December 2008
Vol. 22, #12
Vol. 22, #12
Information on available State,
Federal and private grants
• New York State Assembly • Speaker Sheldon Silver •
Local Government Efficiency Awards
Department of State
The New York State Department of State is announcing the availability of this incentive awards program to provide grants to entities that achieve cost savings and local service delivery efficiencies through municipal consolidation or intermunicipal cooperative efforts. These non-competitive grants are intended to provide funding for cooperative efforts by entities which achieve savings through the sharing of services. Applications are being requested from eligible municipalities to cover the costs associated with plans and studies for functional consolidation and increased shared services. State reimbursements will be made for up to 90 percent of the actual cost of a Local Government Efficiency Grant proposal or the maximum amount permitted per municipality, whichever is less. 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, the competitiveness of the applications and the applicant’s ability to meet Housing Trust Fund Corporation criteria for funding.
ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities, regional planning and development boards, school districts and BOCES.
FUNDING: Up to $2 million has been allocated to high priority planning grants with individual awards of up to $50,000 available.
DEADLINE: Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis with the next deadline occurring on December 10, 2008, and the following occurring on January 14, 2009.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Department of State, Office of Coastal Resources, Local Government and Community Sustainability, 99 Washington Ave., Ste. 1015, Albany, NY 12231; or call: (518) 473-3355; or visit: www.dos.state.ny.us/lgss.
Housing Trust Fund Corporation
The Housing Trust Fund Corporation has announced a grant program under the Housing Trust Fund Program, the New York State HOME Program, the Urban Initiatives Program, and the Rural Area Revitalization Projects Program. Applicants will be expected to submit proposals which focus on the preservation of affordable housing; community revitalization; green building technologies and practices; and collaboration with other governmental agencies. Project- based Section 8 voucher assistance may be available statewide for project applications that request funding. Compact disks containing application materials will be available upon request and application materials are also available on the Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s Web site: http://www.nysdhcr.gov.
ELIGIBILITY: This grant program is open to municipalities, not-for-profit and for-profit entities that construct and/or rehabilitate housing for low-income persons/households.
FUNDING: For more information about specific grant funding please contact the Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
DEADLINE: Requests must be in writing and received not later than January 12, 2009.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Housing Trust Fund Corporation, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207; or call: (518) 486-5012.
21st Century Demonstration Project Grants
Department of State
This grant will be available to eligible municipalities for costs associated with projects that promote large-scale, transformative change in municipalities and that can be used as living laboratories for municipal innovation. Projects may include the consolidation of supporting services for school districts within an area served by a BOCES, consolidation of multiple police forces or multiple fire districts, fire departments or fire companies, creation of a regional smart growth compact or program, consolidation of services on a multi-county basis, or the creation of a regional or city-county consolidated municipal government.
ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities, regional planning and development boards, school districts and BOCES.
FUNDING: Project grants will not to exceed $400,000 per municipality and award amounts vary by project type.
DEADLINE: January 14, 2009.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Department of State, Office of Coastal Resources, Local Government and Community Sustainability, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1015, Albany, NY 12231; or call: (518) 473-3355; or visit the Department of State Web site: www.dos.state.ny.us/lgss.
... On the Private Level
William Randolph Hearst Foundations Health Grants
Rural Assistance Center
The Hearst Foundations are committed to supporting programs that seek to improve and assure access to quality health care for underserved populations in both urban and rural areas. Grants are awarded primarily to leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions, such as children’s and women’s hospitals. The Foundations support direct medical services that promote wellness, prevention and rehabilitation. Primary areas of interest include cancer, perinatology, pediatrics, women’s health, and health care for the elderly and the disabled.
ELIGIBILITY: Eligible organizations include not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) and are recognized as a “public charity” by the IRS.
FUNDING: Contact the William Randolph Hearst Foundations.
DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the William Randolph Hearst Foundations, 300 West 57th Street, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10019-3741; or call: (212) 586-5404; or fax: (212) 586-1917.
... On the Federal Level
AmeriCorps State and National Grants
Corporation for National and Community Service
For more than a decade, the Corporation for National and Community Service—through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs—has mobilized a new generation of engaged citizens. This year, more than 1.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will serve through these programs. They will help thousands of national and community non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations to recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members who address community needs. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who is enrolled in an approved national service position and engages in community service. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service members receive an education award from the National Service Trust. Roughly three-quarters of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to Governor-appointed state service commissions, which award subgrants to organizations in their states. These organizations recruit AmeriCorps members to respond to local needs. The Corporation distributes most of the remainder of the grant funding directly to organizations operating in more than one state.
ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include public or private not-for-profit organizations, including labor organizations; faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties) and Indian Tribes.
FUNDING: A total of approximately $68,981,000 will be made available through this grant.
DEADLINE: January 13, 2009.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact (202) 606-7508 if you are interested in the national grant program. For more information about your state commission, please visit: http://www.nationalservice.org/about/contact/statecommission.asp.
... Grant Writing
The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Binghamton, March 2-6, 2009, hosted by the 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 $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 has scheduled the following free training opportunities during December 2008:
Grantseeking Basics:
December 3, 12 and 17
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:
December 5
Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their nonprofit organizations.
Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online:
December 3 and 17
This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web
subscription database.
How to Approach a Foundation:
December 18
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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