Service-Learning Funding Opportunities

Tom's of Maine Nonprofit Grants

2009-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Deadline: August 30

Small differences in a community can make a large difference in the world. So we want to support and encourage your efforts to get involved! In November we'll award five 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with $20,000. We are looking for applications for community involvement projects from nonprofit organizations. A review panel will narrow down our applications to 50 finalists. Then we'll post them on our site so the public can help us by voting for which 5 projects should be awarded funding. We're accepting submissions from June 1st - August 30th. We are looking for applications from all 50 states.

More information at: http://www.tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/project-sponsorships.aspx/

2010 Global Youth Service Day Lead Agency Grants

2009-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Deadline: July 17

Looking for a way to increase participation in your programs while connecting with the larger youth service movement? Apply to be a Lead Agency for Global Youth Service Day 2010! Lead Agencies are organizations across the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario, or New Brunswick that increase the scope, visibility, and sustainability of Global Youth Service Day by leading city, regional, or statewide service projects. Past Lead Agencies have been successful in garnering national media attention, developing new partnerships, and engaging elected and public officials in their service and service-learning projects. Lead Agencies receive a $2,000 GYSD planning grant sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation, travel support to attend the Youth Service Institute in Washington, DC, and direct assistance from Youth Service America to ensure a successful Global Youth Service Day.

To access the application, visit www.gysd.org/partners/leadagencies

IGESL SEEKING MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN PA, NY, NJ, DE FOR YESS (Youth Engaged in STEM & Service) PROGRAM

2009-07-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

Contingent upon federal funding, the YESS program will engage young people in service-learning activities that address local needs in order to build healthy communities. The YESS program will strengthen ties between schools, families and communities through service-learning and the use of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum to promote healthy personal environments, family/school environments and community environments.

It is the goal of the IGESL, through the YESS program, to encourage students to cultivate resilience and developmental assets while developing workplace-readiness skills, exploring career options, demonstrating active citizenship and giving back to their community through service-learning.

Schools interested in pursuing this opportunity must convene a project team of four faculty members including a minimum of one administrator and teachers from at least two STEM disciplines. Priority will be given to schools new to service-learning as well as schools servicing a high percentage of students eligible for free and reduced priced lunch.

For intent to apply information, please contact the Institute at 215-945-8118.

Technical Assistance calls to complete the Intent to Apply will be held as follows:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10-11am OR 2-3pm
Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:30-10:30am OR 1:30-2:30pm

Email jzorn@igesl.org to sign up for a call.

The Gladys Marinelli Coccia Award: two awards for young female social entrepreneurs

2009-07-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Deadline: August 1st.

Youth Service America is pleased to launch the first annual Gladys Marinelli Coccia Awards to recognize two young female social entrepreneurs, ages 14 to 17, whose initiatives serve the common good. The awards are created in memory of Gladys Coccia, who began her entrepreneurial career when she was a young girl in West Virginia and later became a very successful businesswoman in Washington, DC. Nominations from across the country are welcome; special consideration will be given to nominees from West Virginia and metropolitan Washington, DC. Self-nominations are accepted. The deadline to begin an online nomination is June 15. After this date, nominations cannot be initiated. The deadline to complete a nomination is June 30. To access the eligibility quiz and the nomination form, visit www.ysa.org/awards or email coccia@ysa.org.

About Mrs. Coccia

The award program is created in honor of Mrs. Gladys Marinelli Coccia - a business woman and entrepreneur since she was 15 years old until she passed away in 2007, at the age of 93. The grandmother of YSA Board Member Brian Murrow, Gladys grew up in southern West Virginia and moved to the Washington DC area in 1961 where she was well-known in the Italian American business community as the owner and operator of Marinelli's Delicatessen, which she established in 1962 and managed for the subsequent 30 years.

