A Drug Prevention Program May Get Over $1 Million Dollars In Grant Money!

One organization has won a highly competitive federal grant that will enable them to start a number of programs in an effort to reverse there area's high rate of teen alcohol and drug use. Their grant application included a 196-page application for the grant. Recently the area's school district released results which showed seniors and sophomores using drugs and alcohol at a rate far above the state average and that they perceive the community as being tolerant towards such use. A past survey two years ago revealed similar numbers.

The volunteer program was rekindled two years ago after having lain dormant for several years — and, since then, a number of volunteers have poured countless hours into the organization, identifying the most important issues to address and beginning the hard work of building a coalition and securing funding.

The initial grant funding is $115,000 but this same grant could total more than $1 million if the non-profit organization can continue to receive subsequent funding from the same grant over the next nine years!

The grant which consists of an inital grant award of $115,000 will also subsequently include grant amounts of up to $125,000 for each of the next nine years!. This will enable the non-profit to hire a coordinator. In the first year of funding, the non-profit also plans to strengthen its community mobilization skills, strengthen the coalition and begin addressing youth substance abuse by undertaking an awareness campaign about the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on youth. The organization also plans to involve youth in the effort, supporting and enhancing youth mentorship efforts as well as a range of youth-initiated activities.

The grant itself is highly competitive. According to one spokesperson "Only a fraction of those organizations that submit proposals get past the initial screening, and after that, fewer than a third get funded". In one state, nine other communities received funding this year for the first time. Nationwide, 160 new groups got funded.

Once funded, coalitions or agencies get annual funding for 10 years if they can show they’re making progress.

Homebuyers To Receive Grant Money! Here is another example of how the government's stimulus money is helping individuals! In an effort to help stimulate a slow housing market, one state will be offering grant awards in the amount of $4,000 to a number of home buyers! This grant program comes on the heels of a previous grant program that used $10 million in stimulus funds to offer $6,000 grants to home buyers in an effort to eliminate a glut of roughly 3,000 newly built homes that had never been occupied. The state awarded those 1,600 grants in less than 12 weeks earlier this year! So far the grants have led to home sales of $376.7 million, creating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in wages. Also the new grants will lead to 9,000 jobs either being saved or created and $25 million in income and sales tax revenue. Home buyers would have to secure a fixed-rate mortgage to qualify, and the money would only be available to individuals with income of $75,000 or less or married couples with income of $150,000 or less. There is no limit on the price of homes, and the grants are available to anyone buying a new home, not just first-time home buyers!. (The state grant also can be combined with a federal tax rebate of $8,000 for first-time home buyers.) Both programs expire December 1, 2009!

Grant Program For Individual Artists!

Applications are now being accepted with a deadline date of:

Friday, October 9, 2009!

This grants program provides cash awards to local artists and cultural organizations that are engaged in projects that help create a strong, stable, and diverse arts and culture industry for the local area and contribute positively to the quality of life and economic vitality of the region. Preference is given to specific program initiatives, particularly those enhancing the arts education of learners of all ages, and to collaborative efforts within the arts community.

So far more than $50,000 in grant money has been given to 45 individual artists and cultural organizations within the past 12 months!

Guidelines and application materials are available on their website or by calling them by phone.

$1000 Grant Program To Help Fight Child Obesity! If your school or youth-focused community group needs financial funding to help start programs to help fight child obesity then your organization may be eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant for programs that address the health risks of childhood obesity and / or have solutions for combating obesity in schools and communities. Please note that the application deadline is: Oct. 22, 2009! For more information or to obtain an application online please be sure to visit the website

There Is Finacial Assistance Available For Victims Of Domestic Abuse!

If you are a survivor of domestic abuse you may be able to apply for grants!

Here is a quote from an online article:

"Survivors can also apply for grants from one foundation that provides grants to shelters and individual survivors. The program has also created a curriculum to teach survivors how to do everything from opening a checking account to repairing bad credit. So far this year the foundation will give out 10 $50,000 in grant monies and in November will begin awarding individual $1,000 Education and Job Training Assistance grants directly to survivors.

If you are a victim of domestic violence here is some information that may help you:

If you're in a dangerous situation and need to flee with nothing but the clothes you're wearing -- do it. Advocates at local shelters will help you (and your kids) get what you need, from prescription refills to birth certificates. But if you can put a plan in place, it is suggested that you call the National Domestic Violence Hotline or look in the blue and white government pages at the front of your phone book for the number of a local shelter. An advocate there will help you decide what to bring.

Most often you'll want your birth certificate, passport, Social Security card, bank or credit card statements, and prescriptions or medical supplies. Your advocate will also explain the intake process (it's different for every shelter), how long you can stay at the shelter, and what programs that particular facility offers (child care, legal advocacy, etc.). If you're able to stockpile extra cash, try to anticipate your financial needs for a month and save for that goal. A shelter will cover basic needs such as food, clothes, hygiene, and a place to sleep.

In 2005, the government reauthorized the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, which funds the investigation and prosecution of crimes against women such as domestic violence and sexual assault. The reauthorization includes increased funding for free legal assistance to victims, stronger federal laws against abusers, new protection and confidentiality laws for women in shelters, and a pledge to spend $3.9 billion protecting women (up from $1.6 billion). State governments are also strengthening laws that protect women and offering services to victims of abuse and sexual assault.

In 1999, California made it illegal for employers to fire an employee for being a victim of domestic violence or for missing work to testify in criminal court -- and other states (like Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, and North Carolina) have passed similar laws. California also pays unemployment to victims who must quit work when relocating to escape abuse. In New York, children can no longer be removed from their abused mother's care simply because she's a victim or because the child witnessed domestic violence.

Did you know that there is an organization that raises money for women with breast cancer? This financial assistance program is for women who often don't have insurance, who are too ill to work and / or don't have money for basic necessities such as food and housing. The organization provides cash grants to survivors through an emergency fund. A number of women have said that the grants were lifesavers at a time when they had nowhere else to turn. This organization also funds breast cancer organizations that provide food, clothing, transportation, homeopathic care and other services.

Government Grant Website

As you know our government has an official government grants website. There is access to over 20 federal grant-making agencies through an E-Government initiative - which basically means that the government is trying to make it easier for you to find out information about their grant program by using the internet and by having the information about their grant programs available online. Today, the site is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion dollars in annual awards!

The government website states that it is still the one place to find all available federal grant opportunities. All opportunities posted on the site will include specific application instructions and there are instructions for submitting applications outside of the website as well. The site is full of information from steps to applying for a grant, grant eligibility, downloading a grant application packages, grant search, and program status, grant email alerts and tracking of a grant application.


