Funding Opportunities

GoGirlGo! National Grant Program
~ Application deadline: May 9, 2008
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. Programs that serve girls in metro Atlanta, Georgia (Clayton, Cobb, Cherokee, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties), metro Boston, metro Chicago (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties), and San Antonio, Texas (Bexar County) are not eligible to apply. Click here for more program details and the application. 

Active Living Research call for proposals (CFP) to reflect a new emphasis for Active Living Research
~ Application Deadline: May 14, 2008
Active Living is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). This call for proposals (CFP) is the first to reflect a new emphasis for Active Living Research. The program will now focus on supporting research to inform policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity among children and adolescents, decreasing their sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity. We will place special emphasis on strategies with the potential to reach racial/ethnic populations and children living in low-income communities who are at highest risk for obesity. Findings are expected to advance RWJF’s efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Click here for more program details and how to apply.

Brower Youth Awards to Honor Young Environmental Leaders
~ Application deadline: May 15, 2008
A program of the Earth Island Institute, the Brower Youth Awards recognize six young people in North America annually for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and environmental justice advocacy.

The winners of the award receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and a wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.

Young activist leaders between the ages of 13 and 22 living in North America are eligible to apply. Click here for further information and the application request form.

Alzheimer's Foundation Offers Grant for Innovative Service
~ Application deadline: May 15, 2008
As demand increases nationwide for support services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America ( http://www.alzfdn.org/ ) has announced that it will be accepting applications for the Brodsky Grant, a $30,000 award to an innovative program or service that improves the lives of those affected by the brain disorder.

Through the grant, AFA seeks to fund a program that is innovative, meets the greatest need, and can be successfully put into practice and later replicated in other communities. The grant process is open only to AFA's nonprofit member organizations.

In addition to the Brodsky Grant, AFA awards grants twice a year, in the spring and fall, to multiple AFA member organizations in support of programs and services that improve quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families. 

To find out more about AFA membership and AFA's grant programs, visit the foundation's Web site.
For additional RFPs in Aging, click here.

Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale 2008
~ Application deadline: May 30, 2008
We are pleased to announce the request for proposals for Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale 2008. The Great American Bake Sale grants program will support efforts to increase participation among low-income children in summer and afterschool meal programs. Share Our Strength is specifically interested in increasing participation in meal programs that utilize USDA reimbursement through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Nonprofit organizations that work to increase the number of children that receive nutritious afterschool and summer meals may be eligible to apply for funds raised through the Great American Bake Sale.
 
Two types of grants will be offered through the Great American Bake Sale grants program:

• Grants for Program Sponsors:
  Grants will be awarded to organizations that directly sponsor USDA-reimbursed afterschool and/or summer meal programs for children. Grants will specifically support efforts to increase participation in the organization's USDA summer and afterschool meal programs. Grant awards will range from $1,000-$10,000.
  
  
• Grants for Advocacy:
  Grants will be awarded to organizations that work to increase participation in USDA-reimbursed afterschool and summer meal programs through outreach and advocacy. Grants will support projects designed to increase participation in afterschool and summer meal programs through advocacy. Organizations engage in advocacy when they work with schools, community organizations, local businesses, and with a range of government officials to increase participation in summer and afterschool meal programs. Grant awards will range from $1,000-$10,000.

Grant applications for funds raised through the 2008 Great American Bake Sale will be accepted from March 10, 2008 until May 30, 2008. Applications received later than May 30, 2008 will not be considered for funding. If you have any questions feel free to contact Marcus Finley, Grants Program Coordinator by responding to this email or giving him a call directly at (202) 478-6574. Click here to access the grant application.

Young People Invited to Submit Earth-Saving Ideas for Lorax Challenge
~ Application deadline: May 31, 2008
Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Ashoka's Youth Venture, in partnership with Earth Island Institute, have announced the Lorax Challenge, an opportunity for people between the ages of 12 and 20 across the United States to turn their ideas for helping to save the planet into reality.

The challenge invites teams of young people to create action plans for their earth-saving ideas.

