不能接受,到積極為兒子及其美籍伴侶尋找代理孕母,歷經曲折的心理與實際歷程。

                第二屆波士頓台灣影展的主題是「失落與尋回(Lost and Found)」(Lost and Found),「滿月酒」一片所描繪的同志身分認同,母親接受兒子出櫃,兩人關係修復,攜手為組織新家庭努力,與影展主題十分切合。

                影展工作人員表示,台灣經同志們奔走多年後,在2019517日締造歷史,成為亞洲第一個同婚合法國家。波士頓台灣電影展很高興能抓住十月這全球同志歷史月的尾巴,選映「滿月酒」,還正好呼應1031日台灣的將舉行第十八屆同志大遊行,或能促使更多人思考同志議題。

                影片門票每張8元,查詢詳情,可上網,影展官網:https://www.taiwanfilmfest.org/

    臉書:http://www.facebook.com/taiwanfilmfestival.boston/,購票網址:https://www.taiwanfilmfest.org/buy-tickets

麻州府斥資5080萬元援助小企業

        (Boston Orange 綜合報導)麻州政府今(22)日宣佈撥備5080萬元支援小企業及其員工、家人、社區。

             這筆款項將由麻州成長資本局(Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation)負責管理,分成兩部分,員工人數在50人以下者,補助款最高發75000元,可用於發放薪資,福利,償還貸款利息,付租金,水電費,或是其他債務的利息。員工人數少於5人的小企業,最高可申領25000元。

             這一補助款旨在幫助受新冠病毒疫情影響,由婦女,少數族裔,退伍軍人或社群代表不足者所經營,主要為麻州門戶城市服務,受打擊最嚴重,未取得其他和新冠病毒有關聯邦項目補助的小企業。

            麻州成長資本局管理的這補助款今日起受理申請,直至1113日止。

            索取申請表格可上網https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-response/covid-19-grants-massachusetts-small-businesses           

麻州長查理貝克宣佈7億7400萬美元恢復經濟計劃

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Partnerships for Recovery, $774 Million Economic Recovery Plan

Governor Baker
BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $774 million comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115 million in new funding to small businesses and Main Streets hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and for workforce training efforts. Additionally, the Administration is aligning multiple funding sources, both existing and proposed, to appropriately respond to the crisis.

Partnerships for Recovery supports five key recovery efforts:

  • Getting Massachusetts back to work
  • Supporting small businesses
  • Revitalizing downtowns
  • Supporting housing equity and stability
  • Fostering innovation

Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Labor and Workforce Secretary Rosalin Acosta, and Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan joined Joe Kriesberg, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations to announce the plan at the Gardner Auditorium. 

“This plan represents a comprehensive strategy to get people back to work and to support the small businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic, putting the Commonwealth on a path to recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By leveraging existing tools and programs and implementing new ones this plan will allow us to make critical resources and assistance to those who need it most available now.” 

“While we continue to combat this pandemic, this plan takes an approach that addresses key needs of the businesses in downtowns and main streets, provides housing support for vulnerable families, and opens new doors for people seeking to return to work,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “While we acknowledge we still have a ways to go, this plan will help to jumpstart our innovation economy and position Massachusetts to be on a path for success.”

  • Putting $115 million to work right away for small businesses and workforce training, including more than $25 million to get people back to work;
  • Directing $323 million in existing capital programs as part of the response to continue doing more of what works;
  • Filing for $122 million through the Revised H.2 budget to supplement existing funding in support of struggling Main Street businesses and skill building for residents;
  • Steering $43 million in Federal, trust and other state funding toward our most critical needs; and
  • Committing $171 million to keep people safely housed during the pandemic.