However there seems to be a "glitch" in the system! This week it was announced that a “systemic weaknesses” that requires attention. A study found that the system performance and service of applicants caused late grant submissions. In addition, the study also found that grant-making agencies whose donations support the site didn’t pay in a timely manner, negatively affecting system performance. Steps have been taken to alleviate the system strain and quickly increase the system's capacity. However, because of this, select programs may use alternate systems to process grant applications.

According to an online article:

Grants can be for any use or purpose one chooses and there are 26 federal grant-making agencies to choose from on the website. A user does not have to register with the government's office grant program website to search for government grant programs but will need to register to apply. The registration process takes 3-5 business days and now may take longer due to submissions issues with the technology.

$700 Grant Program For Non-Profits!

Applications are now being accepted for projects that help people in need!

Applicants must prove their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, have a budget of less than $2 million and have clear goals and objectives with measurable outcomes. Endowment or capital projects and campaigns, special fundraising events, general operating expenses, organizations that promote a religious or political ideology, and intermediary funding agencies will not be considered.

For information or to request an application you write to the organization that is providing this grant.

*Co-incidently this organization does not have a website!

Believe it or not there are still angel investors out there willing to invest their money into new businesses! For example there is one network of angel investors interested in investing capital in promising companies with the expectation of receiving a substantial return on their investment. While ROI is absolutely the primary goal for these investors, the group also recognizes the value of supporting the entrepreneurial community for the economic benefit of the entire mid region and main areas of one state. You can either visit their website or contact the director of the group by phone. For more investor-related information, just click here.

How About A $500 Grant?

This grant program was started by a business person who received a business grant of their own and who has now decided to help others by providing a grant program of their own!

If you have a business of your own and are experiencing financial difficulties then this may just be the grant program for you!

All you have to do is mail in your story. If you are chosen as the grant recipient all that is asked of you is that you after your business gets back on its feet again you promise to provide the same kind of grant program to another business that is struggling.

For more information, guidelines, application instructions and program-specific contact information please visit the website. This is also where you will get the information on the right address to mail your application to. *Please be advised that all applications will only be accepted via snail mail address only!

Does Your Business Need A Loan? Although I mainly provide information about grants and grant programs, there are still many of those who are looking for loans that their businesses can apply for. Here is one such loan program: This funding program supports small businesses in their initial stage of development with a minimum loan amount of $1,000, for example, an existing company can grow, or a start-up business can receive a needed boost to help it through a tough period. Although this funding program is limited to one state there are still many of those who have started their own business in this state alone! Entrepreneurs are starting hundreds of businesses, but they struggle when they can't obtain the necessary capital to provide their productions and services for a variety of reasons, many small businesses often can't rely on traditional sources of funding, such as banks and credit unions for business loans. The mission of this funding program is to provide growth capital for small businesses. The goal of the program is to support emerging, start-up, and existing businesses, create jobs, and help sustain operations during difficult times, explore growth opportunities and expand hiring of workers. This loan program also provides counseling mentor support. Businesses must meet certain criteria. To be eligible a business at a minimum: Must be based in specific areas of the state Must be private for-profit Must be unable to obtain capital from traditional sources, such as banks and credit unions Loans will not be given to repay old debt or refinance existing loans from other lenders!

Hispanic Organization Offers Up To $5000

For Outstanding Latina Businesses!

In order to help support Latino Businesses this organization provides financial awards and also assistance to outstanding Latina businesses throughout the United States.

If you are the owner of a Latina business or know someone who is the owner of a Latina business then you may want to check this organization's website for more information.

Application forms are also provided via the website link above.

Could Your Business Or Business Idea Use Some Seed Money? One state has announced the formation of a business plan competition for entrepreneurs! This program aims to raise $25 million for 30 yearly recipients by connecting each with mentors and venture investors willing to invest $500,000 to $1.5 million! The program hopes to replicate past competitions that were related. The goal of the program is to launch new and innovative businesses in the state. As part of the rules, winners must establish their startup headquarters in the state and create a minimum of five jobs in the state. Additionally, one outside investor must agree to match state investment funds. The competition will be financed through public and private funds and features six category tracks: health care and life sciences IT, software and gaming clean technology and energy Social development and nonprofit open category, seed stage and open category, expansion stage Winners will receive about $50,000 in cash to support business launch, with further seed money available, contingent on outside matching investment funds. The program would also like to find mentors for young startups to bring them to the point where they are ready for venture investment on a bigger scale. To find out more about this program and / or whether or not you are qualified to enter, please visit their website for more information.

There are currently over 25 government grant programs that involve inventions and / or machinery of some kind and they are ALL open for anyone to apply - including inventors!

Need Help Paying Back Your Student Loan?

You might want to consider volunteering for the following program that is being funded by a grant!

10 Volunteers are being sought for a program which assists with outreach and community revitalization and improvement programs in one local county. These volunteer positions are hoped to be filled as early as July 2009 and will include five full-time, three half-time and two quarter-time positions. The full-time volunteers will perform 1,700 hours of service over their year with the program "which is roughly like a full-time job with a couple of weeks of vacation", says a spokesman for this government grant provided program. The volunteers will provide a wide variety of services such as child care, run summer programs and act as youth mentors.

Those full-time members who complete their service earn a special education award to help pay for college, graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. Those who serve part-time receive a partial award. Members also earn a stipend during their term of service, and full-time members are eligible for benefits such as health care.

For more information or to apply to the program, you can contact the project coordinator by phone or via email



In other words this is a grant program that will PAY you to become a volunteer!

Another Grant Program For Individual Artists! If you are an artist that is interested in working on new artistic and cultural programs throughout one local area then this may be the grant program for you! In it's 31st year, this grant program offers 2 different grant programs! Both are open for individual artists to apply, however one of the grant programs requires that the individual artist be sponsored by a fiscal agent that meets the criteria of the grant program. Grant money awarded in this category may range from $400-$5000. The other grant program consists of 2 grants of equal value awarded to individual artists that are residents of the area who wish to create new arts and cultural projects with a community context. Applications materials are now being made available and for further information you may go to their website or contact the grant coordinator via email

The governor of one state has pointed to a 44 percent funding increase for college scholarships which reward financially needy students for taking rigorous high school coursework!

An organization is sponsoring a measure to give grants of up to $15 million over five years, to organizations providing transport to rural veterans needing health care. This grant program would also authorize pilot programs to treat rural veterans at their local hospitals or clinics, and would make permanent a mileage reimbursement of 41.5 cents a mile.

Grant Program For Special Crops!

*Please note that the deadline to apply for this grant program is:

June 19, 2009

A new grant program has been announced to help fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. A competitive grant process to award these federal funds has been set up and over $1 Million has been earmarked! The intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to the state's specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent.

