GrantStation Insider: July 25, 2024

Application deadline: August 14, 2024, for pre-applications
Geographic scope: U.S., with emphasis on states and territories with high levels of senior poverty
Grant amount: Up to $2 million in total funding is available. Grants typically range between $50,000 and $250,000 per year.
Description: AARP Foundation focuses on improving the financial resilience of people age 50+ living with low incomes. Through the Scaling Equitable and Effective Solutions request for applications, the Foundation will support organizations looking to increase their impact on older adults by piloting a scaling strategy. The Foundation seeks to support programs and projects that will materially improve the circumstances of 50+ people with income at or below 250% of the poverty line, lift 50+ people's income above 250% of the poverty line, prevent 50+ people living with low income from falling below 250% of the poverty line, and consult older adults (50+) in the development and implementation of a program or create volunteer opportunities for older adults. Projects can be direct service in nature or non-direct service, including an organization’s capacity building, systems change, or implementation. Organizations from anywhere in the U.S. are eligible.

Application deadline: April 1 and October 1, annually
Grant amount: Matching grants are provided to purchase up to $1,200 of children’s books.
Description: The Pilcrow Foundation’s mission is to provide children’s books to rural public libraries across the United States. Through its Children’s Book Project Grants, the Foundation provides a two-to-one match to rural public libraries that contribute $200 to $400 through a local sponsor for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth of new, quality, hardcover children’s books. Grant recipients can select books best suited for their community from a list of over 700 quality hardcover children’s books. To qualify for the grant, libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 U.S. states, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200 to $400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 will receive funding priority. (The Foundation also offers non-matching disaster relief grants of $800 worth of children’s books to libraries serving rural communities in the United States affected by recent tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, or other natural disasters.)

Application deadlines: Grade K-5 applications (of up to $1,000) are due October 1, annually. Grade 6-12 applications of up to $5,000 are due March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, annually. Grade 6-12 requests of more than $5,000 are due May 1 and November 1, annually.
Description: Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is dedicated to helping classroom teachers make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning fun and exciting for students in U.S. schools. TAF funds innovative STEM projects designed by teachers for use in their own schools and classrooms. Teachers at public and nonprofit private schools throughout the United States are eligible to apply.

Application deadline: Proposals are being accepted on an ongoing basis until December 2, 2024.
Grant amount: $500 to $50,000
Description: Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is dedicated to Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination and the sovereignty of Native nations. The Fund is currently accepting applications from Native-led and community-generated organizations through its four grant program areas: Community Vitality, with a focus on strengthening Indigenous identity by revitalizing cultural lifeways, language, creativity, and food sovereignty; Flicker Fund, which responds to vulnerable and stressed Indigenous communities on the frontlines of climate-caused crisis and emergencies; Land, Water, and Climate, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples’ traditional relationships and responsibilities to land, water, community, and spirit; and Thriving Women, with a focus on Indigenous women and girls’ inherent strength and capacity for healing, leadership, and regenerating positive futures. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federally-recognized tribal nations, applicants with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, and Seventh Generation Fund affiliate projects are eligible to apply.

Application deadline: None for organizational summaries
Geographic scope: AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV
Description: The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation partners with organizations and networks working to alleviate poverty and increase social and economic justice in 11 Southern states. The Foundation seeks the most promising opportunities to support power building work to advance racial equity and social and economic justice, and provides support along three primary pathways: democracy and civic engagement, supportive policies and institutions, and economic opportunity. Organizations may use funds for general operating support, project support, “glue” support for networks of grassroots and partner organizations, and organizational development.

Application deadline: Applications are accepted from February 1 to March 1 and from August 1 to September 1, annually.
Geographic scope: Utah and southeast Idaho
Description: The Intermountain Community Care Foundation seeks to improve access to healthcare services and increase healthy behaviors for low-income, uninsured, or medically underrepresented populations in Utah and southeast Idaho (Cassia County and Minidoka County). Grants are provided to community-based organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public agencies, for programs or services that align with Intermountain's health priorities. Grants are offered in three grant categories: Agency Health Priority Grants, with a focus on mental well-being, chronic and avoidable health outcomes, and access to comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare; Social Determinants of Health Grants, with a focus on improving nutrition security and improving stable and quality housing through wraparound and support services; and Child and Family Mental Well-Being Grants, focused on reducing suicide deaths, reducing frequent mental distress, and decreasing opioid misuse, as well as prevention and early intervention, comprehensive programs that include the entire family, trauma informed systems for young children, and community coalitions.