Getting People Back to Work

In order to get people back to work, new investments are being made to build workforce skills, growing training programs and pathways, forging new partnerships between employers and workers, and supporting internet connectivity to facilitate remote work and online career advancement. The more than $25 million available now includes:

  • $10.4 million to engage Massachusetts employers by expanding workforce partnerships with large employers in target sectors to create aligned statewide training-employment pathways;
  • $9.2 million to subsidize internet for low-income populations, and to expand hot spots in unserved and underserved communities;
  • $3.2 million to modernize MassHire virtual pathways to assess and connect UI claimants to appropriate services and supports;
  • $2 million to bolster manufacturing training by purchasing a standardized virtual training program to increase workforce for the manufacturing sector; and
  • $300,000 to supplement $8.4 million toward Career Technical Institutes in H.2 to help close the skills gap for skilled technician jobs and align training to industry needs.

An additional $54 million is available to support workforce recovery efforts through existing programming such as the Skills Capital Grants program, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and the Workforce Training Trust Fund.

Revised House 2 also proposes $17.9 million in workforce funding, including $8.4 million in funding to transform vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes running three shifts per day. This initiative is designed to train 20,000 new workers over four years in skilled trades and technical fields including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics. This will consist of a combination of enrolling more high school students in high-impact vocational trade programs and expanding capacity for adults to earn industry-based credentials, aligned to apprenticeships and post-secondary degrees.

"These funds will provide critical re-employment services to our workforce, helping people make the transition from unemployment benefits to good paying jobs in some of the Commonwealth's key long term job growth sectors," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta.

Direct Support to Small Business and Main Street

To generate economic growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and support Main Streets across Massachusetts, the Administration is investing $322.8 million in direct support of small and diverse businesses and local communities. This funding includes grants (see details below) to the hardest hit small businesses, especially small businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, or members of other underrepresented groups. These grant awards will allow small businesses to cover expenses such as rent, payroll, and utilities as they get back on their feet. Additional funding will support small businesses through hands-on and personalized technical assistance, including targeted support for women- and minority-owned businesses around digital and online technology as their business model pivots away from a brick-and-mortar location.

Many communities have seen their Main Streets and downtown districts hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and new funding aims to help cities and towns plan for short-term innovations and long-term recovery. A new $10 million round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program will continue to help cities and towns quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities. Separately, local recovery planning grants will soon be available to cities and towns to assist with long-term planning for their business districts. A total of $10 million is available for this program.

To support the museums and other cultural facilities that have faced a particularly challenging reality this year, but remain a cornerstone of what Massachusetts offers to visitors, these institutions will be eligible for $10 million in Cultural Facilities Operating Grants. This funding will help these organizations to make safety improvements and other upgrades to allow them to continue to offer their unique attractions and exhibits.

As part of this recovery plan, the Governor’s recently filed revised budget proposal recommends over $100 million in additional funding for economic recovery and development efforts, including $35 million for community development financial institutions (CDFI) grants and loans, and $15 million for matching grants for capital investments by businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Additionally, more than $115 million in existing capital through programs such as MassWorks, and those in the MassDevelopment portfolio (Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, Site Readiness Program, Transformative Development Initiative, and Collaborative Workspaces), will be leveraged in support of economic recovery. This recovery plan complements the Administration’s $275 million economic recovery package, which was announced in June.

Small Business and Main Street Highlights (new funding):

  • $50.8 million in Small Business Grants to help the hardest hit businesses;
  • $10 million to continue funding the Shared Streets and Spaces Program;
  • $10 million for local recovery planning grants to support cities and towns;
  • $10 million to support cultural facilities such as museums;
  • $8.3 million in small business technical assistance to help businesses access grant programs and loans, as well as help build business management skills, resilience, and other support in navigating pandemic impacts;
    • Including $2.3 million to provide personalized technical assistance to woman- and minority-owned businesses;

“Our current circumstances call for a plan with the size and scope to match the urgency we need to address the most pressing challenges we now face,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. “By targeting vital resources toward these key areas, this strategy will allow us to lay a solid foundation for our path to recovery.”

“During this unprecedented public health emergency, the Baker-Polito Administration is continuing to invest significant resources to support recovery and growth initiatives for small businesses and Main Streets across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “Through close coordination with federal, state, and local partners – including our Legislative colleagues – we are proud to put forth a plan that thoughtfully invests funds from multiple sources to equip employers with the tools, resources, and supports to help navigate the new COVID-19 landscape.”           

