Dutchess BOCES

Online applications are due quarterly (February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1)

The GE Healthcare Charitable Giving Program provides support to nonprofit organizations in the United States that focus on youth education and/or promote healthy lives. For the Youth Education grant category, the focus is on underserved communities with low graduation rates; core competencies (math, science, reading, writing); arts in education; and early childhood development programs. For the Healthy Lives grant category, the focus is on childhood obesity; women’s healthcare; and cancer, heart disease, and diabetes prevention and education programs. An application eligibility quiz is available on the GE Healthcare Web site.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation

The mission of BJ’s Charitable Foundation is the enhancement of community programs that benefit children and families in the locations served by BJ’s Clubs in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. The majority of the Foundation giving is focused on nonprofit organizations that promote the safety, security, and well-being of children and families; support education and health programs; provide community service opportunities; and aid in hunger and disaster relief. Visit the BJ’s Web site for more information.

Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! National Grant Program

The Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! National Grant Program will award grants to organizations seeking to add new or expand participation opportunities for underserved populations of girls between the ages of 8 and 13. The goal of the GoGirlGo! Grant and Education Program is to maximize the use of sport/physical activity as an educational intervention and social asset in order to enhance the wellness of girls as they navigate between childhood and early womanhood. The program is dedicated to the development and funding of girls’ sports/physical activity programs that combine athletic instruction and programming with the delivery of educational information by qualified adults aimed at reducing risk behaviors that threaten the health and social advancement of girls. Organizations, agencies, and schools that agree to implement the GoGirlGo! educational curriculum become eligible to apply for a GoGirlGo! Grant. Any girl-serving organization (Boys & Girls Clubs, nonprofit organizations, park programs, recreation centers,schools, YWCAs, etc.) may apply for a grant. Organizations selected to receive a GoGirlGo! grant must deliver a minimum eight-week sports/physical activity program for girls (ages 8 to 13) and implement the GoGirlGo! curriculum. In 2008, $430,000 in grants will be available. In 2007, the average grant awarded was $5,700. Funds may be used for athletic equipment, supplies, facility rental, league/tournament fees, travel, coaching, scholarships, and/or program administration expenses. Complete guidelines and an application form are available at the Women’s Sports Foundation Web site.

Project Ignition Invites Students to Create Innovative Safe Driving Awareness Projects

Sponsored by State Farm and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council, Project Ignition gives students in grades nine through twelve and their teachers the opportunity to work together to address the issue of teen driver safety. Applicants must be willing to create and produce an innovative public awareness, service-learning project based on teen driver safety. Students must create this project with the support of a teacher/advisor and the school/organization. Students are invited to convey their safe-driving message in the most creative way possible. Participants may choose to use the Internet, direct mail, print advertising, video, live performance, or other medium. Last year’s participants created school assemblies, designed print advertising, and hosted community-wide events. Any interested student can submit an online application. In May, twenty-five applicants will be selected to each receive a $2,000 check from State Farm to help put their plan into action. Student teams will then launch their campaign and gather their results for final judging in December. In January, up to ten finalists will be notified and will receive a stipend of up to $5,000 each from State Farm for travel to NYLC’s Annual National Service-Learning Conference in March, where the projects will be highlighted before an international audience. A panel of judges will then select the “Best of the Best” award, with the winning school receiving a grant for $10,000.

New York State Mentor Teacher Internship Program

The New York State Education Department, through the Office of Teaching Initiatives, is offering this grant for the development and implementation of mentor teacher-internship programs in local school districts. Funding for this program is subject to yearly approval by the New York State Legislature. These programs enable experienced teachers (mentors) in a district to provide guidance and support to beginning teachers (interns) in their first or second year of teaching. Essential components of these programs include, but are not limited to: joint development of these programs by school administration and local teachers’ bargaining agents, program focus on the mentor/intern relationship which develops through the project year, defined mentor selection process, including establishment of a mentor selection committee, mentor training, described activities for mentors, interns and principals as well as a final program evaluation. Funding is available for public school districts and BOCES. This grant is for years 2008-2012. It is anticipated that funds totaling $10 million will be available for the initial year funding.