Projects that benefit the following specialty crops are eligible; Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops are eligible specialty crops. Funding Priorities for the grant program include, but is not limited to: Research and Extension, Marketing, Food Safety, and Sustainability.

Applications are being sought from organizations that seek to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state including; non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges, and universities. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in the state.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

Grant applications must be submitted by 5 pm on June 19, 2009. Please use this link to access the grant application, guidelines, and additional information.

Grant applications with a value of up to $100,000 will be accepted! Grants will be awarded for up to three years. Once all applications are submitted, each one will be carefully reviewed and evaluated based on the criteria listed in these guidelines. All approved projects will then be developed into one grant submission to the USDA. Upon approval from USDA, the organization will notify applicants (sub-grantees) of their status. No final awards to any sub-grantee will be made until a final grant award is made by the USDA. Final approval is expected by September 30, 2009, but is subject to change.

For questions or additional information contact via snail mail address or email

How Would You Like To Have $25,000 To Start A Business Of Your Own? Finalists for a small business grant have been named! So far 50 finalists have been chosen for this year's competition! Each finalist will receive a $5,000 business grant, plus additional products and services! Judges selected the finalists from more than 1,900 submissions. The finalists hail from 43 cities in 23 states, coast to coast, and range from architects and accountants to restaurateurs and retailers. In addition, videos submitted will also be evaluated. Selection of the grand prize and runner-up winners will be based on quality, creativity and ratings from the public. The public opinion will account for 40 percent of the overall score and is based on whether the videos are inspiring, useful or funny. The general manager of this group has said, "These finalists truly reflect the can-do spirit of small business and America's entrepreneurs. It was tough for the judges to narrow the list from the nearly 2,000 entries we received. We appreciate all of the businesses that entered the competition, for sharing their stories of inspiration and aspiration, and bringing the small business community together over the past few months." For more information about this program and for more information on the finalists you can visit their website to find out more.

Grant Program For Farmers

(Yes, ANOTHER one!)

Please note that this specific grant program is a 50/50 matching grant program for farmers and ranchers.

This grant program was started because it helps fund planning and working capital to get new ideas off the ground and put more profit in the pockets of family farmers and ranchers.

This is a competitive grants program administered at the USDA to help producers move into value-added agricultural enterprises. Authorized in the 2002 farm bill, this program aims to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers in planning and capital investment for value adding enterprises.

The most recent information on funding availability and applications is available through your state USDA Office. For state contacts and more information please go to the website.

The specific government office was instrumental in helping to create an expanded value added grant program in the 2002 farm bill to include not only processing but by adding value by how agricultural products are grown or raised, e.g. organic, grass-fed. They helped shape the grant program from a $10 million/year grant program to its current authorized level of $40 million (appropriations have been less in recent years). Since that time, the office has seen an outpouring of interest and demand for this program from farmers and ranchers around the country who are developing businesses that grow their income and bring much needed jobs to their communities.|

These innovative initiatives have strengthened the viability of small and mid-sized farms and ranches and have allowed farms and ranches to grow businesses around production practices that benefit the environment and our natural resources.

The Grant Program

Applicants for the grant must meet fairly strict requirements outlined in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications to be eligible for funding. If you are an independent producer, a farmer or rancher cooperative, agricultural producer group, or a majority-controlled producer-based business venture, you are eligible to apply for this grant.

The specific government office provides definitions for each of these categories, along with other requirements of the program. We strongly recommend that you locate a resource person in your county, state or region that can give you some professional advice on your grant application, as well as your business ideas.

How Do I Start?

Now is a good time to check with your state office or your state’s Department of Agriculture about recent news or upcoming workshops about the program. They can provide information, applications and guidance on when and how to apply for a grant. Set up a meeting with your local government, educate them about your project, and ask them for information about the program.

All completed applications are submitted to the national office in Washington, DC for review by staff and independent reviewers. Points are assigned based on the evaluation criteria outlined. Other sources for information regarding related enterprises or how to apply can be found at the website. This website offers a broad range of information on value and added and direct marketing initiatives. Through links to centers around the country at the state level, the website makes available information on a broad range of issues.

Types of Grants

When applying for a grant, applicants must choose between two different types of activities for funding. Funding is available for:

• Developing feasibility studies or business plans, which include marketing plans, or;
  
  
• Working capital to operate a value-added business or alliance.

Applicants are eligible to apply for only one of these two types of grants each grant cycle. They do not penalize groups who go first for a planning then for a working capital grant.

Matching Funds

The program requires a one-to-one match. A cash match is defined as actual funds dedicated to the project. An in-kind match includes time, equipment, space, staff salaries, etc. Examples of a cash match might be third party contributions from groups, farm organizations or individuals donating cash towards a project; the salary of a person or persons working on a project (cash transaction); travel expenses to attend meetings or participate in training sessions; state appropriations or non-federal funds that have not been spent; bank financing; revolving loan funds; or county financing.

Examples of in-kind contributions include space; equipment; supplies, copies, telephone and other expenses which are dedicated to the project; volunteer time/unpaid services provided to a recipient by an individual or employee working on a project ( non-cash transaction); value of hours of non-federally funded personnel assisting with project, e.g. State Dept. of Agriculture, local economic development agencies, volunteer board members, etc; donation of office space or meeting rooms; or donation of inventory including equipment or buildings.

What Makes My Grant Proposal Likely to Be Funded?

The specifics include a list of evaluation criteria that are used to score applications for strength and merit. Reviewers award points to each application based on how well the applicant has addressed the requirements spelled out in the evaluation criteria. Understanding the evaluation criteria of the program is important and will help you to assess the strengths of your project and application.



Addition Information

The sponsors of this grant program are looking to identify a pool of independent reviewers who could be available to review value-added grants. People with backgrounds in organizing and managing value-added business ventures, writing grant proposals for value-added enterprises, and others who have a history with sustainable agriculture projects should contact the office via email.

A Grant Program For Gardening Projects

Does your organization have a conservation or landscape-related project in the works? Well you may be eligible to apply for this locally available grant program! Money is available to beautify, conserve, educate, inspire, and contribute to people of all ages using horticulture and garden development.


If your organization or institution would like to apply for this grant program then you have to fill out their online application which is available at their website. The grant application itself can be very simple, even handwritten, with simple sketches or photographs - but it must be completed by the deadline, June 15, 2009! The application is available as a downloadable .pdf file. According to one of the organization's members "We receive many requests to fund projects each year. We appreciate your project submission to us and hope we will be able to work with you toward accomplishing your goals. Good luck!"


The deadline to apply for this grant program is

June 15, 2009!