Eligibility

Social entrepreneurs apply business practices to achieve positive social change and measure their success through their social impact. They find innovative and sustainable ways to address pressing issues. Ambitious and persistent, they grapple with important causes and offer new alternatives that enhance the community. Social entrepreneurs change the system, spread solutions, and persuade others to change their actions. With a sound application of business principles, social entrepreneurs have a sustainable impact on their community: their influence contributes to a healthy, productive, meaningful life for others, both present and future.

Girls who meet the following criteria are eligible for the award:

Between the ages of 14 and 17 on December 31, 2009.
Located in the United States. Special consideration will be given to nominees located in West Virginia and Metro Washington DC.
Have her own social enterprise.
Be supported by contributions of at least $1000 (cash and/or in-kind).
Have a business plan, including an itemized budget

Supporting Materials

Please include two letters of reference with the nomination. Letters may be written by anyone who knows the nominee (outside of her family), and should include a brief description of nominee’s relationship to writer and how the applicant demonstrates exemplary action for social and structural change. Letters should not exceed one 8½ x 11-inch typed sheet of paper and should include the writer’s contact information and signature. Letters of recommendation must be submitted with the nomination. The nominator may submit no more than three additional items as supporting materials that demonstrate the nominee’s achievement(s). This can include testimonial letters, press clippings or references to stories broadcast on TV/Radio, etc. Materials must be in electronic format and uploaded as part of the nomination. Materials sent by mail/email will not be considered.

The Award includes

$2000 for the social enterprise
Travel and registration to YSA’s Youth Service Institute
Serve as a spokesperson for YSA’s initiatives
Invitation to serve on the executive board of Girls Helping Girls
Access to YSA’s resources to support and expand social enterprise

How do I Nominate?

Read this introduction carefully.
Take the eligibility quiz.
If the nominee is eligible, you will access the application.
Begin the application by June 15. We will not accept initiation of nominations after this date.
Gather the supporting materials and complete the nomination, asking for assistance as needed.
Submit completed nomination by June 30.
Questions? Email coccia@ysa.org

Timeline

Open period for accepting nominations: April-June 15, 2009
YSA staff assistance to nominators: June 15-June 30, 2009
Winners announced: September 9, 2009
Awards ceremony at the Youth service Institute, October 2009

For more information, visit: http://ysa.org/MyYSA/YSAContent/YSANews/tabid/219/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/147/TheGladysMarinelliCocciaAwardsDeadlineAugust1.aspx

Nike Back Your Block - Team up with Nike to improve your community

2009-06-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

The deadline for applications is August 24, 2009.

Nike is investing up to $650,000 in grants across the nation to unlock the potential of young people through the power of sports and they need you!

Tell them how your organization is using sports as a tool to change your community for a shot at winning a Back Your Block grant to help take your work to the next level.

Q: What Back Your Block grant programs are organizations eligible to apply for through this website?

A: There are two programs. The first is the National program that applies to communities near a NikeRetail location. Organizations that fall outside of these areas are eligible to team up with Nikestore.com as their local retailer. The second opportunity is our Community Grant Program that operates through Nike Factory Community Stores in Northeast Portland, South Chicago and New Orleans.

Q: What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

A: Eligible parties for the Community Store Grant Program include: non-profit organizations registered 501(c)(3) and schools that contribute to youth and/or women in local communities through sports, education, advocacy and/or mentoring

The National Grant program is focused on registered 501(c)(3) youth-serving non-profit organizations and schools that impact the community through sports.

Nike will not support organizations that discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.
Q: How many grants will be awarded?

A: The National Grant Program will provide one grant for up to $2,500 per store location. Nikestore.com will provide more than one grant to organizations that are not located in the immediate vicinity of our stores.

Community Stores: Portland, New Orleans and South Chicago will provide multiple grants in each market that average $5,000 each.
Q: What is a Community Store?

A: Nike Factory Community Stores were established over the past 25 years to revitalize neighborhoods across the country by providing employment opportunities, supporting non-profit organizations and advocating volunteer support and participation. There are three Community Stores in the US currently: Northeast Portland , South Chicago , and New Orleans.
Q: What is the judging criteria?
A:
- Applicants must adhere to the Nike giving guidelines
- Applicants must provide programming that encourages young people (ages 15 to 24) to create a better life through sports
- Applicants who qualify for the Community Store Grant Program in Portland, Oregon, South Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana may also provide mentoring and/or economic development opportunities.
- Applicants must be 501 (c) 3 organizations as classified by the Internal Revenue Service.
Q: How much will grant recipients receive?

A: National grant recipients who have applied through either NikeRetail locations or Nikestore.com will receive up to $2500. Grant recipients winners who have applied through Nike Factory Community Stores will receive an average grant of $5000, but must specify their organization’s needs in the application process.
Q: How will grants be disbursed?

A: If the products an organization requires are sold by Nike, the winner will receive funds in gift cards to be redeemed at NikeRetail locations or on Nikestore.com. If the products an organization requires are NOT made by Nike, the winner will receive cash for purchase. Check Nikestore.com for product offerings.
Q: What period of time do the grants cover?

A: The winning organizations will be notified no later than October 1, 2009. Activities supported by the grant must be completed by May, 30 2010.
Q: Who do I contact if I have questions? A: Please email questions to backyourblock@nike.com

For more info, visit:

http://www.nikebackyourblock.com/Default.aspx

UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development

2009-06-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

UN-HABITAT's Opportunities Fund: New deadline 15. June 2009

If your organization is working on an innovative and sustainable project that will improve the lives of young people and make a positive impact on your community, you could be eligible to receive a grant. Please find application documents in English, French and Spanish at www.unhabitat.org/opfund.

The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development has been set up to support urban based Youth-led organizations in developing countries who are working to improve the living conditions of their communities. The Fund will give grants between $5,000 and $25,000 to organizations led by young people, aged 15-32 years. The Fund is committed to support innovative youth-led projects in areas such as employment, education, environment, health and safety. Applications from organizations partnering with government agencies and the private sector are encouraged. Projects promoting gender equality are particularly welcome.

STEMester of Service Grants

2009-06-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Contingent on federal funding, Youth Service America (YSA) will implement a program to support middle school science teachers and service-learning coordinators to strengthen their classroom practices through service-learning, a teaching method that combines meaningful service with curriculum or program-based learning. The grant targets students from disadvantaged circumstances in states with the highest drop out rates in the nation (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington).

STEMester of Service engages middle school youth in science and technology-focused service-learning projects that address community problems. Research shows that service-learning connects students to their schools and communities while improving academic achievement. Semester-long service-learning opportunities incorporate youth voice and opportunities for reflection, are connected to educational standards, and demonstrate community impact. With training and preparation occurring in the fall for grantees, school programs will launch on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2010, and culminate on Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25, 2010.

The program components include:

Annual competitive $5,000 grant for teachers or service-learning coordinators. ($1,000 of the grant will be applied toward travel for professional development.)
Additional $500 to subsidize a stipend for an “ally” located in each school who will support the grantee and help to establish a more sustainable program at their school.
Training and professional development, including participation at YSA’s Youth Service Institute in Washington, D.C, October 2009.
Resources such as curriculum guides and project ideas aligned to academic standards to help grantees plan and implement STEMemester of Service.
Technical assistance and personalized online support from YSA.
National recognition and visibility through YSA communications and outreach initiatives.

Grantees will engage up to 75 six through eighth-graders in a semester-long service-learning program. With a focus on environmental concerns, STEMester of Service’s goals include addressing community problems, encouraging students to explore STEM careers, and preventing early dropout. Environmental issues addressed can include green space availability, health effects, climate change, and disaster management. The projects should provide students with opportunities to use technology to deepen and demonstrate their learning.
Who is eligible

Teachers, administrators and service-learning coordinators in middle schools
Staff and service-learning coordinators in afterschool programs
The schools and after-school programs must be located in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.