LEGO Invites Children to Display Their Creativity

LEGO Systems, Inc. invites children between the ages of six and thirteen who consider themselves curious, imaginative, and creative to apply for the second annual LEGO Creativity Awards. Children from across the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) are invited to submit essays showcasing their creativity at home, at school, and in their communities. The essay contest is intended to encourage children to think of creativity as more than practicing art or music; it is also about taking a new approach to everyday challenges. Some teachers took the program into their classrooms to engage students in an exercise not only in essay writing, but also with the idea that their individual creativity could make a difference. The five winners will each receive $5,000 to further their creative projects. Official rules regarding entry and prizing can be found at the LEGO Creation Nation Web site.

Library of Congress’ Teaching With Primary Sources Program Accepting Proposals

The Library of Congress’ educational outreach program, Teaching with Primary Sources (TSP), is expanding across the United States. The mission of the Teaching with Primary Sources program is to build a consortium that fosters collaborations between the Library of Congress and the educational community to increase instructiona use of Library of Congress digital primary sources within K-12 classrooms. The program contributes to the quality of education by deepening content understanding and improving student literacy in America’s schools. The Eastern Regional Teaching with Primary Sources Program is currently accepting proposals for the integration of primary sources in K-12 education, existing pre-service and graduate-level education curriculum, and teacher professional development programs. Additionally, cultural institutions and other community organizations may be partners within these programs. The Eastern Regional TPS Program serves twelve states, from Maine southward to Maryland and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Proposals from $5,000 to $15,000 each will be considered and are accepted on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to proposals that have the most potential for being integrated into K-12 classrooms for the long term. Visit the TPS Web site for further program information and application procedures.

Target Stores Accepting Applications for Local Store Grants Program

Target Corporation’s Local Store Grants provide funding support to Target communities in the areas of arts, reading programs, and family violence prevention. To be eligible, organizations must be located in communities where Target does business. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, libraries, or public agencies for nonprofit programs. Arts grants are awarded to programs that bring the arts to schools or make the arts accessible to children and families. Early childhood reading grants support programs that foster a love of reading and encourage children, from birth through age nine, to read together with their families. Family violence prevention grants support programs that strengthen families and communities by keeping them safe. Support will be awarded for projects or programs. The average grant amount is between $1,000 and $3,000. Visit the Target Web site for complete program information.

Healthy Sprouts Awards to Support Awareness of Nutrition and Hunger

As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, the National Gardening Association (NGA) recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards. Sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company, the awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States. To be eligible for the 2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards, a school or organization must plan to garden in 2009 with at least fifteen children between the ages of three and eighteen. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States. In this year’s program, twenty schools or organizations will be selected to receive gift certificates toward the purchase of gardening materials from Gardener’s Supply Company (the top five will each receive a certificate valued at $500; fifteen more will each receive a $200 gift certificate); NGA’s Eat a Rainbow Kit, containing a series of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons; twenty-five packets of seeds; a literature package from NGA; and NGA Supporter benefits for one year. Visit the NGA kids gardening Web site for further information.

Louis Calder Foundation Invites Letters of Inquiry for Core Curriculum Education Programs

The Louis Calder Foundation, a private foundation located in New Canaan, Connecticut, invites charter and parochial schools to submit preliminary information on their plans/initiatives to develop/enhance efforts to adopt/strengthen comprehensive, sequenced, content-rich core curricula that build general knowledge in grades K-8. The background letter should focus on the organizations’ efforts to improve academic content by providing a coherent, sequenced, content-based curriculum during the regular and extended school day hours as well as during the summer. The curriculum should address a wide range of classical liberal subjects, including literature,
history, ethics, mathematics, and the sciences. The foundation is expanding its geographical boundaries to support organizations along the Northeast Corridor and as far west as the Mississippi River but will continue to support schools and organizations within its traditional funding area of the greater New York metropolitan area. The foundation is targeting schools and organizations from communities located east of the Mississippi River with populations no greater than 500,000. Eligible organizations are invited to submit a brief Letter of Inquiry detailing their plans and efforts to develop or enhance a comprehensive, content-rich core curriculum in grades K-8. Upon review, the foundation will request a complete proposal for consideration, if necessary. Visit the Louis Calder Foundation Web site for complete application procedures.

