Grant Training Center

We hope that you will find this bi-monthly newsletter beneficial. It is not meant to be exhaustive or complete; rather it is an effort to aid you in your grant-seeking experience. We want to assist you in every step of the way and encourage your efforts. If you are in need of any further information, please write or call us. In the meantime, we would like to let you know that you will be receiving this publication twice a month. Each issue will focus on a different area of funding, including federal, foundation, corporate and individual giving. We trust that this information will enhance your understanding of the myriad of changes that are taking place in grant funding. This should prove to be a rewarding experience in enhancing your ability to submit winning grant proposals.

Mathilda E. Harris, Ph.D.
Director

Bill Gates Announces 2010 Annual Letter

The 2010 Annual Letter for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been released by Co-chair William H. Gates Sr. In the letter, Gates focused on "innovation and how it can make the difference between a bleak future and a bright one." He feels that, in spite of the global recession and its effect on our economy, he is strongly optimistic about the progress that can be made in the years ahead. Gates believes that through scientific innovations and great leaders working on behalf of the world's poorest people will continue to improve the human condition.

"Melinda and I see our foundation's key role as investing in innovation that would not otherwise be funded," said Gates. "This draws not only our backgrounds in technology but also on the foundation's size and ability to take a long-term view and take large risks on new approaches."

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed more than $21 billion in grants since it was founded in 1994. As of September 30, 2009 the foundation's endowment was valued at $34.17 billion and continues to remain at the top of the "Wealthiest Foundations" list. To download Bill Gates' annual letter, please visit GatesFoundation.org/annualletter

RWJF Community Health Leaders Program Partners with the Harris Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced that the national program office (NPO) of the RWJF Community Health Leaders (CHL) program has formed a strategic and supportive partnership with and will now be based at the Harris Foundation in Houston, Texas. The CHL program will carry on as an RWJF- funded program that supports and sustains the capacity of individuals who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and commitment to improving health outcomes at the community level.

For the past 17 years, the CHL Award has helped to improve the work of leaders by raising awareness of their contributions through national visibility, a $125,000 award, and networking opportunities. After taking a look at population densities, locations of current Community Health Leaders, and the geographic distribution of RWJF grantees, the Foundation is seizing an opportunity to align the CHL Award with America's changing demographics.

President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey stated, "With the Community Health Leaders' national program office now based in Houston, RWJF will expand its reach to grow our family of dedicated and innovative leaders."

Bernard Harris, M.D., founder and president of the Harris Foundation, is also looking forward to the partnership with RWJF. "[CHL] honors exceptional men and women working to address health and health care problems facing their communities," said Harris. He founded the Harris Foundation in 1998 to develop math/science education and crime prevention programs for the nation's youth. To the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, it would bring an abundant network that can aid in expanding the outreach for nominations of new leaders, as well as reach new venues for increasing the visibility of current ones.

To learn more about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Health Leaders Award program, please visit the website CommunityHealthLeaders.org. To learn more about the Harris Foundation follow the link HarrisFoundation.org.

Ford Foundation Commits over $1 Million for HIV/AIDS Services and Emergency Aid for Haiti

Within this past month, the Ford Foundation has made two funding announcements supporting programs focusing on providing services for the victims of the devasting earthquake in Haiti. January 19, the Foundation committed $1 million in grants towards emergency aid for the victims. $500,000 will go to the Oaxfam International and Partners in Health organizations. Both are reputable organizations with ongoing operations on the ground in Haiti.

A little more than a week later, Ford committed another $250,000 grant to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Started by former President of the United States William J. Clinton, this global health-focused nonprofit will use the grant to ensure continuing HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services in the aftermath of the earthquake.

All three organizations are long-time grantees of the Ford Foundation, and these latest grants demonstrate its ongoing committment to improving the lives and opportunities of Haitian men, women, and children.

For more information about these funding announcements, or to learn more about the Ford Foundation, please visit their website at FordFound.org.

W.K. Kellogg & Josiah Macy Jr. Foundations Collaborate to Fund AAPHD Program

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD), with funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, has announced the creation of a new expert panel of Dental Deans and Dental Faculty to develop a two-year post secondary training and curriculum for dental therapists. Dental therapists, under the prescription of a dentist, are typically licensed to examine children's teeth and perform preventive and basic dental repair services. The Association believes that dental therapists will not only increase the dental workforce, but it will aid in meeting the nation's well-documented need for oral health care for the underserved population.

Over the next year, the distinguished panel of deans and faculty will determine goals for the model curriculum that could be adapted by university dental schools, community colleges, or other institutions of higher learning in states licensing dental therapists. These goals include: a two-year post secondary school curriculum; the educational setting for such training; and the type of curriculum advances required in the dental school program to prepare dentists properly to supervise and utilize the knowledge and skills of mid-level dental providers.

