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International Funding Opportunities
Mental Health Initiatives for Young Mothers Funded
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Grand Challenges – Healthy Minds for Adolescent Mothers: Achieving Healthy Outcomes for the Family
Grand Challenges, an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is a family of initiatives fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems. Grand Challenges has released a request for proposals entitled “Healthy Minds for Adolescent Mothers: Achieving Healthy Outcomes for the Family” in search of bold ideas to meet the mental health needs of the poorest and most vulnerable adolescent and young mothers. Support will be provided for innovative approaches that leverage technology, social groups, and social media to develop the skills and protective factors necessary to successfully navigate life, transition to motherhood, and early detection and treatment of mental health disorders. Funding for seed and transition-to-scale projects will be considered. The application deadline is November 8, 2017. Visit the Grand Challenges website to review the request for proposals.
Projects Promoting Democracy in the EU Neighborhood Supported
European Endowment for Democracy
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED), a joint initiative of EU member states and institutions, is an independent grantmaking organization that supports local actors of democratic change in the EU Neighborhood and beyond. EED supports both registered and non-registered civil society organizations, pro-democratic movements, independent media organizations and journalists, and human rights and political activists working towards a pluralistic democratic political system. Supported activities include, but are not limited to, promoting political pluralism and diversity, increasing state accountability, enhancing the inclusiveness of societies, supporting citizens’ representation and involvement in decision-making processes, and promoting independent media and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief. Applications can be submitted online at any time. Visit the EED website to review the FAQs, which includes a list of eligible countries.
Prize Honors Achievements in Nutrition, Water, and Rural Development
Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize
The Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize helps scale up or replicate business-oriented initiatives that address challenges in nutrition, water, or rural development. The Prize, awarded by Nestlé in partnership with Ashoka, is open to innovative projects, programs, or businesses that have already been tested either as a pilot study or at a small scale, that demonstrate positive social and environmental impact, and that need support to become commercially viable. A cash award of up to CHF 400,000 is shared by the winners. Social and private enterprises as well as non-governmental organizations in any country around the world are eligible to apply. The deadline to submit an initial application is October 31, 2017. Visit the Nestlé website to review the Official Rules.
Organizations Working with Vulnerable Children Supported
The Global Fund for Children
The Global Fund for Children works to advance the dignity of children worldwide. The Fund pursues this mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with many of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth. Funding is provided to organizations worldwide that reach the children of “the last mile”—those who are economically and socially outside the reach of mainstream services and support, including street children, child laborers, AIDS orphans, sex workers, hard-to-reach rural populations, and other vulnerable or marginalized groups. Eligible applicants consist of registered nonprofit organizations with budgets up to $200,000 that work directly with children, and whose leaders live and work in the community. Organizations that meet the funding criteria may submit an organizational profile at any time. Additional information on eligibility and selection criteria is available on the Fund’s website.
Funding Available to Protect Documentary Heritage
Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development: First Aid to Documentary Heritage Under Threat
The mission of the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development is to seek cultural collaborations in spaces where resources and opportunities for cultural expression, creative production, and research are limited and cultural heritage is threatened. In collaboration with the Whiting Foundation, the Fund has issued a call for proposals entitled “First Aid to Documentary Heritage Under Threat” to support projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean that safeguard documentary heritage that is acutely threatened by recent conflict or other disaster, whether natural or man-made. Documentary heritage is defined as cultural heritage designed to carry information in writing, such as manuscripts, books, archives, tablets, and carvings or inscriptions. Grants averaging €15,000 are provided. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2017. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the call for proposals.
Projects to Reduce Women’s and Girls’ HIV Risk Supported
ViiV Healthcare: Positive Action for Girls and Women
Through its Positive Action for Girls and Women (PAGW) initiative, ViiV Healthcare is committed to tackling key behavioral and structural barriers that may increase adolescent girls’ and young women’s vulnerability to HIV. PAGW’s small grants program funds community-led interventions that address the following topics: sexual violence, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriage, and sexual and reproductive health and rights for underserved and vulnerable girls. Eligible applicants include registered charitable and nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, and social enterprises that represent, or are working with or for, communities affected by HIV. Applicants must demonstrate how their work will engage, involve, or empower affected communities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The guidance notes can be downloaded from the ViiV Healthcare website.