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies Workshop

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies workshop is offered in Schenectady, NY, May 5-7, 2008, and hosted by The Hamilton Hill Arts Center. New streams of unrestricted funding mean greater stability. Earned income programs can be a key to long-term survival. Besides increasing revenues, well-planned earned income programs can benefit your nonprofit organization by:

Dutchess BOCES offers Ed2go online courses

Complete any course from your home or office any time of the day or night! Our instructor-facilitated online courses are informative, fun, convenient and highly interactive. Our instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive communities of learners. All courses run for six weeks (with a two-week grace period at the end.) Courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion areas, supplementary links and more. New classes starting soon! Visit our Online Instruction Center at: www.ed2go.com/dcboces. Most Courses: $89
Content

March 2008 Grants Update

National Endowment for the Humanities’ Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

As part of NEH’s “We the People” program, the Landmarks of American History and Culture program supports a series of one-week residence-based workshops for K-12 educators that use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history, government, literature, art history, or other related subjects in the humanities. The goals of the workshops are to: 1) Provide teachers with training and experience in the use and interpretation of historical sites and the material resources and archival evidence of American history and culture; 2) increase knowledge and appreciation of places significant to American history and culture; 3) encourage historical sites to develop greater capacity and scale for professional development programs. Guidelines and application are available online.

Jordan Fundamentals Grant Programs Offers Funding for Public School Teachers

The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program awards $1 million annually to teachers across the United States who motivate and inspire students toward achieving excellence. The program is presented by the Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc. Applicants must be public school teachers or paraprofessionals working with students in grades one through twelve. At least fifty percent of the school’s student population must be eligible for the free or reduced school-lunch program at the time of application. The deadline is March 30, 2008. The program makes grants in two categories: 1) Innovation Grants: Grants averaging $2,500 each will be awarded to individual teachers for projects that will impact classroom innovation and improve instruction, and 2) Inspiration Grants: Winners of Innovation Grants may apply for an Inspiration Grant. Grants totaling $10,000 will be awarded to teams of teachers in support of scaling up implementation of approaches developed with Innovation Grants.

Motorola Celebrates Lessons from Abraham Lincoln’s Life

The Motorola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of global communications company Motorola, will partner with the Chicago History Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Working in collaboration, the groups will identify projects developed by civic, educational, and cultural organizations that actively engage the public in lessons drawn from Lincoln’s life. The $750,000 grant program will fund programs that focus on three themes:

1) Bringing History into the Future: Grants will support individuals or organizations using new technologies to educate students or their broader communities — particularly in civics, history, and social studies — or disciplines such as the fine arts. Preference will be given to those integrating lessons from Lincoln’s life.

2) Engaging in Current Events: In recognition of Lincoln’s engagement of the public in shaping policy, these grants will support programs that engage young people or community members in national and local public policy issues and provide creative forums and innovative tools to facilitate debate and dialogue in the online and physical worlds.

3) Leadership Skills: Lincoln’s legacy as an agent of change will be honored with support of organizations that are creating change — of perceptions or actions — in their communities with leadership programs for young people or the underserved that are based on collaboration, problem-solving, and project-management skills.

The awards will fund curriculum design, speech competitions and debates, community programming developed by educators in schools, community organizations, museums, arts and culture organizations, and other nonprofits exploring themes such as diversity, freedom, history, and leadership. Grants will be awarded in two cycles: organizations must apply for spring grants by March 30, 2008; the fall application deadline is July 30, 2008.

Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, Inc.

The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation believes that education is the cornerstone for today’s youth, and that for America to remain competitive in the global marketplace, a stronger emphasis should be placed on exposing youth to educational experiences and career-related opportunities. By focusing on preparing students for the demands of today’s global society, the foundation strives to be a major force in improving education. The foundation believes that the physical well-being of today’s youth is at the heart of building a healthy and civil society. Therefore, the foundation is committed to investing in health-related organizations and cultural programs that impact a diverse population of youth. Proposals submitted to the Foundation for review for educational and cultural programs must address various aspects. See their Web site for details. All proposals must be received by April 1 to be eligible for funding July 15, and by October 1 to be eligible for funding January 15. Proposal funding limits are $10,000-$25,000. All 501(c)(3) organizations may apply.

Grants for Children Exposed to or Victims of Domestic Violence

The Avon Foundation is seeking proposals from nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that assist children who have been exposed to or are victims of domestic violence. For 2008, the foundation will focus on the following strategic priority: innovative coordinated-response models between domestic violence organizations and organizations that assist child victims of abuse and/or children witnesses of domestic violence. Proposals will be accepted from domestic violence organizations that have demonstrated experience assisting domestic violence victims and that are developing or expanding a model of collaboration to include agencies that assist child victims of abuse and/or children witnesses to domestic violence in order to provide therapeutic services to the children; offer services to both the children and the non-offending adult caregiver, including family support and parent education; are willing to utilize a licensed provider of counseling and specific modalities of treatment and have linkages with at least one other government and one other nonprofit organization; and are willing to serve as a national model. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $50,000 each, depending on the size, scope, and impact of the program proposed. Grants are non-renewable. However, an organization may submit a new proposal the following year for continued funding. Visit the Avon Foundation Web site for complete program information.