To be considered for the Lorax grant, a venture team must be youth-created, -led, and -managed; be community-benefiting; be structured as a lasting organization (meaning not just a one-time event, but rather an ongoing entity such as a new school club, a business, or a new community organization); involve a strong team (meaning at least two people) with clear, attainable goals and budget and the commitment to lead their venture; and have at least one "Ally" -- a supportive adult who guides and
 encourages the team.

Selected teams will receive funding of up to $1,000 each to turn their ideas into a reality. In addition, five grand-prize winners will receive a free trip to the University of Florida for a weekend of activities, learning, and fun. (Please note that only high school students are eligible for the Grand Prize.) Click here for complete program information and application procedures.

High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, Colorado State University Feasibility Projects – Procedures for Submission and Review 2008
~ Application deadline: June 1, 2008
The Colorado State University High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) sponsors Feasibility Grant Opportunities to encourage new and innovative projects in prevention/intervention, education and outreach, and research in areas outlined in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). As one of nine Agricultural Health Centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), HICAHS has established a program to support feasibility projects.

The purpose of this program is to increase the cadre of trainees and young investigators in agricultural health and safety at institutions in federal Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming), and to foster new directions in research, prevention/ intervention, education and outreach. This grant opportunity is also open to faculty and students in departments not currently working in the area of agricultural health and safety but interested in expanding into the field. Priority will be given to projects that address: a. underserved populations (e.g. immigrant workers, Hispanics/Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans); proposals that demonstrate novel collaboration with agricultural organizations and/or agricultural media; and projects that reflect NIOSH’s “Research to Practice” (r2p) directive. Click here for more information on how to apply.

Technical Assistance Grants for Development, from EPA
~ Application deadline: June 5, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing this Broad Agency Announcement soliciting applications from eligible applicants for the planning, arranging, administering and/or conducting of conferences, workshops, and/or meetings that focus on research to protect human health and safeguard the environment. Specifically, EPA is interested in supporting scientific and technical research conferences that address the following research program areas: (1) human health; (2) ecosystems; water and security; (3) economics and sustainability; (4) air and global climate change; and (5) technology.

Approximately $500,000 is available for approximately 15 awards. Applications will be reviewed July 11, 2008, and January 12, 2009. Click here to read more. 

Saucony Run For Good Foundation Offers Funding for Children's Running Programs
~ Application deadline: June 13, 2008
Established to help end childhood obesity by providing financial support to nonprofits across the United States that support children's running and fitness programs, the Saucony Run For Good Foundation is accepting applications for its grant program. Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of the Stride Rite Corporation, is a global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel.

The foundation has two grant cycles per year, with up to seven awards granted each cycle. Grants are in amounts up to a maximum of $10,000 each. Click here for more information.

Nominations Invited for Garden Crusader Awards
~ Application deadline: June 15, 2008
The Garden Crusader Awards were created by Gardener's Supply to honor individuals who are improving the world through gardening. Garden Crusaders are men and women who are planting trees and flowers, growing food, creating new green spaces, and teaching their friends and neighbors about the rewards of gardening.

The awards honor individuals in the United States who are improving their communities through gardening. Nominations of organizations will not be accepted. However, many organizations apply and choose one person to represent the group, with the entire group sharing the prize. There is no age requirement. Nominees may be volunteers or may be paid for their garden work. Self-nominations are accepted.

Award categories for 2008 are Education; Feeding the Hungry; Urban Renewal; and Restoration. There are five winners for each category: first, second, third, plus two honorable mentions and one grandprize winner, for a total of twenty-one winners overall. The grand-prize winner will receive $2,500 in cash and a $2,500 gift certificate from Gardener's Supply. First-place winners will receive a $1,000 gift certificate each; second- place winners a $750 gift certificate; third-place winners a $500 gift certificate; and honorable mentions a $200 gift certificate. All prizes will be awarded to the winner's organization in his/her name. Click here for complete guidelines and nomination forms.

Community-Based Hunger Organizations Invited to Apply for Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards
~ Application deadline: June 16, 2008
The Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards program, a partnership of World Hunger Year and the Harry Chapin Foundation, distributes cash grants to outstanding grassroots organizations in the United States that have moved beyond charity to creating change in their communities. Organizations selected as Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award winners are judged for their innovative and creative approaches to fighting domestic hunger and poverty by empowering people and building self-reliance.

Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The total budget for the program cannot exceed $500,000. Applicant organizations' programs must go beyond emergency food, shelter, and other types of assistance to address the root causes of poverty. The program will not consider applications from organizations providing only emergency services. Grant amounts will range up to a maximum of $7,000 each.

WHY will include program applicants in a database that allows information sharing among community-based organizations, the media, funders, and government agencies. Click here for complete program information and application instructions.

Archer Daniels Midland Company Announces Call for Community Grant Applications
~ Application deadline: June 30, 2008
Continuing its commitment to strengthening American agricultural communities, Archer Daniels Midland Company is accepting applications for its 2008 Community Partnership Grant Program. The program will award up to four grants of $10,000 each for community-improvement projects in cities and towns where ADM operates.

The program will award grants to qualified tax-exempt, nonprofit, educational, or community organizations in ADM communities. In order to be eligible to receive a grant, applicants must apply on behalf of a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not a private foundation under section 509(a). Click here to find complete program information, including submission guidelines and an application.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
~ Application deadline: June 30, 2008
Funding Number: EPA-OECA-OEJ-08-01
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) established the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) in fiscal year (FY) 1994. The purpose of this grant program is to support and empower communities that are working on local solutions to local environmental and/or public health issues. The EJSG Program is designed to assist recipients in building collaborative partnerships that will help them understand and address the environmental and/or public health issues in their communities. Successful collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders involve well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships, and to work towards addressing the local environmental and/or public health issues. Click here for more details and to apply.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Accepting Proposals for Local Funding Partnerships
~ Application deadline: July 8, 2008
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships program is designed to forge relationships between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that can significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities.

Projects must be new, innovative, collaborative, and community-based. Significant program expansions -- into new regions or to new populations -- may also be considered. Please note that this program does not fund existing projects.

Projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker interested in participating as one of the funding partners. Local funding partners must be willing to work with grantees to obtain sufficient dollar-for-dollar matching funds throughout the grant period. These funders may include independent and private foundations, family and community foundations, and corporate and other philanthropies. Matching funds must represent new funding specifically designated to support the proposed project. In-kind services may not be used to match foundation funds. Click here for more details and to apply.

Mattel Announces Continuation of Grant Program to Benefit Children
~ Application deadline: July 15, 2008
Mattel ( http://www.mattel.com ) and the Mattel Children's Foundation have announced they will continue the Mattel Domestic Grantmaking Program, which provides funding for organizations benefiting children in the United States.

Mattel's funding priorities include: programs that directly and effectively impact children with demonstrated needs (physical, financial, emotional, and health-related); preferences to programs with demonstrated results; and organizations that use creative and innovative methods to address a locally defined need directly impacting children. Preference will be given to organizations or programs that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities: Learning -- Increasing access to education for underserved children and, in particular, innovative strategies to promote and address literacy; Health -- Supporting the health and well-being of children, with particular emphasis on promoting healthy, active lifestyles; and Girl Empowerment -- Promoting self-esteem in young girls, up to age 12.

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity organizations (or have a fiscal sponsor with tax-exempt status) and must directly serve children in communities within the U.S. Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 each for one fiscal year. Funds may be applied to programs or general operating costs. Click here for complete program guidelines, online eligibility quiz, and grant application.

Women's Sports Foundation Seeks Applicants for Ambassador Team Awards
~ Application deadline: July 18, 2008 
The Women's Sports Foundation's Ambassador Team Awards program will provide a total of $50,000
 in grants to teams of female high school students that demonstrate leadership in their communities by inspiring girls to get involved in sports and physical activity.

Teams will create their own projects designed to get girls in their local community to be physically active. To be eligible, teams must be school, amateur, community, and/or nonprofit affiliated teams whose members are all of the following: female; enrolled in 9th-12th grade; and residents of the United States, its territories, or protectorates.

Twenty teams will be awarded $2,500 each. Team awards are to be used for equipment, apparel, travel, or training costs for the team. Prizes will be made payable to the school, nonprofit institution, or 501(c)(3) organization.

Click here to visit the Women's Sports Foundation website for complete program information.
Click here to see additional RFPs in Athletics/Sports.

