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RFPs for Community Initiatives Bulletin: August 28, 2012
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This information is provided as-is, with no warranty with respect to its accuracy, completeness, or currentness. Procopio
Fundraising is not responsible for any errors, omissions, delays, or for the results obtained from the use of this
information. Procopio Fundraising does not endorse or recommend any organization, product, or service mentioned
herein. Procopio Fundraising makes no effort to evaluate funders' positions on issues of political, social, health,
economic, religious, or other consequence. We strongly encourage potential applicants to investigate funders thoroughly
regarding their values, viewpoints, and agendas before deciding to submit a proposal or otherwise request financial
support.
Grants for Programs Serving Women and Girls in Pennsylvania
Deadline: October 12, 2012. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is proud to support
programs that serve girls and women and should incorporate one or more of the following priorities:
advance the lives of girls and women by providing opportunities to develop economic selfsufficiency; provide health programs for women and girls; or promote the education of women and
girls. Nonprofit organizations located in Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin or Perry counties
are eligible to apply. More information can be found at
http://www.tfec.org/index.cfm?act=womensfund_grantguidelines
Southwest Airlines Medical Transportation Grant Program
Deadline: September 30, 2012. Southwest Airlines is requesting applications from hospitals and
medical transportation charities in the United States to participate in the carrier's 2013 Medical
Transportation Grant Program. The program provides complimentary, roundtrip tickets to nonprofit
hospitals and medical transportation nonprofit organizations. Southwest allows participating
organizations the freedom to determine how to distribute the tickets to their patients and/or
caregivers. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit hospital offering specialized care,
or a nonprofit medical transportation organization whose primary mission is to assist patients with
their transportation needs. In an effort to further reduce any stress on the patient and/or their
caregiver, Southwest can only consider hospitals located within forty miles of a city that is served by
Southwest Airlines. More information can be found at http://www.southwest.com/medicalgrant/
Forward Promise Innovation Grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Deadline: October 10, 2012. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is proud to announce
“Promoting Opportunities for the Health and Success of Young Men of Color”, which is a new
initiative of the that aims to improve the health of middle school- and high school-aged boys and
young men of color, as well as their opportunities for success in school, work, and life.
Approximately 10 grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to select applicants. Nonprofit
organizations are eligible to apply. More information can be found at
http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=21406&cid=XEM_A6316
Viola W. Bernard Foundation
Deadline: August 31, 2012. The Viola W. Bernard Foundation is providing funds to support
innovative programs that address the interplay between social conditions and the psychological
health of children and families. Eligible applicants include projects or programs for youth that
involve a mental health component and preference is given to programs in New York, New Jersey,
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Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. More information can be found at
http://www.violawbernardfoundation.org/application.html
Build-A-Bear Workshop – Grants for Children's Health, Animals, and Literacy Programs
Deadline: August 31, 2012. Build-A-Bear Workshop provides grants through the Build-A-Bear
Workshop Foundation and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to charities in the
United States and Canada working to support a range of causes, including children's health and
wellness, animals, and literacy and education. This year, the Build-A-Bear Workshop foundations
will be accepting and reviewing grant applications on a rolling basis until August 31 for the following
funding categories: Children's Health and Wellness — Grants for nonprofit organizations such as
childhood disease research foundations, child safety organizations, and organizations that serve
children with special needs. Domestic Pets — Grants to support animal welfare groups, pet rescue
and rehabilitation efforts, therapy animals, and humane education. Literacy and Education —
Grants to support children's literacy and education, including summer reading programs, early
childhood education programs, and literacy programs for children with special needs.
Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status. Priority will be given to organizations located
near Build-A-Bear Workshop stores. Grants are made as one-time contributions and will range
from $1,000 to $5,000, with an average grant amount of $1,500. More information can be found at
http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/contents/content.jsp?catId=400002&id=700010
InnoCentive and AARP Foundation – Grants to Reduce Older Americans' Food Insecurity
Deadline: September 20, 2012. InnoCentive, Inc. has announced a collaboration with the AARP
Foundation in order to help advance the foundation's goal of improving the lives of older Americans
who struggle to meet their basic needs. InnoCentive and the AARP Foundation have started
the AARP Foundation-InnoCentive Challenge Series, which is comprised of a dedicated pavilion
located on InnoCentive.com. The pavilion currently features two initial challenges aligned with the
goals of AARP and the AARP Foundation's Drive to End Hunger program to reduce older
Americans' vulnerability to food insecurity. The Drive to End Hunger - Sustainable Solutions
Challenge seeks ideas for long-term, sustainable solutions that prevent food insecurity from
happening in the first place or that reduce an older adult's vulnerability to food insecurity in a
significant way. The Drive to End Hunger - the Elimination of Food Deserts Challenge seeks ideas
for reducing or eliminating "food deserts." Ideal solutions to both challenges will focus on long-term
programs designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate food insecurity and the number of food deserts,
respectively, without reliance on food provisions by third-party providers or benefits assistance such
as food stamps. Each solution will award $10,000 in prizes for the best solution submission(s) as
determined by the AARP Foundation. Visit the InnoCentive Web site for complete program
information and to submit a solution. http://www.innocentive.com/pavilion/aarp-foundation
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Deadline: September 17, 2012. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting
applications for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The program invests in the our
country’s information infrastructure by funding projects designed to address the education and
training needs of the professionals who help build, maintain, and provide public access to
information. The program is especially interested in professionals who can help manage the data
generated by the nation's researchers, serve as stewards of the nation's cultural history, and meet
the information needs of the underserved. The program also seeks to help librarians develop the
information and digital literacy of their communities, as well as other critical skills users will need to
be successful in the twenty-first century. Grants will be awarded in the categories of doctoral
programs, master's programs, early career development, programs to build institutional capacity,
and continuing education. To be eligible, applicants must be either a unit of state or local
government or a private nonprofit organization and be located in the United States or a U.S.
Territory. In addition, applicants must be a library or a parent organization, an academic or
administrative unit, a digital library, a library agency, a library consortium, or a library association.
Grant amounts will range from $50,000 to $500,000. More information can be found at
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/lb21_guidelines_2013.aspx
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Pedigree/Petfinder Foundation Grants Program for Dog Shelters and Rescues
Deadline: Ongoing, until all funds are distributed. The Pedigree Foundation was founded with a
mission to help dogs in need find loving homes. Starting this year, the foundation's Operation
Grants program will be administered by the Petfinder Foundation. To be eligible for an Operation
Grant, shelters and rescues must maintain an active free account with Petfinder.com; must provide
proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and public charity status; must provide financial and other information
to demonstrate sound management practices; must demonstrate proof of organizational stability
and program best practices; must show a collaboration/partnership within the community that
promotes, educates, and/or increases awareness of issues that contribute to dog homelessness;
must track performance in areas such as intakes, adoptions, returns, transfers, euthanasia,
community involvement, etc.; and must be willing to participate in monthly surveys, press outreach,
etc. For this year only, prior receipt of a Pedigree Foundation Operation Grant will be a factor in
determining recipients. More information can be found at
http://www.petfinderfoundation.com/pedigree-foundation-operational-grants
Patagonia - Grants for Grassroots Environmental Campaigns
Deadline: August 31, 2012. The Patagonia Outdoor clothing company Patagonia's environmental
grant program supports grassroots organizations that have direct-action agendas and are working
on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. The program seeks to fund
work that is action-oriented, builds public involvement and support, is strategic, focuses on root
causes, accomplishes specific goals and objectives, and demonstrates a commitment to long-term
change. The company does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or an eligible fiscal
sponsor. Grants will not be provided for general environmental education; land acquisition, land
trusts, or conservation easements; research (unless it is in direct support of a developed plan for
specific action to alleviate an environmental problem); environmental conferences; endowment
funds; political campaigns; or green building projects. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to
$8,000. Only one proposal from an organization will be considered per year. In addition to the
corporate grant program, each Patagonia retail store administers a local grants program. Retail
store grant applications are accepted year round. More information can be found at
http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=2927
Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award
Deadline: September 30, 2012. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's annual Access to Learning
Award recognizes the innovative efforts of public libraries and similar organizations outside the
United States to connect people to information and opportunities through free access to computers
and the Internet. The $1 million award is intended to encourage new and innovative ways to
provide computer and Internet services to people who are otherwise without access, and to
promote greater development of public access technology programs around the world. The
foundation invites public libraries and similar institutions outside the U.S. to apply. Applicants must
offer public access at no charge to information through the use of computers and the Internet.
Applications from institutions in developing nations or those working with disadvantaged
communities are particularly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to organizations that
actively reach out to underserved groups (e.g., patrons who are poor, disabled, or from minority
communities). Free computer and Internet access is defined as allowing all members of the public
— without exception — to use facilities, computers, and the Internet at no cost. Eligible
organizations must charge no membership or access fees, make technology services available to
the public in a community space, and offer technology training to the public and their staff. More
information can be found at http://www.gatesfoundation.org/atla/Pages/access-to-learning-awardoverview.aspx
Jewish Helping Hands Announces Tikkun Olam Grant Program
Deadline: October 1, 2012 (Letter of Application).
