Foundation Center - Funding Information Network
Welcome to Springfield City Library - Funding Information Network Newsletter
 
"Find the knowledge you need to make a difference."
- Foundation Center
 
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GrantSpace.org - "GrantSpace provides users with in-person and on-demand trainings, knowledge tools, live help, and opportunities to convene with like-minded peers and experts in the social sector". Available for free online from your home or office 24/7! Have a pressing question? Use the LIVE CHAT service available 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM EDT. Just Sign-up for an Account.
 
Take advantage of the self-paced learning opportunities!
Introduction to Proposal Writing
 
Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? 
This online class will provide an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It includes:
  • The basic elements of a proposal
  • The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal
  • How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no
Recent RFP & Grant Announcements
A Little Hope
Is currently offering Youth Bereavement Support Services Grants. To be considered, applicants must e-mail (no telephone calls, please) the name of their program, website address, names of executive director and program director, and the location of the program. No other information is needed or will be processed. Strong preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to the use of community-trained volunteers. Grant award amounts are based on the scope and budget of the project. Deadline: Introductory e-mails are accepted year-round. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. More Information
 
Boulware Foundation
Seeks to Increase Economic Opportunities for Women and Girls. The foundation's goal is to fund domestic and international programs aimed at empowering women economically and moving them toward financial freedom. The foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 in support of projects or programs aligned with the foundation's areas of interest, including financial literacy education, workforce and vocational skill development, microfinance, and entrepreneurship. In every case, women and girls must be the targeted beneficiary population. Deadline: Rolling More Information
 
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
2018 Overview of CFWM Grant Program
 
CAPACITY -  Competitive grants to provide internal organizational capacity building activities and initiatives that increase effectiveness of non-profits in the Pioneer Valley. For 501c3 organizations with projects directly benefiting residents of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Most grants expected to be $10,000; maximum grants up to $15,000. Opens: 7/9/18 Deadline: 9/7/18
 
CAPITAL - Competitive grants to support: a) capital projects with a life span of (3) years or more.
b) capital campaigns for new building construction or renovations. c) land purchases for public benefit. For 501c3 organizations with projects directly benefiting residents of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Capital Projects: Requests from $2,500 up to 20,000.
Capital Campaigns: Up to $30,000. Opens: 7/9/18 Deadline: 9/14/18
 
CRITICAL - To provide support on a temporary basis to organizations experiencing operating issues.  For 501c3 organizations with projects directly benefiting residents of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Requests from $5,000-$20,000 to support up to a 3 month timeframe. Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis annually.
 
More Information - Contact the Program Manager
 
Farm Credit East
Accepting applications for AgEnhancement Grant Program. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to help organizations promote awareness of and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest products in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. Eligible projects include those that promote the development of young and beginning farmers; encourage leadership; develop a greater understanding of agriculture; recognize the accomplishments of ag leaders; study the economic viability of agriculture; promote interest in the industry; and/or affect the Northeast. Deadline: August 1, 2018 More Information
 
Green Education Foundation
The Green Education Foundation, in partnership with Gardener's Supply Company, is accepting applications from schools and youth groups for its Green Thumb Challenge. A prize of $500 will be awarded to a school or youth group to advance the sustainability of a successful youth garden program that has impacted the lives of kids and their community. Applicants must submit a chronicle of their project, including photographs and descriptions.To be eligible, applicants must be a school or youth group with existing garden program involving youth in grades K-12. The program will not consider proposals for gardens that do not yet exist. Deadline: September 30, 2018 More Information
 
Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
 
The application process for the LB21 program has two phases. In the first phase, all applicants must submit a two-page preliminary proposal by the deadline listed below. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals in the second phase of the process. Invited full proposals will be due March 20, 2019. Deadline: Preliminary Proposal - September 17, 2018
Grant Program Webinars:
  • Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern
  • Wednesday, July 25, 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern
 