Community First Foundation Invites Denver-Area Nonprofits to Apply for Endowment Challenge Grants
~ Application deadline: August 1, 2008 (Letter of Interest)
The Arvada, Colorado-based Community First Foundation is offering a total of $1.5 million in challenge grants through 2010 to encourage Denver-area nonprofits to build an endowment in order to strengthen their long-term financial stability.

The foundation is accepting applications for Round Two of Endowment Challenge Grants 2008 - 2010. During the two-year Endowment Challenge Grant Period (October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2010), Community First Foundation will match funds contributed to the participating organization's permanent endowment fund established with the foundation. The foundation will match $.50 per $1 for funds contributed to the participating nonprofit's endowment. The foundation also guarantees 5 percent interest and will not charge administrative fees during the challenge grant period. To strengthen the program, the foundation is also offering participants educational seminars, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

The program is open to 501(c)(3) organizations that provide direct services within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties.

The minimum matching grant will be $12,500, meaning that an organization must contribute a minimum of $25,000 towards its endowment to participate in the program. The maximum matching grant will be $100,000.

The grant program is the fourth program of its kind offered by Community First Foundation. To date, more than fifty nonprofit organizations have participated in, or are currently participating in, the foundation's endowment challenge grant programs. Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Interest. Click here for Program information and Letter of Interest guidelines.

Healthy Sprouts Awards to Support Awareness of Nutrition and Hunger
~ Application deadline: October 15, 2008
As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, the National Gardening Association 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 3 and 18. 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 each 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. Click here to learn more and to apply.

Entries Invited for Skystone Ryan Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy
~ Application deadline: November 1, 2008
Each year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Research Council awards the Skystone
 Ryan Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy to the author of a book that contributes substantially to the knowledge and understanding of fundraising or philanthropic behavior.

Authors of published works on research in fundraising and philanthropy are invited to submit books or monographs for consideration. Other individuals or organizations can nominate appropriate publications.

To be considered for the prize, works must be: a book or monograph of 50 or more pages; published by a commercial publishing house or a professional organization during the 23 months preceding the current deadline (November 1 of each year); based on either applied or basic research; and reflect a standard publisher selection process without regard to the source and sponsorship of the research. The jury will not consider unpublished theses or dissertations, self-published works, directories, op-ed pieces, editorials, or articles.

Prize winners receive a cash award of $3,000 and are honored at the AFP International Conference on Fundraising. Click here for complete information on submitting an entry.

Technical Assistance Grants for Development, from EPA
~ Application deadline: December 9, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing this Broad Agency Announcement soliciting applications from eligible applicants for the planning, arranging, administering and/or conducting of conferences, workshops, and/or meetings that focus on research to protect human health and safeguard the environment. Specifically, EPA is interested in supporting scientific and technical research conferences that address the following research program areas: (1) human health; (2) ecosystems; water and security; (3) economics and sustainability; (4) air and global climate change; and (5) technology.

Approximately $500,000 is available for approximately 15 awards. Applications will be reviewed January 12, 2009. Click here to read more.  

COPAN Grants
~ Rolling deadline
The Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program has several grants available including breastfeeding, early childhood, worksite and active community environment grants.  For more information on COPAN Grant Opportunities please visit the Roadmap page.

Do Something Youth Grants
~ Rolling deadline
Do Something and Gamestop are offering grants of $500 to young people, age 25 and younger, in the U.S. or Canada who have a great idea for a community-action project and need support to turn their idea into reality. Gamestop grants are given out weekly. Click here for more information.

Do Something and Plum TV are offering grants of $500 each to social entrepreneurs, age 25 and younger in the U.S. who have recently created a sustainable project, progrem, or organization and need funding to further the growth and success of their program.  Plum TV grants are given out weekly. Click here for more information.

Click here for a listing of other Youth Grants for social and service projects.

The Foundation Center
The Foundation Center has various funding opportunities available year-round.
Click here for RFP's in Athletics/Sports
Click here for RFP's in Community Improvement/Development
Click here for RFP's in Environment

Grants for Food Stamp Terminals at Farmer's Markets
~ Rolling Deadline
The Colorado Farmers' Market Association has recieved USDA grant funds to purchase terminals for farmer's markets so that they can process the electronic food stamp debit cards.  For more information, please contact Sally Haines at 303-887-5971 or Click here to visit their website.