“We greatly appreciate Governor Baker’s sense of urgency to move these grant dollars now, while also working with the Legislature to secure additional funds in the state budget and the economic development bill,” said Joseph Kriesberg, President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and Board Member of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. “Small business owners have sacrificed to help keep all of us safe and healthy.  This initiative is our opportunity to have their back.”

Additional Investments

In order to keep people safely in their homes during the pandemic and support small landlords with expenses, the Administration recently announced $171 million in support of the Eviction Diversion Initiative. This comprehensive strategy includes funding to help to cover housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments, invest in new programs around mediation and legal representation, and provide repaid rehousing when a tenant is evicted. Additionally, the Administration continues to invest in the Commonwealth’s stock of affordable rental housing with $121 million in direct subsidies.

Massachusetts has long been a hotbed of innovation and creativity in science and technology, and sectors such as the life sciences and advanced manufacturing are not only critical to the innovation economy, but also continue to contribute to the response to the coronavirus. To ensure we continue to lead in this space, $62 million in existing capital funding through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and MassVentures is available to support recovery and growth.

Small Business Grant Program Details

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is administering the Small Business Grants program, with $50.8 million available beginning today. Grant awards range between $25,000 – $75,000, and eligibility criteria and applications are available here.

As part of this grant program, preference is given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, or focused on serving the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts, who have been unable to open and those most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference is also given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs, including PPP and other relief related to COVID-19.

The program has two distinct funding “doors” based on business size, with different eligibility criteria, which is available online. Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed with applying.

Roche announces collaboration with Atea Pharmaceuticals to develop a potential oral treatment for COVID-19 patients

 Roche announces collaboration with Atea Pharmaceuticals to develop a potential oral treatment for COVID-19 patients

 

  • Roche and Atea partner to jointly develop AT-527, an orally administered direct-acting antiviral (DAA) currently in Phase 2 clinical trials
  • AT-527 has the potential to be the first novel oral antiviral to treat COVID-19 patients outside the hospital setting as well as in the hospital and may also be used in post-exposure prophylactic settings
  • Oral, small-molecule DAAs for COVID-19 patients allow for large-scale manufacturing and facilitate broad patient access
  • If approved, Atea will distribute AT-527 in the United States and Roche will be responsible for global manufacturing and distribution outside the United States

Basel, 22 October 2020 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that they are joining forces in the fight against COVID-19 to develop, manufacture and distribute AT-527, Atea’s investigational oral direct-acting antiviral, to people around the globe. AT-527 acts by blocking the viral RNA polymerase enzyme needed for viral replication, and is currently being studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial for hospitalised patients with moderate COVID-19. A Phase 3 clinical trial, expected to start in Q1 2021, will explore the potential use in patients outside of the hospital setting. In addition, AT-527 may be developed for post-exposure prophylactic settings.

AT-527, while being a potential oral treatment option for hospitalised patients, also holds the potential to be the first oral treatment option for COVID-19 patients that are not hospitalised.  Additionally, the manufacturing process of small-molecule DAAs allows the ability to produce large quantities of a much needed treatment. If successful, AT-527 could help treat patients early, reduce the progression of the infection, and contribute to decreasing the overall burden on health systems.

The collaboration aims to accelerate the clinical development and manufacturing of AT-527, to investigate its safety and efficacy, and to provide this potential treatment option to patients around the world as quickly as possible. If AT-527 proves safe and effective in clinical trials and regulatory approvals are granted, Atea will be responsible for distributing this treatment option in the U.S, with the option to request Genentech’s support, and Roche will be responsible for distribution outside the United States.

"The ongoing complexities of COVID-19 require multiple lines of defence. By joining forces with Atea, we hope to offer an additional treatment option for hospitalised and non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients, and to ease the burden on hospitals during a global pandemic." said Bill Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Roche Pharmaceuticals. "In jointly developing and manufacturing AT-527 at scale, we seek to make this treatment option available to as many people around the world as we possibly can."