Hitachi Award Recognizes Community Service

Hitachi Foundation is accepting online nominations for the 2008 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. This award is presented annually to ten high school seniors in the United States and U.S. territories. Nominees will be assessed based on the significance and extent of their service to the community, the relevance of their service in addressing profound social problems, and the opportunity for longer-term, sustainable change. Individuals must be nominated by someone familiar with their work, excluding family members and themselves. The award is accompanied by a $5,000 gift. Nominations are due April 1, 2008. Visit the Web site for additional information.

High School & College Students Invited to Create Short Films for Global Competition

USA Today, the United Nations, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other organizations and media leaders have joined forces to engage young adults (14-24) in contributing to the public dialogue on pressing social issues using the power of the Internet and user-generated content. In its fourth year, Film Your Issue (FYI) has grown into a global Internet-based competition that invites high school and college students in the United States and around the world to express themselves on pressing contemporary issues by creating and uploading short two-minute films on issues that impact them and their generation. With a deadline of April 14, films can be uploaded to multiple participating platforms, including MTV, YouTube, and American Film Institute Screen Nation, as well as promoted on MySpace TV. Awards and prizes include internships at USA Today, the United Nations, the award-winning PBS Series “P.O.V.”, and the Humane Society of the United States; a $5,000 college scholarship from the Gates Foundation; having your film broadcast on Starz; having entries distributed by the Associated Press to its 1,800 Online Video Network media outlets; being profiled on MTV News and presented at the NAACP annual conference; VIP Pass/film presentation at AFI Silverdocs; the Walter Cronkite Civic Engagement Leadership Award and Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award; and many more. Visit the program’s Web site for complete program information, filmmaking tips, and full descriptions of the program’s awards and prizes.

Sprint Foundation: Sprint Ahead for Education

Through the Sprint Ahead for Education grant program, the Sprint Foundation will provide support for character education programs that promote youth leadership, youth volunteerism, school pride, and a positive school culture. The grant program is open to all U.S. K-12 public schools and public school districts. Grants will fund the purchase of resource materials, supplies, equipment, and software to promote character education among K-12 students. School level grants range from $500 to $5,000. District level grants range from $10,000 to $25,000.

America the Beautiful Seeds the Future Grant Program

America the Beautiful is accepting applications for Operation Green Plant. Donations of 100 to 1,000 free seed packets are available to organizations working to improve their communities through gardening (a nominal shipping and handling fee is charged). Community garden programs that benefit the hungry; youth education programs; beautification programs for parks, roadways, and neighborhoods; and promotion of environmental stewardship are just a few of the uses for which organizations may apply. Guidelines and application available online.

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies Workshop

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies workshop is offered in Schenectady, NY, May 5-7, 2008, and hosted by the Hamilton Hill Arts Center. New streams of unrestricted funding mean greater stability. Earned income programs can be a key to long-term survival. Besides increasing revenues, well-planned earned income programs can benefit your nonprofit organization by:

Tuition for this comprehensive three-day training is $575. To make sure that every participant receives individual attention, enrollment is limited to thirty participants, so register early to reserve your spot. To register for this workshop: http://www.tgci.com/eisregister.asp. For more information, visit http://tgci.com/eis.shtml or call The Grantsmanship Center’s Registrar at 213-482-9860.

Grantseeker Training Courses in New York City

New York Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor, runs a variety of courses year-round. Courses range from $195 for a day-long workshop to $795 for a week-long institute. Go to www.foundationcenter.org/marketplace/training or call (800) 424-9836 for information and registration. Here are some upcoming courses:

As part of Dutchess BOCES Adult Education online course program, there are four six week online courses at $89 per course that are a true bargain for those who would like to learn more about the grant-writing process. You can register online through the Dutchess BOCES Web site at www.ed2go.com/dcboces. Course titles are Writing Effective Grant Proposals, Get Grants!, A to Z Grantwriting, and Advanced Grant Proposal Writing.

February 2008 Grants Update

Fund for Excellence in Education Grants Programs

Deadline: February 15, 2008

Community Foundation of Dutchess County

www.cfdcny.org

Each year the Community Foundation of Dutchess County’s Fund for Excellence in Education Grants Program awards grants to teachers who propose creative projects to enhance their teaching and stimulate student interest. This grant program is open to all public, private, and parochial teachers in grades Pre-K-12 throughout Dutchess County.

Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb Offers Grants to Support Community Gardening

Deadline: February 15, 2008

Fiskars Brands, Inc.

www.fiskars.com

Fiskars Brands seeks to inspire and encourage creative expression through gardening with Project Orange Thumb. To promote sustainable agriculture, horticultural education, community involvement as well as neighborhood beautification, the program will offer ten grants in 2008. Community organizations, schools, gardening clubs, senior centers or other groups interested in fostering gardening within their community are invited to apply. Awardees will each receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and $800 for plant materials to cultivate their garden vision.

Medtronic Foundation to Fund School Programs That Save Lives From Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Deadline: February 15, 2008

Medtronic Foundation

www.medtronic.com

The Medtronic Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of medical technology company Medtronic, Inc., has announced new grant guidelines for its HeartRescue program. In 2008, funding priority will be given to school programs that educate students about sudden cardiac arrest and prepare them to act in an emergency. To increase the number of bystanders trained in CPR and AED use, the 2008 HeartRescue program will focus U.S. grants on schools, school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations that develop comprehensive school-based programs. Priority funding will be given to new initiatives that demonstrate effective education and training programs or emergency response planning that would include CPR/AED training for designated responders as well as students at one or more grade levels each year. Grant funds may not be used to purchase AEDs. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $30,000 per year. The foundation may make multiyear grants (typically for two to three years), with a maximum grant amount of $30,000 per year.

History Channel Announces Guidelines for Save Our History Grant Program

Deadline: February 15, 2008

History Channel

www.history.com

An initiative of the History Channel, the Save Our History Program invites history organizations to partner with a local school or youth group and apply for funding to help preserve the history of their communities. Each year, the History Channel awards grants to organizations across the country that partner with schools or youth groups on community-preservation projects that engage students in learning about, documenting, and preserving local history. Eligible applicants are nonprofit 501(c)(3) history organizations such as museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, historic sites, libraries, archives, or other history organizations that are located in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia. Other eligible applicants include local government agencies such as parks and recreation commissions, historic commissions, departments of local history, or other local government agencies that own and/or operate a historic site or property. Eligible applicants must partner with a local elementary, middle, or high school, or an organization that provides educational programming for children of similar ages. Applicants may partner with multiple schools or educational organizations. The History Channel will award a total of $100,000 in grants of up to $10,000 each in 2008. All applications must be completed and submitted online.

VSA Arts Announces Playwright Discovery Program Call for Scripts

Deadline: April 11, 2008

VSA Arts

www.vsarts.org

The VSA Arts Playwright Discovery Program invites middle and high school students to examine the ways in which disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and to express their views through the art of play writing. Playwrights may write from their own experience or about an experience in the life of another person or fictional character. Young playwrights with and without disabilities are encouraged to submit a script. Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration by a group or class of students. The winning play will be professionally produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The winning playwright receives $2,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to see his/her play performed. Any student with or without a disability is eligible to submit an entry. Authors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and be students in grades six to twelve (or the equivalent).

Grant Writing Workshop
Arts Alliance of the Lower Hudson Valley Workshop - Steps to Basic Grant Writing

The Arts Alliance of the Lower Hudson Valley will kick off its 2008 Educational Workshop Series with “Learn the Steps to Basic Grant Writing.” This program will focus both on developing the skills of the novice, and as well as motivating participants who are interested in brushing-up on their approach to the grant writing process. The series will provide the basic information needed to start writing grants. Artists, educators, communities, historians, environmentalists, businesses and organizations who are seeking funding support will benefit from the skills taught at this grant writing workshop. Susan Konvit, Director of Education for The Arts Alliance will be the instructor. The six-hour series will be presented in three sessions on Tuesdays during the month of February on the 12th, 19th and 26th, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The workshop will be repeated on Saturdays, February 16th and 23rd, and March 1st, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The cost is $90. Painter’s at 266 Hudson Street in Cornwall, NY will host this series. To register, call The Arts Alliance of the Lower Hudson Valley at (845) 534-5284, e-mail the Executive Director at SusanHoff@TheArtsAlliance.net, or visit www.TheArtsAlliance.net.

