Conservancy Small Grants Program

Hudson River Valley Greenway

The Hudson River Valley Greenway has announced the applications for the 2005 Conservancy Small Grants Program are now available. This program offers funding for trail planning, construction and amenities, historic landscape preservation, regional and local partnership development as well as many other resource enhancement and economic development projects.
ELIGIBILITY:  This program is an annual competitive grant funding opportunity available to communities and not-for-profits within the designated Hudson River Valley Greenway area, which extends from Battery Park in Waterford, Saratoga County to Battery Park, Manhattan.
FUNDING:   This is a matching funds program requiring 100% match of funds awarded, with $125,000 in total funding available. Requests for funds must range from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects involving, or located in, one municipality, and up to $25,000 for projects involving, or located in, two or more municipalities. Greenway Conservancy grant assistance toward the cost of the project shall not exceed 50% of the approved project's cost.
DEADLINE:  All applications must be delivered or postmarked by March 25, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us for more information or to download an application. Applications can also be requested by calling (518) 473-3835 or by e-mailing the Greenway Trails Coordinator at Jessica.Noel.DesLauriers@hudsongreenway.state.ny.us.

Industrial Process & Productivity Improvement

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

NYSERDA has announced the availability of funding for innovative or underutilized energy-efficient industrial process improvements that improve productivity, product quality, emissions, or cost control at a New York State industrial site. The proposed project must involve an innovative or underutilized technology or process, and result in quantifiable energy benefits for an industrial facility in New York State.
ELIGIBILITY:  Contact NYSERDA for details.
FUNDING:   $2,500,000 in total funding is available. NYSERDA anticipates making multiple awards. Each proposer may request up to $250,000 per project for process development or demonstration projects, or up to $75,000 for feasibility and proof-of-concept studies. All proposals must be cost shared; within the above dollar limits, NYSERDA may fund up to 50% of the project cost.
DEADLINE:  Proposals are due April 27, 2005 by 5 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  The full solicitation, including program requirements and instructions, can be downloaded at www.nyserda.org. A hard copy may be requested from Karen Whalen by e-mail at kew@nyserda.org, by fax at (518) 862-1091, or by mail at NYSERDA, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203. For all program questions or to discuss ideas and eligibility, call (518) 862-1090.

. . .On the Federal Level

Summer Schools in the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

The NEA's Summer Schools in the Arts program supports rigorous, challenging summer arts education programs that enable children and youth to acquire knowledge and skills in the arts as well as gain lifelong interest in the arts and culture.
ELIGIBILITY:  State governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) having 501(c)(3) status with the IRS; and private institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.
FUNDING:   The estimated total program funding is not currently available, but the minimum grant will be $15,000 and the maximum grant will be $35,000.
DEADLINE:   All organizations that are interested in applying must submit a Statement of Interest that must be submitted through Grants.gov. (The CFDA number for this grant is 45.024 and the Federal Opportunity Number is NEA-SS-2006.) The Grants.gov system will accept Statements of Interest through May 23, 2005, and, following review of these statements, it is anticipated that no more than 100 organizations will be invited to submit a formal application by July 18, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.arts.gov/grants/apply/SummerSchools.html. If you have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, you may contact the Learning in the Arts staff at (202) 682-5438 or by e-mail at webmgr@arts.endow.gov.

. . . Foundations and Organizations

2005 Preserve New York Grant Program

The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts

The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts have announced the 2005 Preserve New York Grant Program. The program provides funding to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations, and supports three types of projects only: historic structure reports, historic landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys. Through the program, the Preservation League, a statewide, not-for-profit organization, and the Council, the state's art funding agency, seek to support efforts to plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings and landscapes throughout the state. The Preservation League especially encourages projects that link preservation to smart growth land use planning; neighborhood and "Main Street" revitalization; preservation initiatives along rural roads and other historic transportation corridors; and projects that involve the continued use of historic municipal buildings and historic bridges.
ELIGIBILITY:  Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply unless they are applying for funding directly from the New York State Council on the Arts' Architecture, Planning and Design Program (APD) for another project in 2005. Groups are limited to one project with APD support per year. State agencies and religious institutions are ineligible for support. Groups that previously received funding through this grant program must have successfully completed their projects to be eligible for the 2005 grant round. The grant panel members will evaluate: architectural and historic significance of the building, landscape or area; the need for the project and for financial support at this time; the applicant group's ability to carry out the project within a stated schedule; the applicant group's ability to raise sufficient funds to complete the project; the appropriateness of the project budget and consultant(s); extent of local support for the project; and the likelihood that significant restoration or planning work will result.
FUNDING:   A total of $76,600 is available and will be split among all three project types. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $15,000 each. No formal financial match is required; however, the Preservation League and the New York State Council on the Arts expect to see a project budget that reflects the applicant's meaningful commitment to the project. Please note that it is unlikely that this program will be able to provide full support for any project. It is also expected that the consultant fee structure reflects the applicant's understanding of the value of these professional services.
DEADLINE:    Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, May 2, 2005. Please follow the directions included in the application for assembling the packets.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:   If your organization and project meet these guidelines, contact the League to discuss your potential application and to receive an application form. Forms are not available online. You may contact Tania G. Werbizky, Director, Technical and Grant Programs, at (607) 272-6510 or Lorraine E. Weiss, Program Manager, at (518) 462-5688, ext. 12, or at lweiss@preservenys.org.

Domestic Grants Program

Mattel

Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation have announced the launch of a new Domestic Grants Program. Two types of grants will be considered: program-specific grants, which provide funding for the launch of new programs or expansion of existing programs, and core operating support, which provides support to organizations to sustain their programs. Funding priority is given to organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need directly impacting children in need and that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities, which include health, education and girls' empowerment.
ELIGIBILITY:  Applicant organizations must have 501(c)(3) public charity status.
FUNDING:    Grant awards will range between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on program, organization and individual community need.
DEADLINE:   April 8, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.mattel.com for complete program information, funding priorities and restrictions. Applications must be submitted online through the Mattel web site.

American Greenways Awards

Eastman Kodak Company

The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company, The Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. Grants may be used for activities such as mapping, ecological assessments, surveying, conferences, and design activities; developing brochures, interpretative displays, audio-visual productions, or public opinion surveys; hiring consultants, incorporating land trusts, building a foot bridge, planning a bike path, or other creative projects. In general, grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical assistance, legal and other costs.
ELIGIBILITY:  Local, regional or statewide nonprofit organizations may apply. Public agencies are eligible to apply, although community organizations will receive preference.
FUNDING:   Grants up to $2,500 are available; most grants range from $500 to $1,500.
DEADLINE:   The application period for this program runs from March 1, 2005 to June 1, 2005. Applications will only be accepted online.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit conservationfund.org.

. . . Grant Writing

The Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Buffalo, March 7-11, 2005, hosted by the American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter; and Binghamton, April 4-8, 2005, hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $825, which includes one-year enrollment in the TGCI Membership Program. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to agencies with annual budgets of less than $300,000. To register, or to apply for a scholarship, contact TGCI at (800) 421-9512 or visit www.tgci.com. For local information and arrangements, call Ryan St. Louis (Buffalo) at (716) 878-2373, and Jinny Tauss (Binghamton) at (607) 772-8955, ext. 113.