“Roche shares our passion for delivering innovative new medicines to address great unmet medical needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for a novel, oral antiviral to treat this highly infectious and often deadly virus,” said Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Atea Pharmaceuticals. “AT-527 is expected to be ideally suited to combat COVID-19 as it inhibits viral replication by interfering with viral RNA polymerase, a key component in the replication machinery of RNA viruses. Importantly, the manufacturing process for our small molecule direct-acting antiviral allows us to produce AT-527 quickly and at scale.”

About AT-527
AT-527 is an investigational, oral, purine nucleotide prodrug, which has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity against several enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses, including human flaviviruses and coronaviruses. This highly selective purine nucleotide prodrug was designed to uniquely inhibit viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme that is essential for the replication of RNA viruses. Antiviral activity and safety of AT-527 has been demonstrated in Phase 2 clinical studies of hepatitis C patients, and in preclinical in-vitro assays with SARS-CoV2 virus.  AT-527 is not yet licensed or approved for any indication in the United States or any other country.

About Roche’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
As a leading healthcare company we are doing all we can to support countries in minimising the impact of COVID-19.  We have developed a growing number of diagnostic solutions that help to detect and diagnose  the infection in patients, as well as providing digital support to healthcare systems, and we continue to identify, develop and support potential therapies which can play a role in treating the disease.

We understand the impact of COVID-19 goes beyond those who contract it, which is why we are working with healthcare providers, laboratories, authorities and organisations to help make sure that patients continue to receive the tests, treatment and care they need during these challenging times. As we learn from the pandemic, we are partnering with governments and others to make healthcare stronger and more sustainable in the future.

Our diagnostics solutions:
Reliable, high-quality testing is essential to help healthcare systems overcome this pandemic. Our portfolio includes:

  • a high-volume molecular test to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, (FDA Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) and available in countries accepting the CE Mark)
  • a SARS-CoV-2 laboratory-based antibody test, aimed at detecting the presence of antibodies in the blood targeting the nucleocapsid (FDA EUA and CE Mark)
  • an IL-6 test to assist in identifying severe inflammatory response in patients with confirmed COVID-19  (FDA EUA and CE Mark)
  • Roche v-TAC, which could help simplify the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of patients with respiratory compromise in the current COVID-19 pandemic
  • a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antibody test to help determine at the point of care whether a person has been exposed to the virus (CE Mark)
  • a rapid antigen test to support in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 at the point of care within 15 minutes (CE Mark)
  • a high-volume molecular test to simultaneously detect and differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B, as the symptoms are similar for both (FDA EUA and CE Mark)
  • a second SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, aimed at measuring the spike protein to support vaccination development and complement our existing portfolio
  • a point-of-care molecular PCR test that simultaneously detects and differentiates between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B infections to support urgent triage and diagnosis (FDA EUA and CE Mark)
Our research into therapies:
Roche is committed to improving the treatment of COVID-19. We are actively involved in understanding the potential of our existing portfolio and are exploring the potential of our investigational molecules.

In August, we announced a partnership with Regeneron to develop, manufacture, and increase global supply of their investigational antibody combination for COVID-19 if it proves safe and effective in clinical trials and regulatory approvals are granted.

At the beginning of the pandemic, on 19 March, we announced the initiation of COVACTA -  a global Phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous Actemra©/RoActemra© (tocilizumab) plus standard of care in hospitalised adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia compared to placebo plus standard of care. On 29 July we announced that COVACTA did not meet its primary endpoint of improved clinical status in patients with COVID-19 associated pneumonia or the key secondary endpoint of reduced mortality.

Separately, we have studied Actemra©/RoActemra© in the EMPACTA study in COVID-19 associated hospitalised pneumonia in patients that are often underrepresented in clinical trials. On 18 September we announced that the phase III EMPACTA study showed Actemra/RoActemra plus standard of care reduced the likelihood of progression to mechanical ventilation or death in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 associated pneumonia compared to placebo plus standard of care. However, there was no statistical difference in mortality between patients who received Actemra/RoActemra or placebo.

