GrantStation International Insider - February 2020

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International Funding Opportunities

Support for Innovative Solutions to Ocean Pollution
Ocean Innovation Challenge
The Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) aims to accelerate progress on SDG14 by identifying, financing, advising, and mentoring innovative, entrepreneurial, and creative approaches to ocean and coastal restoration and protection that sustains livelihoods and advances the blue economy. The first Ocean Challenge seeks innovative solutions to counter the scourge of ocean pollution, with a strong focus on nutrients and plastics from land-based sources such as agriculture, wastewater, and poorly managed solid waste. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 over one to two years support projects implemented in developing countries. Eligible applicants include non-governmental and civil society organizations, academic institutions, governments, private entities, and UN and other intergovernmental organizations based in either developing or developed countries. The deadline for preliminary proposals is March 5, 2020. Visit the OIC website to complete the online preliminary proposal form for Ocean Challenge #1 in English, French, or Spanish.

Grants Protect Internet Freedom Worldwide
Open Technology Fund 
The Open Technology Fund is committed to advancing Internet freedom. The Fund provides grants through the following programs: The Rapid Response Fund offers financial support and technological services to organizations, activists, journalists, and other human rights defenders facing digital attacks and emergencies of various kinds. The Community Prototype Fund supports the rapid development of innovative, viable and open Internet freedom technology prototypes that serve the immediate needs of the Internet freedom and human rights communities. The Internet Freedom Fund supports projects and people working on open and accessible technology-centric projects that promote human rights, internet freedom, and open societies, and that help advance inclusive and safe access to global communications networks for at-risk users. The Core Infrastructure Fund supports the ‘building block’ technologies, infrastructures, and communities relied upon by digital security and circumvention tools strengthening Internet freedom, digital security, and the overall health of the Internet. The Technology at Scale Fund supports the technology needs of U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) broadcast networks, journalists, and their audiences. Applications for the Rapid Response Fund and concept notes for the Community Prototype Fund are accepted on a rolling basis. Concept notes for the Internet Freedom Fund, Core Infrastructure Fund, and Community Prototype Fund must be submitted by March 1, 2020. Additional information on these grant programs is available on the Open Technology Fund website.

Funding Available for Wild Cat Conservation
Panthera
Panthera’s mission is to ensure a future for wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend. Panthera is currently accepting applications for the following programs: The Small Cat Action Fund (SCAF) supports in situ conservation and research activities on all small wild cat species (excluding the genera Panthera, Acinonyx, and the Puma concolor) in all regions. The Kaplan Graduate Awards Program (KAP) supports conservation efforts of outstanding, young biology graduate students working on all wild felids in situ, with a particular focus on threatened species. In addition, the Winston Cobb Memorial Fellowship is made to an exceptional early career conservationist to undertake a field-based internship to get the training and experience in field skills necessary for the conservation of wild cats. The deadline to submit a Fellowship application or a letter of interest for the SCAF and KAP is March 15, 2020. Visit the Panthera website to download the guidelines for each program.

Photojournalists Documenting Climate Change Supported
Getty Images: Climate Visuals Grants
Getty Images is committed to evolving the visual narratives that define the global climate crisis in the commercial and editorial space. Getty Images Climate Visuals Grants, launched in partnership with Climate Visuals, aim to support the creation of compelling, colorful, and emotionally engaging imagery that explores this complex and layered crisis. The objective is to elevate the work of photojournalists looking to tell stories that can educate, promote understanding, and drive change. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize how their projects can advance and diversify understanding of climate change impacts and solutions, not just causes. Projects will be assessed on how well they embody the 7 Climate Visuals principles for climate change communication. Up to two recipients will be awarded grants of $10,000 each to continue to produce their projects and be eligible for mentorship support. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2020. Visit the Getty Images website to download the Terms and Conditions and apply online.

Regional Funding Opportunities

Funds to Scale Social Service Innovations in Europe
European Social Catalyst Fund
The European Social Catalyst Fund (ESCF) aims to have significant impact on some of Europe’s most pressing social challenges. The ESCF has issued a call for proposals to provide financial and capacity building support to develop plans to scale proven social service innovations. Supported initiatives must address social challenges within at least one of the following focus areas: aging, poverty and marginalization, homelessness, disability, mental health, migration, gender equality, dementia, digital inclusiveness, employment and job creation, inequalities, education and training, community development, inter-generational solidarity, ecological and social transition, and the role and place of young people in society. At least six applications will be selected to receive a planning grant of up to €100,000 along with capacity building support. Eligible applicants include public agencies, private nonprofit agencies, and collaborations involving public and private agencies in EU Member States. Applications close on April 15, 2020. Visit the Fund’s website to review the Call for Applications 2020.

Challenge Seeks to Close the Skills Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean
MIT Solve: TPrize Challenge
The TPrize Challenge, an initiative of Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universidad de los Andes powered by MIT Solve, seeks to find and support tech-based solutions to close the skills gap and promote lifelong learning opportunities across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Challenge supports innovators with promising solutions that deploy new and alternative learning models that broaden pathways for employment and teach entrepreneurial, technical, language, and soft skills; provide equitable access to learning and training programs regardless of location, income, or connectivity; support and build the capacity of formal and informal educators to better prepare learners of all ages for the jobs of today and tomorrow; and utilize data to better understand employer needs and better inform policy, resource allocation, and skills of the future. Up to $100,000 in prize funding is available for this Challenge. The deadline to submit a solution is March 31, 2020. Visit the MIT Solve website to review the Challenge overview in English or Spanish.

