GrantStation Insider: September 28, 2023

Application deadline: November 9, 2023
Geographic scope: United States, Canada, and Mexico
Grant amount: Up to C$200,000
Description: The Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience (EJ4Climate) Grant Program is dedicated to empowering underserved and vulnerable communities and Indigenous communities across North America to help prepare them for climate-related impacts. For this grant cycle, applications are being accepted for projects that will advance community-driven strategies in support of environmental justice and community resilience to the impacts of extreme weather events in urban areas. Proposals are welcomed that foster climate resilience by improving the capacity of overburdened communities in urban areas to prepare for, withstand, respond to, and recover from hazardous events or disturbances related to climate change. Possible projects could include capacity building or training to address extreme weather impacts, developing new partnerships and networks, or utilizing nature-based solutions to address climate change. Supported strategies should integrate empowerment as the main principle for enabling communities and individuals to gain more influence and implement long-lasting solutions.

Application deadline: October 27, 2023
Grant amount:  $2,500 or $5,000 per year
Description: Youth Service America (YSA) is on a mission to make working together for the common good the common expectation and common experience of every young person. YSA’s National Days of Service Lead Agency Grants provide support to statewide or citywide coalitions throughout the U.S. that are organizing youth service or service-learning projects on national days of service. The two-year grants will support organizations leading a coalition of project planning partners to increase youth participation on MLK Day of Service and Global Youth Service Day/Youth Service Month. Grantees will build a diverse coalition of partners that plan and host their own youth-led projects, and will provide technical assistance and support to partners in integrating or expanding quality youth-led service opportunities.

Application deadline: December 11, 2023
Geographic scope: United States and other countries
Grant amount: Up to $5,000
Description: The American Society of Breast Surgeons Foundation’s grant program aims to improve the standard of care for breast disease patients. Support is provided in the U.S. and other countries for innovative patient breast care and patient education and research. Grants are provided in the categories of education, with a focus on raising awareness of breast cancer and increasing the capabilities of effective patient breast health education programs; community outreach, with a focus on community-based nonprofit organizations providing education on breast health and screening to underserved, uninsured, and low-income populations; and research specific to breast cancer, patient breast health, or breast disease. (Applications are also accepted for the Humanism in Medicine Award, which focuses on compassion and empathy in the delivery of patient care, cultural sensitivity, and competence in scientific endeavors.)

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted from October 1 to November 11, 2023.
Grant amount: Generally $5,000 to $15,000
Description: The Outride Fund partners with community nonprofits in the United States to promote cycling as a tool to improve social, emotional, and cognitive health. Support is provided for youth-focused projects (benefiting those under 25 years old) that promote the power of cycling to increase wellness and mental health, with a focus on underrepresented demographic groups. Examples of funded projects include school-based cycling programs, youth racing teams emphasizing mental health among riders, trail construction projects in places where there is little trail access or for a specific community-based or school-based program, educational programs, and infrastructure projects tied to a specific program or purpose related to mental and cognitive health.

Application deadline: October 31, 2023
Geographic scope: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington
Grant amount: Up to $10,000 in unrestricted funding
Description: Potlatch Fund is a Native-led nonprofit organization that provides grants and leadership development to tribal nations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Potlatch Fund’s Community Relations and Innovation Fund focuses on supporting ‘the people on the ground’ in Native communities who are committed to serving the needs of the community. Support will be provided for efforts, including but not limited to, youth work, community building, arts/culture, language, and education and advocacy. Recognized tribal entities (and those seeking recognition), Native nonprofit (or fiscally sponsored) organizations, and Native artists are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide services in WA, OR, ID, and MT; serve 51% Native community; and have two-thirds Native staff and board.

Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Geographic scope: States on or east of the Mississippi River
Grant amount: Two-year grants of $20,000 to $25,000 per year
Description: The Cedar Tree Foundation is offering a new round of grantmaking through the Rooted in Justice program to help amplify youth voices and actions in the environmental and food justice movements. Support will be provided to community-based organizations and groups with 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal agent in states on or east of the Mississippi River that manage youth-led urban greening programs. Rooted in Justice supports organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people between the ages of 12 to 20 in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically or currently experience a lack of access to land or nature, agricultural oppression or neglect, food apartheid, and other forms of injustice. Supported programs should include all of the following elements: social justice, urban greening, and youth-led, cohort-based youth work.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted from October 4 to October 26, 2023.
Geographic scope: Minnesota
Grant amount: Between 50 and 70 grants of up to $65,000 will be provided.
Description: The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by Propel Nonprofits, supports the missions of small, BIPOC led-and-serving nonprofit organizations in Minnesota by strengthening their infrastructure. Support will be provided for proposals that lead to meaningful improvement in an organization’s infrastructure, including technology investments, staff development, relationship building, or other opportunities to increase nonprofits’ core mission support. Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)(3) status that are BIPOC led-and-serving (culturally specific, serving historically underserved communities) and have budgets of less than $1,000,000 are eligible to apply. Visit the Propel Nonprofits website after October 4, 2023, to access the application guidelines.