Application deadline: Proposals are accepted from August 1 to 31, annually.
Geographic scope: Tennessee
Description: The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation works with government entities and nonprofit organizations in Tennessee to create BlueCross Healthy Places, public spaces where neighbors can get to know one another, form new connections, and enjoy healthy activity. BlueCross Healthy Places could include community spaces, adult fitness equipment, sports courts and fields, playgrounds, accessible play spaces, and paved walking paths. (Applicants may engage in a custom design process, or select from pre-designed options.) Proposed projects must be free and open to the public, demonstrate a community benefit, and include community input.

Application deadline: The remaining 2024 inquiry form deadline for K-12 education grants and arts grants for larger organizations is October 11. Fast Track arts grants for smaller organizations are accepted throughout the year. 
Geographic scope: Oregon
Description: The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation envisions an Oregon where the arts thrive in supportive communities and all children have equal opportunities for success in school. The Foundation funds organizations in Oregon with activities in arts or K-12 education. In the arts, interests include performing arts, literary arts, visual and media arts, arts service organizations, and arts education. In the area of education, support is provided to organizations working to create a more holistic and equitable K-12 education system that provides a supportive learning environment and high-quality education to all students, including those furthest from opportunity. For arts organizations, Fast Track grants support organizations with annual expenses of $25,000-$499,999. Applications for larger arts organizations, with annual expenses of over $500,000, and for K-12 education grants are accepted three times annually. General operating support is provided. Applicants can be 501(c)(3) organizations, public entities, tribal or municipal governments, schools, or school districts. 

Application deadline: August 29, 2024
Description: The National Park Service’s Underrepresented Communities Grant Program works towards diversifying listings submitted to the National Register of Historic Places. Projects include surveys and inventories of historic properties associated with communities underrepresented in the National Register, as well as the development of nominations to the National Register for specific sites.

Application deadline: September 30, 2024
Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program is a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance primarily through cooperative agreements to coastal communities, conservation partners, and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. Coastal Program habitat improvement projects strive to increase coastal resiliency by improving the ability of coastal ecosystems to adapt to environmental changes and supporting natural and nature-based infrastructure projects to protect and enhance coastal habitats.

Are you a nonprofit professional who wears many hats? Are you looking to learn more about a host of topics? If so, you might want to read the Funding For Good Blog. This blog features articles on board development, grant research and writing, leadership development, fundraising, budgeting, and much more. Recent entries explain the ins and outs of writing grant reports, securing matching grants, and utilizing retainers in a nonprofit consulting business.

Webinar date: August 5, 2024, 2:00 to 2:45 PM Eastern Time
Description: Funders want to address real problems in their giving areas, which means your proposal must demonstrate why your program is necessary and important to your community. However, too many proposals present a need that is vague, not supported by data, or misaligned with other sections of a grant application. Any of these issues make it easy for reviewers to overlook your proposal. During this TargetED, Alice Ruhnke will show you how to craft a compelling statement of need that highlights the importance of your project in your community.

Webinar date: August 6, 2024, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Are you thinking about jumping into federal grants? Every year the federal government releases millions of dollars to help nonprofit organizations serve their communities. However, federal grants are extremely competitive. The application process is cumbersome and often requires a high level of work investment. There are two essential ingredients of every successful federal grant proposal: preparation and early planning. During this webinar, Alice Ruhnke will show you how to research federal funding opportunities and develop the initial strategies needed to craft competitive federal grant applications.

Webinar date: August 7, 2024, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Logic models are more than a passing fad and more than just extra work: They are an incredibly diverse tool that can make your organization stronger and more effective. They can help you write persuasive proposals, enlist dedicated volunteers, retain talented staff, and build support for innovative ideas. During this webinar, Alice Ruhnke will make logic models much less mysterious by showing you how you already use them every day. You’ll discover how logic models can help you quantify those “hard to measure” outcomes that tell your organization’s true story.

GrantStation shares database profiles of local, national, Canadian, and international grantmakers with upcoming deadlines each week. Check out the current Funding Spotlights for more grant opportunities! Current opportunities include HF Sinclair Community Investment Program (U.S. national), CareOregon Community Giving Program (U.S. local: specific Oregon counties), Emerging Digital Artists Award (Canada national), and Ember Mental Health ( low- and middle-income countries).