Conservation Grants The state Department of Conservation is accepting funding proposals
for its Beverage Container Recycling Market Development and Expansion
Grant Program. $10 million is available for fiscal year 2005/06 to encourage
innovative approaches to the recovery and re-use of recyclable bottles
and cans. For more information, please visit www.conservation.ca.gov/DOR.
School-Based Grant Program The Learn and Serve America grants involve young people between
the ages of five and seventeen in service-learning projects that simultaneously
support student development and meet community needs in areas such as
the environment, education, public safety, and other human needs. Click
here for further information. Higher Education Grant Program These Learn and Serve America grants expand participation in
community service and service-learning by supporting innovative community
service programs carried out through institutions of higher education
that act as civic institutions to meet the human, educational, environmental,
or public safety needs of neighboring communities. Click
here to learn more. Community-Based Grant Program The Learn and Serve America grant competition promotes the
development and sustainability of high-quality community-based service-learning
programs in youth-serving community organizations across the nation.
Click
here to learn more.
Support for Community Programs Cingular Wireless supports community-based programs and organizations
that address educational, cultural, and social issues. The company’s
area of focus includes assisting victims of domestic abuse and helping
in times of disaster. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Visit www.cingular.com/about/community_involvement
for more information.
Funds for Business-Community Partnerships Through the Business and Communities Grants program, the Hitachi
Foundation will support business and community partnerships that enable
economically isolated people to retain and advance in their jobs, earn
living wages, and accumulate savings and assets. Visit www.hitachifoundation.org
to learn more.
Grants for International Business Programs This program provides grants to enhance international business
education programs and to expand the capacity of the business community
to engage in international economic activities. Click
here to learn more. Agricultural Initiative Grants This program supports efforts by the agricultural community
to “transition” from high-risk pesticides to the use of
less and reduced risk pesticides, alternative methods of pest control,
and sustainable practices in food production. For more information,
click
here. Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment EPA is accepting proposals for brownfields assessment, revolving
loan fund and cleanup grants. Visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/pg/
to learn more.
Articles from the
October 25, 2005 ED-Lert Issue
Attain
up to $5,000 for School Enrichment Projects The Toolbox for Education Grant Program supports
school and parent groups that develop school projects, encourage parent
involvement in these projects, and build stronger community spirit.
The application deadlines are November 1, 2005 and March 15, 2006. For
more information, please visit www.toolboxforeducation.com.
Obtain Funds for
Colleges and Universities The Higher Education Challenge
Grants program stimulates and enables colleges and universities to provide
the education necessary to produce baccalaureate or higher degree level
graduates capable of strengthening the Nation’s food, agricultural,
scientific and professional workforce. For further information, click
here. Grants Available
for Innovative Art The Puffin Foundation offers
grants that encourage emerging artists in the fields of art, music,
theater, dance, photography and literature whose works might have difficulty
being aired. The application deadline is December 30, 2005. For more
information, visit www.puffinfoundation.org.
Funds Available for Wetlands Conservation
The amended 1989 North American Wetlands Conservation Act promotes long-term
conservation of North American wetland ecosystems, waterfowl and other
migratory birds, fish, and wildlife that depend upon such habitats.
Click
here for more information.
Articles from the
October 18, 2005 ED-Lert Issue Receive
Discounts for Keeping or Locating Business Operations in CA
The Economic Development Rate (EDR) offers rate discounts to eligible
business customers that would not otherwise remain or locate in California
but for the discounts and other incentives available in combination
with the EDR. The EDR offers five-year declining discounts off a customer’s
SCE electric bill. The EDR is available to SCE Bundled Service, Direct
Access, or Community Choice Aggregation business customers who have
at least one eligible service account or proposed new load with a peak
demand of at least 200 kilowatts (kW). To be eligible, a customer must
present a business case demonstrating its critical need for the EDR
and that it has viable out-of-state options including facility closure.
The EDR is available until December 31, 2009 or until the 100 MW program
participation cap is reached. For more information about the EDR, contact
your SCE account representative or call SCE’s Economic & Business
Development Team at (800) 3-EDISON and ask to speak with an E&BD
Project Manager.
USDA Funds Improve Teaching Programs
USDA invites applications for the Higher Education Challenge Grants
Program. This program seeks to strengthen institutional capacities to
improve teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences or in
rural economic, community, and business development to respond to identified
stage, regional, national or international educational needs. Eligible
are public or private nonprofit colleges and universities. Applications
are due Feb. 2, 2006. More information is available at www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/hep_challenge.html.
Commission Launches Energy Efficiency Campaign
The California Public Utilities Commission is authorizing energy efficiency
plans and $2 billion in funding for the state’s utilities in 2006-2008,
reaffirming that cost-effective energy efficiency is the state’s
first line of defense against power shortages. For more information,
click
here.
Commission Reduces Economic Hardship of Electricity Prices
The California Public Utilities Commission approved rates for PG&E
and Southern California Edison that will help reduce the economic hardship
of electricity prices for businesses in California. For further information,
click
here.
Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program
The Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program is committed to
improving the quality of life for low- and moderate- income residents
within the communities the bank serves. Applications are accepted throughout
the year. For more information, visit www.bankofthewest.com.
