GrantStation Insider - September 14, 2017

National | Regional | Federal | PathFinder | Online Education

National Funding
Opportunities Throughout the U.S.

Support for Music Education and Therapy Programs
Academy of Country Music: ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, provides funding to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that promote education and healing with a musical connection. Specific areas of interest include music education programs in schools, especially for at-risk, underserved populations. An additional priority area is music therapy or programs facilitating healing through music. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $10,000. The application deadline is October 4, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about the funding guidelines and application process.

Social Justice Initiatives Funded
Public Welfare Foundation
The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts to advance justice and opportunity for people in need nationwide. The Foundation looks for strategic points where its funds can make a significant difference and improve lives through policy and system reform that results in transformative change. The Foundation's current funding priorities target the following issues: The Criminal Justice Program supports organizations that are working to end overincarceration of adult offenders while also aiming to reduce racial disparity. The Youth Justice Program focuses on organizations working to advance a fair and effective community-based vision of youth justice, with a focus on ending the criminalization and incarceration of youth of color. The Workers’ Rights Program supports policy and system reforms to improve the lives of low-wage working people, with a focus on securing their basic legal rights to safe, healthy, and fair conditions at work. Letters of inquiry may be submitted throughout the year. Detailed guidelines for each of the targeted grant programs are available on the Foundation’s website.

Science Lab Makeovers for Middle and High Schools in the U.S. and Canada
National Science Teachers Association: Shell Science Lab Challenge
The Shell Science Lab Challenge, administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), recognizes outstanding middle and high school programs in the United States and Canada for their exemplary approaches to science lab instruction. The Challenge will showcase the work of teachers who submit innovative, replicable strategies to deliver quality lab experiences to their students utilizing limited school and laboratory resources. One Grand Prize winning school will receive a lab makeover support package valued at $20,000, four national finalists will each receive a lab makeover support package valued at $8,500, and 18 district winners will each receive a lab makeover support package valued at $3,000. The application deadline is December 15, 2017. Visit the NSTA website to review the application information.

Seed Money for Social Entrepreneurs Worldwide
Echoing Green Fellowship Program
Echoing Green invests in outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to help them launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions to society’s most difficult problems. Echoing Green offers the following three distinct fellowship programs: The Global Fellowship supports young leaders worldwide who are connected to the needs and potential solutions that may work best for their communities. The Climate Fellowship invests in the best next-generation social entrepreneurs committed to working on innovations in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The Black Male Achievement Fellowship supports emerging leaders dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the United States. Fellowships are provided to individuals (at least 18 years of age) or two-person partnerships. Fellows receive stipends of $80,000 ($90,000 for partnerships) over two years, as well as leadership development and technical support. Applications will be accepted from September 26 to October 24, 2017. To apply or learn more, visit echoinggreen.org/apply.

Regional Funding
Opportunities for Specific Areas

Hurricane Relief Grants for HIV Organizations in Affected Regions
AIDS United: HIV Hurricane Relief Effort
AIDS United is making funds available through the HIV Hurricane Relief Effort request for applications (RFA) to help meet the urgent needs of HIV organizations in the Southern states and U.S. territories affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The intent of the funding is to ensure that HIV-related agencies impacted by these storms are able to provide care and support services to the HIV community in their areas. Grants will range from $10,000 to $15,000; special consideration for larger funding requests may be given based on need. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from organizations serving people living with and affected by HIV in these regions. Visit the AIDS United website to download the RFA and application form.

Environmental Protection Efforts in California Supported
California Wildlands Grassroots Fund
The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund, administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, supports nonprofit organizations that are working to protect California’s natural landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and wildlife. Grants of up to $7,500 are provided to small nonprofit organizations as well as activists with a sponsoring organization. Priority is given to geographic or issue areas that have not received significant financial support in the past, including rural communities and other regions without easy access to financial and political support. Applying organizations must have annual expenses and revenues of $150,000 or less. Requests are reviewed quarterly; the final application deadline for 2017 is October 28. Online application guidelines are available on the Rose Foundation’s website.