Here are some of the past grant recipients:

• A student received a scholarship which was funded by the organization. The student decided to study landscape gardening and, after being told by an instructor that she was "an excellent student," she went on to become a landscape instructor herself and now works with the instructor. One of her responsibilities and the part she enjoys the most is to supervise other students landscaping/planting the yards of newly completed Habitat for Humanity homes, a project also made possible by a grant from this same organization!
  
  
• One Audubon Society group now has a ranger to take care of one of their projects thanks to a $6,000 grant that has been provided by this organization.
  
  
• The organization has provided grant money to help beautify landscapes in the city and nearby county.
  
  
• A local area church has received enough grant money for the planting of biblical plants in their garden.
  
  
• A Children's Museum received grant money to establish a Secret Garden visible over a brick wall which also included a water feature & plantings with benches to allow citizens & tourists to rest and enjoy the setting.
  
  
• Another garden received grant money for an outdoor butterfly garden to surround the new Butterfly House that will be constructed there. Plant materials will be specifically designed to attract native butterflies and this area will serve as an outdoor classroom for visitors and schoolchildren.
  
  
  
• Other special projects that have been supported include garden therapy, youth gardener projects, and horticultural programs.
  

And the list goes on. Add it all up and the club's generosity is known to have benefited thousands of nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, local government projects and individuals, to the tune of more than $1 million.

Grants are divided into five main categories:

• Beautification - the creation of new gardens and the restoration of existing gardens; adding trees, shrubs; flowers along with hardscapes that will allow people to enjoy the particular area.
  
  
• Conservation
  
  
• Educational - In addition to scholarship funds, the organization has funded a greenhouse at a local Community College in which students learn to grow plants. Multiple grant awards have gone to schools and organizations for the purpose of educating people about how to use plants for conservation, food, landscaping, attracting wildlife, etc.
  
  
• Inspirational and memorials - For example one hospice received grant monies to help with a three-phase project for gardens on the property that will be uplifting to patients as well as to the entire community who visit and contemplate life and death. The project was completed in 2008.
  
  
• Philanthropy

A Grant Funding Example! A Local Library! Of course as I have been saying all along, one of the reasons why grant programs have been started is to bring more awareness to a problem and to help better one's community. Here is an example: One local library with a population of over 100,000, which has had over 71,000 registered library card holders, has circulated 300,000 items and answered over 100,000 reference questions has received over $45,000 in grant money! The Library System provided 1,512 programs and activities, the most in the history of the system, with 33,576 attending the events. The Reading Well Outreach made 332 visits to day-care centers and camps entertaining 16,146 children and teachers. Besides providing the regular library services to the community, their Mobile Library started visiting nursing homes and assisted-living centers. The Library System’s staff provides adult storytelling and Nintendo Wii gaming for seniors. The Library System didn’t solely focus on branch renovations during 2008, but accomplished the goal of enhancing technology. The Library System purchased databases to meet public demand. The Library System subscribed to Mango Language, which teaches nine foreign languages; Marshall Cavendish, an excellent database for children’s non-fiction material; and Lexis-Nexis and JSTOR, databases for periodical subscriptions and research. Also Meebo, an instant chat with a reference librarian, was added to the library system's web site, along with a reference blog describing the latest news in the reference department. Instructional videos on databases and interlibrary usages also were added on the Web site and YouTube. The Library System also maintains MySpace and Facebook sites. The library's e-book collection has increased to 1,740 items and some of the titles can be downloaded to a MP3 player. The Library System has a collection of 302,035 books, 6,291 books-on-CD, 6,758 DVDs, 2,746 books-on-tape and subscribes to approximately 400 magazines. If a person can’t visit one of the library's branches to obtain their monthly newsletter/calendar, it can now be downloaded from one of the Library System’s web site. Grants allow the Library System to provide quality programming. For 2008, the system received $47,446 in grants. The money was awarded from various organizations and regional Art Councils.

Scholarship Program For Veterans

Nationwide colleges have received $100,00 from a program that provides scholarships and support for current and former military members to ease their transition into higher education. the university announced Friday. The grants will be used to support related college programs. So far over 250 colleges have applied for these grants, which are given anually to colleges that have developed significant programs to increase access to veterans and their families. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded in the fall.

Over the past year, one foundation has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants to organizations in support of programs that provide educational assistance to veterans.

Curious As To What Kind Of Organizations Receive Grants?

Over $100,000 in grant money has been approved in an state-related arts grant program whose mission it is to improve the quality of life and promote philanthropy in their local area. Below is a partial list of the grant recipients and how much in grant money they received.

If these grant recipients sound similar to the kind of organization that you have then you should find out whether or not your organization is eligible to apply for this grant money as well!

• A local chorus group received $4,000 to support that chorus's children's festival
  
  
• An Elementary school received over $3000 towards the addition of a multimedia center for integration of the school's curriculum.
  
  
• An Arts organization received $7,500, for a weeklong day camp for youths ages 5-19 to have the opportunity to discover their artistic passion through a variety of mediums, including dance, art, drama, music, puppetry and sign language.
  
  
• Ballet Company received over $5,000, to provide assistance with costume acquisition to add to their permanent collection.
  
  
• A Chorus group received $1,500 to help support the 2009 concert season.
  
  
• One center for the arts received $15,000, to create museum admission fee waivers for participating schools in the local area.
  
  
• One of the local county's 4-H Leader's Association received a grant of $3,025 to provide scholarships for local county youths to attend a summer camp program.
  
  
• A local festival organization received $7,200 to help support their community-based music education program.
  
  
• A $6,000 grant award was provided to provide materials and general support for an after-school program for local area children.
  
  
• A youth ballet company received $6,000 in funding for their 2009-2010 season.
  
  
• A $10,000 grant was awarded to help assist with a traveling music exhibit that will visit schools.
  
  
• One of the local Symphony Orchestras received over $10,000 for transportation and admission waivers for schoolchildren to attend one of their performances
  
  
• A Hip-Hop organization received over $10,000, to help assist with their Boot Camp program for youths in grades 6-12 that provides an urban 4-H experience.
  

So as you can see, it's not just big organizations and non-profit groups that may be eligible for grant programs.

If any of the grant recipients mentioned above sound like your organization then your organization may be eligible to apply for grant programs such as this one.