How to apply

Please begin by completing our Eligibility Quiz. If you are eligible, you will be given access the application materials.

Timeline

Application deadline: July 15, 2009
Notification: August 30, 2009
Programs take place September 2009-June 2010

Questions? Email stem@ysa.org.
Go to http://ysa.org/MyYSA/YSAContent/YSANews/tabid/219/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/150/STEMesterofServiceGrants.aspx for more information.

Free Scholarships Available to National Alternative Break Training

2009-06-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Break Away – the national nonprofit which works with college students and staff who run alternative break programs – is offering scholarships to attend the 2009 Blacksburg, Virginia Alternative Break Citizenship Schools June 13-19, 2009. The scholarships have been made available by the Starbucks Foundation, which is interested in helping to build sustainable and student-led alternative break programs on campus. If you are building a program or are in your first 5 years of running an alternative break program, you are welcome to apply.

If you are interested or have questions, please email jp@alternativebreaks.org immediately. We would like to give award scholarships before 5 pm EST Friday, June 8th.
In the email, please include your contact information as well as a brief description of what your alternative break program status is (i.e. “We don’t have one.” “We are building one, but it is completely staff-run and we’d like it to be student-run.”), including – if applicable - how many trips (and participants) you sent last year, where the trips went, how long you’ve been sending alternative breaks, and how this scholarship might benefit your program.
The whole deal for the week– housing, food, training, materials, on-site transportation and much more, a $700 value – is all covered in the scholarship. You will find applications and more information at our website, www.alternativebreaks.org/abcs.asp.
You will be responsible for arranging for the participant to get to/from Blacksburg, VA for the training.
Students and/or staff are welcome.

2009 Help America Vote Act Mock Election Program

2009-06-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announces the availability of $300,000 in grant funds for the first year of a two-year award to organize and administer mock elections for High School students.

EAC will fund proposals that launch new mock election initiatives or substantively build upon existing mock election programs. The purpose of the program is to allow students to become more familiar with voting processes and technologies so that when they become eligible to vote they will be more comfortable with their civic duties. EAC is particularly interested in funding opportunities that promote the use of voting machines through partnerships with local election officials.

Project funds must be used for tasks and activities that are carried out without partisan bias and without promoting any particular political point of view regarding any election issue or candidate.

The $300,000 will be available to between approximately 4 and 10 organizations.
Proposals should include a two-year project plan and budget which proposes holding mock elections for both the 2009 and 2010 election cycles. Applicants may propose planning and scaled-down activities for the 2009 election cycle in preparation for larger initiatives for the 2010 election that will be supported using money from the first year of the grant.

Additional funding to expand 2010 activities in the second year of the grant will be provided subject to availability of appropriated funds in FY 2010 and substantial progress towards approved performance measures.

This assistance is being offered by the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 111-8), which provides funds for EAC to award competitive grants for operating a program of simulated elections for students in secondary education programs.

These grants will be administered under the Office of Management and Budget uniform administrative requirements and cost principles applicable to the organization that receives the assistance.

Go to http://www.eac.gov/program-areas/grants/current-grant-opportunities for more information.

Funding Opportunity by the Community College National Center for Community Engagement

2009-05-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Community College National Center for Community Engagement is a leader in advancing programs and innovations that stimulate active participation of institutions in community engagement for the attainment of a vital citizenry.

The Community College National Center for Community Engagement (the Center) is a national training and technical assistance organization with a 19-year history of successfully developing and managing innovative partnerships and disseminating lessons learned throughout the higher education community. An outcome of the mission of the Center is to support and promote the pedagogy of service-learning, a teaching method which combines academic instruction with community service as it focuses on increasing academic achievement and engagement, critical and reflective thinking and civic responsibility at community colleges.

CCNCCE is soliciting applications through a Request for Proposal (RFP) from community colleges (community, technical, and tribal) and 2 year campuses within a university system to help implement a national service-learning mentoring program, pending funding by the US Department of Justice – Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

For RFP guidelines please visit our website at http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/engagement

Application Deadline:
July 9, 2009

NO EXCEPTIONS!

If fully funded – CCNCCE will award 42 grants in 42 states and/or US Territories in the amount of up to $100,000 per year per college for 3 years for up to $300,000.00 per college.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth Grants

2009-05-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing leadership in arts education by inspiring all young Americans through rich arts experiences. A high quality education in the arts opens a critical gateway to a lifetime of appreciation and engagement. For two reasons, learning in the arts is an indispensable part of American education: 1) children celebrate and participate in their cultural inheritance, and 2) academic and social maturity follow directly from arts education experiences.

The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects apply national or state arts education standards. All projects submitted to the Learning in the Arts category must include:

Experience: Students and their teachers will have the chance to experience exemplary works of art -- in live form where possible.
Study: Through the guidance of teachers, teaching artists, and cultural organizations, students will study works of art in order to understand the cultural and social context from which they come, and to appreciate the technical and/or aesthetic qualities of each work. Where appropriate, study will include the acquisition of skills relevant to practicing the art form.
Performance: Informed by their experience and study, students will create artwork. In the case of literature, the primary creative activities will be writing and/or recitation.
Assessment: Students will be assessed according to national or state arts education standards. Where appropriate, projects will employ multiple forms of assessment including pre- and post-testing.

See http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP10/LITA.html for more information.

Scholarships for New England Schools/Districts

2009-05-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

We define service-learning as a teaching strategy through which K-12 students identify, research and address real community challenges, using knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.

The basic objectives of the day are to help faculty members:

* understand the difference between the KIDS model of service-learning and other community-oriented educational experiences
* understand the importance of community partners
* learn about a variety of service-learning projects and see the benefits of service-learning
* learn the steps in a KIDS service-learning project

KIDS Education Consultants will work closely with selected applicants to tailor the day to meet local needs. We invite applicants to propose their ideas for how to best use the day.

* One option may be to offer a brief overview training for all staff in the morning and then a more in-depth session for selected faculty later in the day.
* Another option might be to offer two half-day sessions at different schools in the district (i.e. one session at an elementary school in the morning and the same session in the afternoon at the middle school).

KIDS Consortium will provide materials and a facilitator. Depending on the applicants request (e.g. number of people to be trained and depth of training), we will offer FREE of charge, a limited number of our award winning KIDS as Planners Guidebook. It may be advantageous to consider purchasing additional guidebooks.

Participating schools and districts are asked to provide appropriate space for the training, snacks/meals as needed, and to cover any expenses related to substitute teachers or other stipends for faculty.

To apply, please fill out an electronic application by June 12, 2009.

See http://www.kidsconsortium.org/scholarship.php for more information and to apply.

K-12 Green School Projects in New England

2009-05-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Deadline: August 31, 2009

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board announced that KIDS Consortium received a $93,000 service-learning grant for an environmental education initiative in Maine and New England. Grant funds will be used to support “Green” projects at K-12 schools, such as energy efficiency and recycling. Students involved in these projects will have an opportunity to participate in a 2010 Green Schools Student Summit where they will share their projects with students from around the region.

Go to http://www.kidsconsortium.org/minigrants.php for more information.

Wisconsin's Service-Learning Program Grants

2009-05-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

High quality service-learning practice does not happen by accident, nor does it happen in isolation. Wisconsin takes a systems approach to the process, grounding implementation solidly in the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice.

Over the next three years, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI) will leverage funding to develop the necessary support and infrastructure to result in sustainable, high quality service-learning practice in teaching STEM and creativity concepts and skills.

The following components will impact retention and graduation rates and have the potential to reach every student in the state:

1. Funding that specifically addresses support for ongoing professional development and teacher mentoring. A cascade model of professional development will provide ongoing skill development, exemplar curricular models, mentoring, and implementation that fosters continuous improvement. This work will be grounded in the STEM disciplines, focusing on utilizing service-learning as a core instructional methodology to teach 21st century skills across the curriculum.
2. An emphasis on increased support and policy development to advance service-learning.
3. Funding for districts to institutionalize service-learning throughout the educational experience. Leadership institutes will be provided that assist districts in simultaneously adopting the five critical components for institutionalization: Vision and leadership; curriculum and assessment; community-school partnerships; professional development; and continuous improvement.

DPI Administers Service-Learning Grants
Each year the DPI receives a Learn and Serve America (LSA) grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support school-based service-learning programs. The current focus of the Learn and Serve grant is to support ongoing professional development and establish an infrastructure to nurture the practice of high quality service-learning as an instructional methodology in teaching STEM and creativity concepts and skills.

Grant awards of up to $20,000 to local education agency partnerships or a consortium of LEAs to support the implementation and institutionalization of programs that advance service-learning as an effective pedagogy in teaching STEM and creativity. This year, $118,172 is available to support applications to create a lasting service-learning culture in Wisconsin schools.

The 2009-10 RFP is available as a pdf. A fill-enabled application form MS Word Document is also available.

Deadline for proposals is June 15, 2009 with grant awards to be announced no later than August 31, 2009.

See http://dpi.wi.gov/fscp/sllsapg.html for more information and to apply.

Florida Campus Compact Engaged Scholarship Fellows Program, 2009-2010

2009-05-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Applications Due May 20, 2009

As part of an ongoing effort to improve the theory and practice informing collegiate service-learning and community engagement in the state of Florida, Florida Campus Compact invites research proposals from engaged scholars at our member campuses through this new fellows program. Researchers from all disciplines are invited to apply.

Up to five Florida scholars will be chosen by a panel of qualified reviewers to receive this distinction. Fellows will have the opportunity to be part of an active community of scholars who will meet quarterly (either virtually or in person) to discuss strategies for research design and dissemination. Each scholar will receive a small amount of financial support for her or his research and will be invited to submit an article for publication in a special peer-reviewed volume of Florida Engaged Scholarship to be published in 2011.

At least three of the five scholars selected will be tenure-earning. Projects focusing on community impacts of collegiate service-learning and community engagement will be favored. Interested researchers should complete the attached application and must include a project budget not to exceed $2500, with no more than $2000 to be spent on a faculty stipend. Funds will be available for distribution beginning July 15, 2009, and all deliverables will be due June 15, 2010. Deliverables will include a copy of a 25-30 page article on the research outcomes that may be submitted to our Florida publication or another appropriate forum, a short report/précis on the project based on an FL|CC template for inclusion in promotional materials, and an updated CV for the fellowship recipient that can be used in promotional materials.

Participants will also be invited to present research at FL|CC events and may be invited to provide informal mentoring for emerging researchers in the state.
Fellowship applications are due May 20 at 5 p.m. and should be emailed to mbowdon@mail.ucf.edu.

Please email questions to Melody Bowdon at this address.

First Choice Power Classroom Energy Innovation Grant Applications Available for Texas Teachers

2009-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Deadline: September 15

Electricity provider First Choice Power is accepting online applications for its Classroom Energy Innovation Grants. First Choice Power will award grants to inventive teachers across Texas working to stimulate and inspire young minds with innovative classroom projects on energy and energy efficiency.

Full-time Texas K-12 teachers and pre-K teachers with an early childhood license in communities served by First Choice Power are eligible to apply.

For complete program information, visit the First Choice Power Web site.

Project Ignition Grant

2009-05-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Deadline: June 30

Car Crashes are the No. 1 Killer of Teens.
That's a staggering statistic we want to help change.

Here's our challenge to students in grades 9 through 12 and their teachers or advisors: Work together to develop a campaign to address the issue of teen driver safety in your community.

How you choose to do that is completely up to you! With any service-learning project, the goal is to make an impact in your community in the most creative way possible. The only limit is your imagination.

