GrantStation Insider - February 23, 2017

National | Regional | Federal | Partner Depot | Online Education | Announcements

National Funding
Opportunities Throughout the U.S.

Support for Communities Addressing Future Environmental Challenges
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Resilient Communities
The Resilient Communities program, an initiative of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from Wells Fargo, is dedicated to helping communities prepare for future impacts associated with sea level rise, water quantity and quality, and forest conservation. The program places special emphasis on helping traditionally underserved, low- and moderate-income communities build capacity for resiliency planning and investments in “greener” infrastructure. In 2017 grants will be offered in the following two categories: The Regional Adaptation through Regional Conservation Projects category will support projects that help prepare for fire in the Western Region, floods and droughts in the Central Region, and sea-level rise in the Eastern Region. Grants in this category will range from $200,000 to $500,000. The Community Capacity Building and Demonstration Projects category will support projects that help communities understand, organize, and take action to address risks and opportunities through improved resilience brought about by enhanced natural features. Grants in this category, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, can take place anywhere in the U.S., but should address multiple cities and communities. Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply in both categories. The pre-proposal deadline is March 30, 2017; invited full proposals must be submitted by May 31, 2017. Visit the NFWF website to review the request for proposals.

Training, Funding, and Mentorship for Tech Nonprofits
Fast Forward Accelerator
Fast Forward unlocks the power of the tech community to tackle social issues by supporting tech nonprofit organizations who, in the early stages, need to build their product and prove their model. The Fast Forward Accelerator program takes place in San Francisco, CA, each summer. Participating nonprofit organizations receive a $25,000 grant, 13 weeks of training, and connections to 100 high-caliber mentors. Applying organizations must be nonprofits leveraging technology to address problems in arts and culture, education, environment, food and agriculture, health, human rights, poverty alleviation, economic development, or public service and civic engagement. The application deadline is March 31, 2017. Visit the Fast Forward website to learn more about the program and to submit an online application.

Grants Promote Contemporary American Music
The Amphion Foundation
The purpose of the Amphion Foundation is to promote excellence in, and public appreciation of, contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers. Grants are provided to publicly-supported nonprofit performing ensembles, presenters, and music service organizations that have a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert music at a high level of excellence. In general, grants range between $1,000 and $7,500, although larger grants may be awarded to major performing organizations with an extraordinary commitment to contemporary concert music or a particularly significant project. Applying organizations must have been in existence for at least two years, and have completed two full seasons of programming prior to the time of application. Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website for grant program guidelines.

Creative Projects at Schools and Libraries Supported
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: Mini-Grant Program
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation offers Mini-Grants of up to $500 to public schools, public libraries, and public preschool and Head Start programs in the United States and its territories. The Foundation accepts proposals for projects that foster creative expression, working together, and interaction with a diverse community. Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants have funded programs in all disciplines, at all grade levels, and of all sizes, from art exhibitions to animal habitats. The application deadline is March 31, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about the application process.

Regional Funding
Opportunities for Specific Areas

Funds for Source Water and Watershed Protection in Company Communities
American Water Environmental Grant Program
The American Water Environmental Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations that address a watershed or source water protection need in local communities within American Water service areas in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Source water protection projects should result in the protection or improvement of the community’s public drinking water supplies. Watershed protection projects should focus on activities that improve, restore, or protect one or more watersheds. Grants of up to $10,000 will be provided for environmental sustainability activities such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, hazardous waste collection efforts, community education, etc. Applications must be postmarked by March 27, 2017. Visit the company’s website to download the 2017 Program Brochure and the Grant Application Form, and to access contact information for each state.

Healthy Communities in Mississippi Honored
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation: Healthy Hometown Award
The Healthy Hometown Award, an initiative of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, rewards exemplary community health and wellness in Mississippi. The Award assists municipal leaders throughout the state in their efforts to make their communities – and ultimately the state – a healthier place to live. The Foundation will award four grants in 2017: One small, medium, and large town will each receive a $25,000 grant. One municipality will be designated as the Healthiest Town in Mississippi and will be awarded a $50,000 grant. (A town of any size may receive this designation.) The application deadline is March 30, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the application information.

