GrantStation Insider - March 19, 2020

COVID-19 | National | Regional | Federal | Tracks to Success | PathFinder | Online Education | Announcements | Subscribe

COVID-19 Related Funding
Opportunities Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Funding to Counter Bias Towards New England AAPI Communities Stemming From COVID-19
Nellie Mae Education Foundation: Racism is a Virus Too
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation created a rapid response fund to respond to the hate crimes and bias against Asian American communities in New England resulting from COVID-19. The Foundation's Racism is a Virus Too rapid response fund will support organizations that provide services for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Grants of up to $15,000 will be provided to nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and schools and school districts in New England working with communities of color serving parents, youth, or educators on transforming barriers to racial equity in public education. Support will be provided for activities including holding community meetings, culturally responsive trainings for schools, culturally sensitive therapy, community healing, and racial solidarity efforts. The Foundation is especially interested in projects that promote the safety and well-being of AAPI students in schools, and efforts that seek to promote cross-racial solidarity during these challenging times. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and funds will distributed until resources are exhausted. The request for proposals may be downloaded from the Foundation's website.

Challenge Seeks Tech Innovations to Fight Infectious Diseases
MIT Solve Challenge
MIT Solve is a marketplace for social impact innovation with a mission to solve world challenges. Coronavirus disease 2019 is just the latest in a series of infectious disease emergencies. The MIT Solve Challenge is seeking tech innovations that can slow and track the spread of a future emerging outbreak, for example by improving individual hygiene, developing low-cost rapid diagnostics, analyzing data that informs decision making, and providing tools that protect health workers. Solve is also seeking solutions that focus on preventative and mitigation measures that strengthen access to affordable primary healthcare systems, enhance disease surveillance systems, and improve healthcare supply chains. Anyone, anywhere can apply to the Challenge for over $1 million in prize funding by June 18, 2020. Visit the MIT Solve website for details.

National Funding
Opportunities Throughout the U.S.

Support for Land Acquisitions to Protect Critical Habitats
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Acres for America
Acres for America, a partnership between Walmart Stores and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. Preference will be given to projects that achieve more than one of the following program priorities: conserve critical habitats for birds, fish, plants, and wildlife; connect existing protected lands to unify wild places and protect critical migration routes; provide access for people to enjoy the outdoors; and ensure the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching, and wildlife. All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate NFWF regional office to discuss project ideas prior to applying. Pre-proposals are due April 15, 2020; invited full proposals must be submitted by June 24, 2020. Visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website to review the 2020 Request for Proposals.

Services for Relatives Taking on Parenting Funded
Brookdale Foundation Group: Relatives as Parents Program
The Brookdale Foundation Group works to advance the fields of geriatrics and gerontology and to improve the lives of senior citizens. The Foundation's Relatives as Parents Program provides support for the creation or expansion of services for grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting when the biological parents are unable to do so. Funded programs must include supportive services to relative caregivers and the children they are raising, with emphasis on families that are not in the formal foster care system. Programs must also include regular ongoing support, and educational or social groups for relative caregivers and the children in their care. Up to 15 programs will receive a seed grant of $10,000 in year one, renewable for $5,000 contingent on progress made during year one and potential for continuity in the future. Nonprofit organizations from throughout the country are eligible to apply. (State agencies in selected states may also apply.) The application deadline is June 10, 2020. Visit the Brookdale Foundation Group's website to download the guidelines and application forms.

Grants Promote Efforts to Aid Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S.
WES Mariam Assefa Fund: The Opportunity Challenge
The Opportunity Challenge: $1 Million to Uplift Immigrant Communities, a joint initiative of the WES Mariam Assefa Fund and the Tarsadia Foundation, will support the efforts of organizations that address barriers to economic integration and mobility faced by immigrant and refugee workers in the United States. The Challenge also seeks to highlight how adjacent fields and organizations, such as social services, healthcare, racial justice, etc., are linked to and can support immigrant and refugee communities. Nonprofit organizations, mission-driven for-profit organizations, and fiscally-sponsored individuals who are filling gaps in much-needed support to immigrants and refugees are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded in two categories: The New Ideas category will provide grants of up to $100,000 to pilot-test innovative approaches. The Established Programs category will provide grants of up to $200,000 to build on solutions that have proven success. Online applications may be submitted from March 23 through May 26, 2020. Visit the WES Mariam Assefa Fund website to learn more about the Opportunity Challenge.

