October 4, 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 **

With winter rapidly approaching, gently used coats are needed for men, women and children in the Capital Area.  This need is annually addressed through a coat drive that results in thousands of coats collected and distributed to local nonprofit organizations.

Once again, United Way of the Capital Area's website will enable nonprofits to register their needs online so that groups and individuals interested in donating coats can review and respond directly to these postings.  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.

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 from Thursday, October 5 through Friday, December 15.  

New Funding Opportunities
(By deadline date)

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

The awards recognize extraordinary achievements in three categories: Youth (ages 12-25), Organization (nonprofit, corporate, foundation), and Media (organization or individual) for actively promoting community service among youth. One award winner will be chosen in each of the three categories. Self-nominations are permitted.

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

The 2007 grant cycle will focus exclusively on projects that develop players, coaches, and referees in economically disadvantaged urban areas. Also supported will be the construction of state-of-the-art soccer fields with a priority in economically disadvantaged urban areas.

Grants are open to anyone with a soccer- specific program or project that benefits a non- profit purpose.

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

CyberAlert, Inc. will award a minimum of 10 public relations grants to not-for-profit organizations. Each grant consists of one full year of news monitoring/press clipping services, ranging in value from $2,700 to $3,900. All not-for-profit, educational, and charitable organizations in the United States are eligible to apply for the grants.

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

The bookshelf project encourages young people to read great literature while exploring themes in American history. This year's theme is the "Pursuit of Happiness." Two thousand (2,000) public and school libraries will receive a collection of 15 classic hard-cover books for young readers. Those selected will be required to use the selections in programs for young readers in their communities. School districts, public library systems, or individual branch or school libraries are encouraged to apply.

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

Individuals from communities and organizations can submit a written essay describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would improve their community project. Applicants can request a one-time award between $500 and $15,000 during any single month. All requests for funding must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. The program will award "helping hand" grants each month from online applications received through May 2007. Applications will be evaluated monthly.

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

Baseball Tomorrow is designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball around the world by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, uniforms, and equipment. Grants are intended to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment necessary for youth baseball or softball programs. Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations involved in youth baseball/softball programs are encouraged to apply.

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:

American Psychiatric Foundation
Advancing Minority Mental Health
(Deadline: November 1, 2006; www.psychfoundation.org)

Youth Leaders for Literacy
Grants for Student-Led Projects
(Deadline: November 24, 2006; www.nea.org)

Oracle Education Foundation
ThinkQuest International 2007
(Deadline: April 16, 2007; www.thinkquest.org)

Barnes and Noble
Art, literacy or education grants
(Deadline: rolling; www.barnesandnobleinc.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 5-12) who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle level and one high school Honoree for every 1,000 students. Officially designated organizations include Girl Scout councils, YMCAs, 4-H organizations, American Red Cross Chapters, and members of Volunteer Centers of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

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

Hartford Public Library
Free Workshop Series for Nonprofit Organizations

Registration is required; in-person, online (www.hplct.org/register.htm), or by calling 695-6295. All workshops are held at Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103, Program Room, 3rd floor. Parking is available at the Library's ramp garage with entrance on Arch Street.

Basic Grantwriting Series
Participants must attend both sessions.
Speaker: Cheryl Murray, Grantwriters Plus, LLC.

Planning and Beginning Your Grant Proposal (part 1)
Tuesday, October 24; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
To be successful in obtaining grant funding, organizations must first identify two or three core priorities that they want to fund in the next year. The process will continue in part 2.

Writing Your Grant Proposal and Adapting it for Different Funders (part 2)
Tuesday, October 31; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The second half of the workshop focuses on the remaining components of the grant including the parts of the program description (goals, objectives, activities and timeline), evaluation and the funding request.

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.

The Governor's Prevention Partnership
Trainings and events for fall 2006 and spring 2007 are now available. Trainings provide information and skills for keeping youth safe, successful and drug-free, including some new offerings in the fields of Student Assistance Programs, mentoring, substance abuse prevention, prevention skills and strategies and underage drinking prevention. Please visit the website for specific descriptions of each training and registration information at http://www.preventionworksct.

Other Information 

Leadership Greater Hartford
Quest Project Proposals and Candidates

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.  The deadline to submit community project proposals is December 22, 2006. Nominate one or more candidates for Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest Class of 2007. Enrollment will run 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 @951-6161 X15

Center for Children's Advocacy
Free Tutoring under No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Students who also qualify for the free and reduced-price meal program and attend schools that continue to fail making Academic Yearly Progress, according to the No Child Left Behind Law and are eligible for free tutoring and other Supplemental Educational Services paid for through the federal Title I funds. To learn more call (877) 772-1933 ext. 22 or visit http://www.conncan.org/action_center/great_schools/choose.asp.

Stanford Social Innovation
Drowning in Data - This article looks at how nonprofits are collecting data to meet the demand that funders, donors, and the general public are calling for in program evaluation. Go to http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/drowning_in_data/

Foundation Center
Position Yourself to Write a Superior Technology Proposal

By: Marc Osten, Susan Myrland, and Katrin Verclas
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/techsoup/index.jhtml

Justice Policy Institute
Cost-Effective Youth Corrections: Rationalizing the Fiscal Architecture of Juvenile Justice Systems is a new report that looks at the practical and fiscal effectiveness of community-based services designed to reduce rates of youth incarceration. http://www.justicepolicy.org/reports/CostEffectiveYouthCorrections306.pdf

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[PG1]  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.