GrantStation International Insider - April 2019

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International Funding Opportunities

$1 Million Prize Honors Innovative Thinkers
Berggruen Institute: Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture
The Berggruen Institute works across cultures, disciplines, and political boundaries, engaging great thinkers to develop and promote long-term answers to the biggest challenges of the 21st Century. The Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture is a $1 million award given annually to thinkers whose ideas have profoundly shaped human self-understanding and advancement in a rapidly changing world. Nominations must be submitted by May 15, 2019. Visit the Institute’s website to complete the online nomination form.

Funding Fosters the Cultural Sectors in Developing Countries
UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity
UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity has issued a call for applications for innovative projects that aim to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors in developing countries. Grants of up to $100,000 support projects that lead to structural change through the introduction or elaboration of policies and strategies that have a direct impact on the creation, production, distribution of, and access to a diversity of cultural expressions, including cultural goods, services, and activities; and the reinforcement of human and institutional capacities of public sector and civil society organizations deemed necessary to support viable local and regional cultural industries and markets in developing countries. Eligible sectors include visual arts, design, media arts, music, performing arts, publishing, and audiovisual/cinema. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as public authorities, institutions, and NGOs from developing countries are eligible to apply. The application deadline is June 13, 2019. Visit UNESCO’s website to download the call for applications and apply online.

Grants Bolster Grassroots Environmental Efforts
Patagonia Environmental Grants Program: International Grants
Through its International Grants programs, the Patagonia Environmental Grants program funds environmental work that takes place within the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Grants support small, grassroots, activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas, working strategically on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. Priority is given to organizations that work on the root causes of problems and approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. Organizations must have charitable status in the country in which they are located, or have a fiscal sponsor with such status. Application deadlines vary by geographic location. Visit the Patagonia website to review the upcoming application deadlines for each region and take the online eligibility quiz.

Prize Honors Women’s Contributions to Rural Development
Women’s World Summit Foundation: Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life
The Women’s World Summit Foundation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an international, nonprofit, humanitarian non-governmental organization with UN consultative status. The Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life, which has been awarded 442 times in over 140 countries in the past 25 years, honors creative and courageous women and women’s groups around the world working to improve the quality of life and empower rural communities. The Prize aims to empower rural women in their contribution to end rural poverty, improve gender equality, and advance women's rights to peace and well-being. Areas of interest include sustainable development, human rights, economic development, the environment and climate change, peace building, ending violence, and advancing the empowerment of women. Between five and ten prize winners will be selected, each of whom will receive an award of $1,000. Nominees should be women and women’s groups currently active in rural life whose efforts have not yet been acknowledged by other awards. (Self-nominations are not accepted.) Nominations must be received no later than April 30, 2019. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the 2019 call for nominations.

Funds to Pilot Digital and Financial Solutions in Selected Asian Countries
Women MSME FinTech Innovation Fund
The Women MSME FinTech Innovation Fund, an initiative of UNCFD in collaboration with UNESCAP, supports digital solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Asia-Pacific. Funding is provided to companies to pilot innovative digital and financial solutions that improve access to finance or enhance the operational efficiency of women-led MSMEs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, and Vietnam. Between $25,000 and $50,000 in co-funding is provided, along with technical assistance, mentoring, and connection to investors. Non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, and businesses are eligible to apply. Applicants can be based anywhere globally, but the project must target women-owned, managed, or led MSMEs in one or more of the target countries. The closing date for proposal submission is April 30, 2019. Visit the link above to review the FAQs and access the online application form.

Support for Early Childhood and Livelihoods Initiatives in the Global South
Co-Impact
Co-Impact is a global collaborative focused on systems change to improve the lives of millions by advancing education, improving people’s health, and providing economic opportunity. Co-Impact supports a small number of transformative systems-change initiatives working to bring about significant improvements in the lives of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South. Their second grant round will focus on two themes: Early Childhood Development and Jobs, Skills, and/or Livelihoods. Between five and eight organizations and partnerships will be awarded with design grants of up to $500,000 each to advance and pressure-test their systems change initiative, and to develop a robust strategy and proposal. A subset of between three and six of the design grant organizations/partnerships will be awarded systems change grants, which are typically between $10 and $25 million each over five years. Initial concept notes must be submitted by April 30, 2019. Visit the Co-Impact website to review the Round Two Grant Application page.
 
Literacy Initiatives Funded
Better World Books: Literacy Grants
Better World Books is a for-profit social enterprise that collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. Better World Books Literacy Grants support literacy and educational nonprofits and libraries for specific projects to reduce global poverty through education. Support is provided for "life changing” ideas that help advance a compelling literacy project and address the literacy needs of underserved populations in the community. Eligible applicants include libraries and literacy-focused nonprofits that have a base in or are located in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., or Europe. Grants range up to $10,000 in North America or £10,000 in the U.K., or the equivalent in euros. Online applications must be submitted by April 30, 2019. Visit the Better World Books website to review the funding guidelines.
 
Grants Improve Health in Selected Latin American and Caribbean Countries
IZUMI Foundation
The IZUMI Foundation aims to improve health and healthcare in neglected regions of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In 2019, the Foundation will only be accepting letters of inquiry from organizations working in the Foundation's focus countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Paraguay. The Foundation looks for promising, practical innovations that reduce the burden of infectious disease while also strengthening the ability of communities to keep children and families healthy. Grants are provided in the areas of infectious diseases with high morbidity and mortality, neglected tropical diseases, malnutrition, maternal and neonatal health, and healthcare infrastructure. U.S. nonprofit organizations as well as organizations and agencies outside the U.S. that have legally recognized nonprofit status are eligible to apply. In 2019, letters of inquiry will be accepted during the months of April, May, and June. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about each funding area.