January 2008 Grants Update

“For the Good of the Game” Grants

Deadline: January 23, 2008

The United States Golf Association

http://www.usga.org

“For the Good of the Game” Grants Initiative supports organizations that introduce the game to young people (minorities, girls, economically disadvantaged, and others with limited access to the game of golf) and individuals with disabilities. Grant awards are directed to instructional programs, caddie or other work-based curriculums, and the construction of facilities that make the game more affordable and accessible.

The USGA will consider funding requests for the following items provided the applicant is committed to the goals of the “For the Good of the Game” program and its target population(s): golf course access and practice range access; golf instruction; golf equipment, including adaptive golf equipment for individuals with disabilities; transportation provided for participants to attend programming; and certain construction costs (e.g., the construction of tees, greens, and practice areas) for alternative, beginner-friendly golf courses and golf facilities in areas where there are obstacles to affordable access to the game. Funding amounts vary. All grant recipients must be tax-exempt, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities such as schools or municipalities. See the USGA Web site for complete program information.

The “Created Equal” Bookshelf

Deadline: January 25, 2008

National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association

http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/

The “Created Equal” Bookshelf provides opportunities for young people to explore what the Revolutionary generation meant when it declared, “all men are created equal.” The fifth We the People Bookshelf program will give 3,000 libraries a set of classic books related to the “Created Equal” theme. Any U.S. public library or K-12 school library is eligible to apply. In addition, libraries will receive four of these books in Spanish translation, a bonus “History in a Box” resource kit, and supplementary materials for programming.

Inspired Teacher Scholarships

Deadline: January 25, 2008

Inspiration Software, Inc.

http://inspiration.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseaction=scholarship

Inspiration Software is celebrating twenty-five years with $25,000 in scholarships! In celebration of its 25th anniversary of inspiring excellence with visual learning, Inspiration Software has expanded the Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning program. The 2007-2008 scholarships will recognize twenty-five educators who are creatively using visual learning to help their students think and learn with $1,000 awards to support professional development or new technology for their classrooms. In addition, one outstanding educator will receive an award for “Best Overall Visual Learning Project” and receive a $1,000 bonus. To be eligible, candidates must be K-12 educators and have at least one year of teaching experience. Inspiration Software’s annual scholarship program supports educators who are champions of visual learning and technology in the classroom. Over the past nine years, they have awarded more than 200 educators from around the world with funds to purchase technology and pursue professional development opportunities in visual learning and technology.

NASA Explorer Schools Project Overview

Deadline: January 31, 2008

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/menuitem.16dd58bcc235117ed511c770621a5ea0/

Each year, NASA enables up to 50 underserved schools to work with NASA personnel to address the school teams’ local needs in mathematics, science, and technology education. Schools in the project are eligible to receive up to $17,500. Between May 1 and January 31, schools in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply online for an opportunity to become a NASA Explorer School. The NES project, launched in 2003, is designed to support educators’ use of NASA’s engaging mathematics, science, and technology with students, and families through sustained professional development, exciting student learning opportunities, integration of technology, and involvement of parents or caregivers. Through the NES project, NASA establishes a three-year partnership with up to 50 school teams each year. School teams consist of teachers and education administrators of under-served students in grades 4-9 from diverse communities across the country. Educators and students in a NASA Explorer School become involved in the excitement of NASA research, discoveries, and missions through participation in engaging NASA learning adventures and scientific challenges.

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

Deadline: February 1, 2008

The United States Institute of Peace

http://www.usip.org

The Institute established the National Peace Essay Contest to expand educational opportunities for America’s youth. The topic for the 2007-08 competition is “Natural Resources and Conflict.” Participants are asked to write a 1,500-word essay stating what they believe are the necessary elements for the development of fair, peaceful, or effective use of natural resources after a conflict. Students are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, or if they are U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school, or participating in a high school correspondence program. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. First-place state-level winners are awarded $1,000 each and compete for national awards. National awards include one first-place award of $10,000, one second-place award of $5,000, and one third-place award of $2,500. First-place state winners are also invited to Washington, D.C., for the awards program. The institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. Visit the USIP Web site for complete program information and entry procedures.

December 2007 Grants Update

What’s new this month?

This month, grant opportunities range from significant funding for the innovative use of technology to grants that serve the residents of the northeastern edge of Dutchess County to individual awards for kids who are working to save the environment.

HP Technology for Teaching Grant Guidelines Now Available

The HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative sponsored by the Hewlett-Packard Corporation is designed to support the innovative use of mobile technology from kindergarten through high school for public schools nation-wide.

