Industry News

 

Decline in Charitable Gifts Reported

GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey
GuideStar, a leading provider of information on nonprofit issues, asked nonprofit staff how their organizations fared financially during the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007. The recently published GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey indicates that the proportion of participating nonprofits reporting decreased contributions nearly doubled between 2007 and 2008. In addition, almost half of the participants that rely on year-end gifts expect donations to decline during the last quarter of 2008 compared to the last quarter of 2007. Visit the website listed above to download a copy of the report.

 

Conferences and Trainings

 

Online Courses for Nonprofit Leaders

SNPO Learning Institute: Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management
The Society for Nonprofit Organizations (SNPO) has partnered with Michigan State University's Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies to jointly award a "Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management" for a series of eight online courses from SNPO's Learning Institute. The Learning Institute courses are self-paced, available 24/7, and focus on the core competencies of nonprofit leadership and management. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for each course are also available from Michigan State University. To learn more about these Learning Institute courses, visit the website listed above.

 

Free Teleconferences Address Fundraising in Turbulent Times

Network for Good's Nonprofit 911 Series
Nonprofit 911 is a free training series on nonprofit marketing and online fundraising offered by Network for Good. Organizations nationwide can take part in an upcoming teleconference to learn how to strengthen nonprofit fundraising programs so that organizations can survive and even grow during this economic downturn. "Successful Fundraising in Turbulent Times," with Kim Klein of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal, will be offered on December 2, 2008, at 1 p.m. EST. Details and registration information are available on the website listed above.

 

GrantStation Announcements

 

Tracks to Success

Identifying the Right Grantmaker
Identifying the right grantmaker for any program or project is a straightforward, step-by-step process that can greatly increase your organization's chances of securing grant funding. In this series on how to do grant research, we will walk you through that process from start to finish. To read Part Six, "Taking Research to the Next Level," visit the GrantStation website.

 

NOZA Special Offer Helps Nonprofits Identify Charitable Donors

NOZA
Are you starting a nonprofit organization or seeking new major donors or corporate giving information? GrantStation and NOZA, the world's largest database of charitable donations, are pleased to announce a special offer for GrantStation Insider readers. From today through December 14, 2008, Insider readers will receive 20% off the price of philanthropy records when they access NOZA's 30 million individual and corporate donation records. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, go here. If you have any additional questions about this promotion, contact NOZA. Note: NOZA's database of more than 1 million foundation grant records is free, as is the downloadable Prospect Research Workbook.

 

GrantStation Offers New Product

Customized Innovation Resource Database
Does your agency want to provide information on infrastructure grants to your local community, region, or state? GrantStation, in partnership with New Economy Strategies, can build a customized grants database for agencies to help them identify grantmakers for a variety of infrastructure needs, including workforce and entrepreneurial development, alternative energy and basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, etc. To learn more visit the website listed above.

 

Funding Opportunities

 

Support for Tobacco Prevention Programs

American Legacy Foundation Innovative Grants
The American Legacy Foundation is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Through Legacy Innovative Grants, the Foundation supports projects in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories that advance creative solutions to the challenges caused by tobacco use in America. In 2009, priority will be given to projects located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming, as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Foundation provides up to $100,000 for the first year of funding, with the possibility of additional second-year funding. The deadline for letters of intent is January 16, 2009. Visit the Foundation's website to review the application guidelines for the Innovative Grants program.

 

Grants Promote a Sustainable Future

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
The mission of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is to support efforts that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The Foundation provides grants through the following four programs. The Pathways Out of Poverty program supports national initiatives that strive to move low-income people along the road to self-sufficiency through access to education and economic empowerment. The Civil Society program supports efforts to assist in democratic institution-building and ensure respect of rights and diversity both in the U.S. and internationally. The Environment program promotes models of development that protect the diversity of selected ecosystems in North America and around the world. The Flint Area program provides support to local community organizations in the Foundation's hometown of Flint, MI. Letters of inquiry for all four grant programs are accepted throughout the year. Visit the website listed above for more information.

