Giving News Roundup: Arts and Health News, Plus More

Among the recently announced news from grant makers:

• Eli Lilly and Company, the pharmaceutical giant, announced on Tuesday a new commitment to fighting noncommunicable diseases in the developing world. The business is one a growing number of donors supporting efforts to fight non-infectious diseases like diabetes and cancer in poor nations. Lilly says it will spend $30-million over five years on research and other efforts to fight the health problems.

• The investor George Soros’s philanthropy, the Open Society Foundations, announced a plan to spend $20-million on debate programs around the world. Colleges, universities, and other education groups will be eligible for the money.

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has appointed Trevor Mundel, who leads Novartis Pharma’s global development team, to head the philanthropy’s global health program.

• Eleven foundations have struck a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to establish ArtPlace a nationwide effort that integrates artists and arts groups into economic-revitalization programs. ArtPlace has announced $11.5-million in grants to 34 cities throughout the country.