GrantStation Insider: December 7, 2023

Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Description: The Parkinson’s Foundation provides community grants to further the health, wellness, and education of people with Parkinson's disease across the U.S. The 2024 community grant cycle focuses on programs that educate and deliver exercise programs specifically designed for people with Parkinson's disease, address the intersection of mental health and Parkinson's disease, and reach and support care partners of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Nonprofit organizations, healthcare facilities, and for-profit organizations offering programs at no cost are eligible to apply. Applicants must operate at the local level or be an affiliate/chapter of a larger organization that operates locally. 

Application deadline: January 22, 2024
Geographic scope: United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands
Grant amount: Eight grants between $500,000 and $600,000 will be provided.
Description: Partnerships for Local Agriculture and Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS) will fund eight projects led by groups of local partners advancing systemic and equity-driven approaches to transforming school food supply chains. PLANTS is funded by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative and is administered by the Chef Ann Foundation in partnership with the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Kitchen Sync Strategies Collaborative, and the National Farm to School Network. PLANTS will fund projects that seek to build and strengthen relationships among community-based food system stakeholders and school districts as well as expand scratch cooking in schools in order to build healthier school meal programs. Projects must be collaboratively administered by at least three local partners and must include at least one school food authority (the governing body responsible for the administration and operation of the school meal program at one or more schools). Other partners may include food producers, processors, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors; cooperative extensions; local government agencies; and community-based food support organizations. In addition to financial support, grantees will receive technical assistance and training from the PLANTS Project Team.

Application deadline: January 17, 2024
Geographic scope: United States, including U.S. territories
Grant amount: Matching grants of up to $50,000
Description: The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance, aims to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military service members and veterans exposed to trauma as well as their families and caregivers through experiences of art or art making. Matching grant awards support projects that engage military-connected individuals through experiences of art or art-making. Grants are intended for non-clinical arts engagement programs taking place in healthcare, community, or virtual settings, and can involve a range of arts activities, including visual, written, and performing arts offered through single events, drop-in programs, and ongoing engagement led by artists or creative arts therapists. Projects should have one or more of the following participant outcomes in mind: creative expression, social connectedness, resilience, and independence and successful adaptation to civilian life. Nonprofit organizations and state, local, and tribal government entities that have at least three-years experience in presenting and producing arts-based projects or programming for military communities may apply.

Application deadline: January 18, 2024
Geographic scope: United States, Canada, and Mexico
Grant amount: Up to Canadian $185,000
Description: The Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) promotes shared responsibility and stewardship for the environment by partnering with tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities, local communities, academia, and non-governmental organizations in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Under the theme “Empowering Indigenous Peoples and Enhancing Climate Adaptation by Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge,” the 2024-26 NAPECA grant cycle aims to support climate adaptation in Canada, Mexico, and the United States by engaging and empowering communities, particularly Indigenous and local communities, in applying Indigenous knowledge to strengthen community-based resilience to climate change. Projects could address topics such as the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems through Indigenous knowledge systems and practices, reducing habitat loss to conserve biodiversity and land, strengthening climate action to achieve a low-carbon emission economy (considering scientific, technical, and Indigenous knowledge), improving air quality, improving community support networks for times of crisis, and implementing nature-based solutions.

Application deadline: Presenters must submit artist information to the Projects in Development listing by February 15, 2024. The application deadline is March 7, 2024.
Geographic scope: DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, PR, VA, VI, and WV
Grant amount: Support includes fee subsidies up to a maximum of $10,000, covering up to 50% of an artist’s fees, as well as up to $2,000 to support direct project expenses.
Description: ArtsCONNECT, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts, supports performing arts touring projects collaboratively developed by presenters working together in the mid-Atlantic region. The tours include performances as well as complementary engagement activities designed to create greater understanding or connections between artists, audiences, and communities. Two or more presenters who partner to present the same artist or company during the project period can each receive up to a 50% subsidy for the artist or company’s compensation, plus support for other eligible project expenses. Eligible presenters must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments based in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Native nations that share this geography.

Application deadline: January 31, 2024
Geographic scope: Texas
Grant amount: Generally $5,000 to $50,000
Description: The Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust supports nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Texas that provide services to the elderly. Types of programs considered for funding include health centers, recreation programs, retirement services, Alzheimer's initiatives, meal delivery programs, nursing facilities, etc. Support is also provided for primary caregiver education programs focusing on the elderly and nursing scholarships for students specializing in gerontology. Grant funds must be used within the state of Texas for the benefit of those 60 years of age and above or those born with Down's syndrome age 47 years and above. Early submission of applications is recommended to avoid any issues with the mail and, should something be missing, to give the Trust time to call and request it. The staff of the Trust encourages telephone calls prior to submission to discuss request ideas and to clarify the reasoning for the questions.  

Application deadline: Applications are reviewed quarterly. Upcoming deadlines for submitting concept papers are February 1, May 1, and August 1, 2024.
Geographic scope: Connecticut
Grant amount: Typically $25,000 to $100,000
Description: The Connecticut Health Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of all Connecticut residents, with a focus on improving health outcomes for people of color and ensuring all Connecticut residents have access to affordable healthcare. Each quarter, the Foundation awards grants for projects with the potential for broader, systems level change that will advance health equity for people of color. These projects must align with at least one of the foundation’s strategic objectives, which include expanding healthcare coverage, sustainable funding for community health workers, maternal health equity for people of color, and fostering infrastructure for health equity. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and municipal public agencies, public and private university institutions, and coalitions, advocacy groups, and collaboratives with a nonprofit fiscal agent.

