This document gives voice to concerns raised by critics and supporters of commercialism in schools and provides brief descriptions of several important resources on this topic. "Commercial Activities in School" (U.S. General Accounting Office) reports on the nature and frequency of commercial activities in public schools, as well as the…

Provides information to teachers who need grant money to fund projects their schools cannot afford, explaining how to begin, what items grants typically pay for, what type of information must be on a grant proposal about the project, how to work with corporate foundations, and how to determine project success. (SM)

General institutional guidelines for gifts from commercial companies are needed, in light of national trends. Commercially supported continuing medical education, those concerning personal gifts to physicians, and conflict of interest and research are areas to be considered. (SK)

Provides an overview of marketing efforts of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Examples of a marketing plan that stresses fostering relationships with the community are described, including staff training in customer service, a cultural festival, and services to the business community. A sidebar offers marketing tips for…

Describes family support programs implemented by major corporations and labor organizations such as the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters and Corning Glass. Relates the effects of child neglect and the housing crisis on a nine-year-old boy in New York. (FMW)

Corporations are becoming a popular target of tax-supported organizations in need of alternative funding. This article discusses avenues for pursuing corporate donations; the appropriateness of libraries accepting such monies; why corporations might feel assisting public institutions is to their advantage; practical and ethical guidelines; and who…

Surveyed Australian universities about industry research support. Found that such support offered additional resources, enhanced student career opportunities, application of basic research to industry problems, less red tape than government funding, and enhanced university prestige. Problems included threats to autonomy, undesirable consequences…

In recent years the disquieting evidences regarding the poor performance of public education in the United States have led Americans to believe that their nation was at risk. This apprehension has been translated into numerous recommendations for educational reforms. A brief overview of the American public school system uses qualitative examples…

This summary documents five conferences, held throughout Massachusetts for leaders in business and education, to increase their awareness of industry-education partnerships and to provide them with information on how to initiate, organize, and sustain partnerships. Section 1 highlights keynote addresses by five educators and five businesspeople…

This workshop, concerning private funding for the arts, resulted from a previous research workshop (Munich, 1983) which had concluded that growth in public sector arts financing in Europe had ceased. A major conclusion of the 1985 workshop was that private funding had entered a high development phase, but participants were encouraged to develop…

Many corporations are considering limits on how much they spend to match their employees' gifts to colleges. In response to abuses, corporations and colleges have tightened the administration of matching-gift programs, which in turn has contributed to the increased costs of running them. (MLW)

Changes in fund raising because of the implementation of the 1986 Tax Reform Act are discussed. The impact on individual and corporate donors is described. Universities and colleges must increase their efforts on the state level to assure themselves a fair share of any windfall revenues and bond-issuance authority. (MLW)

Discusses problems with the current Internet and describes new Internet developments. Topics include Internet2, which is being developed for innovative high performance computing applications for member universities and corporate affiliates; the Next Generation Internet (NGI); the role of the NSF (National Science Foundation); and quality of…

Corporations contribute curricular materials to schools. Argues that the goal of these materials is to initiate the school-age population to their products, enhance their public image, and increase visibility of their products. Cites examples of corporate activity with these goals. (MDH)

Suggests five strategies to use when working with corporations and businesses to cement good relationships and bring positive cash flow into school publication budgets. (MG)