Levitt Foundation
Call for Applications for the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards program. Through the program, grants of up to $25,000 in matching funds will be awarded to a minimum of fifteen U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or municipalities partnering with a nonprofit, to present a minimum of ten free outdoor concerts presented over ten consecutive weeks between May 1 and November 15, 2019. To be eligible, all proposed Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series must take place in the United States, in small to mid-sized towns and cities with a population of up to 400,000 people, or within a metropolitan area with a population of no more than 1 million. For towns or cities located within a metropolitan area with a population that exceeds 1 million, the town or city must be at least twenty-five miles from the anchor city of the metropolitan area. Application: Opens July 17 More Information
 
MassWorks 2018 Round Opens
The MassWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant program that provides a robust and flexible source of capital funds for municipalities and other eligible public entities to complete public infrastructure projects that support and accelerate housing and job growth throughout the Commonwealth. In 2018, MassWorks will continue its commitment to preparing communities for success and contributing to the long term strength and sustainability of our Commonwealth with a particular emphasis on projects that support the production of multi-family housing in appropriately located walkable mixed-use districts, result in direct and immediate job creation, and/or that support economic development in weak or distressed areas. The online portal to prepare and submit your proposal is now available.  Also available are the updated MassWorks Program Guidelines, and a template of the 2018 application for reference. Deadline: Completed applications will be accepted between July 30 and Aug. 10, 2018. More Information
 
National Alliance for Grieving Children 
Accepting applications from local child bereavement organizations for programs that bring grief support services to youth from ethnically diverse or low-income communities not served by existing bereavement programs. Through the Grief Reach program, NAGC will award Community Expansion and Capacity Building grants of up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in support of programs designed to have a direct impact on children. Fifty percent of the children served must be from low-income families or from minority communities Deadline: July 26 More Information
 
National Endowment for the Arts
Invites Creative Placemaking Proposals for Our Town Grant Program which supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. The Our Town Grant Program offers support for projects in two areas:
 
1) Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, and Design Projects: Require a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, with one of the partners being a cultural organization. Matching grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000. 
 
2) Projects That Build Knowledge About Creative Placemaking: These projects are available to arts and design service organizations and industry or university organizations that provide technical assistance to those doing place-based work. Matching grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000.
 
Deadlines: Part 1 - Submit SF-424 to Grants.gov August 9, 2018. Part 2  - Submit Materials to Applicant Portal August 14-21, 2018 More Information
 
NEA Foundation 
Through its Learning and Leadership program, the foundation awards grants of up to $2,000 to public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff at public institutions of higher education for participation in high-quality professional development experiences such as summer institutes or action research.To be eligible, applicants must be a public school educator in grades pre-K-12, public school education support professionals, or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions. The foundation encourages applications from education support professionals; preference will be given to members of the National Education Association. Deadline: October 15  More Information
 
Patagonia
Accepting applications for Grassroots Environmental Campaigns. Grants of up to $12,000 will be awarded in support of projects that are action-oriented, build public involvement and support, focus on root causes, and demonstrate a commitment to long-term change. Deadline: Rolling More Information
 
PeopleForBikes
The PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program supports bicycle infrastructure projects and targeted advocacy initiatives that make it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to ride. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to support bicycle infrastructure projects such as bike paths, lanes, trails, and bridges; mountain bike facilities; bike parks and pump tracks; BMX facilities; and end-of-trip facilities such as bike racks, bike parking, and bike storage. To be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit organization with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development; a city or county agency or department; or a state or federal agency working locally. Deadline:  LOIs must be received no later than July 23. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by October 19.More Information
 
Society of Aviation & Flight Educators
Accepting applications for its 2017 K-12 Classroom Teacher Grant program. Grants of up to $250 will be awarded to K-12 classroom teachers to incorporate aviation-themed lessons into their regular curriculum. An individual teacher or a group of teachers from the same school may apply for a grant to support the design of an aviation-themed classroom unit or complete an aviation-themed project. For example, a SAFE grant could be used to pay for a bus and admission fees for students to visit an aviation museum, go on a field trip to the local airport, buy materials to build a balsa wood glider or model rocket, or fund another type of project with an aviation or aerospace theme. Any credentialed teacher in a public, private, or charter school may apply for a grant. Local STEM coordinators and homeschooling cooperatives may also apply for a grant Deadline: August 31 More Information
 