Application deadline: None for letters of intent; applications are reviewed quarterly.
Geographic scope: Arizona, California, and Nevada
Grant amount: $5,000 to $3,000,000
Description: The Del E. Webb Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations in Arizona, Nevada, or California for programs that create or enhance opportunities for permanent improvements. The focus is on results-based programs that will impact the future of society by allowing it to reach its maximum potential. Support is provided primarily for child and health initiatives.

Optional draft deadline: January 10, 2024
Application deadline: February 14, 2024
Description: The Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence program aims to support a more holistic understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) in the modern world through the creation of new research centers at eligible institutions. Centers must focus their scholarly activities on exploring the ethical, legal, or societal implications of AI. 

Application deadline: January 11, 2024
Description: The U.S. Department of State’s Supporting Critical Open Source Technologies That Enable a Free and Open Internet program is an open competition that supports projects to strengthen the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms online through an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure global internet, with a focus on technology development. The program will enable and encourage the protection and exercise of fundamental freedoms and human rights in contexts in which those rights are not otherwise respected by means of technologies that can restore or protect those rights and freedoms by design. 

At Foundant Technologies, we understand grant management. GrantHub Pro streamlines the entire grant lifecycle—from finding and applying for funding to reporting on progress to grant closeout—in one easy-to-use solution.

Join us for a free 45-minute demo on Wednesday, December 13 at 10 AM MT to see how GrantHub Pro can help you:

• save time managing your grant process;
• centralize your post-award grant management and financials; and,
• create greater impact in the communities you serve!

Plus! Take advantage of an upcoming special pricing opportunity before the year ends.

Are you thinking about founding a nonprofit organization, but aren’t sure where to begin? If so, you may want to read How to Start a Nonprofit That Will Change the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Assist Founders in Navigating the Hidden Obstacles of Building & Leading a New Nonprofit Organization, by May L. Harris, Esq. This book takes readers on a step-by-step journey through the entire process of creating and managing a nonprofit organization. From formulating a compelling mission statement and crafting an effective business plan to navigating legal complexities and establishing a strong board of directors, the author of this book leaves no stone unturned.

Webinar date: December 11, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Join GrantStation's Founder and Corporate Advisor, Cynthia Adams, in this information-packed, fast-paced training focused on a step-by-step process to help you develop your grantseeking calendar for 2024-25. With so many unknowns when it comes to fundraising, having a strong grantseeking plan in place is essential to keeping your organization financially healthy.

Webinar date: December 12, 2023, 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Description: During this live demo and Q&A session, Jeremy Smith, Director of Communications Technology, and Kerry Glauser, Senior Research Specialist, will show you how you can use GrantStation to complete your grant research quickly and get high-quality results. You’ll walk away ready to utilize GrantStation to find funding opportunities that are perfect for your organization, build a solid grantseeking strategy, and write winning proposals.

Webinar date: December 13, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
Description: Many talented consultants know how to effectively provide niche services such as grantwriting, strategic planning, or marketing but struggle when it comes to running their actual consulting business. A business plan provides a blueprint for successfully running your consulting business. It is a safeguard against burnout that can help you serve the nonprofit sector, stay solvent, and meet your individual financial goals. During this interactive webinar, Stephanie Sample will demystify the process of business planning. You’ll leave feeling empowered to write a first draft of your business plan.

Does your organization struggle with the grant application process? Do you spend too much time writing proposals that do not get funded? Do you want to take your grantwriting to the next level? If so, then GrantStation’s new online course, Turbocharge Your Grantwriting Skills, is right for you!

A successful grantseeking program can provide your nonprofit with vital financial resources so you can enhance your capacity and fulfill your mission. Consistently writing winning grant proposals, however, can feel like a daunting task that leaves many nonprofits stressed, confused, and overwhelmed.

Throughout this course, GrantStation President Alice Ruhnke will guide you through the entire grant proposal process step-by-step. You’ll learn how to craft an organizational background, compelling statement of need, process and outcome evaluation, approach, and budget with detailed videos, downloads, examples, and other resources.

You’ll be introduced to a proposal writing framework that can be used repeatedly and will help save you time, write better proposals, and get funded more frequently. All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and five CFRE credits. 

Questions? Contact David.Gates@GrantStation.com

My experience with GrantStation goes all the way back to the 90s when I had the honor of seeing the genesis of GrantStation. On a visit to Fairbanks, Alaska, I actually slept in the log cabin where Cindy and Julie Kaufman started GrantStation. In the morning over coffee, I got to witness their work in matchmaking grantseekers with grantmakers in Alaska. 

I was inspired by their vision and their scrappiness, and was even more impressed over the years as their work grew nationally and even internationally into what GrantStation has become today. I remember thinking “I want to work for them someday.” In 2012, I finally got the chance when GrantStation needed someone to migrate the operations to the cloud and to manage rebuilding the website in Drupal. 

Eventually I came to manage both Member Services and Technology. I love being at the intersection of these two processes.

1. At GrantStation, we put a large focus on customer service, e.g., when you call, we actually pick up the phone so you can interact with a live person right away.
2. We then take the time to talk with you. As we listen, we gain insights on what we need to offer through our site and beyond.
3. These insights then feed into our technological projects and drive our priorities so that we can provide resources that are more robust and user-friendly.

If you have insights on GrantStation, please let me know. We want our tools and information to be as effective as they can be. We want grantseekers and grantmakers to be successful by connecting with each other on the changes that they want to manifest in the world. We want those changes too; that is what drives all of our staff each and every day.

GrantStation shares database profiles of local, national, Canadian, and international grantmakers with upcoming deadlines each week. Current opportunities include Jordan Brand: Black Community Commitment (U.S. national), Literary Society of the Southwest (U.S. local: Arizona), Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (Canada), and THE SKATEROOM: Social Skate Project (global).