Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research

To continue to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, NSF is revising NSF 12-511 to promote two choices under the Partnerships for Innovation (PFI): Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR) subprogram. The first choice, Technology Translation, encourages the translation of technologically-promising research discoveries made by prior and/or current NSF-funded investigators toward a path of commercialization; while the second choice, Research Alliance, promotes synergistic collaborations between an existing NSF-funded research alliance (including consortia such as Engineering Research Centers, Industry University Cooperative Research Centers, Science and Technology Centers, Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers, Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers, Centers for Chemical Innovation, and Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation grantees) and other public and private entities to motivate the translation and transfer of research discoveries into innovative technologies and commercial reality. Both of these choices are designed to accelerate innovation that results in the creation of new wealth and the building of strong local, regional, and national economies.WEBINAR: A webinar will be held within 6 weeks of the release date of this solicitation to answer any questions about this solicitation. Details will be posted on the Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) website (www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=iip) as they become available.

Link to Additional Information

NSF Publication 12-571

Expected Number of Awards:	47
Estimated Total Program Funding:	$14,250,000
Award Ceiling:	$800,000

Create Jobs for USA Fund

[reposted from Philanthropy News Digest] Citigroup has announced a $1 million commitment to the Create Jobs for USA Fund, a program launched in 2011 by Starbucks and the Opportunity Finance Network.

The funds will be used to help create and sustain jobs in underserved communities nationwide. Since its inception, the Create Jobs fund has raised more than $11.5 million, which in turn has leveraged some $80 million in financing for community businesses, helped support more than sixty community development financial institutions, and assisted in the creation and retention of an estimated four thousand jobs.

Citigroup also announced that on Saturday, June 16, nearly fifteen thousand of its employees took part in its annual Global Community Day. Participants in the event also wore wristbands created by Starbucks in support of the Create Jobs initiative.

"In these troubling economic times, we believe that we can all do our part to help make a positive impact on the jobs crisis facing our country," said Starbucks chairman, president, and CEO Howard Schultz. "The Create Jobs for USA program is helping thousands of Americans get back to work, and we thank Citi and the other like-minded companies who have refused to be bystanders and instead opted to use their success and scale for good. The Create Jobs for USA Fund is enabling Americans to unite in helping Americans get back to work, and the Indivisible collection provides several new ways for our customers to show their support."

“Starbucks Introduces New Indivisible Collection and Citi Donates $1 Million to Support Create Jobs for USA.” Citigroup Press Release 6/12/12.

Free webinar on Development Financing in PA

Unlocking the Development Finance Toolbox in Pennsylvania June 27, 2012 @ 1:00pm Eastern Development finance is the heart of economic, energy, infrastructure, technology, and environmental development. Without core financing tools, such as bonds, TIF, tax credits, and access to capital, development projects simply cannot move forward. Within Pennsylvania, dozens of unique and innovative financing programs exist to support business, industry, real estate, and community development. These tools, when amassed, administered and assembled in a comprehensive manner comprise what CDFA calls the development finance toolbox. During the first-ever CDFA Pennsylvania Financing Roundtable Webcast, a panel of commonwealth, county, and city experts from throughout Pennsylvania will explore the depths and potential for unlocking the development finance toolbox in the Keystone State. Representatives from both the public and private sector will help to bridge the gap between project potential and project fruition, and begin the task of building a more sustainable development finance community in the commonwealth. Registration for this webcast is free and open to all. The CDFA Pennsylvania Financing Roundtable is supported and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. Speakers Steve Drizos Director Pennsylvania Dept. of Community & Economic Development Tom Link Manager, Business Development Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh Darnell Moses Manager Allegheny County Economic Development Michael Pehur Director, Development Finance Consulting Duane Morris Government Strategies Toby Rittner President & CEO Council of Development Finance Agencies

Clinton Global Initiative has 58 new commitments

[reposted from Philanthropy News Digest]

On the first day of the second annual Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in Chicago last week, former President Clinton announced fifty-eight new commitments by private and public organizations and government agencies to address the country's most pressing economic challenges.

When fully funded and implemented, the new commitments will facilitate the hiring of five hundred thousand veterans and military spouses, convert ten thousand trucks into plug-in hybrids, and provide $15 million in loans to small businesses in Chicago and Los Angeles. The commitments also include the creation of a new philanthropic investment fund designed to advance private-sector innovations in early childhood education for disadvantaged children.