Teachers Win Grant Award Money For Their Own Personal Use! Several teachers from different schools have each received a grant award of $500 each for their exemplary commitment and achievements. Each grant was given for personal use in exchange for the teachers' commitment to their students, colleagues and their communities. The foundation that sponsors this grant award has said, "This special thank you is a small token of appreciation for all the time and service they dedicate to making our Catholic schools an exceptional place to learn and grow." So far, this grant award program has given out over 500 grants totaling over $450,000 to educators and staff of schools in one local area! In addition to the $500 awards, the Foundation will present Grand Awards of $5,000 throughout the school year. The Foundation has been able to provide approximately $22 million through hundreds of grants to various religious, educational and charitable organizations within the state during its 50 plus years of existence. In addition, donor-advised funds maintained at the Foundation have accounted for many more grants amounting to millions of dollars over the years. The grant award recipients are nominated by students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members. This year, the Foundation has formed a committee, with members of its Advisory Council, to read the nomination letters received each month and decide which teachers and staff members will receive the award. The nominations are judged based on traditional merit criteria including tenure and leadership, acts of kindness or charity, Christian example, mentoring and simply going the extra mile for an individual student, family or the community. Here is a partial listing of recipients who each received the $500 award in recognition of their outstanding service. Each is listed with a comment from the nomination letter submitted on his or her behalf. Physics and AP Physics Teacher - who "works tirelessly to constantly bring new ideas to the kids and challenge them. She is a leader in the classroom and is constantly helping other teachers with ideas for lessons. Whenever she is asked to help with a presentation or in-service, she steps up with a smile. This teacher is the type of spirit we need. Her focus is on family, service and education." 6th- 8th English Teacher - " is a consummate professional and the type of teacher that any school would be blessed to have. She takes the time to connect with each and every student and is the teacher every student feels comfortable going to with confidence that he or she will be treated with love and respect. As I read the criteria for the award, I am struck by the thought that this encompasses all that this teacher represents as an educator." Theology Teacher - "This teacher is so caring about her students and other staff members. She is very involved in her faith as a Catholic and shares her knowledge of the faith in her teachings. She is also unselfish in giving her time, often neglecting her own time for the benefit of the high school where she teaches. She is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever seen." 7th Grade Science/Literature/Religion Teacher - "This teacher is a very outstanding teacher. She never fails to nurture the minds of her students. Every time she teaches a class, she always seems to put a smile on every student. She is also willing to give her time to tutor children after school. She tutors any grade and is happy to do so." 2nd Grade Teacher - "This teacher goes above and beyond the call of duty with everything she does and is very dedicated and very loyal to all of the children in the class. She has never received this award and she would be so grateful for it. She is loved and cherished by many." School Counselor - who is very, very supportive of our student body. Her door is always open and she always returns phone calls and e-mails promptly. She is never judgmental but always very positive and thoughtful. She is fair and kind and "is like the warm hand on the shoulder of our school" and she embodies the best of what it means to be a devoted, excellent Catholic educator." Art Teacher - who does a magnificent job incorporating Catholic values into her art classes. She is always flexible and willing to help others. She coaches for our academic meets, stays late to finish a school project that may have nothing to do with her classes and is always available to provide decorations for any parent project that requires her help. This teacher performs all her duties and those above and beyond her regular duties with a smile. To nominate a candidate for this grant award, please be sure to visit the Foundation's web site for instructions on the nomination process. Anyone serving as a full- or part-time employee in a Catholic school located in the local area may be nominated! For additional information about this foundation, you can contact them by phone or you can visit their website as well.

Receive Money To Relocate!

Here is a program that offers families as much as $50,000 to relocate to another city so that they can involved with that city's only synagogue.

Fearing that the city's congregation would dwindle and die, this program was started last year and its goal is to bring as many as 19 more Jewish families over the next five years. Worried about what the future might hold, one of the congregation members put up money to begin the program to attract as many as 20 new Jewish families. Ads in Jewish newspapers were taken out to help spread the word.

So far, about 400 families have since applied and 60 of them were qualified after their initial screening. Finalists go through a vetting process that includes written references -- including one from their rabbi -- home visits, checks for criminal and financial problems, and interviews.

In return for resettling and being active with the congregation for at least five years, families are reimbursed as much as $50,000 to cover items including moving expenses, housing, outstanding debt, education, temple dues and seed money for a small business. The fund will also pay the first year of temple dues for the family and, eventually, help with a down payment on a permanent home.


One of the families that has taken advantage of this program didn't receive the full $50,000 amount but they could receive as much as $30,000 to help pay off debts and reimburse them for resettlement expenses, including rent and furniture for the house where they are living now.

Grants! - President Barack Obama's Stimulus Package Plan Includes: $1,000,000,000 for low income home energy assistance $2,000,000,000 for childcare and block grants *Please see my Grant Basics 101 - Daycare Blog for more information about daycare-related grant programs! $16,126,000,000 for student financial aid $3,000,000,000 grants to airports $500mil Native American housing block grants $1,500,000,000 for homeless assistance grants If you would like a complete listing of the stimulus package programs then please look at the Ebook offers on the left side of this blog!

Does Your Church's

Organization Need Money

For Their Youth

Program?

The purpose of this grant program is to increase the number of gifted young people considering ordained ministry as a profession because studies have shown that fewer than 7 percent of clergy serving most denominations at this time are under age 35.

So far, nine of these grants have been awarded to eight congregations representing four different denominations and one federation of Asian-American congregations. One of these congregations was a Presbyterian congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina!

Daycare Start-Up Grant Applications Being Accepted! One state's Department of Social Services has issued a Request for Application for the start up of new or the expansion of existing child care facilities for children ages birth through 24 months. Applications for this grant has been accepted in previous years March 30, until May 7 of the same year. However you can use this printable version application as a worksheet to prepare for future applications. You can watch the department's web site for future grant applications in the early spring. You can also be added to their notification list for their next child care grant by e-mailing your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address to their own email address.

Rose
Grant Basics 101 Daycare Blog

Latest Government Grant Program For National Non-Profit Organizations- $5 Million Dollars!

* Please note that Monday is President's Day and most government offices will be closed!

For more than a decade organizations have worked to mobilize new generations of engaged citizens. In 2008, more than 3.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will work through Corporation-supported programs to help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. The Corporation anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $5,000,000 to a national organization to develop and execute a plan to support and build the capacity of local Volunteer Connector Organizations. These organizations connect individuals with volunteer opportunities and support organizations and professional volunteer coordinators in effectively using those volunteers to create meaningful change in local communities. Activities that will be funded through this competition include, among other activities, those previously supported through a partnership grant. As part of the Corporation’s fiscal year 2008 budget Congress allocated funds under Subtitle H of Title 1 of the NCSA to support such activities undertaken by an organization through a competitively awarded grant. The Corporation is looking forward to establishing a strong partnership with an organization committed to advancing the volunteer sector through dynamic leadership and high-quality programming. Additional grant competitions to support youth programming and better linking of schools to community resources will be announced later in FY 2008.