Nearly $15 Million Funded for Value Added Producer Grants
Agricultural Secretary Michael Johanns has announced the selection of
171 applications from 42 states to receive over $14.6 million in USDA
Rural Development grant assistance under the Value Added Producer Grant
Program. “These funds assist agricultural producers in marketing
their products and enhance opportunities for the development of alternative
fuels from renewable energy sources…” (Ag Professional).
For more information, click
here.
$22 Million Teleconnect Fund Budget Approved
Please inform schools, libraries, government-owned health care providers,
and qualifying community-based organizations in your communities that
a $22 million budget for the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) has been
approved. For information on how to apply for funds, click
here.
Articles from
the September 16, 2005 ED-Lert Issue Small Business Innovation Research Program Solicits Funding Proposals
The Department of Defense is soliciting proposals for a third round of
FY 2005 funding under the Small Business Innovation Research program.
Firms capable of conducting R&D in any of the solicitation’s
twelve critical technology areas, and commercializing their results, are
eligible to apply. Phase I awards are typically $60,000 to $100,000 in
size over a period of six to nine months. Proposals may be submitted between
September 14, 2005, and October 14, 2005. More information is available
atwww.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/.
NSF Offers $12.5 Million in Funding for Small
Business
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites small business concerns
to submit proposals for FY 2006 funding under the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). These
programs aim to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector.
Approximately $12.5 million is expected to be available for 125 SBIR
awards and 25 STTR awards. Proposals are due December 8, 2005. For
more information, click here.
History Channel Offers Funding for Local Children's Projects
The Save Our History National Grant Program, developed by the History
Channel, provides funding to support collaboration between history organizations
and schools or youth groups. Projects must teach children about their
local heritage and actively engage them in its preservation. Eligible
applicants include historical societies, preservation organizations,
museums, historic sites, and other history organizations that plan to
partner with schools on a project. The application deadline is October
21, 2005. Visit www.saveourhistory.com/pres_org/index.html
for more information.
Allstate Foundation Supports Local and National
Programs
The Allstate Foundation provides support to national programs as well
as local programs in company communities. Proposals must address needs
within one of the following three focus areas to be considered for funding:
Tolerance, Inclusion, and Diversity; Safe and Vital Communities; or
Economic Empowerment. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Visit www.allstate.com/foundation
for application guidelines.
Medtronic Foundation Community Programs
The Medtronic Foundation’s mission is to improve the health of
people and their communities by focusing resources in areas where the
Foundation can make unique and positive contributions. The Foundation’s
grant making categories include health, education, community, arts and
human services organizations. Application deadlines vary by grant making
category and applicant location. For detailed information on the Foundation’s
programs, visit www.medtronic.com/foundation/. ConAgra Foods Offers Support for Community
Needs
The mission of the ConAgra Foods Foundation is to improve the quality
of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live. Grants
are focused in the following areas: arts and culture; civic and community
betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition,
and food safety. Proposals must be received by the last working day
of January, April, July, and October. For application guidelines visit
www.conagrafoods.com/leadership/community_guidelines.jsp.
Minority Business Opportunity Center
(MBOC)
This program is soliciting competitive applications from organizations
to operate Minority Business Opportunity Centers. These centers were
formerly known as Minority Business Opportunity Committees. Click
here for more information. AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants Program
Through the AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants Program, AmeriCorps State
and National uses one percent of grant funds to support programs operated
by American Indian Tribes. For more information, please visit www.americorps.gov/pdf/05_0802_americorps_nofa.pdf. Discounted Web Hosting for Non Profits
ThinkHost offers nonprofit organizations that provide a direct benefit
to the community special discounts on hosting services – free
set-up and up to 20% off monthly fees. Visit www.thinkhost.com/socialchange/social-responsibility.shtml
for details.
Articles from the September
9, 2005 ED-Lert Issue
$20 Million Available in Job Training Grants from
California EDD
The state Employment Development Department (EDD) announced a solicitation
for proposals available in job training grants. Approximately $8 million
will target the health care industry and $7 million is available for
veterans programs. The remaining funds, approximately $5 million, will
aid workers with barriers to employment. Information about specific
proposals and/or a bidders package are available in electronic form
at www.edd.ca.gov/wiarep/wiaspind.htm.
Proposals are due by September 26, 2005 before 3:00 pm.
Rural Housing Service Grants Available
Apply by Nov. 3, 2005 for $6 million in Rural Community Development
Initiative grants from the Rural Housing Service to help rural organizations
increase their capacity for undertaking housing, community, economic
development and community-facilities projects. Obtain the grant notice
online at http://hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/pdf/15528.pdf.
2005-2006 Government Assistance Almanac Now Available
A new federal fiscal year starts October 1 for over 1,500 federal programs
offering funding for community programs. The newly published 2005-2006
Government Assistance Almanac describes every program in the Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance, but in a user-friendly, clear format
that is both concise and comprehensive. The price of the resource is
$235 and can be found at http://www.cdpublications.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=391
or by calling 1-(800) 666-6380.
Additional Economic Development
Funding/Financing Resources