Hewlett-Packard will award grants to K-12 public schools that are using a collaborative, team-based approach to implementing technology integration projects. The activities of the project must be focused on using technology to teach, rather than on teaching students to use technology. The value of the grant award to each school is approximately $40,000. HP will select teams of five teachers from approximately 110 schools to receive the equipment and professional development support they need to effectively integrate technology into their instruction. Preference will be given to projects that address mathematics and/or science. Preference will also be given to schools that serve a high proportion of low-income students relative to their district or state’s free and reduced lunch percentages. Requests for proposals with detailed information are available at the HP web site, www.hp.com/go/hpteach.

Northeast Dutchess Fund

The Northeast Dutchess Fund improves the quality of life for residents of Amenia, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Millbrook, Millerton, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Washington, Wassaic and Wingdale. This fund is administered by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Non-profits, teachers, students or parents may apply for projects that enhance the educational experience for the children of these communities. Projects may provide individual school or system wide education and enrichment opportunities. All requests must be accompanied by a letter of support from the school principal or superintendent. Grants range between $500 and $3000. All grants require a one-to-one match either in cash, services or in-kind donations. Grant applications are due twice a year: September 1 and April 1. Go to www.berkshiretaconic.org for an application and more information.

Action for Nature International Young Eco-Hero Award

Action for Nature, a nonprofit organization that encourages young people to carry out individual environmental action projects, presents cash awards up to $500 to Eco-Heroes ages 8-16 whose personal actions have significantly improved the environment. The deadline is February 28, 2008. Go to the Action for Nature web site, www.actionfornature.org for application guidelines.

DonorsChoose.org

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that public schools may lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. Individuals may choose from these submitted projects and donate funds to make them a reality. The process is quick with an online application. Go to www.donorschoose.org for more information.

Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library

We are gathering resources to complete a Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library as described in the last newsletter. In the interim, please email grants.research@dcboces.org for information or to request our assistance with Request for Proposals (RFPs), grants awarded, or other grants you would like us to explore.

Competition to Help Young Men Succeed

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at www.rwjf.org and Ashoka’s Changemakers at www.changemakers.net have launched a new global competition challenging organizations to submit their most innovative approaches to addressing the societal problems facing young men. Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation invites organizations working with 15- to 25-year-old males to submit their unique approaches to helping disadvantaged young men. The competition is aimed at identifying the most innovative approaches to helping a generation of young people around the world fulfill their potential and become healthy, successful adults. A major focus of the competition is reducing health disparities and improving the health of disadvantaged populations. The competition will accept applications on the Ashoka’s Changemakers web site through January 16, 2008. During this time, applications will be available for review, comment, and discussion on the web site. Once the competition has closed, a panel of judges will select approximately twelve finalists and three winners. The winners will each receive $5,000 in funding to pursue and expand their work. Select entries from organizations operating in the United States or its territories will be invited to submit proposals for a total of up to $1 million in grants to support the most promising innovations. Competition details and application instructions are available at the Changemakers web site.

November 2007 Grants Update

Grants through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County

Locally, schools are fortunate to have a number of grants through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County. Grant descriptions, criteria and applications can be found online at the foundation’s web site at www.cfdcny.org. Here are some with upcoming deadlines:

1. Field Trip Grant Program

Through a grant from the Dyson Foundation, this grant program is designed to distribute funds in amounts up to $500 to public schools in Dutchess County to enhance classroom learning opportunities. This program is open to any educator in a public school or school district in Dutchess County, New York – K-12th grade. Applications will be accepted anytime between September 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008.

Field trips must be tied to educational curricula.
Teachers should seek funding from their school or district first. If that source is depleted or not available for a particular field trip, the teacher/school may request money from this fund.
Field trip should occur during the regular academic year and generally during school hours.
Summer programs and after-school programs are not eligible.
Funds may cover transportation, admissions, or to help defray the costs of students who do not have the ability to pay for their portion in cases where students/families are expected to pay all or a portion of the cost.

Please note that funds are limited. Two grants have been awarded already: Arlington High School received a $400 grant to pay for eighty 11th grade English students to travel to Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY, the home of Washington Irving and students in grades 2 though 5 from South Avenue Magnet School in the Beacon City School District will participate in a year-long study of their environment that integrates science, art, language arts, and social studies. The proposed field trip should be reasonable and appropriate.

Reminder: Apply for field trip grants now!

2. The Fund for Excellence in Education Teacher Grants

The Fund for Excellence in Education Teacher Grants provide classroom teachers with an opportunity for personal and professional development that will benefit their students. The application deadline for these grants is February 15, 2008.