Organizations Working to Improve the Lives of Military Families Supported
Newman's Own Awards Program
Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation, and Military Times are joining together in presenting $200,000 in grants to recognize volunteer and nonprofit organizations supporting our nation's military families. Eligible applicants to the Newman's Own Awards Program must be comprised primarily of volunteers or be a nonprofit organization, and be working with Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve units, veterans, and their families. Applying organizations will be evaluated on their innovative plans for improving the quality of life for members of the military, veterans, and their families. Grants of up to $50,000 are provided. The application deadline for 2020 is April 21. Visit the program's website to submit an online application.

Regional Funding
Opportunities for Specific Areas

Funds for New York State Organizations Addressing Bereavement Issues
New York State Tribute Foundation
The New York State Tribute Foundation is dedicated to supporting education, outreach, and research programs that advance the public's understanding of end-of-life issues. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in New York State that focus on three core principles: The Knowledge category provides consumer education and research grants to raise public awareness and advance understanding of death, dying, and bereavement. The Charity category supports organizations that enhance the understanding of death, dying, and bereavement. The Education category offers scholarships aimed at increasing the number of new funeral service professionals and to encourage previously licensed funeral directors to return to the profession. Grants in all categories range from $500 to $15,000. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Invited applications are due May 15 and November 15, annually. Visit the Foundation's website to download the funding guidelines.

Grants Strengthen Programs for At-Risk Oregon Youth
Trail Blazers Foundation Fund
The Trail Blazers Foundation Fund, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon and southwest Washington that provide programs for underserved youth and their families. Grants are offered through three funding streams: LIVE Greener Grants support organizations connecting youth with the environment for education, preservation, and employment. LEARN Grants focus on organizations supporting youth in their journey to and through high school. PLAY Grants target organizations getting kids from traditionally underserved communities and their families active. The application deadline is April 30, 2020. Funding guidelines and online application information are available on the Oregon Community Foundation's website.

Support for Innovative Approaches to Healthcare in Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation: Community Health Matching Grant Program
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents through the support of research and innovative programs. The Foundation's Community Health Matching Grant Program supports nonprofit community organizations throughout the state that develop, implement, and evaluate new approaches to healthcare issues. Matching grants of up to $25,000 per year for two years are available. Requests are reviewed three times per year; the remaining application deadlines for 2020 are April 13 and August 10. (Potential grantees are encouraged to submit a concept form for feedback before developing a proposal.) Visit the Foundation's website to review the application guidelines.

Leaders Contributing to a Better California Recognized
James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards
The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards recognize leaders in California whose innovative solutions to critical state challenges improve people's lives, create opportunity, and contribute to a better California. Individuals or pairs working in any field (such as education, health, public safety, housing, economic development, or the environment) or any sector, whether nonprofit, public, or private, may be nominated. The Foundation provides each recipient's organization with a grant of $250,000 to support his or her work benefiting the people of California, and helps recipients share their approaches with policymakers and practitioners. The nomination deadline is April 24, 2020. Visit the Foundation's website to learn more about the Leadership Awards.

Federal Funding
Opportunities from the U.S. Government

Program Supports Services for People With Alzheimer's
Department of Health and Human Services
The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative offers Grants to States and Communities to support dementia-capable services within home and community-based systems, including adult day care, companion services, home healthcare, personal care, respite, and short-term care in healthcare facilities. The application deadline is April 22, 2020.

Funds Help Communities With High Energy Costs
Department of Agriculture
The Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities program provides support to acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities where the average annual residential expenditure for home energy exceeds 275% of the national average. Eligible projects also include on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects and the implementation of energy efficiency and energy conservation projects. The application deadline is April 27, 2020.

Tracks to Success
Feature articles focused on a particular grantmaker or philanthropic trend.

The Key to a Compelling Proposal? Writing That's Clear, Concise, and Complete
Member Interview With Martha Carlson-Bradley
By David Preis
One way GrantStation aims to help grantseekers is by gathering their insights on grantseeking. Martha Carlson-Bradley is from Strawbery Banke Museum, which has been a Member since 2012. She spoke to us about her path as a grantwriter and the key to writing a compelling proposal.

PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional.

From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth
What is the future of philanthropy? The book From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth, by Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, articulates a bold vision for philanthropy in the 21st Century. It convenes some of the most important voices in philanthropy to ask and offer answers to a vital question: If there is a continuum between generosity and justice, how do we push our work closer to the latter? You can download this book for free on the Ford Foundation website, as an eBook or audio book.