Each year, schools whose campaigns are judged to be among the top 10 in the nation receive $5,000 to help cover expenses to come to The National Service-Learning Conference. There, they showcase their great work, one campaign is named the Best of the Best and that team presented with a $10,000 grant to continue its teen driver safety efforts.

So, are you in? Check out the School Showcase (http://www.sfprojectignition.com/showcase.htm) for a glimpse of the creativity, passion, and power students bring to Project Ignition.

Save Our History Grants

2009-05-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Deadline: June 5, 2009

Save Our History, a program of the History Channel and the American Association for State and Local History, is a national initiative that supports local history education and historic preservation efforts in communities across the United States.

Each year, Save Our History awards a total of $250,000 to history organizations that partner with schools or youth groups on preservation projects that engage students in learning about, documenting, and preserving the history of their communities.

Eligible applicants are required to be nonprofit 501(c)(3) history organizations such as a museum, historical society, preservation organization, historic site, library, or archive. Other eligible applicants include local government agencies such as a parks and recreation commission, historic commission, department of local history, or other local government agency that owns and/or operates a historic site or property.

Applicants must partner with local elementary, middle, or high school(s), or organization(s) that provides educational programming for children of similar ages to design a historic education and preservation project. Organizations that have received a Save Our History grant in the last three years are not eligible to apply. For complete program information and descriptions of previously funded projects, visit the Save Our History website.

The Gladys Marinelli Coccia Awards

2009-05-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Two awards for Girls who are Social Entrepreneurs (ages 14-17)

Youth Service America is pleased to launch the first annual Gladys Marinelli Coccia Awards to recognize two young female social entrepreneurs, ages 14 to 17, whose initiatives serve the common good. Visit www.ysa.org/awards or email coccia@ysa.org for more information.

The awards are created in memory of Gladys Coccia, who began her entrepreneurial career when she was a young girl in West Virginia and later became a very successful businesswoman in Washington, DC. Nominations from across the country are welcome; special consideration will be given to nominees from West Virginia and metropolitan Washington, DC.

Self-nominations are accepted. The deadline to begin an online nomination is June 15. After this date, nominations cannot be initiated. The deadline to complete a nomination is June 30. To access the eligibility quiz and the nomination form, visit www.ysa.org/awards or email coccia@ysa.org

Building Healthy Communities Grant Program

2009-05-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

At The Home Depot, we understand the impact of hard work and sweat equity. We believe in the power of hands-on service- of rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty while working beside your neighbors to improve your community.

More importantly, we understand that volunteering to improve the physical health of your neighborhood by planting trees, developing green spaces and updating school facilities and community centers creates a healthier, more stable community where families can thrive.

We recognize that committed and motivated neighbors accomplish an enormous amount of important in work in communities across the country. That’s why we support these efforts by lending a hand or a hammer… or a shovel… or flats of perennials.

Building Healthy Communities Grant Program
Grants, up to $2,500, are now available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. who are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase or tools or materials.

Only grants submitted through the online application process will be considered for funding. All unsolicited donation requests received via mail, phone or e-mail will be referred to this online grant program.

See http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Grants for more information.

GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards

2009-05-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! Program was created to give girls access to physical activity. GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards championed by Gatorade reward high school girls for taking the lead by inspiring other girls to participate in sports and physical activity.

Teams must lead their own team project that will get girls in their communities physically active and tell us about the project.

A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded in recognition of the outstanding efforts of 20 teams throughout the country.

Go to http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Grants-And-Scholarships/Grants/GoGirlGo-Ambassador-Team-Awards.aspx for more information.