Prizes Recognize Refugee Projects
The Ockenden International Prizes
The Ockenden International Prizes reward successful on-the-ground projects for refugees and displaced people around the world. In 2018, four Prizes of £25,000 each will be awarded for projects that excel in developing independence for refugees and internally displaced people. Eligible projects include those that are led by or have a high level of participation from displaced people themselves; projects providing education, legal assistance, or livelihoods assistance; or any other programs that help refugees or displaced people build stable, independent lives. Submissions for the Prizes are accepted from nonprofit organizations, which can apply on behalf of their own work or nominate a project by a partner or affiliate organization. The entry deadline is November 30, 2017. Visit the Ockenden International website to review the Entry Rules.
Grants Bolster Democracy and Citizen Security in Latin America
Open Society Foundations: Latin America Program
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. The Foundation's Latin America Program works to strengthen democratic governance by fostering open societies that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to their citizens’ needs and aspirations. Funding is focused on four issue areas: accountability and transparency, policy debate and dialogue, human rights, and citizen security. Priority countries consist of Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Non-governmental organizations, grassroots networks, and applied research and training organizations are eligible to apply. Letters of inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit the Open Society Foundations website to learn more about the issue areas and review the letter of inquiry guidelines.
Canadian Funding Opportunities
Funding Promotes Awareness of Canadian Heritage
Virtual Museum of Canada: Virtual Exhibits Investment Program
The Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC), part of the Canadian Museum of History, is the largest source of online content and experiences shared by large and small Canadian museums and heritage organizations. The VMC has issued a call for proposals for the Virtual Exhibits Investment Program, which helps Canadian museums and heritage organizations develop online products that engage audiences of all ages, interests, and abilities in Canada’s history, heritage, and culture. Funding supports the production of online products, including new virtual exhibits, virtual tours, interactive resources, or educational resources. Funded products must be available in both English and French. Eligible applicants include Canadian museums and other Canadian historical, heritage, and cultural organizations, including equivalent Indigenous Peoples’ organizations. The application deadline is October 25, 2017. Visit the virtualmuseum.ca website to review the call for proposals and submit a proposal form.
Grants Aim to End Youth Homelessness in Canada
Home Depot Canada Foundation: Community Impact Grants
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that help put an end to youth homelessness in Canada. The Foundation’s Community Impact Grants fund affordable housing and community-based improvement projects that benefit Canadians in need, with a focus on initiatives that prevent and end youth homelessness. Priority is given to repair, renovation, or improvement projects to housing or other support facilities for homeless youth. Registered charities are eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000, which are awarded in the form of cash or a gift card to The Home Depot. Applications are accepted year-round. The funding guidelines, FAQs, and online application form are available on the Home Depot Canada website.
Legal Aid for Environmental Defenders in British Columbia
Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, a program of West Coast Environmental Law, provides legal help for British Columbians protecting their local environment. The Fund awards grants to British Columbians who have organized to protect their communities and their environment, but who need some legal help. Funds allow Indigenous peoples, community groups, and individuals to hire lawyers and experts at reduced rates, and work collaboratively with them to resolve disputes in negotiations, in mediation, in court, or before government tribunals. Applications are received five times per year; the upcoming deadlines are November 17, 2017, and January 18, 2018. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fund before applying. Visit the West Coast Environmental Law website for information on the types of grants and the grant criteria.
Funds Improve Heart Health in Company Communities
Canadian Pacific: CP Has Heart
Canadian Pacific's CP Has Heart program focuses on improving the heart health of men, women, and children in communities served by the company in Canada and the United States. The program seeks to provide funding for cardiovascular disease research and to promote better access to cardiac emergency response equipment and treatment. Grants of $500 to $50,000 are available. Eligible organizations consist of registered charities, nonprofit community organizations, hospital foundations, and social service agencies located in and serving communities within the vicinity of CP operations. Online applications are accepted throughout the year. Funding guidelines are available at cpr.ca/cp-has-heart.
U.S. Government Funding Opportunities
Grants Protect LGBTI Human Rights
Department of State
The Promotion and Protection of the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons program provides grants to civil society initiatives that promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI individuals. Grants support creative and new ideas to address violence and discrimination targeting LGBTI persons, and programs that provide LGBTI communities with the tools to prevent, mitigate, and recover from violence. Statements of Interest must be submitted by October 27, 2017.
