Michigan Environmental Council
Alternative Vehicles and Components
The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) contracted with PPA to engage our experienced staff in discussion of potential public policies that could both provide direct, measurable aid to Michigan industry and advance the broad goals of MEC at the same time. The project is focusing on the interaction of public policy for the environment and the automobile industry via an exploration of the potential for alternative fuel vehicles. The final product of this project is likely to be a series of recommended tax and regulatory incentives.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Analysis of the MDEQ Budget
This project involves providing assistance in both research and strategic thinking to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as part of its internal reexamination of mission, goals, and funding sources for its programs for the next decade. PPA has facilitated meetings to help focus selection of priorities and identify alternative program solutions for consideration. PPA is also providing technical assistance in researching alternative funding sources based on Michigan’s fiscal structure and the experience of other comparable states.
Fresno Regional Foundation
Assessment of Community Attitudes and Opportunities In Conjunction With the Fresno Regional Foundation’s Strategic Planning Process
In partnership with the Williams Group, Public Policy Associates has been hired by the Fresno (California) Regional Foundation to support a strategic-planning process for the years 2004 through 2006. The Fresno Regional Foundation seeks guidance to create a well-managed, well-respected organization whose relevance to the Central Valley is closely linked to its vitality and future as well as being the first choice for philanthropy in the region. As part of this strategic-planning process, Public Policy Associates is conducting research to inform the Foundation regarding how it is perceived and what areas of focus, collaboration, or program development may be most fruitful to consider for the future. Public Policy Associates is conducting community, social, demographic, and economic research, as well as key informant interviews and a community stakeholder survey on key topics of interest. In addition, PPA is developing and conducting a number of focus groups with key stakeholders on topics of potential future Foundation action ranging from early childhood development to health care and economic development. PPA’s work is being conducted from May-August 2004 and will support a new strategic plan emerging in the fall of 2004.
James Irvine Foundation
Evaluation of the Great Valley Center
Over the past five years, leading foundations in California have invested over $10 million in the creation and beginning operation of the Great Valley Center (GVC), a regional intermediary organization created as a catalyst to improve the economic, social, and environmental health of the California’s Central Valley. PPA was asked by the Irvine and Hewlett Foundations to conduct a rapid and intensive evaluation of the Great Valley Center, its overall impact on the Central Valley, and the success of its multiple programmatic initiatives, as well as to help make recommendations for avenues and strategies by which these and other funders should focus the work of the GVC. Over the course of several months, PPA is designing and implementing a comprehensive evaluation and providing recommendations to the Irvine and Hewlett Foundations’ Boards of Directors regarding their findings and directions for effective future investment.
The Aspen Institute – Nonprofit Sector Research Fund
Regional Collaborations Among Community Foundations
PPA was selected in a very competitive process as part of a team that includes the Michigan Community Foundations Ventures, Inc., Blueprint Research and Design, and the Williams Group to conduct national pathbreaking research on the potential and future of community foundation collaborative models. Building on its work evaluating the contributions and operating strategies of vanguard private philanthropies and community foundations around the country, the PPA team will be documenting and distilling lessons and implications from the efforts of regional partnerships of community foundations as means to improve operational efficiency and program effectiveness. PPA and its team members will be investigating a number of community foundation collaborations around the country and reporting findings regarding how these collaborations contribute to the sustainability and impact of philanthropy in these communities, as well as how community foundations and interested parties can develop their own collaborative mechanisms.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center Economic Assessment
The Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center (RAM Center) is located on the shores of Higgins Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan, and for the past fifty years has been run as a conference center and training facility by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for use by the DNR, other state government agencies, educational organizations, and a number of other conservation and natural resources organizations. As part of an effort to plan for the future of this unique facility, PPA was asked by the DNR to conduct an assessment of the RAM Center in order to help the DNR to better understand recent patterns of use, financial results, and its clients perceptions of the facility and its services. PPA employed a multi-faceted approach to this project, including an examination of the physical facilities, review and analysis of financial records, personal interviews with a number of key informants, and a mail survey of RAM Center client organizations. The result of this effort was a series of proposals to the DNR regarding changes and improvements that will help to enhance the facility and its operations.
Environmental Advocates of New York
New York Registered Voters’ Attitudes Toward New York’s Bottle Bill and Proposed Reforms
New York’s bottle deposit law was enacted in 1983 and requires a five-cent deposit on beverage containers including soda, beer, and wine coolers. In the twenty years since the bottle bill was enacted, the beverage market has changed, with water, juice, and iced tea comprising an increasing share of the market. Additionally, the value of the five-cent deposit has declined with inflation, leading to a decrease in return rates. Environmental Advocates of New York retained PPA to measure New York voters’ support for proposed revisions to the New York bottle bill, including expansion of the law to incorporate noncarbonated beverages and a transfer of unredeemed deposit moneys from beverage distributors to the State of New York to support environmental programs. The telephone survey of 800 registered voters was completed in late January 2004 and found broad support for the proposed reforms. Environmental Advocates of New York and its partners shared the results with the media and the New York Legislature. The report is available online at http://www.eany.org/reports/bottlebill.pdf.
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance
Strategic Planning
The Southeastern Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) retained Public Policy Associates to assist its workforce development board and substance abuse board with strategic planning and decision-making. PPA conducted a survey of all the board members to measure the goals of both boards and explore opportunities to for collaboration between the two boards. PPA was then asked to facilitate a strategic planning session with both boards to discuss future actions. After the planning session, PPA summarized the key decisions and action steps and distributed them to all board members for further discussion. PPA has continued its work assisting SEMCA with implement its strategic plans.
C.S. Mott Foundation
Analysis of the Relative Tax Burden of Flint, Michigan
At the request of the C. S. Mott Foundation, Public Policy Associates, Incorporated is conducting a study of the relative burden on individuals and firms of the total taxes, fees, and debt currently borne by Flint and comparison municipalities in Genesee County and throughout Michigan. The study was commissioned as an intensive, fast-turnaround piece of background research designed to inform the public dialogue about the overall costs of government services and doing business in Flint as Flint deals with a fiscal crisis. PPA’s study will assess the overall “fiscal burden” on various types of residents and businesses in Flint and compare Flint to its neighboring communities as well as a set of peer municipalities in Michigan. PPA was asked to perform this timely research because of its track record of rigorous and objective analysis of economic, tax, and related data and its ability to deliver comprehensive information in a short time frame and in a manner and style useful to community decision makers.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Guidebook Evaluation
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (Michigan DEQ) Environmental Assistance Division (EAD) retained PPA to provide a detailed evaluation of the Michigan Manufacturers’ Guide to Environmental, Safety, and Health Regulations. The evaluation includes two focus groups of guidebook recipients as well as a written survey that will be sent to over 1,800 guidebook owners. The focus groups and surveys seek to examine the format, content, and usefulness of the guidebook. The EAD is also interested in the opinions of those business owners that did not use their services. A separate survey will be sent to 2,000 business owners and other professionals that did not use EAD services. The purpose of this survey is to determine why these potential customers did not utilize EAD services and to find ways that EAD can tailor its products to these businesses.
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