The successful applicant will, in conjunction with the Corporation, provide financial resources, training, and other assistance to local affiliates/organizations that match individuals with appropriate service opportunities. The applicant will train professional volunteer managers and other nonprofits to deepen the engagement and increase the effectiveness of their volunteers. The Corporation anticipates that the successful applicant will propose a plan, subject to the Corporation’s approval, that allows up to approximately 50 percent of funds provided under this agreement to be distributed on an annual basis to such local organizations through a subgrant process. The Corporation expects to work in close collaboration with the successful applicant to:

• Provide grants to local Volunteer Connector Organizations for operating support, capacity building, and special projects
  
  
• Deliver training and technical assistance to Volunteer Connector and other local organizations (including other Corporation grantees) in such areas as volunteer management, volunteer retention, and local partnership development with an emphasis on distance learning and other cost-effective methods for delivering training and technical assistance
  
  
• Collaborate with other organizations in the sector to streamline and consolidate on-line resources related to volunteer management and national service
  
  
• Develop outreach strategies and conduct a national campaign to get more Americans to volunteer. Strategies should complement the Corporation’s Strategic Plan in areas such as encouraging Baby Boomers to serve, engaging more at-risk youth and students in service, and mentoring more at-risk youth
  
  
• Convene and co-design a national conference on volunteerism and service and other national meetings to provide training, inspiration, and networking opportunities for individuals and organizations engaged in community service and volunteerism
  
  
• Provide sector-wide leadership for development and marketing of web-based technologies that encourage creative, efficient electronic means to match volunteers with opportunities and organize service projects
  
  
• Build private sector support for volunteering, including the development and promotion of corporate employee volunteer programs and convening and supporting an advisory council of for-profit corporations committed to advancing volunteerism and effecting change in the communities across the nation.

Applicants should propose a three-year plan that is compatible with the Corporation’s strategic interests in the area of generating and managing volunteers.

Current Deadline Date(s) - Please submit an e-mail stating your intent to apply via email by February 20, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10, 2008.

Applications submitted by hard copy or fax will not be accepted.

Applications can be submitted by email.

You can find out more information about this grant program by visiting the government's official website.

Black Methodists Organization Receives An $80,000 Grant For Church Renewal!

This grant program is not just limited to African Americans!

To qualify for this grant program your non-profit organization or church / ministry must have a racial/ethnic minority leadership and goals of fostering justice, self-determination, inclusion and reconciliation among racial/ethnic groups and communities.

So far over 30 grant awards have been approved through the year 2009 totaling to $1 Million Dollars! Only 89 applications have been submitted so far!

All of the previous grant recipients are operated by racial/ethnic United Methodist churches or caucuses or by community organizations. Grants awarded include:

• a $30,000 2 Year grant to a 6-year-old ministry of a pan-Asian and historically Japanese-American congregation.
  
  
• $40,000 to a theater company, at a newly created Hispanic / Latino congregation of a United Methodist Church a new Hispanic/Latino congregation in N.J. The theatre group engages local youth and young adults in Christian music, dance and theater as avenues to positive self-expression, self-discipline and community evangelism.
  
  
• $40,000 to an outreach effort of a "Young Adults Ministry Group at another United Methodist Church located in Arkansa. The outreach program will help fifty at-risk girls, ages 12 to 18, who will be matched with mentors recruited from various professions to address four critical areas of the girls' lives: educational enrichment, cultural awareness and the arts, community services and character-building.
  
  
• $40,000 to a United Methodist Church which is in a predominantly black community in New Orleans that is still struggling to recover from 2005's Hurricane Katrina. (Click here for more information about Katrina-related grant programs). The church works with local partners to help young people create a more positive future through tutoring, mentoring, service-learning projects, community organizing and leadership development skills. (African-American-$40,000)

There are also a number of projects being refunded as well! Including:

• $30,000 which has been awarded to a project in Chicago that help organizes journaleros, or day laborers, who seek work daily on street corners in the Chicago area. These workers often must face theft of their pay by unscrupulous employers, unsafe working conditions, wrongful arrests by police, disruptive raids by immigration agents and other troubles. The project is trying to improve hiring and labor conditions, prevent anti-immigrant actions by police, and develop a workers' center where day laborers can gather to seek jobs and receive other assistance.

A number of smaller grants have also been awarded to:

• to explore ideas and models for overcoming racism and encouraging multicultural ministries.

The organization that sponsors these grants also awarded funds to help racial/ethnic conferences and organizations send members to General Conference in 2008 as observers to learn about the legislative assembly and to advocate on issues of concern to their constituents.

To find out more about this organization's grant program and whether or not YOUR organization is eligible to apply for this grant program you can visit their website to find out more about their grant program!

Do You Need Money To Help Start Your Own Business?

Here is yet another program that is awarding money to those that want to start their own business but are lacking in the funds to do so:

The deadline to apply for this is

January 28, 2008

Maximum Award - $20,000.

There are a number of secondary money awards as well.

In its 2nd year this program has been underwritten by the Govenor of the state.

This funding program is offered to show new entrepreneurs that the state is serious about helping business, creating opportunities and proving to people that they can have any future they desire right here at home in their own home state (instead of leaving their own home state and looking elsewhere).

In addition to cash awards this program will bring people with new business ideas together with judges and other invited guests who have business development experience and several who have a capacity to make venture investments.

In order to apply, applicants must submit a written business plan. The judges give heavier weight to business opportunities that would advance the state's employment or business base. Existing businesses may apply only if the proposed opportunity is a significant departure from their previous business and if the monetary award would significantly advance the execution of the opportunity. Previous winners may not apply again for the same idea. The focus of this program is on the business plan or business model and is not limited to technology entries.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 28, 2008.

For more information about this program you can contact the state's office by phone or you can visit their website where you can also download their application.

Do You Have A Great Idea To Help Make The World A Better Place? - You Just Might Get A Grant For It!

This grant program was started as a direct response to research showing that many people feel disconnected from public leaders and institutions and don't believe they have the power to make a lasting difference in their community. Research done by the grant's organization suggests that if people are actually going to get engaged and stay engaged in their communities, one thing has to happen first -- they must be given more chances to connect with one another (including those they might disagree with) and figure out how they can work together for the common good.


Who Can Apply

The grant program is looking for passionate individuals, or individuals working with small, local organizations or groups, who reside in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, to submit an idea for one of these same locations (no international projects). Applicants must be 14 years of age or older.


What You Get

Twenty finalists will receive a $10,000 grant to help make their idea a reality. The final four will get an additional $25,000 grant -- for a total of $35,000. Everyone who applies will receive additional tools to help them share their idea with others and raise funds online.

The top 100 finalists will get $100 from the foundation to jump-start their idea.