"The dental therapist designation has been widely used in over 50 countries where various populations have limited access to health care," said Dr. Caswell Evans, Jr., "Notable among these is New Zealand, where dental therapists have been used extensively in a system of school-based care. Trained to provide a specified set of dental procedures such as simple extractions, basic restorative and preventive procedures, dental therapists have been successful over a period of years in lowering the rate of caries among school-age children in New Zealand."

For further information on this dental therapist curriculum, please visit the American Association of Public Health Dentistry website at AAPHD.org. To learn more about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation please visit WKKF.org, and for the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation please visit JosiahMacyFoundation.org.

Hewlett and Irvine Foundations Join to Provide More Than $700,000 in Grants

In efforts to maintain the arts sector, the William & Flora Hewlett and James Irvine foundations have come together to provide funding for emerging arts leaders in California. In order to address the issue of critical leadership challenges facing the arts sector, the foundations approved more than $700,000 in grants to support California arts and culture programs that are fostering the next generation of arts leaders.

Research conducted by both foundations found that, although there is a good supply midcareer arts managers who are able to fill the roles, most arts organizations lack the resources for training and other kinds of professional development that will better prepare these promising young leaders to become effective nonprofit executives. President at the Hewlett Foundation Paul Brest added, "Offering up-and-coming leaders opportunities to develop is no less crucial for the arts than it is for any other field, particularly in these times of rapid change and economic challenges. We hope others will join us in recognizing its importance."

Because of their seminars, workshops, networking opportunities, and other forms of professional development provided to their members, several professional networks of emerging arts leaders have been chosen by Hewlett and Irvine to receive funding. Some of the networks include: the San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals, GenArts Silicon Valley, the Center for Cultural Innovation's Creative Capacity Fund, and the San Diego Foundation for its San Diego Emerging Leaders of Arts and Culture program. "The sector's furture depends in part on its ability to retain and cultivate talented young arts professionals so that they can more effectively move into leadership roles in the coming years," said James E. Canales, President and CEO of the Irvine Foundation. "This will require a committment not just on the part of funders such as Irvine, Hewlett and, hopefully, others, but also on the part of arts organizations themselves to make leadership development among their highest priorities."

For further information about the research, please visit Hewlett.org.

$650,000 Available Funding for Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories

The Corporation for National & Community Service, the nation's largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteering, declared available funding of an estimated $650,070. The funding will provide new Learn and Serve America school-based grants to Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories to support programs and projects involving school-age growth in service-learning that not only supports student development, but also meets community needs.

The Corporation performs an essential role in maintaining the American culture of citizenship, service and responsibility. Its desire to serve extends across generations in every part of the country. "Service-learning is a teaching method that offers students the opportunity to have an immediate impact on challenges facing their communities," said Acting CEO Nicola Goren. "These grants will help put students on a path to a lifetime of service and civic engagement."

Grants will be awarded to approximately three to five Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories. The awards will range from $45,000 to $120,000 annually for a program or project period of up to three years. For additional information on project priorities, due dates, or the Corporation itself, please visit the website at LearnandServe.gov

Grant Opportunities

CURRENT FOUNDATION AND CORPORATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a call for proposals for programs and projects that support research in the program area of childhood obesity. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies aiming to reach children ages 3 to 18 who are at highest risk for obesity: African-American, Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander children, as well as children who live in under-resourced and lower-income communities.

Final Deadline: April 14, 2010

For additional information on eligibility and selection criteria, total awards, and how to apply, please visit the following link to the full announcement RWJF.org.

The Corporation for National & Community Service is seeking applications for expanding the number of volunteers and projects under the RSVP program. RSVP connects individuals age 55 and older in a number of volunteer activities that provide valuable services to meet community needs. This program also provides an enriching experience to the individuals participating. A total amount of $2.7 million is available for this competition.

Final Deadline: April 6, 2010

For the full announcement, please follow the link RSVP Program.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation accepts grant application throughout the year; therefore, the Foundation does not have any submission deadlines. The Foundation's website, http://www.wkkf.og, gives information regarding programming framework for educated kids, healthy kids, secure families, racial equity, and civic engagement. Applications are reviewed at their headquarters located in Battle Creek, Michigan, or regional office in Mexico.

Please submit applications online by following the link to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation website at WKKF .

The PSEG Foundation supports an array of programs in areas that connect with PSEG business strategies to support education, the environment, and community and economic development. The Foundation feels that "contributions made to nonprofit organizations are viewed not merely as gifts, but as strategic movements."

For guidelines and application information please visit the PSEG website at PSEG and selecting the "Community" tab.