Central Catskill Park/Mountains Smart Growth Program

Department of Environmental Conservation

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seeks proposals for capital projects which will protect the region’s natural resources and accommodate economic growth by revitalizing existing village, hamlet and town centers. Examples of eligible project activities include capital improvements to Main Street areas; inviting public spaces; pedestrian-oriented and bicycle-friendly streetscape design and amenities; Main Street facade improvements; in-fill construction in hamlets; retrofitting of existing buildings in hamlets; aesthetic signage; landscaping and tree-planting; wayside and other park and/or resource interpretation. The minimum state assistance amount is $40,000 and the maximum is $83,333. State assistance may fund up to 100 percent of approved project-related costs. Funds will be awarded based on competitive rankings conducted by the Department of Environmental Conservation in consultation with other State agency staff.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible applicants include the Towns of Andes, Middletown, Olive and Shandaken, as well as the villages of Fleischmanns and Margaretville. Additionally, not-for-profit corporations having projects within the above eligible municipalities are eligible for this program.

FUNDING:  This program will provide approximately a total of $500,000. A minimum of $40,000 will be made available for projects in each of the six communities should eligible projects be submitted.

DEADLINE:  June 20, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Dylan Walrath, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4250; or call (518) 402-9405; or by e-mail at dfwalrat@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Dissemination Grants for Public Charter Schools

New York State Education Department

Through this program funds have been made available for competitive dissemination grants to charter schools that have been in operation for at least three consecutive years. Dissemination activities include assisting other schools in adapting the applicant charter school’s program or certain aspects of the program. Additionally, a major goal of this grant program will be the dissemination of information on successful and effective practices in the applicant charter school to other schools. Grant funds totaling approximately $300,000 are available for competitive dissemination for two years subject to the availability of funds from the United States Department of Education.

ELIGIBILITY:  Charter schools authorized by the New York State Board of Regents, the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Buffalo, and the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education that have been in operation for at least three years.

FUNDING:  Grants will range from $100,000 to $200,000 per year for two years.

DEADLINE:  May 23, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact the Education Department, Public School Choice Programs, Education Building, Room 462, Albany, NY 12234 or e-mail at emsccsp@mail.nysed.gov.

Single Room Occupancy Support Services Program and Supportive Housing for Families and Young Adults Program

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

These programs will offer funding opportunities to provide supportive services to three distinct populations. The first eligible population are singles, including but not limited to victims of domestic violence, the mentally disabled, substance abusers, ex-offenders, and individuals living with a life threatening illness. The second eligible population are families, including homeless families, families with multiple barriers to employment and housing stability, families at risk of foster care placement, and/or those that are reuniting after foster care placement. The final group eligible is young adults, defined as adults age 18-25 who are eligible for benefits under the State Plan for the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. Eligible young adults shall include young adults aging out of the foster care system, runaway and/or homeless youth, and/or youth subject to criminal charges who are at risk of incarceration.

ELIGIBILITY:  Social Service districts, municipalities, not-for-profit corporations including charitable or faith-based organizations, incorporated or eligible to do business in New York State.

FUNDING:  A total of $3 million.

DEADLINE:  May 30, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Andrea Collins, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Center for Specialized Services, Bureau of Housing and Shelter Services, 40 N. Pearl St., 10-B, Albany, NY 12243; or e-mail at: Andrea.Collins@otda.state.ny.us.

Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program

United States Department of Education

The purpose of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program is to carry out a coordinated program of scientifically based research and similar activities. This research should also include demonstration projects containing innovative strategies and creative approaches. This grant program is designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools nationwide to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students. This program is available to both public and private institutions. To ensure that grant program activities address the needs of private school children, teachers and other educational personnel, the local educational agencies are requested to engage in meaningful consultation with private school officials during the design and development of the program. Such consultations should occur before any decisions are made that would affect the opportunities of eligible private and public school children and their participation within the program.

ELIGIBILITY:   State level educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, other public and private agencies and organizations, including, but not limited to, Indian tribes and Indian organizations as defined by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

FUNDING:  Individual awards will be between $300,000 and $450,000.

DEADLINE:  June 5, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Teresa Cahalan, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave, SW. Room 5W218, Washington DC 2020-8343; or call (202) 401-3947; or by e-mail at jacobk.javits@ed.gov.

Save Our History Grants

The History Channel

The History Channel is offering a grant that is intended to inspire youth to become the preservationists of tomorrow. Museums, historic sites, libraries and archives are all encouraged to participate in this grant program. All eligible organizations are expected to partner with local elementary, middle or high schools as well as other local youth organizations which provide educational programming. These partnerships are expected to undertake community preservation projects that will engage students in learning about documenting and preserving the history of their local communities. Any organization that received a Save Our History grant within the last three years is not eligible to apply.

ELIGIBILITY:  Not-for-profit organization such as a museum, historical society, preservation organization, historic site, library, archive or other history organization. Local governments, government agencies and departments relating to local history are also eligible.

FUNDING:  Individual grants of up to $10,000.

DEADLINE:  June 6, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact the History Channel through their Web site: www.history.com; or e-mail saveourhistory@rockpa.org.

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Oriskany, November 3-7, 2008, hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. Another Grantsmanship Training Program will be offered in: Newark, NJ, September 15-19, hosted by the Salvation Army.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $875, 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.

Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training opportunities during May 2008:

Grantseeking Basics:
May 8, 16 and 28
Attendees will learn how the Center’s resources can help make them more effective grantseekers. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. A tour of the library will follow.

Proposal Writing Basics:
May 15
Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their non-profit organizations.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online:
May 8, 14 and 28
This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web subscription database.

How to Approach a Foundation:
May 8
Attendees will learn how to initiate contact with potential funders; plan calls and meetings; and build partnerships with donors. This class is intended for fundraisers with some experience, though not necessarily with foundations.

Classes are held at The Foundation Center, New York Library, 79 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor in New York City. Space is limited and you can register on-line at www.fdncenter.org, in person, or by calling (212) 620-4230. You may also visit the Web site for information on other training opportunities available through the Center.