Actemra©/RoActemra© is also being studied in combination with the investigational antiviral remdesivir in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia in the REMDACTA trial in partnership with Gilead, announced 28 May. Actemra©/RoActemra© is not approved by any health authority for use in COVID-19 pneumonia. Roche has further initiated an internal early research programme focused on the development of medicines for COVID-19 and is engaged in multiple research collaborations.

In these exceptional times, Roche stands together with governments, healthcare providers and all those working to overcome the pandemic.

波士頓馬拉松賽慈善項目籌款總額累計逾四億美元

 Boston Marathon Fundraising Surpasses $400 Million Milestone

$32.1 million raised for charity programs through the 2020 Boston Marathon Virtual Experience

 

BOSTON –The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has announced that $32.1 million was raised for 242 non-profit organizations surrounding the 2020 Boston Marathon and Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. With this year’s funds raised, the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program have combined to surpass the $400 million milestone raised since the charity program’s inception at the 1989 Boston Marathon.

 Total funds raised include donations raised through the B.A.A.’s Official Charity Program, the John Hancock Non-Profit Program, and from other qualified and invitational runners.

 “In a year when runners and supporters have faced countless challenges, all have remained determined to finish strong and make a difference within the community,” said B.A.A. CEO Tom Grilk. “We are immensely proud of each and every participant whose fundraising contributions will serve a meaningful purpose supporting 242 non-profit and charity organizations. To achieve the $400 million milestone in total funds raised adds even more meaning to this year’s event, where Boston Marathoners brought the spirit of Boston to the world.” 

 “The Boston Marathon is a tradition in this city; it is the oldest, the toughest and the most iconic. We’re proud to be part of the race’s history and community impact as part of our 35-year partnership,” said Marianne Harrison, President and CEO of John Hancock. “Although this year’s race was different, runners came together to cross their own finish lines and collectively lift up each other and the non-profits they represent. The $400 million milestone is an example of what’s possible when we come together to foster healthier, more equitable communities, and we thank everyone who made this milestone a reality.”

 Every year, the B.A.A. provides each non-profit associated with the Official Charity Program and John Hancock’s Non-Profit Program with invitational entries into the Boston Marathon. Each non-profit organization directly manages its own application process, athlete selection, and fundraising minimums, deadlines, and requirements.

 The 124th Boston Marathon Virtual Experience featured more than 16,000 finishers from 83 countries and all 50 states. Participants had ten days to cover 26.2-miles in one continuous run within their neighborhood to earn their B.A.A. unicorn medal and be recognized as a Boston Marathon finisher. The 2020 Boston Marathon, originally scheduled for April 20 and postponed to September 14, was ultimately cancelled in May due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

 In 2019, a race-record $38.7 million was raised for charity, surpassing the previous fundraising record of $38.4 million set in 2014. More information can be found on the B.A.A. Official Charity Program and the John Hancock Non-Profit Program.

塞冷市長:今年萬聖節別來

 

麻州州長Charlie Baker(左)和塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll勸民眾今年萬聖節別進塞冷市。
(周菊子攝)
            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導)「今年不是旅遊年」,「塞冷市(Salem)不扮鬼城」。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)和塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll1021日召開記者會,強調塞冷市已取消所有萬聖節慶祝活動,力勸群眾這週末別去。

            塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll表示,每年萬聖節,大概都有5萬到6萬人湧入塞冷市過萬聖節,塞冷市也推出各式各樣活動以表歡迎,但今年情況不一樣,塞冷市怕人潮大批湧入,可能加劇新冠病毒疫情,逼使該市全面關閉,因而採取預防措施,不但全面取消所有萬聖節活動,還規定戴口罩,遊客進城得填報旅客表,火車也將過站不停。

塞冷市市長Kim Driscoll說明該市將要求店家,停車場提早關門。(周菊子攝)
           Kim Driscoll強調,塞冷市今年沒有舞台,沒有街頭表演,沒有啤酒花園,沒有DJs,沒有煙火,而且他們希望沒有「群眾」。

