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Industry News

Fund Offers Financial Services for Nonprofits

Nonprofit Finance Fund
Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a national leader in financing nonprofits, strengthening their financial health, and improving their capacity to serve their communities. NFF serves both nonprofits and their funders, offering an integrated package of financial and advisory services, including facilities and working capital loans and lines of credit, asset-building programs, intensive workshops, and other consultations to help nonprofits understand the impact management decisions have on their finances. Visit the website listed above to learn more about the NFF's services.

Conferences and Trainings

Conference Encourages Service Learning on Community College Campuses

Community College National Center for Community Engagement National Conference
The Community College National Center for Community Engagement (CCNCCE) promotes programs that stimulate active participation of educational institutions in community engagement for the attainment of a vital citizenry. CCNCCE's 17th annual conference, “Recipes for Student Retention through Service Learning and Civic Engagement,” will gather representatives from community colleges throughout the United States. The conference will offer sessions on topics such as the role of student leadership and service in student retention, incorporating service learning and civic engagement into the curriculum, and effective evaluation and assessment of service learning programs. The conference will be held May 21-23, 2008, in Scottsdale, AZ. More information about the conference is available on the website listed above.

Festival Addresses Regional Issues

2008 South Florida Ideas Exchange
The purpose of the 2008 South Florida Ideas Exchange is to encourage the citizens of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to help develop working solutions to the issues facing the region. Business and civic leaders, environmentalists, union leaders, educators, and average citizens are invited to participate in the festival events, which will be held at public locations in South Florida. Topics covered will include health, transportation, housing, education, business development, and diversity. The festival will also set an agenda for further collaboration in order to cultivate future leaders that will sustain, develop, and “Become the Solution” of the region. The festival will be held May 9-11, 2008, in Davie , FL. Visit the website listed above for more information.

GrantStation Announcements

Tracks to Success

Writing Grant Proposals: Making Space – Creating Time
The number one reason people give for not applying for a particular grant is that they don't have the time. And it's probably true. In this series, I'm going to share with you some of the tricks of the trade to help you organize your approach to grantseeking. We will cover everything from big picture thinking and how it can drive your grantseeking efforts, to how best to use volunteers. Throughout this series, I encourage you to send me your own tips, thoughts, and ideas about how to make grant writing more efficient. (Email me at cadams@grantstation.com. Be sure to note the subject: Tracks to Success Series Comments.) To read Part Three, “More Time in the Day... If Only!” visit the GrantStation website.

Whistle Stop: GrantStation Training in Los Angeles

GrantStation Demonstration
Join Cynthia Adams, CEO of GrantStation, at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles, CA, for a demonstration of the GrantStation website. GrantStation provides resources to help nonprofit staff and volunteers identify potential grantmakers for their organizations, develop competitive proposals, and create a sense of urgency in their fundraising materials. The demonstration will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a complimentary ten-day Membership to GrantStation. For more information, visit the website listed above.

Grant Station Offers Webinar in May

Grant Writing Basics
GrantStation CEO Cynthia Adams is offering a 90-minute grant writing webinar on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 1 p.m. CST. If you are new to grant writing, this session will help you identify the information you need to collect, and the files you need to establish, to begin developing compelling grant proposals. Ms. Adams uses the GrantStation website as her training tool, so participants will also get an inside look at the GrantStation resources. The registration fee is $89 per person. Visit the website listed above to sign up for the webinar.

Funding Opportunities

High School Retention Programs Funded

AT&T High School Success Special Grants Program
The AT&T High School Success Special Grants Program, an initiative of the AT&T Foundation, will provide support to high schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Existing high school retention programs with a successful track record are eligible for project grants of $50,000 to $100,000 per year for up to four years. New high school retention programs that need additional resources are eligible for planning/capacity-building grants of $25,000 to $35,000 per year for one year only. Applications for both types of grants must be received by May 19, 2008. Visit the website listed above for application guidelines and forms.

Support for Children in Need

Mattel Children's Foundation: Domestic Grantmaking Program
The Mattel Children's Foundation's mission is to better the lives of children in need. Through the Domestic Grantmaking Program, support is provided to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that directly serve children. Grants are available to local organizations that use creative methods to address the needs of children from birth to 12 years of age. Funded programs must address one of the following issues: the health and well-being of children, with emphasis on promoting healthy, active lifestyles; increased access to education for underserved children, in particular, innovative strategies to promote literacy; and the self-esteem of girls up to age 12. Online applications must be submitted by July 15, 2008. Visit the website listed above to take the eligibility quiz.