During the event, PriceWaterhouseCoopers announced a five-year, $160 million commitment to advance youth education and financial literacy, including $60 million in cash and one million service hours valued at $100 million. In total, day-one commitments will directly affect nearly 3.9 million people.

Sponsored by the Joyce, Peter G. Peterson, and J.B. & M.K. Pritzker Family foundations, as well as Allstate, Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, and APCO Worldwide, the two-day event, held June 7-8, convened nearly a thousand leaders representing Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies at the state and local level around a wide range of topics, from job creation, to stimulating economic growth, to fostering innovation, to supporting workforce development in the United States.

"At CGI America, so many key decision makers from all levels of government, all sectors of the economy, and all sides of the political spectrum are bringing their experience and different perspectives to address economic recovery in the U.S.," said Clinton. "I look forward to seeing the collaboration and partnerships that will be created at this year's meeting."

For a complete list of 2012 commitments, visit the CGI America Web site.

“President Clinton Opens 2012 Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting By Bringing Together Public and Private Sector Leaders to Help Spur the U.S. Economy.” Clinton Global Initiative Press Release 6/07/12.

Save the Date: Upcoming workshops from The Nonprofit Partnership

The Art of the Ask

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Bayfront Maritime Center, 40 Holland St., Erie.

Presented by The Nonprofit Partnership

Today nonprofit leaders and board members find themselves in an unusually competitive environment. Leaders are being called upon as never before to practice their three "A" roles with frequency and skill: being and Ambassador, an Advocate, and an Asker. This highly interactive session gives you an opportunity to learn the fundamentals involved in these roles and try them out in role play situations with your peers. Join us for a fun evening on the bayfront as you learn and build a comfort level with these essential interactive skills.

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IRS Tax Workshop for Small and Medium Sized Organizations

Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Yehl Ballroom, Waldron Campus Center, Gannon University, Erie.

This special full-day workshop includes continental breakfast and lunch. It will be led by representatives from the Internal Revenue Service and is co-hosted by Gannon University.

This seminar offers a full day of information and Q & A on topics including:
* Benefits and responsibilities of tax-exempt status
* Unrelated Business Income
* Employment classification and filing requirements
* Overview of the 990 Form
* Required disclosures.

Attendance is encouraged for nonprofit leaders, board members, emerging organizations, tax professionals, accountants, and attorneys. $35 for non-members of The Nonprofit Partnership. Nonmembers, click here to register and pay

• Download the IRS Workshop Flyer and Agenda (80.46 KB)

Reminder: Nonprofit Partnership grants due June 15

http://www.thenonprofitpartnership.org/grants-awards/process-and-schedule/

Letters of Interest for the next round of capacity-building grants are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 15, 2012.

• Download the Capacity-Building Grant Letter of Interest Guide (27.5 KB)

• Download the Guidance for Developing a Diversity and Inclusion Policy (31 KB)

Video Story Project

The Video Story Project creatively weaves together the leader's story of connection, the agency's core narrative, and a riveting story of success, all linked to a compelling call to action. We invite story narrative campaign ideas on the application form below by the next deadline on June 15, 2012 by 4:00 p.m.

• Download the Video Story Project Campaign Application (31 KB)

To assist you in generating ideas for your campaign, we invite you to download the Yes! Mediaworks Nonprofit Video Campaign Guidebook.

Communication Makeover Grants

Communication Makeover grants help you align and sharpen your communication tools. Makeovers center around a package of services and technical assistance from Nonprofit Partnership staff that help you and your organization strengthen your brand, improve your website, enhance your online communication tools, and produce a high quality annual report.

Please complete the Communication Makeover application below and return it by the deadline on June 15, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

• Download the Communication Makeover Application (451.5 KB)

Skills to Pay the Bills

[from DOLETA] The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and Office of Disability Employment Policy have issued Training and Employment Notice 48-11 which informs the workforce system of a curriculum for teaching soft skills or work readiness skills to youth.

The new publication – Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workforce Success – is designed to be used by youth service professionals assisting both in-school and out-of-school youth ages 14-21 with career and work readiness skills development.

The TEN provides the background on the development of this volume, describes the engagement of employers in identifying the competencies valued in the workplace, discusses the chapter structure of the document, and presents strategies for the presentation of the material.