Small Housing Projects Program

Housing Trust Fund Corporation

Funding is available to New York State not-for-profit organizations (including not-for-profit subsidiaries of housing authorities) proposing small projects under the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s (HTFC) Small Projects Program. Applications for the Small Projects Program (SPP) funding will be accepted on a continuous basis contingent on funding availability. Funds will be awarded only to not-for-profit organizations that will sponsor, develop and own a project once the project is completed and that will have a defined role in the management of the completed project. The Housing Trust Fund Corporation reserves the right to award all, a portion of, or none of the program funds based upon funding availability, the feasibility of the applications received and the applicant’s ability to meet HTFC criteria for funding. Applications are selected for funding based upon an evaluation process that includes completeness, eligibility, rating and feasibility reviews. Awards will be made to projects in compliance with all pertinent statutory requirements. For applications requesting over $100,000 for construction costs only, HTFC requires contractors and awardees to make affirmative efforts to ensure that New York State certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises have opportunities for meaningful participation on projects.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible applicants include New York State not-for-profit organizations that construct and/or rehabilitate housing for low-income persons/households.

FUNDING:  Approximately $5 million is available and will be provided in individual grants of no more than $125,000 per unit.

DEADLINE:  Prospective applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with the nearest Regional Office at least 60 days prior to submitting a SPP application.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Office of Community Development, Hampton Plaza - 6th Floor, 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials Program

Education Department

The New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials Projects focuses on projects which contribute to the preservation of significant research materials in libraries, archives, historical societies and other agencies in New York State, whether by conducting surveys, improving collection storage environments, reformatting or treating collections or other preservation activities described in the program guidelines. The grant period will be from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The New York State Library, New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials, will provide applications and guidelines to all requesting institutions and individuals in New York State.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible organizations include not-for-profit archives, libraries, museums, historical societies and similar institutions in New York State and consortia or cooperating groups of agencies, colleges and universities, professional associations or other not-for-profit institutions or systems which provide services to libraries.

FUNDING:  A total of $500,000 is available for conservation/preservation of library research materials. One-year grants will be available in amounts from $1,500 to $40,000.

DEADLINE:  December 5, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  For eligibility criteria, additional information or to obtain a copy of the grant application and guidelines, potential applicants should contact the New York State Library, Conservation/Preservation Program, Room 10B41, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230; or visit the Web site: www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/cp; or call (518) 474-1565.

Tobacco Control Program

Department of Health

The New York State Department of Health is requesting applications from organizations with demonstrated experience working with consumers of mental health treatment services, or mental health advocates and treatment facilities, to improve the quality of life for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness by promoting tobacco-free systems of care and tobacco-free grounds where care is provided for this population. The awardees will work with multiple sites to create and implement tobacco-free systems of care to ensure access to adequate and appropriate medical and psychosocial treatment for tobacco dependence for people with serious and persistent mental illness. Additionally, awardees will be expected to establish tobacco-free grounds at treatment and/or support sites. Award recipients will develop programs, policies and procedures and implement them at multiple sites in the state.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible organizations include not-for-profit organizations, local governments, partnerships or consortiums.

FUNDING:  It is anticipated that total funding available for this initiative is approximately $1.5 million annually for three years. It is expected that up to 3 contracts will be awarded.

DEADLINE:  December 3, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact the Department of Health, Tobacco Control Program, Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower, Room 710, Albany, NY 12237. Request for Applications may be found in the New York State Department of Health’s Web site at: www.nyhealth.gov/funding.

... On the Federal Level

Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging: Training and Demonstration Projects

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Aging Initiative, located in the Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education, is seeking proposals for a new grant opportunity for Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging: Training and Demonstration Projects. Proposals must include their strategy for accomplishing one of the following two goals: to train older adults to be environmental leaders on local planning decisions that affect their community’s built environment; or to demonstrate how greenways and sustainable streets can improve the quality of life for persons of all ages while improving environmental quality.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible organizations include state governments, public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), and not-for-profit organizations.

FUNDING:  Two individual grants of $100,000 will be awarded.

DEADLINE:  November 21, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Kathy Sykes, by e-mail: Sykes.kathy@epa.gov, or by phone: (202) 564-3651.

... On the Private Level

Laura Jane Musser Fund: Rural Initiative Program

Rural Assistance Center

This program’s purpose is to fund projects where citizens work together towards improving their rural communities. These projects should include the participation of people from many parts of the community, in both planning and implementing the project. Projects may include but are not limited to economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. In order to receive funding, projects must demonstrate that they bring together a broad range of community members, businesses and organizations, and include them in both planning and carrying out the project. Projects must also provide the opportunity for many people from different parts of the community to work together, have significant volunteer participation, have financial and/or in-kind support from the community, and have reasonable plans to show progress in the first 12 to 18 months that can be measured. Funding will include new programs or projects within their first three years as well as a planning, and/or implementation phase.

ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible applicants include, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations and units of government at the local level.

FUNDING:  A total of $30,000 is available for each awardee.

DEADLINE:  November 5, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Mary Karen Lynn-Klimenko, Managing Consultant, The Laura Jane Musser Fund, 318 West 48th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55419; or by phone: (612) 825-2024; or by e-mail: ljmusserfund@earthlink.net.

... 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.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $895, 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.

The Foundation Center

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

Grantseeking Basics:
October 9, 15 and 23
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:
October 1
Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their nonprofit organizations.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online:
October 9 and 23
This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web subscription database.

How to Approach a Foundation:
October 15
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 online 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.

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