3. Taconic IPA Science Equipment Teacher Grants

Taconic IPA Science Equipment Teacher Grants are made to expand students’ learning opportunities in the sciences through the acquisition of classroom and laboratory science equipment. The application deadline for these grants is also February 15, 2008. Again, please note that applications can be found at www.cfdcny.org.

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education

Go to www.toolboxforeducation.com to read about Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are favored. Projects that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean up type projects are preferred. Lowe’s will only consider grants for projects that will be completed within one year of when the grant is received. Up to $5,000 per school is available. Any individual non-profit public K-12 school or parent group (associated with a non-profit public K-12 school), such as a PTO, PTA or educational foundation, that has a group tax ID # and official 501c(3) status from the IRS may apply. Please be advised that the grant money cannot be used to pay for memorials, stipends, salaries, scholarships, or third party funding.

The Spring 2008 cycle is now open. The deadline for this cycle is February 15, 2008. Once 1,500 applications are received, the application process will close.

Building a Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library

We are in the process of developing a Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library. Goal #2 of the Communications & Grants Research (CGR) Strategic Plan is to Expand the Grant Research area of CGR to provide additional grant resources for Dutchess BOCES Staff. The Grants Research Library will contain copies of our current grants and be available to Dutchess BOCES employees. No matter what your experience is with grant research and writing, this library will be a great resource.

In addition, we are developing a grant template with boiler plate language. This information will be valuable for future grant applications and Request for Proposals (RFP). As we build this library, we hope to acquire other resources to assist you in the grant development process.

Grants Update Newsletter

We hope you find the Grants Update newsletter a helpful tool. If you have any suggestions, or for assistance and additional information, please contact Karen Unger, Public Information Officer, Communications and Grants Research, 486-8051 or e-mail karen.unger@dcboces.org

April 2008 Grants Update

GE Healthcare Charitable Giving Program

BJ’s Charitable Foundation

Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! National Grant Program

Project Ignition Invites Students to Create Innovative Safe Driving Awareness Projects

New York State Mentor Teacher Internship Program

LEGO Invites Children to Display Their Creativity

Library of Congress’ Teaching With Primary Sources Program Accepting Proposals

Target Stores Accepting Applications for Local Store Grants Program

Healthy Sprouts Awards to Support Awareness of Nutrition and Hunger

Louis Calder Foundation Invites Letters of Inquiry for Core Curriculum Education Programs

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies Workshop

Dutchess BOCES offers Ed2go online courses

March 2008 Grants Update

National Endowment for the Humanities’ Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

Jordan Fundamentals Grant Programs Offers Funding for Public School Teachers

Motorola Celebrates Lessons from Abraham Lincoln’s Life

Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, Inc.

Grants for Children Exposed to or Victims of Domestic Violence

Hitachi Award Recognizes Community Service

High School & College Students Invited to Create Short Films for Global Competition

Sprint Foundation: Sprint Ahead for Education

America the Beautiful Seeds the Future Grant Program

The Grantsmanship Center’s Earned Income Strategies Workshop

Grantseeker Training Courses in New York City

February 2008 Grants Update

Fund for Excellence in Education Grants Programs

Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb Offers Grants to Support Community Gardening

Medtronic Foundation to Fund School Programs That Save Lives From Sudden Cardiac Arrest

History Channel Announces Guidelines for Save Our History Grant Program

VSA Arts Announces Playwright Discovery Program Call for Scripts

Grant Writing Workshop Arts Alliance of the Lower Hudson Valley Workshop - Steps to Basic Grant Writing

January 2008 Grants Update

“For the Good of the Game” Grants

The “Created Equal” Bookshelf

Inspired Teacher Scholarships

NASA Explorer Schools Project Overview

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

December 2007 Grants Update

What’s new this month?

HP Technology for Teaching Grant Guidelines Now Available

Northeast Dutchess Fund

Action for Nature International Young Eco-Hero Award

DonorsChoose.org

Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library

Competition to Help Young Men Succeed

November 2007 Grants Update

Grants through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County

1. Field Trip Grant Program

2. The Fund for Excellence in Education Teacher Grants

3. Taconic IPA Science Equipment Teacher Grants

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education

Building a Dutchess BOCES Grants Research Library

Grants Update Newsletter

Grant Writing Workshop
Arts Alliance of the Lower Hudson Valley Workshop - Steps to Basic Grant Writing