Foundation Center - Funding Information Network
Welcome to Springfield City Library - Funding Information Network Newsletter
 
At a time when the competitive landscape for grants is so high we can work together to help build the capacity and fundraising skills of nonprofits in our local community.
 
Please consider contributing to this effort as we work to build a newsletter that will provide information on resources, tools, classes, and events across Western, MA.
 
"When you share your knowledge, you open a world of possibilities"
- Foundation Center
 
What is an RFP?
Requests For Proposals (RFPs) can be used by government agencies and foundations to announce funding opportunities in specific areas. RFPs are published so that any organization that might be qualified to participate can apply. Federal government agencies publish RFPs on their websites or at www.grants.gov. The Foundation Center publishes RFPs as a free service for grant-making organizations and nonprofits in the Philanthropy New Digest. This resource can be searched by location, subject, or keyword.
 
Recent RFP Announcements
Ben & Jerry's Foundation
Seeks proposals from Social and Environmental Justice Projects. One-year grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to grassroots community-organizing groups in the United States working to advance social and environmental justice and sustainable and just-food systems. Grants can be used for both programming and operational costs. Pre-proposals must be received no later than April 18. Upon review, select applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. More Information
 
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Accepting applications for Organizational Capacity Building. The Catalyst Fund provides one-time non-renewable grants up to $5,000 for a twelve-month period to help community-based health care organizations strengthen their capacity to expand access to health care in Massachusetts. Grants will only be made to Massachusetts-based organizations that serve the healthcare needs of uninsured and low-income residents of the state. Deadline: Rolling More Information
  
Braitmayer Foundation
Seeks Proposals for Innovative K-12 Education Programs. Of interest are curricular and school reform initiatives or the preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those which encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. The Foundation awards grants up to $35,000. Applications should be submitted online between February 1 and March 15 More Information
 
Captain Planet Foundation
Accepting applications from schools and nonprofit organizations for its Ecotech Grant program, an initiative to support projects that motivate children through science, technology, engineering, and math while challenging them to re-imagine the way their world can be. Grants of $2,500 will be awarded for projects that use nature-based design or technology to address an environmental problem in their community. Projects may replicate successful models or create new and innovative approaches. Deadline: July 15 More Information
 
Classics for Kids
The Foundation believes that playing a stringed instrument can transform a child, giving them experiences and skills that can help make them more successful in life. Matching grants of up to $5,000 are available to schools or nonprofit organization to incorporate fine string instruments into their music programs. To be eligible, public and private schools or nonprofit organizations must demonstrate need and a commitment to raising matching funds. Deadline: March 31 More Information
 
Fender Music Foundation
Announces Guitar Donations to Nonprofit Music Instruction Programs. The Fender Music Foundation awards instruments and equipment to eligible music instruction programs. These items are lightly used, blemished or otherwise imperfect and have been collected from manufacturers and retailers. Program is for music instruction programs that are part of 501c3 organizations or public schools in the United States. Deadline: Rolling More Information
 
Herb Society of America
Invites Applications for Herb Garden Grant from teachers in grades 3 through 9 for its 2018-19 Donald Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant.Through the program, the society will award up to four grants of $200 each to public and/or private school teachers to establish an indoor or outdoor herb garden. The funds may be used for supplies such as soil, plant trays, containers, child- or youth-sized tools, etc. The classrooms selected will receive three windowsill herb garden kits ,including pots, soil, seeds, and educational materials for use in the classroom. Deadline: October 1 More Information
 
Mary Kay Foundation
Accepting applications for Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program the foundation makes grants to organizations in the United States that operate emergency shelters for survivors of domestic violence. The foundation will award a grant to at least one domestic violence shelter in every state. Any remaining funds will be distributed based on state population. Grant applications are available at the Mary Kay Foundation website from January 15 to April 30, 2018 More Information
 
New England Foundation for the Arts
Seeks applications from performing arts presenters for its New England States Touring (NEST) grant program. The NEST program supports presentations of New England-based performing artists from outside a presenter's state. Grants are available in amounts of up to 50 percent of the artists' fees and typically range from $400 to $4,000. Applications must be received no later than April 2, 2018, for projects beginning on or after July 1, 2018. More Information
 