Canadian Funding Opportunities

Funding Available for Early-Stage Canadian Charities
Project Change Foundation
The Project Change Foundation supports positive change in communities across Canada. The Foundation offers investments of $2,000 and advisory support to early-stage charities in Canada with significant potential for creating social or environmental change. Support is provided to organizations with big goals around connecting, engaging, and inspiring people to make a difference in their communities or the environment. Expressions of interest must be submitted no later than June 30, 2019. Visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.projectchangefoundation.com/ to complete the online expression of interest form.

Support for Health-Related Initiatives in Canada
Innovative Medicines Canada
Innovative Medicines Canada represents Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry. Innovative Medicines Canada provides grants and sponsorships of up to $10,000 to facilitate research, generate awareness, create educational programs, and improve access to innovative medicines. Funding priorities consist of access to innovative medicines, health advocacy and improving the health of Canadians, disease awareness initiatives, and health and science education programs. Priority is given to key partners such as patient and consumer groups, healthcare professionals, the academic and business communities, and the life sciences sector. The annual application deadlines are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Visit the Innovative Medicines Canada website to start an online application.

Funds Benefit Special Needs Children in British Columbia
CKNW Kids' Fund
The CKNW Kids' Fund provides timely support to vulnerable kids with physical, mental, and social challenges living in British Columbia communities. Grants are provided to both individual families and nonprofit organizations and associations. Individual families may apply for a grant for therapies, education bursaries, or specialized medical equipment. Organizational funding supports programs and projects that are focused on children with special needs. Applications may be submitted at any time. Visit the Fund’s website to download the application guidelines and forms for individual and organization funding.

Grants Enhance the Quality of Life in Company Communities
Chevron Canada Corporate Giving Program
Chevron Canada provides support in geographic areas where the company has a significant employee and business presence, including Alberta, northern British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Areas of focus for community investment are health, education and training, and community capacity-building, identified as programs that address a community’s ability to build and sustain long-term economic development. Registered charities and nonprofit societies are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Visit Chevron Canada’s website to review the funding guidelines and apply online.

U.S. Government Funding Opportunities

Funding Promotes Accountability for Security Forces
Department of State
The Global Security and Human Rights program supports projects that promote accountability in the security sector and encourage governments to be responsive to security force gross violations of human rights. Applications must be submitted by April 26, 2019.

Grants Aim to Prevent Atrocities in West Africa
Department of State
The West Africa Atrocities Prevention program supports projects that aim to prevent atrocities in either Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, or Mali. Applications must be submitted by April 26, 2019.

Canadian Government Funding Opportunities

Support for Canadian Arts and Heritage Organizations
Canadian Heritage
The First Spark Initiative, a program of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, seeks to bring organizations and experts together to explore creative ways of problem solving. The Initiative provides grants of up to $5,000 to arts and heritage organizations to organize a collaborative problem-solving activity that seeks to address a common business challenge. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until November 15, 2019.

Grants Boost Economic Development in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Innovative Communities Fund invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's communities. The focus is on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities. Urban initiatives that stimulate the competitiveness and vitality of rural communities may be considered on a selective basis. Applications may be submitted at any time.

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

Transforming the Bored Room: Firecracker Facilitation Skills
Are you looking to breathe new life into your board meetings? BoardSource’s upcoming webinar “Transforming the Bored Room: Firecracker Facilitation Skills” helps participants go beyond traditional board meeting models like parliamentary procedure. It discusses alternative strategies for effective board meeting facilitation that leverage engagement, accountability, and greater consensus.

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.

FREE Tour of the GrantStation Website
Join Jeremy Smith, Communications and Technology Director, and Sara Kennedy, Director of Online Education, 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, April 9, 2019.

Writing a Powerful Case for Support (NEW)
Choosing the right words is key if you want approval for your grant request, or to secure any financial contribution. Your case should define and describe WHY you do what you do, WHO you do it for, HOW your work is relevant, and WHAT IT TAKES financially to do it. A powerful, well-written case inspires action. Too often a case for support is dry, long-winded, written by committee, and rarely read after it is created. This high-energy, interactive webinar, presented by Lori Jacobwith, will shift how you craft a case for support. By the time this session is over, you will (1) understand what a case for support is and why it’s critical to craft before asking for money; (2) identify key words to include in your case for support; and (3) learn how to succinctly answer seven simple questions that must be answered in any case for support. This webinar is ideal for new and intermediate grantwriters. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Writing Capacity Building Grants
Capacity building grants are unique. While many best practices in writing operational or program grant requests apply to developing capacity building grant requests, there are some critical differences that need to be addressed to create the strongest application possible. During the 90-minute webinar, Alice Ruhnke will define and discuss the fundamentals of capacity building grant requests, highlight the key components that differ from “regular” grants, and outline ways to identify funders who provide capacity building grants. Throughout the session, common mistakes in writing capacity building grant requests will be discussed and remedied. This webinar is appropriate for individuals who have a basic understanding of grant fundamentals and would like to apply those concepts specifically to capacity building grants. The webinar will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2019.

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Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons