Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program

Governor’s Office for Small Cities

The Governor’s Office for Small Cities (GOSC) of the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation has announced the 2007 Competitive Round and the 2007 Economic Development Program. Funding under the 2007 Annual Competitive Round may be used by municipalities for projects in three categories: Housing (rehabilitation, homeownership, private water/wastewater system assistance or construction of new affordable housing); Public Facility; and Microenterprise. For the purposes of the Annual Competitive Round, economic development projects, other than microenterprise, will only be considered as part of a comprehensive grant proposal. Funding under the 2007 Open Round may be used by municipalities for general economic development activities that create and/or retain permanent, private sector job opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons, through the expansion and retention of business and industry in New York State. Under the Economic Development Program, the GOSC provides grant funds to eligible units of general local government to provide financial assistance to a business for an identified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program-eligible activity that will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons, or to construct publicly-owned infrastructure improvements, which are necessary to accommodate the creation, expansion or retention of a business that will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible applicants are units of general local government (village, city, town or county), excluding metropolitan cities, urban counties and Indian Tribes. Cities, towns, and villages having a population under 50,000, and counties with an unincorporated population of under 200,000 are eligible to apply for Small Cities funding. Specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the GOSC.
FUNDING:  Approximately $40 million, but as of the date of issuance of the RFP, the exact amount of funds was not known.
DEADLINE:  Applications for Competitive Round Grants are due by April 9, 2007. If mailed, applications must be postmarked no later than April 9, 2007, and if hand-delivered, it must be delivered by April 9, 2007, no later than 4:00 p.m. Applicants interested in Open Round Grants must first contact the GOSC to complete the preliminary evaluation process in order to determine that the economic development project, as proposed, meets CDBG program and GOSC selection requirements. Based upon the information provided during the preliminary evaluation process, the applicant may then be invited to submit an application for funding.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.nysmallcities.com/FundingOpportunities/fundingavailability.asp?gid=26. The GOSC can be reached at 4 Empire State Plaza, Ste. 600, Albany, New York 12223-1401; phone (518) 474-2057; fax (518) 474-5247.

State Wildlife Grants Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

This program will provide funds for projects that implement the recommendations of New York’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS).
ELIGIBILITY:  State agencies, municipalities, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations.
FUNDING:  A total of approximately $2.94 million is available.
DEADLINE:  Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/swg/ for more information on the CWCS, project categories, and specific eligibility requirements. For an application, contact Lisa K. Holst, Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4753; phone (518) 402-8887; e-mail: lkholst@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

. . . On the Federal Level

VISTA Project Development

Corporation for National & Community Service

The New York Field Office of the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) has announced the availability of applications for the creation of new AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) projects. AmeriCorps*VISTA members help to build the infrastructure of nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for eliminating poverty through capacity building and empowering the low-income community. While all applications will be considered, CNCS is especially interested in developing projects that: serve re-entering prisoners and their families; address financial asset development for low-income families; provide mentors for youth; support rural community and Tribal community development; engage students in community service; and assist youth who are aging out of foster care.
ELIGIBILITY:   Public or private nonprofit organizations.
FUNDING:  Contact the CNCS NY Field Office for details.
DEADLINE:  Concept papers are due by May 1, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  For an application package or more information, please contact the CNCS NYS Field Office at (518) 431-4150 or at ny@cns.gov. For more background on CNCS and its programs, please visit their website at www.nationalservice.gov.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth Grants

National Endowment for the Arts

This program offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of, and skills in, the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engagement of students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art, and ensure the application of national, state, or local arts education standards.
ELIGIBILITY:  State, local, tribal and special district governments; institutions of higher education; and nonprofit organizations.
FUNDING:  Awards range from $5,000 to $150,000.
DEADLINE:  June 11, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact webmgr@arts.endow.gov. Visit www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12192&mode=VIEW.

. . . Foundations and Organizations

Domestic Grantmaking Program

Mattel Children's Foundation

The Foundation has announced the third year of its Domestic Grantmaking Program. The program provides funds to organizations that demonstrate that they directly serve children in need. Applicants must have a mission that focuses on direct service to children up to twelve years old. Organizations or programs must show creative and/or innovative methods to address locally defined needs directly impacting children, and must align with Mattel’s philanthropic priorities, which include learning, health, and girl empowerment. Two types of grants will be considered: 1) program-specific grants, i.e. funding for the launch of new programs or expansion of existing programs; and 2) core operating support, i.e., support for administrative and operating costs that help organizations to sustain their program.
ELIGIBILITY:  Organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status that have an annual operating budget of less than $1 million. Organizations may not be affiliated in any way with national organizations, regardless of whether funds are received from the national entity.
FUNDING:  Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.
DEADLINE:  June 15, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_grantmaking.asp.

Grants for Organizations

Corning Incorporated Foundation

The Corning Incorporated Foundation supports educational, cultural, and community service projects. The foundation also supports national programs and a matching gifts program.
ELIGIBILITY:  Organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) or 509(a) IRS codes. Individuals, political activity, labor and veterans’ organizations, religious groups, volunteers’ emergency squads, athletic activities, advertising, and fundraising events will not be considered.
FUNDING:  In 2005, grants ranged from $68 to $209,000, and totaled more than $3.2 million.
DEADLINE:  None.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Karen C. Martin, Associate Director, Corning Incorporated Foundation, MP-BH-07, Corning, New York 14831. You may also visit www.corning.com/inside_corning/our_commitment/community/.

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Buffalo, March 26-30, 2007, hosted by The Salvation Army; New York City, April 16-20, 2007, hosted by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and East Farmingdale, June 4-8, 2007, hosted by Molloy College.

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 for the Buffalo event, contact Jennifer Graesser at (716) 888-6212 or by e-mail at Jennifer_Graesser@use.salvationarmy.org. Local contact information for the New York City and East Farmingdale events will be published in future newsletters.

Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training opportunities during April 2007:

Grantseeking Basics: 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. April 4, April 10, April 17, April 26.

Proposal Writing Basics: Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their nonprofit organizations. April 11.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online: This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive web subscription database. April 4, April 10, April 26.

How to Approach a Foundation: 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. April 18.

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.