October 16, 2006

Grant Alert Plus and other nonprofit resources are also posted on United Way of the Capital Area's website, http://www.uwcact.org/agencies/grant_alert_plus.shtml. Comments and suggestions concerning Grant Alert Plus may be forwarded to Susan Shackway, Community Investment Manager, at sshackway@uwcact.org.

** "Warm Coats for Winter" - Register Now **

United Way of the Capital Area is sponsoring "Warm Coats for Winter" to help meet the need of children and adults this season. Nonprofit organizations seeking coats for clients can register by visiting www.uwcact.org and clicking on the "Warm Coats for Winter" button in the lower right corner. Listings will be posted through Friday, December 15. Groups and individuals interested in donating coats are invited to review the on-line postings and respond directly to the nonprofit organizations. Please note that registration for this program is limited to nonprofit organizations serving clients within United Way of the Capital Area's 40-town service area.

New Funding Opportunities
(By deadline date)

National Gardening Association and Home Depot
Youth Garden Grant Program
(Deadline: November 1, 2006; www.kidsgardening.com)

The National Gardening Association works with sponsoring companies and organizations to provide funding and in-kind grants to projects that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for their communities. To be eligible for these awards schools or organizations must plan to garden with at least 15 children (ages three to 18).

J. Jill
Compassion Fund for Poor and Homeless Women
(Deadline: December 1, 2006; www.jjill.com)

The J. Jill Compassion Fund is committed to providing support to community-based organizations that help poor and homeless women become self-sufficient. Community-based, 501(c)(3) organizations serving this population are eligible; priority consideration will be given to those located near J. Jill stores. Funding preferences are to support, enhance, or expand existing programs rather than fund new (first-year) programs.

Teammates for Kids Foundation
Teammates for Kids Grant
(Deadline: February 1, 2007; www.teammates4kids.com)

Grants from the Foundation support the on-going work of operating organizations that help needy children in the areas of health, education and inner-city services. Priorities include prevention and/or recovery from health problems, educational achievement in areas of documented weakness, health and educational programs targeted to low-income children in the inner-city.

Soroptimist International Northeastern Region
Janet Pfeiler Advancing the Status of Women Grant
(Deadline: February 15, 2007; http://www.soroptimistner.org)

Soroptimist International Northeastern Region is offering a $2,000 grant to a start up or continuing project that improves the lives of women or girls. The project must address a demonstrated need in the community and match one of the objectives of Soroptimist International: women will live free from all forms of violence and discrimination, women and girls will enjoy enhanced status and will be encouraged to achieve their full potential, and women will work in safe environments with opportunities for advancement and pay equity.

ING
Unsung Heroes Program
(Deadline: April 30, 2007; www.ing.com)

ING helps K-12 educators and their schools fund innovative classroom projects through its annual Unsung Heroes awards program. All K-12 education professionals employed by an accredited K-12 public or private school are eligible. All awards must be used to further projects within a school or school system. At least one award will be granted in each of the 50 states, provided qualified applications are received from each state.

Repeat Funding Information

Visit United Way's website www.uwcact.org/agencies/grant_alert_plus.shtml for information on funding opportunities previously listed in Grant Alert Plus. The following are highlights from recent editions:

Youth Service America
Promote Service Learning
(Deadline: October 19, 2006; www.ysa.org)

United States Soccer Foundation
2007 Grantmaking Program
(Deadline: November 22, 2006; www.ussoccerfoundation.org)

CyberAlert, Inc.
Public Relations Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
(Deadline: December 31, 2006; secure.cyberalert.com)

We the People Bookshelf Project
New Grants on the "Pursuit of Happiness"
(Deadline: January 31, 2007; www.ala.org)

Hamburger Helper
Grant Program for Local Communities across America
(Deadline: May 2007; www.myhometownhelper.com)

Baseball Tomorrow
Youth Baseball and Softball Programs
(Deadline: Open; www.baseballtomorrowfund.com)

Scholarships, Fellowships and Individual Awards
(By deadline date)

Prudential
Spirit of Community Awards
(Deadline: October 31, 2006; www.principals.org)

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people (grades five-12) who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. Students may complete an application and submit it to their middle or high school principals or to the head of one of the officially designated local organizations (see website for list). Applicants do not need to be affiliated with any of the officially designated local organizations to apply. Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle level and one high school level Honoree for every 1,000 students per school.