New England Grassroots Environment Fund
Seeks to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement through local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities and is accepting applications for its 2018 Grow Grant program. Grants of up to $3,500 will be awarded to established community groups that are ready to expand the scope of their work. Grants are intended to support groups that reflect the most exciting thinking in the environmental movement that are not being supported by traditional funders. Deadline: March 15 More Information
 
Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Seeks letters of inquiry for Healthy Aging Advocacy Projects. The foundation will consider policy/advocacy projects in the areas of the built environment, transportation, housing, social and civic participation and inclusion, employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. Letters of Inquiry must be received no later than July 20, 2018. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals no later than September 21, 2018. More Information
 
Do you know of an organization that could benefit from any of this information? Please share and support our community!
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Springfield City Library
 
Funding Information Network - Grant Writing 101 series
Location: Central Library, Springfield
 
INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL WRITING
March 27, 2018 | 2-4 pm - Free
 
Is your non-profit organization looking for grant funding?
 
This class will provide a quick overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation which will include: the basic elements of a proposal; the “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing and submitting a proposal; and how to follow up whether the answer is yes or no. NOTE:  This class will not cover applying to government entities for funding. Registration is required
 
SEARCHING FOUNDATION DIRECTORY ONLINE
March 29, 2018 | 2-4 pm - Free
 
Are you new to Foundation Center?  Learn the Tips & Tricks to searching the NEW Foundation Directory Online?
 
In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to identify grant makers most likely to fund your project. Designed specifically for non-profit organizations seeking grants this class will introduce you to the most comprehensive online prospect research tool with over 140,000+ grantmaker profiles.  We will demonstrate how you can use the database tools to refine your search for funders using keywords, subject areas, and population served. Augment your search with an introduction to the Foundation Center’s interactive mapping tool, Foundation Maps. Registration is required
 
Women in Philanthropy
 
Troublesome Board Members: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
March 13, 2018 |  8-9:30 am
Location: Delaney House, Holyoke
Fees: Basic, Student – $25.00, Non-member – $33.00
  
This session will discuss the governance and management implications of difficult board members and how to work with them. More Info
 
 
Grants & Fundraising Opportunities
Community Foundation
May 1, 2018 is Valley Gives Day! Registration for fiscally sponsored entities is now open.
Deadline: March 5 at noon. More Information
 
Mass Cultural Council
Cultural Investment Portfolio – Project Grants - CIP Projects grants are one year grants for specific cultural public programming, and are not for general operating support. Projects grantees receive a grant of $2,500 for a specific project. Deadline: May 1 More Information
 
Mass Humanities
Project Grant - Supports public humanities programming in almost all formats, including lectures, reading-and-discussion series, exhibits, walking tours, film pre-production and distribution projects, teacher education projects, and out-of-school humanities enrichment programs. March 26: Inquiry Form Deadline More Information
 
National Endowment for the Humanities
NEH’s new Infrastructure and Capacity-Building Challenge Grants program seeks to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities in the United States through matching grants to libraries, museums, archives, colleges and universities, historic sites, scholarly associations, and other cultural institutions for efforts that build institutional capacity or infrastructure for long-term sustainability. Deadline: March 15  More Information
Resources
Foundation Directory
Learn more about FREE access to the professional version of this online database available at the Central Library.
Springfield City Library
Learn more about the Funding Information Network and the resources you can access at the Central Library.
GrantSpace.org
Sign up with an e-mail and password for FREE access to all GrantSpace.org has to offer - right from the comfort of home.
Books
Social Startup Success : How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up, and Make a Difference
by Kathleen Kelly Janus

Presents five key strategies responsible for the breakout growth of the most successful social startups: testing ideas, measuring impact, funding experimentation, leading collaboratively, and telling compelling stories.Book Annotation
Starting & building a nonprofit : a practical guide
by Peri Pakroo

Provides practical business advice on setting up and managing a nonprofit, with discussions on financial strategies, tax-reporting rules, budgets, and the creation of a web site
How to form a nonprofit corporation : A Step-by-Step Guide to Forming a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Any State
by Anthony Mancuso

Provides background information and step-by-step instructions that nonprofits need to apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and qualify as a public charity with the IRS, including recent changes in the law
Stay Connected
Have something to share? SEND US your programs, news, and upcoming events.

Contact: Kim Sheridan - ksheridan@springfieldlibrary.org
 
Follow us on Twitter #SpfldMassLib_FIN
Join our Linked in Group
 

Central Library
220 State Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103
413-263-6828
www.springfieldlibrary.org