            為打消民眾在萬聖節期間去塞冷市的念頭,該市要求市中心商家在1023日,24日,以及1030日,31日這幾天,晚上8點就提早關門。

            塞冷市的市營停車場也將在1023日的下午2點以後,以及1024253031,以及111日這幾天的中午12點開始,就不准車輛進入。市府也將要求所有私營停車場在前述時間內關閉。

麻州州長Cahrlie Baker稱讚塞冷市防疫工作做得好。(周菊子攝)
           麻州鐵路系統(MBTA)的通勤火車(Commuter Rail)也將在未來的2個週末,調整行程,跳過塞冷站。

            1023日及30日的晚上7點至11點半之間,從波士頓出發的通勤火車,將不停賽冷站。在1024日,25日及31日的早上11點至晚上11點,從波士頓出發的火車,也會跳過塞冷站不停。麻州州長查理貝克說,從塞冷市進波士頓市的火車,將不受影響。MBTA也將設法確保必要工作人員可以得到某些交通服務。

            塞冷市長早前宣佈,儘管州長已授權重新開放經濟活動,但該市決定暫時不跨這一步。她們也取消了所有的遊行,節慶大活動,禁止城中區的街頭表演,也停止了所有的宣傳,還在城中區劃定「必須戴口罩區」,也要求所有在塞冷市過夜的旅客填報本地旅客表。

            麻州州長查理貝克還提醒民眾,如果真要讓小孩子玩「不給糖就搗蛋(Trick-or-treat)」遊戲,記得給小孩戴口罩,提醒他們動作要快,要保持安全距離,而且最好準備大型,一根式棒棒糖之類的糖果,不要把一塊塊的糖果放在袋子裏,讓小孩子伸手去抓,以儘量避免病毒傳染。

紐英崙客家鄉親會教做養生薑飲

紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴主持「蔬福美食」講座。(周菊子攝)
 
            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 一轉眼間,冬天就要來了! 紐英崙客家鄉親會1018日藉網路和鄉親聚會,不但特別請美食專家教做禦冬飲品,還放映一段「浪漫台三線」影片,帶人進一步認識在台灣的客家之美。

             礙於新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情,還未消散,紐英崙客家鄉親會透過網路聚會。久未見面的鄉親,18日這天下午非常興奮,在會長宋玉琴提前開通的網路聚會室中寒暄,談起你家,我家種的苦瓜,冬瓜長得如何。前任會長周一男分享收成後切片冰凍,過冬時炒來吃一樣脆的心得。曾任會長的曾秀梅說起另一名前會長陳裕逢種的福瓜,今年豐收,有瓜苗可分。一眾鄉親暢談,十分溫馨。

客家鄉親們參加活動。
             在慈濟大愛台「蔬福美食」做節目的張秀玲,這天應邀傳授「薑的料理」。表示自己來美22年,吃素8年,親身體會到改變飲食可以讓身體更健康,也因此經常在慈濟,臉書上分享自己的做菜方法。

             張秀玲針對冬天即將來到,設計並示範了芝麻雙薑醬、桂圓紅棗枸杞薑醬以及木耳露這3種料理的材料與做法。在示範講解時,她指出做薑醬,最好用比較乾瘦的薑,才容易保存得久,如果裝罐的玻璃瓶用熱水殺菌,封存妥當,甚至可保存半年以上。隨時泡來喝,有助身體的氣血流動。

客家鄉親們參加活動。
           在這網路聚會中,宋玉琴為客家鄉親們選映了「浪漫台三線」的第一集「先民寶藏」。「浪漫台三線」是客家委員會和福斯傳媒集團合作的「客家文藝復興:浪漫台三線」系列,介紹貫穿桃園平鎮、龍潭、新竹、苗栗,直至台中東勢、新社等16個客家人最密集鄉鎮的「台三線」。影片中提及當年世界上70%的樟腦油來自台灣,後來取而代之的是種茶,尤其「東方美人茶」更有知名度。客家人還有一部分人講究福廣金,以之為門匾,意指來自福建、廣東,金指錢財等等。

             紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴在會末表示,11月將舉辦「從歷史看客家人健康」的講座。

張秀玲示範「薑的料理」。(周菊子攝)