Funds for Aging in Place Programs in 34 States
Jean Griswold Foundation
The Jean Griswold Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities who choose to age in place. The Foundation offers support to organizations located within a 25-mile radius of Griswold Home Care offices in 34 states. The Foundation's funding priorities focus on programs that provide services such as home delivered meals, transportation, friendly visitors, home chores and repairs, hospice, and respite and caregiver support. The Foundation also supports local community and grassroots organizations that provide other programs and services with the intent of helping those of limited financial means to age in place. Most grants are in the $500 to $2,000 range. Applications will be accepted from September 11 through October 31, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to submit an online application.

Grants Strengthen Rural Communities in Selected Regions
Laura Jane Musser Fund: Rural Initiative Program
The Laura Jane Musser Fund encourages collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in communities in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming, as well as Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties in Texas. Through the Rural Initiative Program, the Fund supports efforts that will help to strengthen individual rural towns in the targeted states in a number of civic areas, including, but not limited to, economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be able to demonstrate the rural characteristics of their location and support from a diverse cross-section of community members and institutions. Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 are provided. Online applications may be submitted from October 2 through November 2, 2017. Specific grant guidelines and application procedures are available on the Fund’s website.

Federal Funding
Opportunities from the U.S. Government

Funds Available for Marine Debris Cleanup
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Marine Debris Removal program supports the development and implementation of locally-driven marine debris prevention, assessment, and removal projects that benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources. The application deadline is November 1, 2017. 

Program Supports Preservation of Japanese American Confinement Sites
National Park Service
The Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program supports organizations and entities working to preserve historic confinement sites and their history. The application deadline is November 1, 2017.

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

Google Ad Grants for Nonprofits
Google Ad Grants is an essential tool for nonprofit organizations looking to increase their exposure while working on a shoestring budget. However, few are aware of exactly how this program works. To get an overview, we recommend viewing the recorded webinar, Google Ad Grants for Nonprofits, by Mobile Cause, which reveals how fundraisers can use this program to boost donations and power awareness for free.

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.

Building a Stellar Grantseeking Team
One of the most time consuming tasks for an Executive Director of a nonprofit organization is the research, writing, and submission of grant requests. And, unfortunately, it is often a task that is both daunting and isolating. This webinar taught by GrantStation's CEO, Cynthia Adams, takes you through a step-by-step process to develop a grantseeking team, all working toward a common vision: to strengthen and build your grants program. This online training focuses on a step-by-step process to craft the perfect committee, develop a process to energize your team, and discover ways to create a sustainable program. Ms. Adams' unique approach will help you develop a team that will generate stellar results.

The Golden Key to Successful Grant Requests
The need statement is arguably the most important part of a grant proposal. Uncover the most effective methods for documenting the need, as well as ways to use that information to engage the reader, by joining GrantStation's CEO, Cynthia Adams for this new webinar! Ms. Adams will share how to call attention to the problem or need facing your organization or community, and how to take that information and create a sense of urgency so the grantmaker feels compelled to act now. This webinar is fast-paced and full of new ideas and usable resources, as well as numerous examples of need statements taken from winning grant proposals.  All levels of grantwriters are encouraged to attend.

Fundraising with Social Media (NEW)
Your nonprofit has worked hard to build up a base of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere, but how do you convert these fans into donors? Join us and learn practical tips for improving online engagement, getting followers to take the next step and contribute, and ultimately how to turn your online donors into fundraisers for your cause. As online gifts over $1,000 become increasingly commonplace, make sure to get your piece of the pie. Join the former Craiglist Foundation E.D. and Co-Founder of Social Media for Nonprofits, Darian Rodriguez Heyman, as he presents useful, easy to implement, and effective tips, tools, and best practices. Bring your notepad, as this interactive session will be chock-full of practical solutions and actionable insights.

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