TD Charitable Foundation
Accepting Applications for the Nonprofit Employee Training Program. Through the fund, grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to eligible community-based organizations so that employees can attend an approved class/course that enhances their job performance. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and have a mission/focus that promotes affordable housing for low- to moderate-income individuals, increased economic (small business) development, financial literacy for low- and moderate-income people, or afterschool or extracurricular programming for low- and moderate-income children. Deadline: Rolling More Information
 
U.S. Soccer Foundation
Is accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Safe Places to Play program, which provides grants to organizations to help them build or enhance a field space in their communities. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for the installation of field surfaces, lighting, and irrigation for field space in urban settings.To be eligible, an applicant must apply on behalf of a program or project operating in the U.S., and be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, school, municipality, college or university, or sovereign tribal nation. Deadline: September 3, 2018 (Letters of Inquiry) More Information
 
United Way of Hampshire County
Is requesting applications from local agencies to receive federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Local agencies that provide emergency food, shelter, and rental or utility assistance are invited to apply for funding under the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP). EFSP is a public/private partnership that distributes federal funds to local organizations through a competitive process overseen by a local volunteer board. United Way of Hampshire County administers the area’s EFSP program. The application can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZVPPX8 Deadline: Applications are due Friday, July 20 More Information:  For complete eligibility guidelines, please contact Erin Cahillane at United Way of Hampshire County, erin@uwhampshire.org or call 413-584-3962 x100.
 
Walmart Foundation
Is accepting Applications for Community Grant Program for grants of up to $5,000 to support local nonprofit organizations in the areas of hunger relief and healthy eating, sustainability, women's economic empowerment, and/or career opportunities. Proposed projects should benefit the community at large. Deadline: December 31, 2018 More Information
 
 
Do you know of an organization that could benefit from any of this information? Please share and support our community!
Upcoming Conferences, Classes & Workshops
 
Google
Join Google for Workshops (pre-register), One-On-One Coaching, Hands-On Demos, Networking, & Online Resources
Date: July 9
Location: Mass Mutual Center, Springfield
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Drop in for 5 minutes or stay the whole day.
Cost: Free
The Springfield City Library is proud to be a Local Partner
 
New England Grass Roots Environment Fund
Save The Date - 2018 Conference - Building Resilient Communities
Date: December 7 & 8, 2018
Location: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
 
Western Massachusetts Score
Creating An Online Presence For Your Business - Springfield
Date: July 19, 2018
Location: LaQuinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Westover Room, 2nd Floor   Springfield, MA 01104
Time: 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Cost: $15.00
More Information & to Register
 
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
How to say it--grantwriting : write proposals that grantmakers want to fund
by Deborah Koch

Presents the necessary tools to craft an effective, attention-grabbing grant proposal, including information on how to find out which funders best fit the project, and strategies for figuring out what grantors like to see..
Grant writing for dummies
by Beverly A. Browning

Provides information on grant writing, covering such topics as identifying key grant makers worldwide, playing and winning the grant games, writing a competitive application, and increasing the funding success rates
Winning grants step by step : the complete workbook for planning, developing, and writing successful proposals
by Tori O'Neal-McElrath

Winning Grants offers an accessible approach to the grant-writing process. Now in its fourth edition, this new book redefines the proven step-by-step framework to incorporate significant changes that have taken place in the grantseeking landscape since the third edition was published in 2008. It features information on the role of technology (more foundations are going paperless and conducting application submissions via online websites); the explosive growth of donor advised funds the differences in approach between new projects and existing/continuing projects; and techniques for submitting grant proposals to larger foundations versus smaller foundations
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