 

Animal Shelter Improvements Funded

American Humane: Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant Program
Each year American Humane awards grants to local animal shelters through the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant Program. Funded organizations must provide a physical structure within which animals are sheltered; work with an animal population primarily comprising dogs, cats, and/or horses; and place animals in private homes by means of an adoption program. Grants can only be used for animal environment enrichment, construction, physical improvements, or equipment that directly impacts the welfare of animals in the shelter. To qualify, organizations and agencies must be current members of American Humane at the Agency Member level. Applications will be accepted between January 1 and February 28, 2009. Visit the American Humane website to download the grant program's brochure.

 

Support for Music Education Programs

Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation: Music Matters Grant Program
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation's mission is to redefine and support music education. Through the Foundation's Music Matters Grant Program, grants are provided to K-12 public schools and music programs throughout the United States. The focus of the grant program is on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Public school programs (qualifying for Title I federal funding and serving a minimum of 70% low-income students) as well as nonprofit organizations with music education programs that serve students regardless of their ability to pay are eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 4, 2009. Program details and application guidelines are available on the Foundation?s website.

 

Grants Promote Environmental Consensus in Rural America

Laura Jane Musser Fund: Environmental Initiative Program
The Laura Jane Musser Fund's Environmental Initiative encourages rural communities throughout the United States to use a consensus-based approach to environmental decision-making. Under this initiative, grants are provided through two distinct programs. The Environmental Stewardship Program supports projects that manage resources of ecological, economic, or aesthetic value, and that include a broad range of community members and stakeholders involved in both the planning and implementation of the project. The Environmental Dispute Resolution Program supports projects that engage in a collaborative process in order to build consensus instead of confrontation, so parties may resolve a conflict and move forward without resorting to litigation. The application deadline for both programs is February 18, 2009. Visit the website listed above for application guidelines.

 

Funds for PreK-12 Educational Programs

Qwest Foundation
The Qwest Foundation supports nonprofit organizations located in the communities served by the company in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Foundation's primary initiative, Qwest for Education, focuses on enriching the lives of children by supporting solid preK-12 educational programs. Grants are provided for programs that promote innovative models to strengthen K-12 public school education, effectively use technology, improve skills and leadership of educators and parents, and promote innovative early childhood education programs. Requests may be submitted at any time. The application guidelines and forms are available on the Qwest website listed above.

 

Grantmaker Updates

National and Regional Awards, Fellowships, and Requests for Proposals

 

Arch Coal Recognizes Area Teachers
Nominations for the 2009 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards may be submitted online.

Residencies for Scholars and Artists
The Camargo Foundation offers creative artists and Francophone scholars fellowship residencies at its study center in Cassis, France.

Support for Vermont's Women and Girls
The Vermont Women's Fund, a component fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, is accepting applications for the 2009 grant cycle.

RWJF Concerns Itself with New Jersey's Wellness
New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) is a statewide grantmaking program administered by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

MMS Foundation Supports Health-Related Issues
The Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry from nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts.

 

Federal Deadlines

Excerpts from GrantStation's Listings of Federal Notices

 

Department of Interior: Water for America: Water Marketing and Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2009
This program is focused on addressing 21st century water challenges, including decreasing water supplies caused by climate change and population growth, and securing water resources for future generations.

National Science Foundation: Science, Technology, and Society
This program supports projects that that examine historical, philosophical, and sociological questions that arise in connection with science, engineering, and technology, and their respective interactions with society.

CDC: Public Health Conference Support Program
This program seeks to provide partial support for specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention, educational programs, and applied research.

Department of Defense: Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative
This program supports basic science and/or engineering research at U.S. institutions of higher education that is of critical importance to national defense.

National Endowment for the Arts: NEA Literature Fellowships: Translation Projects
This program supports projects for the translation of specific works of prose, poetry, or drama from other languages into English.