Biodiversity Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa Supported
JRS Biodiversity Foundation
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation aims to increase access to and the use of information for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. The Foundation has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for multi-year projects focused upon biodiversity data, knowledge, and information services related to 1) freshwater biodiversity, 2) pollinator biodiversity, and 3) biodiversity informatics capacity development. The Foundation’s pollinators‐ and freshwater‐related grantmaking is focused on Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 over one to three years will support multi-year projects or co-funding of biodiversity information components of existing projects. Applications must be submitted by March 10, 2020. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the 2020 RFP.

Funds to Boost Girls’ Career Awareness and Self-Confidence
She's the First: Dream Gap Grant
She's the First fights for a world where every girl chooses her own future, teaming up with local organizations to make sure girls are educated, respected, and heard. Through the Dream Gap Grant program, She’s the First seeks to work with locally-led, girl-centered organizations to inspire young girls through career workshops, inspiring role models, and trailblazing leaders. Girls will meet role models from their own communities over the course of three to five workshops in 2020 to spark their interest in nontraditional careers for women, build self-confidence, and strengthen their dreams. Grantees will receive awards of $1,500 to $2,500 to facilitate this. In order to be eligible, organizations must be based in East and West Africa, Latin America, North America, or South Asia; working with girls from marginalized communities or in marginalized circumstances; and fighting for girls to choose their own futures. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2020. Applications may be submitted in English or Spanish on the She’s the First website.

Government Funding Opportunities

Support for Projects Addressing Climate Change and Nature Conservation
International Climate Initiative: Small Grants
The International Climate Initiative (IKI), an initiative of Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, finances climate and biodiversity projects in developing and newly industrializing countries, as well as in countries in transition. The IKI’s Small Grants provide funding of up to €100,000 for projects that focus on solving challenges related to climate change or nature conservation. Initiatives must address one of the following areas: mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, conserving natural carbon sinks and forestry, or conserving biological diversity. Nonprofit organizations and for-profit non-governmental organizations pursuing nonprofit objectives are eligible to apply; applicants must be based and registered in countries that fulfil the criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The deadline to submit an application is March 5, 2020. Visit the IKI website to download the first call for project proposals.

Grants Tackle Intolerance and Hate Speech in Europe
European Commission
The European Commission has issued a call for proposals to prevent and combat racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and other forms of intolerance and to monitor, prevent, and counter hate speech online. In addition, support is provided to public authorities to improve responses to racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance at the national, regional, and local level. Nonprofit organizations and public bodies based in EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the Republic of Serbia are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2020. Visit the European Commission’s website to review the call for proposals.

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

How Much Should I Ask For? 10 Points of Consideration for Foundation Grantees
When approaching a foundation for the first time, it's essential to determine the right amount for that initial grant request. Nonprofit Quarterly's article, "How Much Should I Ask For? 10 Points of Consideration for Foundation Grantees" seeks to draw back the curtain on the inner workings of at least some private foundations, and to encourage prospective grantees to put time into homework as they develop a budget ask.

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.

Exploring Public Funding (NEW)
Community nonprofits often struggle to compete with larger organizations for public dollars. This webinar, presented by Mindy Muller, is an opportunity to arm nonprofits with the information needed to make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue these funding options. The webinar will review the structure of public funding from the federal level to the state and local levels, as well as the process of considering the pros and cons of pursuing public funding. Participants will learn more about tapping into public funds, the request for proposal process, and how to prepare, qualify, and apply for public funds. Federal requirements to consider before pursuing public dollars, like OMB Circulars, the Davis-Bacon Act, and environmental reviews, will also be covered. Finally, participants will learn tips on competing for public funds with excellence. Attendees will learn about public funding streams, including federal, state, and local funding; develop strategies to make intentional decisions about pursuit of public funding; acquire an awareness of additional mandates required when using federal funds; and learn about the common request for proposal funding structure. This session is excellent for nonprofits looking to explore public funding as well as experienced proposal writers looking for a refresher. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Grantwriting 101
If you are new to grantwriting, this webinar is for you! During this 90-minute webinar, Alice Ruhnke, founder and owner of the Grant Advantage, will teach you how to use a Program Planning Framework to plan your grant applications so they tell a strong, consistent story. As we go through the Framework, each section of a typical grant application will be highlighted with information on what funders are looking for and tips on how to write that section. By the time the webinar is over, you will (1) understand what funders are looking for in grant applications; (2) be able to decipher confusing grant-related terminology; (3) have a usable system to connect all the pieces of an application together; and (4) have strategies to infuse your organization's strengths in your proposal to make it strong and competitive. The webinar will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020.

FREE: Tour of the GrantStation Website
Join Jeremy Smith, Communications and Technology Director, and Kerry Glauser, Research Specialist, for a quick tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will cover all of the features in GrantStation.com, including navigation, search interfaces, and charitable database search criteria. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers, including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the grantmakers most likely to fund your programs or projects. By using GrantStation's databases and resource tools, you can begin to develop a successful grantseeking strategy for the next 12 to 18 months. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

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Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons