Literacy Education grants

The Department of Education (Department) announces the availability of approximately $14 million in grant funds to be awarded under section 231 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (20 U.S.C.A. § 9241) as well as approximately $12 million in grant funds to be awarded under the Pennsylvania Adult and Family Literacy Education Act (PAFLE) (24 P. S. §§ 6401—6409) for adult basic education and family programs in this Commonwealth. This announcement also serves as notice of availability of approximately $1.5 million for integrated English literacy and civics education programs (EL/Civics) as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.

 Activities to be conducted under these grants are to create partnerships among the Federal government, the Commonwealth, and local entities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and family literacy services. The intent of adult education and family literacy services is to assist adults to become literate; to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; to become full partners in the education and development of their children; and to complete their secondary school education.

 Priorities for WIA Section 231 funds include:

 • Adult education programs as previously described

 • A Statewide distance learning program

 Priorities for PAFLE funds include:

 • Adult education and family literacy programs as previously described

 • A Statewide family literacy technical assistance program

 • A Statewide technical assistance program for training volunteer adult literacy education instructors

Decision Associates grant

[from The Erie Community Foundation website] At a recent United Way Townhall meeting, United Way representatives reported that since 2008, 70% of Pennsylvania nonprofits reported budgets cuts in 2009 and 2010 and 77% reported flat or decreased funding from non-government sources such as grants. Even more alarming, 34% of these nonprofits turned away individuals due to lack of funding. It’s statistics like these, which prompted Decision Associates, a local consulting firm to give back to the nonprofit community. Decision Associates has committed $30,000 in free capacity building services to Erie’s nonprofit community.

Decision Associates is partnering with The Nonprofit Partnership and United Way to release a grant opportunity to the nonprofit community on April 20th. One local nonprofit will receive one year’s worth of capacity building services valued at $30,000. The program is designed to make a significant impact for one local nonprofit by addressing a series of needs that would make an impact on an organization’s success.

Don Moore and Sue Moore, owners of Decision Associates are excited to make this donation to the community. “Working with nonprofits, we’ve seen firsthand how funding continues to challenge the nonprofit community. When funding becomes scarce it becomes even more important that nonprofits look at creative ways to build their capacity. Doing so will allow them to carry out their mission beyond where they ever thought possible. Our goal is to help transform one local nonprofit and help further their mission,” Don and Sue Moore said.

Nonprofits can apply for capacity building services in the following areas:

• Leadership development
• Board development
• Fund development
• Strategic planning
• Market research
• Marketing and Communication planning
• Succession/Exit Planning

Local nonprofits interested in applying for this grant opportunity are asked to fill out a Needs Assessment by June 17th. The assessment can be found on the Nonprofit Partnership or Decision Associates websites.

www.thenonprofitpartnership.org
www.decisionassociates.net

After completing the Needs Assessment, qualified nonprofits will be notified and asked to complete a series of questions to address the specific needs of their organization. Decision Associates, United Way and the Nonprofit Partnership will review all applications and plan to announce the grant recipient in early fall.

Nonprofits interested in learning more about this grant opportunity and Decision Associate’s capacity building services are encouraged to attend a workshop on Wednesday, May 18th at 9am. Reservations are requested and can be sent to emilywachter@decisionassociates.net or by contacting Emily Wachter at 814.528.9407.

Outcome Measurement Workshop

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Foundation Center presents

Outcome Measurement

Friday, April 30, 2010

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

4400 Forbes Avenue (Oakland)

Are you ready for outcome measurement? Do you know the difference between an output and an outcome? This program will investigate the critical role of outcome measures to the success of a grant proposal and how important they are to the efficient operation of nonprofits and within the framework of overall program planning. This session is designed to:

1) Introduce basic tools for capturing client outcome information that goes beyond just the number of people served; 2) Discuss real-life issues in measuring and reporting outcomes; 3) Show how your organization can use outcome measurement as part of a strategy for decision-making, program design and evaluation. You'll become better prepared to get the facts you need to help your board deliberate the future, to help funders understand your results, and to help the community appreciate your accomplishments.

The speaker for this program will be Robert L. Goldbach, a Research Associate for HPW Associates LLC, a research and evaluation firm in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Goldbach has 28 years of experience helping organizations find the data they need for program planning and design, assessing needs, performing evaluations and conducting feasibility studies.

During his lengthy career in the Pittsburgh area, Mr. Goldbach has worked as a research specialist with the Health and Welfare Planning Association and Olszak Management Consulting, Inc.; was a founding partner of Community Research Associates; and has done independent consulting and teaching as well.

The fee to attend is $20.00 per person and includes a light continental breakfast. Registration is required by calling the Foundation Center at 412-622-6277. Please note that email registrations will not be accepted.

Helping Hands grant program

The American Psychiatric Foundation's Helping Hands Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to medical schools for mental health service projects that are created and managed by medical students, particularly in underserved minority communities. These projects can be conducted in partnership with community agencies or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities.

The program was established to encourage medical students to participate in community service activities, particularly those focused on underserved populations; raise awareness of mental illness and the importance of early recognition of illness; and build an interest amongst medical students in psychiatry and working in underserved communities. The program is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2011-2012 school year is May 25, 2011 (postmark date). You may obtain the application and instructions here. Be sure to follow all instructions. Only complete applications (application form, executive summary, project narrative, and budget) will be reviewed. Information on what to include in the budget and project narrative are included in the instructions.

Powering Economic Opportunity grant

[from Philanthropy News Digest] The eBay Foundation and Ashoka's Changemakers have launched "Powering Economic Opportunity: Create a World that Works," an international online competition to find the most innovative market-based approaches to creating economic opportunity and generating employment for disadvantaged populations.

The competition invites entries from and nominations of individuals, organizations, and collaborations that are working to expand the qualifications of disadvantaged citizens using technology or the Internet to connect job seekers to receptive employers, or spearheading a new way of helping businesses and entrepreneurs make the most of untapped talents among their labor force. The program seeks creative, collaborative approaches and technologies that advance broad-reaching skills and job-development strategies, disseminate and leverage employment information, and open access to new markets and jobs in order to ensure today's workers are prepared to meet the rapidly changing needs of the global economy.

To be eligible for awards, entries must indicate growth beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated impact and sustainability. While the competition's sponsors support new ideas at every stage and encourage their entry, the judges are better able to evaluate programs that are beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated some proof of impact. The best entries will be those that have demonstrated impact, are prepared to scale, and have sought partners to expand their reach.

Individuals, organizations, and collaborations from around the world are eligible to enter. Entries must be completed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

Five winners will each receive a cash prize of $50,000. Three entries submitted by the early entry deadline of May 11, 2011, will be selected to receive awards of $1,000. Selected entries will have the opportunity to establish a longer term partnership with the eBay Foundation.

Visit the Changemakers Web Site for complete competition information and entry procedures.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

New Options Project

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has announced a $28 million investment in the New Options Project, a multiyear initiative to create career pathways for out-of-school 16- to 24-year olds who are motivated to succeed but unable to find meaningful work.

The project seeks to help more than four million young adults with no high school diploma connect to career opportunities that match their talents and skills. The initiative will engage employers seeking entry-level workers and connect them to this often-overlooked demographic.

To meet the unique demands of different job markets, New Options will employ a "zone" strategy focused on states or regions such as Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New Mexico. In each zone, the initiative will test new ways of creating incentives for employers, schools, and community-based organizations to change how they work with disconnected young adults. At the same time, the project will work to identify specific barriers to the pursuit of meaningful career opportunities while developing partnerships and accessible, high-impact tools to help communities overcome these obstacles.

"Our ultimate goal is to transform the way employers and the public think about disconnected youth, demonstrating their employment value and contributions to society, while simultaneously disrupting the environment that allows them to remain so isolated," said Kellogg Foundation program officer Nadia Brigham. "We want to build a bridge between CEOs, managers, and human resources directors, and youth who have assets and passions to contribute to the workforce."

“W.K. Kellogg Foundation Announces Entrepreneurial Initiative for Disconnected Youth.” W.K. Kellogg Foundation Press Release 4/08/11.

New GAO report on one-stops, employment and training

The Government and Accountability Office has released a new report titled "Employment and Training Programs: Opportunities Exist for Improving Efficiency." One recommendation from the report states:

"We recently recommended that the Secretaries of Labor and HHS work together to develop and disseminate information that could inform such efforts, including information on state initiatives to consolidate program administrative structures and state and local efforts to colocate additional programs at one-stop centers. As part of this effort, we recommended that Labor and HHS examine the incentives for states and localities to undertake such initiatives and, as warranted, identify options for increasing them. In their responses, Labor and HHS agreed with our recommendations. In addition, GAO is currently examining innovative one-stop strategies to enhance collaboration with employers and economic development partners to better meet local labor market needs."

ReTool Erie - Special Events Next Week

Topic: The Few, The Proud, The Brave: Boards Who Fundraise

Time: Monday April 4 at 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Asbury Woods Nature Center - 4105 Asbury Road Erie, PA

Register For All Events Here

We kick off a month stocked with five major events on the topic of Fiscal Sustainability with this session on activating your Board to take your nonprofit to new financial heights. The essential element to a stable nonprofit is a Board of Directors directly involved in the fiscal health of the organization. This session will help your Board define the action steps necessary to strengthen your efforts.

Our Presenter - Sophie Penney, PhD

The word "catalyst"—a person who sparks change and enthusiasm—aptly describes Sophie Penney, the former director of development for the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts. Over the past five and half years, she led one of the largest fundraising units at Penn State, coordinating and collaborating with deans, department heads, volunteers and countless others to engage and inspire alumni and friends. Altogether Sophie raised $60 million in gifts for scholarships, graduate fellowships and endowed faculty position and program funds during her tenure. While she has recently assumed a new challenge as the inaugural director of development for Foxdale Village, a Quaker-based continuing care retirement community based in State College, PA., Sophie is continuing her affiliation with Penn State by teaching the inaugural section of a course titled American Philanthropy.

Topic: Beyond Fundraising 101: Raising More and Larger Gifts Than You Ever Imagined

Tuesday April 5th 9:30-11:00am

Location: Bel-Aire Conference Center 2800 West 8th Erie, PA

Register For All Events Here

Presenter: Sophie Penney, PHD

Many of us already enjoy broad support from a healthy donor base. This session provides valuable tips and latest practices for turning regular supporters into major donors.

Topic: Sustainability Planning That Gets Results: Part 1

Tuesday April 5th - 11:30-3:30

Location: Bel-Aire Conference Center 2800 West 8th Erie, PA

Facilitator: Michael Brand, MNO Project Officer, ReTool Erie

Register For All Events Here

Sustainability is not limited to fundraising. While fund development is a crucial part of all long range strategies, sustainability encompasses much more than the source of the next dollar. A true sustainability plan also includes strategies for getting more out of each dollar we have. These sessions present a clear framework for helping you think through all the elements that make up a successful sustainability plan. Those organizations that develop the capacity to think strategically and produce comprehensive plans will certainly be in a much stronger position to survive the uncertainties of the current economic and public funding environment

Note: Part 2 will be held Tuesday April 19th from 11:30-3:30 at the Tom ridge Environmental Center

Transition to Teaching grants

The Transition to Teaching program encourages (1) the development and expansion of alternative routes to full State teacher certification, as well as (2) the recruitment and retention of highly qualified mid-career professionals, recent college graduates, and highly qualified paraprofessionals as teachers in high-need schools operated by high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that operate as high-need LEAs. Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted electronically using the Grant.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). You may access the electronic grant application for Transition to Teaching program at http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.350, not 84.350A).The telephone number for the Grants.gov Helpdesk is 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail: support@grants.gov.

Link to Full Announcement

Transition to Teaching Grant Program CFDA 84.350A

HUD Family Self-Sufficiency Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that public housing agencies across the United States will receive nearly $54 million to link low-income families with the necessary education and job training to put them on the path to self-sufficiency.

Funded through HUD'sHousing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV/FSS), the grants allow public housing agencies (PHAs) to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program to help individuals already participating in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program increase their education or gain marketable skills that will enable them to obtain jobs that pay a living wage.

The funding allows local housing authorities to hire coordinators (or caseworkers) to link adults in the Housing Choice Voucher program to local organizations that provide job training, childcare, counseling, transportation and job placement.

Participants in the HCV/FSS program sign a contract that requires the head of the household to get a job and the family will no longer receive welfare assistance at the end of the five-year term. As the family's income rises, a portion of that increased income is deposited in an interest-bearing escrow account. If the family completes its FSS contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying back debts.

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a long-standing resource for increasing economic security and self-sufficiency among HCV participants. A new report just issued by HUD evaluated the effectiveness of the FSS Program. Conducted from 2005 to 2009, HUD's study shows the financial benefits are substantial for participants who remain and complete the program. This study is the second of a three-part series by HUD that evaluate the effects of the FSS program. The first study in the series found individuals who participated in the FSS program fared better financially than those who did not enroll in the program. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) will launch the third and final installment to complete this series this year.

PD&R will also launch two additional studies this year about the FSS program. The first study will examine whether FSS participants who were still enrolled when the Prospective Study ended went on to graduate from the FSS program and whether they met their goals for financial self-sufficiency. The second will study the effectiveness of the FSS program nationally. This will be the first national study of the FSS program as part of HUD's Transformation Initiative, which was created in 2010 to encourage more transparency and accountability within the agency.

News Release / Grant Summaries by State

Funding by Housing Authority / Project

JPMorgan Chase Facebook grant program

JPMorgan Chase has announced that it will commit an additional $25 million to the online giving program that invites Facebook users to help the bank determine which nonprofits should receive its philanthropic dollars.

Since its inception in 2009, the Chase Community Giving program has awarded $10 million to three hundred small, local charities in thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia while attracting more than 2.4 million "fans" to its Facebook page. The spring 2011 edition, which is set to begin on April 4, will focus on local charities with annual operating expenses between $1 million and $10 million. Plans are being developed for another program later this year that is geared toward smaller local charities. As in previous years, funding provided through the program is in addition to the bank's regular philanthropic giving, which totaled more than $100 million last year.

In the next iteration of the program, Chase will award $5 million over two funding rounds. The hundred organizations that receive the most votes by May 4 will each receive $25,000 and advance to the program's second round, where they will compete to receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $500,000. Starting May 19, Facebook users will be able to vote again. The twenty-five organizations with the most votes by May 25 will be announced as the winners.

As part of the program's 2011 kick-off, Chase hosted a forum on Facebook earlier this week in which social media and philanthropy thought leaders shared insights on how to use social media to help charities achieve their goals. "We've learned that the social media outreach process is extremely valuable — even for the charities that haven't finished among the winners," said JPMorgan Chase Foundation president Kimberly Davis. "We developed Chase Charity Insights to help all participating organizations take full advantage of social media best practices, to spread the word about their good works, and access new sources of financial support."

“Chase Commits $25 Million to Charities Through Chase Community Giving Program Over Next Two Years.” JPMorgan Chase Press Release 3/31/11.

Young Parents Demonstration

The Employment and Training Administration has announced the availability of approximately $5.5 million authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 to support applicants in providing intensive mentoring services to low-income young parents (both mothers and fathers, and expectant parents ages 16 to 24) participating in workforce development programs.

Activities under this Solicitation for Grant Applications are authorized under Section 171(b) of the Workforce Investment Act, which allows for demonstration and pilot projects for the purpose of developing and implementing techniques and approaches, and demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized methods, in addressing employment and training needs.

Applicants must currently be operating a program for young parents that includes educational and occupational skills training, case management and supportive services that lead to family economic self-sufficiency. Funded projects will be encouraged to serve young parents in high-risk categories, including those who are victims of child abuse, children of incarcerated parents, court-involved youth, youth at-risk of court involvement, homeless and runaway youth, Indian and Native American youth, migrant youth, youth in or aging out of foster care, and youth with disabilities.

The closing date for applications is April 29, 2011.

News Release

Solicitation

Dollar General Literacy grants

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides support to schools, libraries, and literacy-based nonprofit organizations throughout Dollar General’s thirty-five-state market. The foundation is now accepting applications for Back to School Literacy Grants and Youth Literacy Grants.

Back to School Grants provide funding to help school libraries and media centers meet some of the financial challenges they face in the following areas: implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs; purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives; and purchasing books, materials, or software for literacy programs. Applicants must be K-12 public, private, or charter schools. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded.

Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations working to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Applicants must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, a K-12 private or public school, a college or university, or a public library. Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded.

All applicant organizations must reside in and provide direct service within Dollar General's thirty-five-state market area and must be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store.

For complete grant guidelines, eligibility quiz, application procedures, and store locator, visit the Dollar General Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Erie Innovation Fund Accepting Applications

There’s still time to apply to the Erie Innovation Fund. The purpose of the fund, which is a partnership between the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, is to give Erie’s tech-based entrepreneurs and small manufacturers access to local investment capital.

To date, more than a dozen companies that are involved in new product/process development have inquired about the application process. Screening of the applicants and the subsequent review of the proposals will be based on Ben Franklin’s existing due diligence process. However, a local panel of experts and potential investors is being convened to help evaluate submitted proposals.

Companies that receive funding will also have the opportunity to get business mentoring and support from the Ben Franklin Transformation Business Services Network.

Business owners who are interested in applying for funding, or potential investors who want to participate in the Advisory Board, should contact Ben Franklin’s Erie Office at 898-6650.