Philip Morris USA Sponsorship of ParentFurther.com
In November 2008, Search Institute received a grant from Philip Morris USA, an Altria Company, for supporting its parenting website, ParentFurther.com. PM USA is one of several corporate sponsors of Search Institute’s outreach to parents to encourage them to build Developmental Assets in their children and their communities.
ParentFurther.com, launched in 2009, is the first Developmental Assets–based online resource that speaks directly to parents and gives them tools to help their children thrive. We understand that some prevention professionals and other constituencies of Search Institute may have questions about Search Institute’s relationship with PM USA. Below are our responses to some of the questions that have been raised.
Why did Search Institute choose to work with PM USA?
Search Institute’s staff and board of directors engaged in an extensive process of due diligence prior to receiving support from PM USA. The board determined that this relationship would advance Search Institute’s mission and strategic priorities.
This funding relationship is consistent with Search Institute’s inclusive, bridge-building approach to positive change that seeks to engage all sectors of society, including the business community, in nurturing young people’s healthy development. Through this grant, we will have an opportunity to reach millions of parents with positive ways they can stay actively engaged in their kids’ lives throughout childhood and adolescence.
What is the focus of PM USA’s grant to Search Institute?
PM USA’s grant focuses on reaching parents with a positive youth development message. Search Institute’s approach focuses on building the external and internal assets that young people need to thrive and avoid a wide range of high-risk behaviors. The focus of our work with PM USA is on reaching and mobilizing adults to help raise healthy kids.
Will Search Institute have autonomy in its research, work, and resources?
Search Institute has final authority on all content as well as the strategic direction for our work. A full-disclosure statement from PM USA regarding this independence is available by contacting Mary Margaret Reagan-Montiel at maryr@search-institute.org.
The relationship is a grant, provided by PM USA, to support Search Institute’s work. Search Institute does not operate as an agent of PM USA.
Many other national organizations have worked successfully with PM USA and have found it to be a respectful, professional corporate funder that is true to its commitment to giving its grantees full independence.
How often will Search Institute review the continuation of the relationships with PM USA?
Search Institute’s Board of Directors will evaluate the relationship annually to ensure that these principles and criteria are met.
Why is PM USA supporting this work?
PM USA’s support for ParentFurther.com is part of their youth tobacco prevention efforts aimed at helping to reduce underage tobacco use.
PM USA has already invested extensively in positive youth development for at least a decade, evidence of their commitment to strength-based approaches to working with youth and families.
The company is also active on several public policy issues, including advocating for FDA regulation of tobacco products and stronger enforcement of laws restricting sales to minors.
What do Developmental Assets have to do with underage tobacco use?
The grant is based on the research conclusion that young people with many Developmental Assets are much less likely to use tobacco than those with few assets. Search Institute research with more than 3 million young people consistently shows that the more Developmental Assets young people experience, the less likely they are to engage in problem tobacco use. In fact, youth with high levels of assets (31–40) are 20 times less likely to engage in problem tobacco use than those with few assets (0–10).
Of course, many factors play roles in preventing young people from using tobacco. An asset-building approach complements, but does not replace, other policy and environmental strategies aimed at reducing underage tobacco use, including strict enforcement of underage tobacco access laws.
How does ParentFurther.com fit in the international asset-building movement?
ParentFurther.com is one of many different strategies and initiatives of Search Institute to create a world where all young people are valued and thrive. Search Institute is committed to encouraging all aspects of society to engage in asset building, and we seek to engage a wide range of partners in many sectors and from many perspectives and ideologies. We consistently seek to find the “common ground” around which diverse groups with diverse interests can work together on behalf of children, youth, families, and communities.
This grant from PM USA is consistent with Search Institute’s inclusive, bridge-building approach to positive social change. We recognize that some friends, colleagues, and allies will disagree with Search Institute’s decision to work with PM USA, and we respect that. One of the strengths, we believe, of the asset-building movement is the wide diversity of opinions, strategies, and approaches among people who are committed to young people’s healthy development. Our hope is that we can continue to work together to create a world where all young people are valued and thrive.