How It Works

This new grant program is part of an exciting trend--a "citizen-centered" approach to making the world a better place that is more open and more inclusive. That's why, from developing the grant guidelines to voting on the final grant recipients, this grant program has been and will continue to involve the public in nearly every aspect of the program.

• A group of people from diverse backgrounds and communities will review all the applications and select the top 100 semifinalists. These 100 semifinalists will then be invited to pitch their ideas as a full proposal.
  
  
• A smaller group of reviewers will then choose the Top 20 finalists, with each finalist receiving a grant of $10,000.

This grant program recognizes that improving communities takes ongoing commitment and persistent action from the people who live in them. That's why they will provide funds to individuals, and individuals working with small organizations and groups, who join together to imagine and implement innovative ideas and solutions that lay the groundwork for long-term social change. This grant program was put in place to lift up these efforts to show that they're not happening in isolation, but are part of a growing movement that can, and will, transform our communities.

This grant program wants a range of ideas and that is why they are keeping it broad. But they do have the following guidelines for how they will choose grant recipients.

If you are applying for this grant then your application should show that you do the following:

• Address a need or cause your community thinks is important (meaning anything from your neighborhood, city or town, a particular group, or an online network);
  
  
  
• Join forces with others in your community to discuss common issues, and form solutions and take action together;
  
  
  
• Encourage people from different backgrounds and viewpoints to get involved
  
  
• Plan for the long-term by laying the groundwork for ongoing public spaces in your community
  
  
• Reflect the values of citizen-centered change
  
  
• Demonstrate that you've thought through your ideas.

This grant program wants to emphasize the fact that they are looking for individuals with good ideas. They are not concerned with whether or not you have written a grant proposal before they are more interested in getting great ideas submitted to them. They care more about what you have to say than how you say it. So they want you to forget the big words and fancy format, and feel free to "get real" with them.

What they are re NOT Looking for

The following will not be considered for grant awards

• Solo acts -- This grant program is looking for people who spark ideas, but who aren't running the show on their own. This is all about people and passionate teams coming together as equal partners, sharing leadership in the process.
  
  
  
• Ideas, campaigns, or efforts that are "decided on" by one person or organization, as opposed to a group decision process involving people of many types and backgrounds.
  
  
  
• Ideas that represent a political view or other type of belief that excludes some groups of people.
  
  
  
• Efforts that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
  
  
• Projects that are created and organized by and for professional staff.
  
  
  
• Lobbying or election campaign activities
  
  
• Projects that focus solely on training or educating on a predefined issue or agenda.

Grant funds at the $10,000 and $25,000 levels are to be used to implement the idea outlined in the application and full proposal. This is not a prize for good works already done, but fuel to help move a great idea forward. Grant funds will be paid out over the course of one year in a schedule to be determined by the grant program's foundation. Grant recipients at this level must also submit reports to the foundation during the project year. Content and timeline for the reports will be decided before grant distribution, and will be required to meet the terms of the foundation's grant Agreement.

(You can visit their website to see an example of a completed application)

The information below should help you figure out if your ideas or projects are in line with the type of "citizen-centered" approaches we're looking to fund.

Citizen-centered approaches DO:

• Focus primarily on lasting change, rather than short-term outcomes, issues, or victories
  
  
  
• Create opportunities for people to form and promote their own decisions
  
  
  
• Make every effort to reach out to and include a cross section of the entire community
  
  
  
• Bring people together around the issues, rather than working separately without communication or common goals
  
  
  
• Recognize the need for politics and volunteer service, not one or the other
  
  
  
• Emphasize doing, not just talking

Citizen-centered approaches DO NOT:

• Structure themselves or function solely on the leadership or direction of outside experts, professionals, organizations, or those outside the community
  
  
• Ask people to simply "plug in" and participate, rather than create and run the program themselves
  
  
  
• Try to talk anyone into a particular view or position
  
  
  
• Associate with a campaign, election, or political party
  
  
  
• Mean to replace politics or other democratic processes
  
  
• Focus solely on training or educating on a predefined issue or agenda
  
  
• Exclude or discriminate

How to Apply

All applications must be sent through the foundation's online application process. No applications will be accepted through the mail, fax, or as an e-mail attachment. Applications sent by mail will not be considered and will be returned to sender. You can visit the foundation's website to search for a listing of public computer labs in your community.

Here's how it works:

1. Apply. This is your chance to briefly describe your idea in a few paragraphs or less -- so be sure to get to the point. The foundation's online form is easy:
   
   
2. Getting to 100. The foundation has gathered a group of people from diverse backgrounds and communities to review and score the applications, each of which will be evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers. These reviewers will choose the best ideas that match the grant program's guidelines and help identify the top 100 semifinalists, who will be invited to submit more detailed proposals for a chance to receive a $10,000 grant. The top 100 semifinalists will each get $100 from the foundation to jump-start their ideas.
   
   
3. 20 Finalists - Once the 100 full proposals are in, each will also be read and scored by a minimum of two reviewers from a smaller panel of judges, which includes the foundation's staff. They will select the top 20 finalists, each of whom will receive grants of $10,000 to help turn their ideas into action.
   
   
4. The Top Four - The fondation will then turn the selection of the top four over to the public. The top four will receive grants of $25,000 in addition to the initial $10,000 grant -- for a total of $35,000 in grant funds.

For more information about this grant program and to see if you are eligible to apply you can visit this foundation's website.

Grant Goes To A For-Profit Private Daycare In My Own State!

Ten grants were awarded and some of the grants went to private child care centers as well to different school districts.

This grant program targets children of working families who earn too much to qualify for other grant programs. Family incomes can be as much as 300 percent of poverty levels. Or a child might be at risk because of a learning disability.

The grants are about $3,900 for half-day classes and $7,900 for full-day for 180 days, so the preschool is free for families.

At one daycare center, the children were sitting at tables coloring Christmas tree cards to send to soldiers overseas have varying degrees of motor skills. Some can already draw letters. Others are in the large scribbling phase.

By the end of the year, many will be writing their names.

Another daycare is located in the basement of a Lutheran Church which is warm and inviting, with colorful posters and decorations that look much like a kindergarten class. The alphabet, in large and small letters, runs around the wall.

The 4-year-olds have a full five-hour schedule: morning library; circle time with the calendar and Pledge of Allegiance and a song; snack, personal hygiene and nutrition; a lesson in math, science or health; individual center play; dance to music; story, lunch, outdoor or indoor play; art, story and discussion.

Much of the fun, or course, is really learning. Children develop social skills, such as how to get along with others; how to share and to sit still and do what their teacher says.

One little girl, Niquela, proudly tells a visitor, "I'm never going to cry here again!"