Supplementary services for recently arrived refugees grant

2009-05-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Deadline: February 4, 2010

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites the submission of applications for funding, on a competitive basis, for Supplemental Services for Recently Arrived Refugees to provide services to arriving refugees or sudden and unexpected large secondary migration of refugees where communities are not sufficiently prepared in terms of linguistic or culturally appropriate services. This announcement replaces the Priority Area Two - Unanticipated Arrivals program included in the Standing Announcement for Services for Recently Arrived Refugees published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2004. The Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement will observe February 24, 2009 (FY 09) and February 24, 2010 (FY 2010) as the closing dates for applications. An applicant may submit more than one application under this announcement. The modification to the published Program Announcement notes changes to the Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding from $4,300,000 to $4,800,000 for FY 09; and a change to the Anticipated Number of Awards from 10 - 20 to 10 -22 awards for FY 09. The Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards remains at $500,000 for FY 09. The modification also announces the implementation of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR for performance progress reports on all awards in FY 2009 (new and continuation). The ACF-OGM-SF-PPR may be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html under "Reporting."

Healthy Habitat Grants available for Texas schools

2009-05-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Texas Healthy Habitats Grants of up to $15,000 are now available to public and private/nonprofit middle and high schools across the state from the Texas Center for Service-Learning. The grants will support students doing service-learning projects to benefit wildlife and the environment, made possible with a donation from EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Grant applicants may ask for up to $15,000. The money may be used for supplies, substitutes, transportation and training. Requirements include a progress report and a final report, as well as evidence of impact, a web profile of the work and one day of training for grant recipients in Austin in August, before school starts. Program organizers expect students will likely plan projects in fall and do field work during spring.

Eligible schools include public and private nonprofit schools (grades 6-12) applying to coordinate service-learning projects in a public, charter or private institution, or nonprofit youth-serving organizations that work with public middle or high schools. Schools must have a Tax ID and be a middle or high school located in Texas. Private schools and nonprofits must have IRS 501(c)(3) status. Nonprofits applying for the grant must be working with students in middle or high school levels to qualify.

Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, June 19. For assistance, applicants can participate in webinars, or online seminars, hosted by TxCSL at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23 and 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 22. For more information, visit http://txcsl.org.

Disney Minnie Grants Available from Youth Service America

2009-05-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Global Youth Service Day was a resounding success as millions of youth changed the world this past weekend. Lasting three days, April 24-26, thousands of events around the world celebrated and recognized the contributions young people make to their communities every day of the year. 1,950 GYSD projects were registered at www.GYSD.org, almost twice as many projects as in 2008.

So, what's next?

You can start planning for a project to take place in September-November 2009 and apply for the next round of Disney Minnie Grants.

Youth Service America and Disney are pleased to offer the Disney Minnie Grants to fund children's efforts to improve their communities. These grants of $500 are for children (ages 5-14) or the organizations that engage them, to implement youth-led service projects that address the issues of Poverty, Hunger, Education, Environment, Global Citizenship, Sustainable Community Development, and Disaster Prevention & Relief. Applications are accepted from all over the world. Projects will take place in the months of September-November 2009.

Accepting applications through June 15.
Apply online at http://www.ysa.org/awards Questions? Email MinnieGrant@ysa.org

Ethnic Community Self-Help Program

2009-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Deadline: February 24, 2010

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites the submission of applications for funding, on a competitive basis, to connect newcomer refugees and their communities with community resources. The objective of this program is to strengthen organized ethnic communities comprised and representative of refugee populations to ensure ongoing support and services to refugees after initial resettlement. This announcement replaces the Priority Area Three - Ethnic Community Self-Help program included in the Standing Announcement for Services for Recently Arrived Refugees published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2004. The Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement will observe February 24, 2009 (FY 09) and February 24, 2010 (FY 2010) as the closing dates for applications. An applicant may submit more than one application under this announcement. The modification to the published Program Announcement notes changes to the Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding from $600,000 to $3,200,000 for FY 09; and a change to the Anticipated Number of Awards from 2 - 6 to 16 - 25 awards for FY 09. The Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards remains at $200,000 for FY 09. The modification also announces the implementation of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR for performance progress reports on all awards in FY 2009 (new and continuation). The ACF-OGM-SF-PPR may be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html under "Reporting."