Upcoming Online Education Trainings
Live Webinars

Unless otherwise noted, all Online Education Trainings are webinars,
are 90 minutes in duration, and are scheduled to begin at 2 PM Eastern Time.

LIVE Workshop: Tracking Special Fundraising Events in QuickBooks (DESKTOP and ONLINE Versions)
Do you have a fundraising event? Do you hold an annual gala dinner or luncheon perhaps with sponsorships, ticket sales, table sales, a silent auction, food, and speakers? Or perhaps you run a golf tournament for charity? Figuring out the net profit from the event without messing up your books can be tough! What about the hours and hours of staff time spent getting ready for these events? Shouldn't that be factored in as well? All of this and more can be easily tracked right in your QuickBooks software! In this high demand webinar, we are very excited to welcome back Gregg Bossen, a CPA specializing in nonprofits and president of QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits, to show you how to track your various events without disrupting the rest of your books and also how to stay in compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. Topics in this webinar include what constitutes a special fundraising event; how to use accounts, sub accounts, and contra accounts to easily see a net of the event as part of the profit and loss; how to enter the budget for each event; how to get a Budget to Actual report for the event as well as other reports; and how to enter amounts for staff time spent to get an honest picture of the true profit. Don't miss this opportunity. You will be very glad you came! The webinar for the DESKTOP version of QuickBooks will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The webinar for the ONLINE version will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

The Power of 3—Capital Campaigns With CampaignCounsel.org (NEW)
Is a capital campaign in your future? You're not alone, as 74% of nonprofits recently indicated they were in a campaign or planning one. These three webinars, presented by Kevin Wallace and Carlyn Runnels of CampaignCounsel.org, are designed to help your nonprofit organization understand and prepare for the process of raising big dollars for capital projects. The first webinar, Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?, will help you ask and answer six questions vital to preparing for the pre-campaign process and the campaign itself. In the second webinar, Essential Capital Campaign Preparations, learn about the pre-campaign steps of needs assessments and feasibility studies, what to expect from these tools, and how they can help you understand the financial capacity of your organization and its donors. The third webinar, The Stages and Challenges to Expect During a Capital Campaign, will help you understand the five phases typical to most capital campaigns and the stages and challenges that come with each phase. These webinars can be taken together to methodically build your organization’s readiness to take on a capital campaign or as stand-alone learning opportunities. Executive directors, development directors, and board leaders from a broad range of nonprofit organizations will benefit from these 90-minute presentations. The deadline to register for the Power of 3 is Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

The Power of 3—Storytelling With Lori L. Jacobwith
Do you wish there was a simple tool to help you raise more money? Would you like to know exactly what to talk about to encourage your community to do more and give more? During the upcoming Power of 3 series, Lori L. Jacobwith, an internationally-recognized master storyteller, will take you on a deep dive into the world of using storytelling to raise more money. You'll learn the science behind why storytelling is the most powerful communication tool you can use. Lori will also walk you through a step-by-step process on how to write and share stories that raise significantly more money. First, in How to Find and Craft Powerful Stories, you'll learn the key questions to ask others to help you uncover powerful stories. You'll also receive a template to use when you begin to build your story. Second, in Advanced Storytelling, you'll learn about the power of transparency when telling your money story. What you discover in this session may change how you talk about your fundraising needs forever. Third, in The Power of Visual Storytelling, you'll learn why adding visuals to your storytelling will help your fundraising messages stand out and increase gift size. Join us for all three workshops in the Power of 3 series or as stand-alone learning opportunities. The deadline to register for all three is April 9, 2020.

GrantStation Announcements
The latest updates from GrantStation.

GrantStation Status Announcement
GrantStation has been a cloud company (all of our employees work from home) since 2012. Our systems and operations are designed for remote management and we expect no service disruptions. Because GrantStation is an online service, you can continue to use our tools, trainings, databases, and online education series from your home or office. We will keep you apprised of new grants designed to assist with COVID-19 response via the GrantStation Insider newsletter. GrantStation Members, as well as our partners and subscribers, are foremost in our minds.

The GS Team

Funding Alerts
Interested in GrantStation's funder profiles? View the weekly Funding Alerts to see profiles of grantmakers currently accepting applications.

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Editor: Julie Kaufman
Copy Editor: Ashlyn Simmons
Contributing Writer: Kevin Peters