Public Library Association
"Grow Your Own @ Your Library" Scholarship
(Deadline: December 1, 2006; www.pla.org)

The Public Library Association (PLA) is now accepting applications for its "Grow Your Own @ Your Library" institutional scholarship. This year, PLA will award nine public libraries with grants of $8,000 each to be distributed to staff members who are working to obtain a master's degree in library and information science. One library from each of the nine Public Library Data Service population categories will be selected.

 Conferences, Meetings and Trainings

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation
Grant Writing Conference
November 1, 2006, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Learn the basics of grant writing and tricks of the trade.  National, state and federal grants will be covered.  Meet local funders and learn about their foundations. Conference will be held at Crozier-Williams Student Center at Connecticut College in Room 1962, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London. Cost is $35, includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register for this event visit www.chamberect.com.

CT Association of Nonprofits (CAN)
Visit www.ctnonprofits.org for CAN's fall training catalog. Classes include: Advanced Presentation Skills; Creating Successful & Effective Brochures, Marketing Pieces & Newsletters; and Outcome Thinking and Management: Shifting Focus from Activities to Results.

Other Information 

Leadership Greater Hartford
Quest Project Proposals and Candidates

December 22, 2006: Do you have a community project idea that requires leadership from a group of dedicated and talented volunteers next year? If so, please complete a proposal for a 2007 Quest Class Community Taskforce project. Nominate one or more candidates for Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest Class of 2007. Enrollment is open through December, class begins in January. Sponsor payments paid in full by November 1st will be eligible for a discount.  For more information go to www.leadershipgh.org or call Rita Ortiz, 951-6161 X15.

HartfordInfo Today
Insurance for the Future: Building Tomorrow's Workforce
November 8, 2006: Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

In this session, moderated by Councilman Jim Boucher, business, education and government leaders will discuss possible solutions for addressing Hartford's high school drop out rates and preparing children today to enter Hartford's workforce in the future. To register contact Dulcie Giadone, (860) 522-4888 x6104, giadd001@hartford.gov or Richard Frieder, (860) 695-6365, rfrieder@hplct.org.

National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR)

NAEIR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, gifts-in-kind organization that receives donations of excess inventory from corporations across the U. S. for redistribution to members - schools, churches, government agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. NAEIR members average over $18,000 worth of free products per year for their organizations. Members pay a membership fee and nominal shipping and handling charges - the merchandise itself is free. Visit  http://www.naeir.org/ for more information.

United Way of the Capital Area

United Way of the Capital Area (UWCA) offers CT Philanthropy Online to assist non-profits in grant-seeking efforts. Additional United Way resources on board development, legal issues, management, governance and training are available at the following locations: University of Connecticut School of Public Policy, contact Valerie Rogers at (860) 570-9343; Central Connecticut State University's Department of Social Work, contact Catherine Barrata at (860) 832-3016; and Eastern Connecticut State University's Nonprofit Leadership & Philanthropy Initiative, contact Eric Martin at (860) 465-0245.

UWCA also offers web-based services such as Volunteer Solutions, which allows agencies to post volunteer opportunities. More than 265 agencies have registered! Hundreds of volunteer opportunities are posted, and over 10,000 volunteers have responded to the call. There are also two additional features of Volunteer Solutions that continue to grow:  Board Connections, which can help agencies target interested and skilled volunteers for Board positions and GiftMatch, to help organizations secure donations of hard goods (ie: food, clothing, furniture, etc.) posted by corporations and individuals. Board Connections and GiftMatch links are both available on the agency's home page after logging in to Volunteer Solutions.

When you give through United Way, you invest in what matters: successful children, strong families and thriving communities. Please consider sponsoring a United Way Community Campaign at your workplace. Contact Rachel Houseman, Director of Donor Relations, at (860) 493-6854 or rhouseman@uwcact.org for more information.