Application deadline: Movement applications will be accepted from October 1 to October 31, 2023.
Geographic scope: Maine
Grant amount: $2,500 to $25,000
Description: The Quimby Family Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Maine that are working to advance human wholeness, defined as physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, through the focus areas of movement and nourishment. For the upcoming application cycle, the Foundation will accept applications in the area of movement, with a focus on creating and supporting opportunities for people to consistently choose, and meaningfully experience, nearby nature and wilderness through movement and activity. Supported strategies could include deepening the bonds between people, nature, and one another through wilderness journeys; outdoor recreation events to discover nearby nature and commune with neighbors; reducing barriers for people to access nearby nature and open space; creating, promoting, or restoring parks, gardens, and green spaces; addressing community disparities to encourage safe, equitable outdoor access; promoting active transportation choices; marketing successful programs and underutilized nearby nature spaces; building or improving trails; and partnering with healthcare professionals to champion movement as a tool to support public health.

Application deadline: October 30, 2023
Description: The Lead and Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program supports research to gain knowledge on improving the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of methods for evaluation and control of residential lead-based paint hazards and housing-related health and safety hazards. The program, part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Healthy Homes Initiative, is particularly focused on children's health.

Application deadline: October 31, 2023
Description: The Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities program seeks to lower energy costs for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs. The program supports the implementation of initiatives such as energy efficiency improvements and conservation measures (i.e. weatherization of residences and community facilities), programs encouraging the use of energy-saving appliances and devices, and programs aimed at improving the quality and cost of energy service.

Donor collaboratives have become increasingly popular in recent years. If you’d like to learn more about them, you might want to read The Philanthropic Collaborative Landscape, a new report by The Bridgespan Group. Based on survey responses from nearly 200 such funds, this report paints a picture of the current landscape of collaboratives that channel resources from multiple donors to nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other social change initiatives. It also suggests directions forward to grow and strengthen this increasingly important segment of philanthropic giving.

Webinar date: October 2, 2023, 2:00 to 2:45 PM Eastern Time
Description: The most successful proposal writers are talented researchers AND writers. In order to succeed in the competitive grants environment, you must fill your toolkit with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and resources that will allow you to work at your highest level and help your nonprofit organization grow and thrive. During this TargetED event, Alice Ruhnke will provide an overview of the free tools GrantStation has available to help you write stellar grant proposals and enhance your skills. 

Webinar date: October 3, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Managing your grants effectively is vital if you want to keep receiving them. Does your nonprofit receive grants from foundations, corporations, or the government? Do you get confused about whether a grant is restricted or not? Do you struggle with completing grant reports? Are you looking for guidance on managing your grants effectively so that you remain in compliance with your funders? GrantStation is partnering with Gregg Bossen, a CPA specializing in nonprofits and President of QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits, to deliver this fun, fast-paced webinar focused on the five top tips for effectively managing your grants.

Webinar date: October 4, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Wouldn’t it be great if your board members knew exactly what they need to do and why? Unfortunately for many nonprofit organizations, that is not the norm. During this webinar, Marie Palacios of Funding for Good will show you what every nonprofit board member needs to understand before they say “YES” to serving on your board. This session will help you effectively work with your board while protecting the integrity of your vision and mission.

Do you represent a membership organization comprised of many NPOs? GrantStation has four programs designed to add value to the benefits you offer constituent organizations, field offices, or members, no matter your size! 

• By joining the Membership Value Program (MVP), your organization can offer deeply discounted access to the GrantStation website and benefit from a new revenue stream. Contact Juliet Vile, Vice President of Operations, to learn more.

• Already an MVP? Further increase your revenue stream by joining the Product Referral Program (PRP) and sharing GrantStation’s Online Education offerings with your constituents. Contact Juliet Vile, Vice President of Operations, to learn more.

• The Premium Licensing Program (PLP) adds immediate, measurable value to your organization’s membership benefits. Partners can offer their members full access to GrantStation and its numerous benefits via the secure area of their own website. Contact Juliet Vile, Vice President of Operations, to learn more.

• The Volume Purchase Program (VPP) allows organizations and grantmakers to add value to the benefits they already offer to their grantees or constituent organizations through a one-time purchase of a volume of GrantStation Memberships at a significant discount. Training components are included in this purchase. Contact Alice Ruhnke, President, to learn more.

Start now to add value for your organizations!

I started working at GrantStation seven years ago to manage social media and assist with marketing and partner programs. I was new to the nonprofit sector and didn’t know much about the grantseeking process. I have since learned a lot about the hard work and dedication it takes behind the scenes to find support for your programs. My focus is always on how to help our Members learn more about the resources on GrantStation that can help in the search for funding.

I work closely with our CEO, Ellen Mowrer, to keep you updated on everything that’s happening at GrantStation. We update GrantStation’s homepage weekly and send emails to make it easier for you to find out about sales, webinars, and important information. We also run GrantStation's advertising program, which offers trusted partners a way to share their events and information with you.

While you’re reading our newsletter or checking out GrantStation.com, I hope you have a chance to read our GS Insights blog. I work to update it each week with articles from our talented staff and guest authors. They research and write in-depth, relevant articles that we are proud to publish.

I’m also the person behind our social media pages. I share content that is helpful or interesting for grantseekers and nonprofits, and news that is relevant to the philanthropy sector. My goal is to make a positive impact on those who take the time to connect with us. Say hi and join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube!

More funding opportunities are featured on the GrantStation homepage. Click here to see the grantmakers spotlighted this week!