Resources for Nonprofits

Grant Alert Plus

Grant Alert Plus
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Grant Alert Plus January 29, 2004

Special Call for Success Stories: If you have a story to tell about how grant alert plus, or a visit or call to the Nonprofit Resource & Training Center; or attendance at a training session paid off in a specific positive outcome for your organization please let us know! We are looking for stories for the 10^th anniversary open house on March 25^th from 2-4pm in Hartford. E-mail Marsha Mason at mmason@uwcact.org. Thank you..

Funding Opportunities
Various local and national foundations that give to programs in Connecticut are researched each month and included for your information as well as programs that have pending application deadlines to receive proposals.

Barnes Group Foundation; Bristol. Deadline March 1. Funds programs in greater Hartford in the area of arts, culture, humanities, human services, health, and youth development. Initial contact: letter of inquiry or to their website: www.barnesgroupinc.com or to tbarnes@barnesgroupinc.com

Rockefeller Foundation's Multi-Arts Production Fund Deadline: March 27,2004
As part of its Creativity & Culture program, the Rockefeller Foundation (http://www.rockfound.org/ ) established the Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund to foster work in the performing arts that explores the dynamics of contemporary culture and to support a diversity of artists and arts organizations. This highly competitive annual grant program invites applications from professional artists and arts organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the creation of new work. The MAP Fund accepts applications from U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that have been in existence for at least two years. Proposed projects must be for a new work that has not been previously produced, except in developmental workshops. New work may include the use of classical or pre-existing texts if the artist demonstrates how the approach is innovative. Activities that have been supported through the program include commissioning of artists, research and development, artist residencies, and the costs associated with the production of new work.
Complete application guidelines and forms for 2004 are available at the MAP Fund Web site. The site also provides information and dates for MAP chats/online advice sessions designed to answer the questions of applicants. RFP Link: http://mapfund.org/

Cable Positive Offers Funding for AIDS Outreach Efforts. Deadline: February 27, 2004
Cable Positive ( http://www.cablepositive.org/ ), the cable and telecommunications industry's national nonprofit AIDS action organization, provides funding for AIDS organizations and cable outlets to work together in joint community outreach efforts and/or to produce and distribute new, locally focused HIV/AIDS-related programs and public service announcements (PSAs) through the Tony Cox Community Fund. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, with special consideration given to AIDS service organizations (ASOs) and cable systems and producers partnering with ASOs. Eligible local community outreach projects include, but are not limited to, World AIDS Day (December 1) and National HIV Testing Day (June 27), AIDS Rides/Walks, other joint efforts between AIDS organizations and local cable operators, etc. Funding also is available for production costs of HIV/AIDS-related programs and PSAs. See the program's Web site for complete grant guidelines and an application form.
http://www.cablepositive.org/programs-tonycox.html

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Training Opportunities/Workshops/Conferences
($$ indicates there is a fee)

Board Excellence Training: Roles & Responsibilities of boards & board members and Having Successful Meetings. Thursday February 5^th 4-6pm; United Way of the Capital Area; 30 Laurel Street; Hartford. Free but space is limited. Call to register: 493-1112. Sponsored by the Nonprofit Resource & Training Center.

Hitting Your Mark with Funders: Saturday February 7^th 1:00-5:00 pm Free. Hartford Public Library; Registration required as space is limited. Call: 695-6295. Trainer: Kim Collier, ED; Grantwriters Development Network.

Managing the Financial Side of Fundraising: $10 Sponsored by Grantwriters Development Network. Monday February 9^th from 5:30-8:30pm at DeKoven House Community Center, Middletown. To register and get directions call: 995-5866 or email: GDNhelps@aol.com

Investing Guidelines for Non-profit Organizations
Is your investment process supporting your organization's mission? Do you have a written philosophy and strategy that links your investments to your goals? Would an external review by your largest donors meet their expectations? And finally, is your Board able to assess the Investment Committee's / Outside Manager's ability to help you meet your objectives?

The answers to these questions and more will be addressed by Alan D. Wooster, CFP, President of Apex Investment Services, Inc. Tuesday, February 10^th 3:00-4:30 (snow date February 11^th same time); United Way of the Capital Area; 30 Laurel Street, Hartford. Space is limited. Registration required. Call: 860 493-1112.

Hartford Public Library: Nonprofit & Philanthropic Program Series. Free series begins February 7^th. To get details on each event go to: www.hplct.org.