Jewish Helping Hands (JHH) has launched its Tikkun Olam grant program to advance the goal of
inspiring and supporting tzedakah, justice, and righteousness around the world. The program
supports projects that work toward achieving social justice at the local, national, or international
level. JHH hopes to support programs and projects that are sustainable through financial and
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hands-on support. The goal is to promote projects with the potential to make a tangible and lasting
difference in the lives of the populations served. JHH values programs and projects that aim to
bring about positive change for groups of all backgrounds and religious affiliations, and welcomes
grant applications from organizations and individuals regardless of these factors. The program will
not make grants to capital or political campaigns, or for scholarships, fellowships, or programs
administered by for-profit entities. Additionally, JHH grant monies cannot be used to subsidize
administrative salaries or expenses; all grant funds must be used for program expenses. Tikkun
Olam grants are awarded annually. A typical grant award may be up to $5,000. Grant recipients
may re-apply to have their grants renewed. More information can be found at
http://jewishhelpinghands.org/grants/
Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
Deadline: Rolling. The Lockheed Martin Corporation will give grants to nonprofits and K-12 schools
that propose projects involving K-12 Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM)
educational initiatives, community outreach, or customer and constituent relations. Award amounts
vary. Schools and nonprofit organizations located or operating in a community in which Lockheed
Martin has employees are eligible to apply. More information can be found at
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/community/philanthropy/funding-guidelines.html
Connecting Youth to the Outdoors Grant Program - National Environmental Education
Foundation
Deadline: September 19, 2012. The National Environmental Education Foundation, the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service, have
partnered together to announced a new initiative that seeks to promote efforts to increase the
number of pre-K-12 youth, especially urban and/or underserved youth, who build a connection with
public lands as places for recreating, learning and volunteering. Proposed projects should maximize
hands-on outdoor engagement opportunities on public lands, focused on the areas of education,
recreation, and environmental stewardship. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 are available to
select applicants. Nonprofits, academic institutions, and tribal groups are eligible to apply. More
information can be found at http://www.neefusa.org/grants/connecting_youth
Open Society Foundations Announces Funding to Reform U.S. Criminal Justice System
Deadline: September 21, 2012(Letters of Inquiry). The Open Society Foundations' United States
Criminal Justice Fund works to reduce mass incarceration, eliminate harsh punishment, eliminate
racial disparities, and secure a fair justice system by promoting public investments in effective,
community-based strategies that increase public safety. The fund provides support to
organizations and projects working to advance its programmatic strategies. Funding is available to
organizations that address one or more of the program's priorities through at least one of the
following strategies: policy-driven nonpartisan analysis and research; public education; policy
advocacy; community organizing and mobilization; coalition-building; and/or impact litigation. The
fund considers proposals from advocacy groups, community groups, scholarly or research
institutions, government agencies, associations of elected officials, and nonprofit business
associations or initiatives. Priority is placed on projects that prioritize the participation and
leadership of people directly affected by criminal justice policies and practices. The fund does not
provide support for activities constituting lobbying; programs or direct services; start-up costs or
seed monies; annual fundraising drives; projects undertaken by individuals not affiliated with an
organization; general support for first-time applicants; capital costs, including equipment or real
estate purchases/renovations; or film production or post-production. More information can be found
at http://www.soros.org/grants/us-criminal-justice-fund
STEM Grants for Educators (Select Locations)
Deadline: September 17, 2012.
FirstEnergy Corp., an energy company serving Ohio,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, has announced that it is
providing education grants for classroom projects planned for the 2012-13 school year. Multiple
grants of up to $500 will be awarded to applicants. Educators and youth group leaders located in
communities served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies, or in communities where the
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company has generating plants or does business are eligible to apply. More information can be
found at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/community/education/educational_grants.html
Translation Grants
Deadline: September 28, 2012.