Funding Aims to Assist Afghan Civilians
USAID
The Conflict Mitigation Assistance for Civilians (COMAC) program aims to assist Afghan civilian victims harmed by military operations. The closing date for applications is November 1, 2017.
Canadian Government Funding Opportunities
Endowment Support for Canadian Arts Organizations
Canadian Heritage
The Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund encourages private donors to contribute to endowment funds for nonprofit professional arts organizations so they can access new sources of funding in the future. The program provides matching funds of up to one dollar for every dollar raised from private donors to create endowment funds or to increase existing ones. Nonprofit professional arts organizations and associated public foundations are eligible to apply. The application deadline is December 1, 2017.
Grants Promote Aboriginal Heritage in Manitoba
Manitoba Government: Aboriginal Cultural Initiatives Program
The Manitoba Government’s Aboriginal Cultural Initiatives Program supports activities that foster the transmission of indigenous cultural knowledge, engage youth in traditional practices or teachings, and promote understanding, awareness, appreciation, and preservation of Aboriginal culture, language, and heritage. Grants are awarded through two components: Arts Education and Traditional Dance. Nonprofit organizations and Aboriginal service providers are eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional.
Captivate and Engage: The Definitive Guide for Nonprofit Websites
Looking for a way to bolster your nonprofit’s image? Enhancing your organization’s website may be a good first step. The book Captivate and Engage: The Definitive Guide for Nonprofit Websites by Jay Wilkinson and Randy Hawthorne offers a pathway to creating a captivating and engaging website. It will teach readers what they need for a successful website that ultimately decreases long-term expenses and increases donations or revenue.
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.
How to Craft a Proposal to a Foundation
Proposal writing is the skill most sought after by savvy nonprofit staff members. On the one hand, writing a grant proposal is quite simple and follows a basic formula. However, submitting a proposal may be your only chance to put the case for funding your organization in front of a foundation, so you want to be sure to do it right. In this webinar, Judith Margolin provides invaluable tips on developing a compelling proposal narrative, what your proposal package should include, how to let your funder take the lead, and advice on writing and submission techniques that get your proposal noticed by foundation decision makers. This webinar is intended for the novice proposal writer.
Crowdfunding for Your Cause (NEW)
Online giving surged once again last year, far outpacing traditional fundraising growth. In particular, crowdfunding presents an exciting new frontier for nonprofits and causes of all sizes and shapes, especially those looking to engage millennials, who have been shown to connect more deeply with direct impact versus organizations. New research shows not just youth, but now all generations have positive opinions of peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. Nonprofits have flocked to crowdfunding since it represents a unique opportunity to raise funds, build awareness, and expand an organization's donor database. Our seasoned presenter, Darian Rodriguez Heyman, will share a step-by-step breakdown of how to cut through the clutter and ensure a great response to your next campaign.
Online Workshop: DashBoard Design from Start to Finish with MS Excel
Have you ever been tasked with reporting on key metrics? Do you need tips for presenting data effectively in dashboards? In this workshop, Ann Emery will spend the first 30 minutes explaining the step-by-step dashboard design process, which involves customizing dashboards for your audience, sketching graphs on paper and within a grid system, adding the right amount of white space, and establishing a visual hierarchy. The remaining 60 minutes will be spent creating two dashboards from scratch with Microsoft Excel. You'll learn to insert spark lines, data bars, and conditional formatting, and to adjust the dashboard so that it can be printed or PDF'd neatly on one page. Ann will provide datasets so that we are all working from the same file.
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Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons
International Funding Opportunities
Mental Health Initiatives for Young Mothers Funded
Projects Promoting Democracy in the EU Neighborhood Supported
Prize Honors Achievements in Nutrition, Water, and Rural Development
Organizations Working with Vulnerable Children Supported
Funding Available to Protect Documentary Heritage
Projects to Reduce Women’s and Girls’ HIV Risk Supported
Prizes Recognize Refugee Projects
Grants Bolster Democracy and Citizen Security in Latin America
Canadian Funding Opportunities
Funding Promotes Awareness of Canadian Heritage
Grants Aim to End Youth Homelessness in Canada
Legal Aid for Environmental Defenders in British Columbia
Funds Improve Heart Health in Company Communities
Federal Funding
Grants Protect LGBTI Human Rights
Funding Aims to Assist Afghan Civilians
Canadian Government Funding
Endowment Support for Canadian Arts Organizations
Grants Promote Aboriginal Heritage in Manitoba