Nonprofit Resource & Training Center Orientation: Tuesday, February 24^th 10-11:00am; United Way of the Capital Area. Free. Space is limited so please register by calling: 493-1112.

(repeat) Connecticut Family Development Institute: Training for trainers April 19-22, 2004 in Hamden. Must apply for admission, have a sponsoring organization; and be willing to complete the 80 hours of training and a portfolio; pass the CT Family Development (FDC) exam; and pay a $250 administrative fee. Once credentialed you must offer the complete FDC curriculum (80 hours of participant training) free of charge to your first class. For application and further info contact Gina Beebe at the Children’s Trust Fund: (860) 723-7243 or gina.beebe@po.state.ct.us

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Fellowships and Scholarships

USA Funds Accepting Applications for College Scholarships Deadline: March 15, 2004

Education-loan guarantor USA Funds ( http://www.usafunds.org/ ) is accepting applications for two scholarship programs to assist college students with demonstrated financial need. USA Funds will award up to $2.85 million in renewable USA Funds Access to Education Scholarships to qualified students nationwide. To mark its 25th year of service as the designated guarantor of federal education loans for the state of Hawaii, USA Funds also will award up to $300,000 in USA Funds Hawaii Silver Anniversary Scholar- ships to help residents of Hawaii pursue their postsecondary studies.

Both programs offer $1,500 scholarships to qualified full- time undergraduate and graduate students and $750 scholar- ships to qualified half-time undergraduates. Applicants for the scholarships must be enrolled or plan to enroll in coursework at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school beginning with the fall 2004 term through February 1, 2005. For complete eligibility information and to download an application form, visit the USA Funds Web site: http://www.usafunds.org/

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Other Useful Information

Good web based information for Your Board: BoardBuilder Column: www.ctnonprofits.org/Pages/NonProfitResources/board.asp

NAEIR: Free supplies and Merchandise for nonprofit organizations (including schools and churches). Call: 1-800-562-0955 (then press 7) to receive your free Supply Information Kit within 14 days.

Fundraising Advice for the New Year (From: Successful Fundraising January 2004 Edition). Pay particular attention to those gifts you received in December. Be sure to send a special acknowledgement to:

· One-time or unusual gifts

· Those who sent additional gifts during the month.

· First time donations

· Significantly increased gifts

Showing your donors that you “noticed” and being appreciative will increase the likelihood of their continued giving, and can make your group shine, compared to others. These tasks, including personal thank you phone calls are appropriate tasks for your board members and other volunteers.

DISCOUNTECH: View the entire DiscounTech catalog of donated and discounted technology products available to nonprofits: http://ga0.org/ct/WdacUjK1ca_V/

Save the Date: Nonprofit Resource & Training Center’s 10^th Anniversary Open House                    Thursday March 25^th from 2-4pm
                              United Way of the Capital Area
                              30 Laurel Street, Second Floor
                              Hartford, CT

Pass the Word to Your Clients: Tax season news: Free income tax preparation and a possible larger refund!

A significant number of low-to moderate-income residents in Connecticut are eligible to apply for a tax refund called the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC. Many are eligible even if they did not make enough money to pay income tax.

The refund varies according to income and family size, but here are some examples:

A single worker with no children who earns less that $11,230, or married workers with no children who have a combined income that is less than $12,230, could be eligible for a credit of up to $382.

The credits for families with children are even larger.

A complete list of free tax preparation sites can been found by calling INFOLINE at 2-1-1 or visiting www.tymct.org.

Using Volunteer Resources in Tough Financial Times:
Log on to Volunteer Solutions to post your volunteer opportunities and find the help you need to maintain your programs: www.uwcact.org

Great Board Orientation Hint from Successful Fund Raising Feb.2004: Include new board members’ spouses in part of their board orientation. Spouses don’t have to be board members to become involved in your charity. Plus, board members only make half the decision when it comes to donations. It’s wise to do what you can to have the spouses in your corner.

Why it’s Important to Measure Results: Very good article on Outcomes from the training calendar of the Technical Development Corporation (TDC) in Boston. Reprinted with permission. Go to: www.uwcact.org/opportunities/index.htm

New America Foundation: Online clearinghouse for information on building personal assets of people with limited resources. Visit the Sign-Up section to receive periodic email updates: www.AssetBuilding.org

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United Way of the Capital Area
30 Laurel Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1374
Phone: (860) 493-6800
Fax: (860) 493-6809