Grants Promote Financial Services on Reservations

First Nations Development Institute: Little Eagle Staff Fund
First Nations Development Institute works to restore Native control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native communities. First Nations' Little Eagle Staff Fund provides Reservation-Based Nonprofit Development Organizations (RNDOs) with early stage investment and capitalization so that they can increase organizational capacity and enhance their development of new financial products and services. Grants will be provided to new and emerging RNDOs that serve as “one-stop shopping” for educating future consumers of financial services and products. First Nations expects to award approximately four to six grants ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 under this initiative in 2008. The deadline for letters of intent is June 23, 2008; full proposals will be due August 15, 2008. Visit the website listed above to download the application guidelines.

Funds for U.S. Film Festivals

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Festival Grants Program
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Festival Grants Program provides grants to a wide variety of U.S. film festivals. Grant recipients include major international film festivals, independent and alternative festivals, and those that support social and cultural diversity. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that make festival events more accessible to the general public, give screening access to minority and less visible filmmakers, and bring the public into contact with films and filmmakers. Grants are available only to festivals that have been held for at least five years. The 2008 application deadline is July 1. Grant range information and application guidelines are available on the website listed above.

Seed Grants for Refuge Friends Groups

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group Grant Program
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recognizes the important role refuge Friends organizations play in building community support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System. Through the National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group Grant Program, seed grants of $1,500 to $5,000 are provided to innovative proposals that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the Refuge system nationwide. Eligible applicants include refuge Friends organizations, cooperative and interpretive associations, Audubon chapters, and other citizen support organizations interested in assisting a specific National Wildlife Refuge or the Refuge system as a whole. Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2008. Visit the website listed above to review the funding guidelines and access the Foundation's Easygrants system.

Grants Assist Children with HIV/AIDS

Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that provide direct care and assistance to children, age birth to 13 years, who are infected with HIV or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS. The Psychosocial Support category provides funds for family therapy, support groups, and life skills classes. The focus of the Basic Needs category is on services such as clothing, food, transportation, emergency childcare, and respite programs. The Social and Recreational category promotes programs that involve children in social activities such as arts and crafts, sports, field expeditions, etc. Through the Camp Services category grants are provided to increase the number of children attending camp and for camp-related expenses. The application deadline for all categories is May 16, 2008. Visit the website listed for online application information.

Grantmaker Updates
National and Regional Awards, Fellowships, and Requests for Proposals

Awards Honor Grassroots Efforts to Fight Hunger
World Hunger Year has opened the application period for the 2008 Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards.

HED TIES Universities in U.S. and Mexico
Higher Education for Development (HED) is requesting applications for the Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships Initiative (TIES).

Braitmayer Foundation Supports Education
Applications and letters of inquiry are now being accepted by the Braitmayer Foundation.

Reaching out to Improve Justice
The Foundation for Improvement of Justice was founded for the purpose of improving local, state, and federal systems of justice.

Moyer Foundation's Support Targets Children
The Moyer Foundation is accepting applications for the Community Grants program from nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Washington.

Federal Deadlines
Excerpts from GrantStation’s Listings of Federal Notices

Department of Agriculture: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
This program provides support to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and small businesses in rural areas.

Department of Health and Human Services: Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Public Awareness
This program seeks to increase public awareness of embryo donation and adoption.

Environmental Protection Agency: Diesel Programs
Mid-Atlantic Clean Diesel Implementation Program, Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative, Northeast Diesel Collaborative Emissions Reduction Program, Rocky Mountain Clean Diesel Collaborative, SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program, Southeast Diesel Collaborative Diesel Program, and West Coast Collaborative Diesel Emissions Reduction Program
The SmartWay program seeks to establish innovative financial programs, such as low-cost loans, to fund diesel emissions reductions throughout the United States. The other programs work in specific regions to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies, including add-on emission control retrofit technologies, idle reduction technologies, cleaner fuel use, engine repowers, engine upgrades or vehicle or equipment replacement, and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects.

Indian Health Service: Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program
This program supports planning and implementation of sustainable long-term care services for American Indians and Alaska Native elders.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health
This program seeks to promote the wellness of young children, birth to eight years of age, by integrating behavioral and physical health services.