Grants Recognize Innovative Organizations in Minnesota and the Dakotas
Bush Foundation: Bush Prize for Community Innovation
The Bush Prize for Community Innovation honors innovative nonprofit organizations and government entities with a track record of making great ideas happen in the regions the Bush Foundation serves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. The Bush Prize does not prioritize any specific issues and instead is open to community innovations that address all sorts of needs and opportunities. Prize winners will receive promotion and recognition, along with a flexible grant of 25% of the last fiscal year budget, up to a $500,000 grant. At least half of the Bush Prize winners will be organizations that address racial and economic disparities. Applications will be accepted from March 7 through April 27, 2017. Visit the Bush Foundation’s website to learn more about the Bush Prize application process.

Projects to Enhance the Health of New Yorkers Funded
New York State Health Foundation: Special Projects Fund
The New York State Health Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of New York State residents, especially the most vulnerable. The Special Projects Fund supports programs that fit the Foundation’s mission, but are outside the three priority areas of Building Healthy Communities, Empowering Health Care Consumers, and addressing Veterans’ Health Needs. All projects must have an impact on New Yorkers either at a local, regional, or statewide level. Special Projects Fund grants range from $50,000 to $400,000, with an average of $250,000. The online inquiry form must be submitted by March 15, 2017; full applications are due May 17, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the Request for Proposals.

Federal Funding
Opportunities from the U.S. Government

School Safety Research Supported
Department of Justice
The Comprehensive School Safety Initiative supports research to produce practical knowledge that can improve the safety of schools and students. This initiative is carried out through partnerships between researchers, educators, and other stakeholders, including law enforcement and mental health professionals. The application deadline is March 24, 2017. 

Program Funds Arts for Underserved Audiences
National Endowment for the Arts
The Challenge America program provides support to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations, such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Applications are due to Grants.gov by April 13, 2017. 

Partner Depot
GrantStation Proudly Endorses These Special Offers

Reach Your Target Audience – Increase Attendance, Sales, and Membership!
Partner Depot provides the opportunity for organizations and businesses to connect with the grantseeking universe by introducing products or services, announcing events, etc. Advertising in GrantStation's weekly newsletters, sent to a list of over 100,000 subscribers, and on GrantStation's website, with over 2,100,000 page views annually, will ensure that your message reaches interested readers.

We at GrantStation know that Partner Depot advertisements and announcements carry our implied endorsement. Therefore, the Partner Depot Program is limited to current GrantStation Members, partners, and participants in other GrantStation programs to ensure the veracity of the marketing content. To learn more about how Partner Depot can work for you, please contact Jill Cochran.

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

The 2017 State of Grantseeking™: Trends from the Report
In the nonprofit world, benchmarking is the process of comparing one's organization — both processes and performance metrics — to industry bests. Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's President will present this 45-minute webinar offers you a chance to compare your organization to over 3,300 other organizations, and to see trends in the grantseeking arena.

In addition, the webinar addresses questions such as:

• Which funder types are most likely to support my organization?
• What is a reasonable level of funding to expect for my organization?
• Does my region, budget, location, or mission focus affect my organization's ability to be awarded grants?
• What are the recent trends in grantseeking and how can I use knowledge of those trends to my organization's advantage?

We at GrantStation sincerely hope that the State of Grantseeking™ Reports help you in planning for 2017 - 2018, and in managing the expectations of your stakeholders—board members, donors, and the community at large. This no-cost webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.  Sign Up Today!

Announcements
What's New at GrantStation?

Announcing Our New Logo for Social Media
GrantStation is thrilled to unveil our new square logo for social media! Please connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date and informed about GrantStation happenings, nonprofit news, and learning opportunities.

Big kudos to the folks at NXT Creative for the excellent logo design! They are strategic storytellers, providing clients clarity through research and collaboration, and building brand stories through video, design, and strategy.

Information contained in the GrantStation Insider may not be posted, reprinted, redistributed, or sold.

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