On the first day of kindergarten, teachers often see children who have never held a crayon. Or who don't know their colors or letters.

That puts them at a disadvantage with other children -- some of whom have attended private preschool and can already read.

And educators know that if children fall behind their peers in kindergarten and first grade, chances are they will never catch up.

So they point to preschool as a good tool to reducing dropout rates.

"If you have successfully created learners by the end of first grade, they will have a very good chance of succeeding in school, meaning they don't drop out and they graduate says one school principal who also coordinates other programs.

The grant award given to the private daycare was $165,000! The center has room for 15 children in half-day and 15 in full-day preschool. The $165,000 grant covers administrative costs, remodeling costs, and salaries for classroom teachers and teachers' aides.

• One school district received a $134,000 grant, which is being used for 34 spots for 4-year-olds. Most are in class at Elementary School. The school district chose to use $28,000 of its grant for a van to pick up and take kids home.

• Another Children's Center (along with two partners) obtained a $438,000 grant for 74 children. There are three classes at the center.

Parental involvement is a big part of the program, as well.

For instance, this month, children are practicing the triangle, letters D, E and F, and numbers 4, 5 and 6. Caden has already pointed out to her that he has a "C" in his name.

The grant recipients have long-standing, federally funded preschool programs because both have high poverty rates.

In addition, the daycare grant recipients are part of 30 school districts in the state involved in a public-private partnership to better train day care workers in the area.

A local organization along with state and foundation money, has funded the program's initiative.

Child care workers encourage parents to help children develop strong language skills by reading stories and encouraging children to talk.

Law enforcement support

Preschool programs get support from some unusual areas, as well.

Law enforcement associations support pre-kindergarten programs because they've seen the studies that show children who participate in early childhood programs are less likely to get into trouble or drop out of school.

Last March, one local county sheriff read to preschool children in the district in support of preschool.

He belongs to a nationwide group made up of more than 3,000 police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors, including about 200 in Pennsylvania.

The sheriff has said, "We can make an investment financially today that is small compared to what the costs could be later. It's pay a penny now or pay a dollar later." His group says the cost savings to taxpayers in preventing one child from going into a life of crime can be over a $1 million.

"Pennsylvania is one of the last states to get on the bandwagon of early childhood education," said another. "We've been more provincial with our farm tradition and many families have wanted to keep children at home."

But preschool is the No. 1 guarantor of success in school.

Does Your For-Profit Daycare Qualify For This Government Grant Program?

There are comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs that have as their overall goal increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

One such program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. In 1995, a program was established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development.

There are specific grants available for infants, toddlers and childcare, ranging from infants with disabilities, special education requirements. These grants for these purposes must be use for specific purposes: quality expansion; infant and toddler quality improvement; and child care resource and referral and school-age child care activities.

Applicant Eligibility is a State educational agency, a local educational agency, an institution of higher education, any other public agency, a private non-profit organization, an outlying area, an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act), and a for-profit organization.

Grants to conduct programs are awarded to local public or private, non-profit or for-profit agencies.

You may wish to collaborate with your local government program regarding construction and/or renovation. This grant program is authorized to provide child care services and to construct and/or renovate child care facilities. You can find out more about this childcare grant program by contacting their toll-free number.

Some Common Questions

How can I get a grant from this program? How can I get funding to start this program?

You may be either public or private, for-profit or nonprofit organizations or public school systems. If there is a current grantee in a community, that grantee will continue to serve in that capacity until they decide they no longer want to. If a grantee gives up or loses funding, the funds will remain in the community previously served by that agency and will be awarded to another eligible organization through a competitive process.

In years when additional funds are available for expanding the daycare grant program, these funds may go to existing agencies to increase their enrollment of children. Otherwise, these grants will be awarded to new grantees through a competitive process, particularly in a geographic area that requires more service to meet the needs of the population.

You can use the grant program's contact information to know the current status of this grant program in your own area.

This government grant program for eligible daycare businesses is always looking for community partners. It might be a business, a professional service provider or another agency whose involvement would enhance service to children and families.

Help By And For Senior Citizens

A lot of people think that they are just to old to be of any use and that is not true! There is a government grant program that wants to help seniors to be able to continue to live in their homes. I know from personal experience that seniors prefer to be able to still live in their homes as opposed to having to go to a nursing home or a senior citizens's community residence.

If you have a nonprofit organization (and this includes faith-based organizations) that wants to help senior citizens to remain in their own homes then you might want to think about implementing a program where seniors help other seniors to be able to stay in their homes. You could recruit other senior citizens to help or if you are a senior citizen yourself then you can start a nonprofit organization of your own to help other seniors. There are even some instances where you may receive a stipend for volunteering! Once you have obtained nonprofit status then you can apply for a government grant program that provides funding for seniors to be able to go out and help and/or assist other seniors. If you already have a non-profit organization that has this kind of program (or want to have this type of program) then you should check and see if your nonprofit organization is eligible to apply for this grant funding.

Grant Program "Open To All!"

I found a very interesting little grant program. Unfortunately the deadline to apply is July 19th, 2007.

But it is still a very good example fo a government grant program that is open to all! As much as people would like to tell you that there are no government grants for the individual or small business, its the government's very own website that proves them wrong.

This grant program has to do with conservation. Preserving our nation's history and resources is a very big objective of the government. This particular grant program is for the conservation of a particular trail in Colorado. The maximum grant award is $24,000. The grant money can be used to provide a quality trail system, encourage user groups to enjoy recreation areas without destroying natural habitats, and provide education of public trail construction, maintenance, and safety responsibilities.

What this means is that if you have an interest in this particular trail and would like to see it flourish then you can take it upon yourself (or create a group) to help create and maintain interest in this particular area. You can encourage groups to visit the trail, provide education teachings/tours about the trail and conservation in general. You can even do this by creating literature about the trail and conservation in general and you could even set up a website and do the same thing!

Although I would think that those that are more familiar with the area and the trail would get special preference it has recently come to my attention that sometimes just providing a "killer" proposal may get you the funding!

Another very important thing that I want to add about this grant program is that it is open to all! That means an individual can apply, a small business can apply and even a non-profit organization can apply!

Of course there aren't just grants for individuals

So far a lot of my emphasis has been on grants for the individual but of course there are grants for the community. Here is a partial listing of some comunity-related grant recipients:

• Logan Public Library, handicap accessible door and main computer, $3,000.
  

• City of Missouri Valley, Watson Steam Train Restoration and Museum project, $5,000.
  

• Woodbine Fire and Rescue Dept., purchase a new ambulance, $6,000.
  

• Little Sioux Scout Camp, repairing the water distribution system, $3,500.

All grantees met the criteria as nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services.