VIA’s annual donation program will award translation services inkind to two separate innovative healthcare organizations that that strive to improve healthcare
access for underserved, limited English speaking (LEP) communities. The VIA annual grant
program strives to help healthcare organizations decrease disparities in healthcare for underserved
communities in the U.S. Two awards of $1,500 worth of in-kind translation services are available
for select applicants. Organizations headquartered in the U.S. that are working to improve access
to healthcare for its LEP communities are eligible to apply. More information can be found at
http://www.viadelivers.com/healthcare_grant.php
LeadingAge - Grants for Projects That Blend Housing and Services for Low-Income Elderly
Deadline: October 30, 2012. LeadingAge hopes to help catalyze innovation among LeadingAge
members by funding programs that have demonstrable impact on residents, clients, families,
employees, or the broader community. A total of $100,000 is available through the Innovations
Fund in its inaugural year for projects that address the critical importance of bringing housing and
services together to meet the needs of lower income elderly. Winning proposals will address one or
several dimensions of housing with services, including assessment (development/implementation of
resident assessment tools, using information to prioritize services, developing resident service
plans); health and wellness programming (health promotion activities, self-care management,
chronic care management, transitional care and health education); partnerships with service
providers (co-location of services, development of formal collaborations with community health and
social service agencies), workforce training (service coordinator training, property manager training
around linking housing and services), and technology (assistive devices, retrofitting and home
modification, wireless communication, telehealth). More information can be found at
http://www.leadingage.org/Grants_Available_Through_LeadingAge_Innovations_Fund.aspx
Youth Service America and UnitedHealthcare Offer Grants for Projects to Combat Childhood
Obesity
Deadline: October 15, 2012. Youth Service America and UnitedHealthcare are inviting schools
and other community-based nonprofit organizations to apply for UnitedHealth HEROES grants.
Grants of up to $1,000 are available for youth-led service-learning projects that aim to combat
childhood obesity through walking, running, or hiking. Proposals must include an activity element,
as well as a service component. Service-learning projects are projects that engage young people in
performing meaningful service to the community as they gain new knowledge about the issue they
are addressing (childhood obesity), and acquire college, career, and workforce readiness skills in
the process. Each UnitedHealth HEROES project will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of
Service (January 21, 2013) and end on Global Youth Service Day (April 26-28, 2013). Youth
Service America will hold webinars to help applicants through the application process and answer
questions. The first webinar will be held September 13, 2012. Visit the YSA Web site for complete
program guidelines, webinar details, and information on 2012 grantee projects. Applications will be
accepted online beginning September 4, 2012. More information can be found at
http://www.ysa.org/HEROES
Students with disabilities more likely to face school suspension
The New York Times and Education Week both recently published articles discussing a study that
shows students with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be suspended from school as
nondisabled students. The study found that the highest rates were among African American
children with disabilities. Department of Education data show that 13% of disabled students in
kindergarten through 12th grade were suspended during the 2009-10 school year, compared with 7
percent of students without disabilities. The full report can be found here.
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When should you consider outsourcing your foundation research and grant proposal
preparation?

Have you missed a deadline for submitting a grant proposal lately because you are
simply too busy?

Are you submitting grant proposals without the ‘due diligence’ you know you should
be doing: (without studying the grantmaker’s latest IRS filings, and without staying current
on the changing nuances of their grantmaking focus)?

Do Board Members regularly suggest "getting a grant" as the answer to emerging
financial needs, with no in-depth knowledge of what funding partners may be possibilities?

Are you intimidated by Grant Application questions, or other elements of a strongly
competitive grant proposal—things like Quantifiable Objectives, Outcome Evaluation
Methodologies, Performance Indicators, Financial Sustainability Strategies, and Time Lines?

Have you ever mounted a no-stone-unturned grant proposal campaign to
compliment your Capital Campaign or Endowment Campaign?

Are there dominant players on your fundraising committee or Board of Trustees that
might be better directed by an objective outside voice?
From a time-management standpoint, sometimes it just makes sense to outsource very laborintensive aspects of your workload. Grantwriting consultants keep extensive records on their
experiences with foundations; past successful (and unsuccessful!) grant proposals can suggest
valuable biases and leanings that may not be included in a foundation’s published criteria.
Foundation research to uncover prospective grant opportunities, when done correctly, is a tedious
laborious exercise for a nonprofit organization. A grantwriting firm doing a significant volume of
grant proposals has time-saving advantages. Research for one client often uncovers an exceptional
opportunity for another client. Broader 'category' research into 'environmental-grantmakers', 'artsgrantmakers', 'at-risk-youth-grantmakers', etc. can often be applied to more than one initiative.
Grantwriting consultants can help you assemble the elements of a competitive grant proposal. We
can help you make your most compelling case statement, backing up your arguments for funding
with statistical data. If your organization has your Goals and Objectives and vision for the future in
writing,
Procopio Fundraising can research examples and lead you through the process of defining your
Evaluation Methodology. http://www.procopiofundraising.com
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