Minority Health Mini-Grant Program

Office of Minority Health, New York State Department of Health

The Department of Health invites applications from not-for-profit community-based organizations to implement small-scale, short-term, well-defined projects designed to achieve targeted reductions in risks associated with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease and stroke in racial and ethnic minority communities. The goal of the program is to support well-developed community health promotion and disease risk reduction projects that recognize communities as assets; actively engage members of racial and/or ethnic groups targeted; and integrate principles of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
ELIGIBILITY:  Community-based not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, and that have a track record of providing services to racial and ethnic minorities in New York State.
FUNDING:  It is anticipated that eight mini-grants of $10,000 each will be awarded.
DEADLINE:  5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2006.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.health.state.ny.us. Inquiries must be submitted, in writing, by October 18, 2006. Responses will be mailed on October 25, 2006 to all those who submitted inquires and to any organization that mails a request to Kristen M. Van Amburgh, Coordinator, Mini-Grant Program, NYS Department of Health, Office of Minority Health, Corning Tower, Room 780, Albany, New York 12237-0092.

Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvements

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

Applications are being accepted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for financial assistance to support the costs of construction, renovation, alteration, rehabilitation, improvement or repair of fairground buildings or facilities used to house and promote agriculture.
ELIGIBILITY:  Agricultural or horticultural corporations and county extension service associations that are eligible to receive premium reimbursements pursuant to section 286 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
FUNDING:  $3 million is available for this program. Each eligible applicant shall receive $30,000 plus a portion of the remaining amount available, based upon the average five-year total attendance of each such event from 2001 through 2005. In situations where two or more eligible applicants cooperate to sponsor one fair or exposition, those organizations shall be considered one applicant for purposes of receiving funds under this program.
DEADLINE:  Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on March 30, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit the Funding Opportunities section of the Department’s web site at www.agmkt.state.ny.us. All questions must be submitted in writing (fax and e-mail will be accepted) by March 15, 2007 to Karen Dybas at NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, 10B Airline Drive, Albany New York 12235 or karen.dybas@agmkt.state.ny.us.

Public Library Construction Grant Program

New York State Education Department

The Public Library Construction Grant Program will provide $14 million in capital funds to New York State libraries to meet pressing needs for construction, renovation, and rehabilitation, particularly those projects that will improve library access for New Yorkers with disabilities.
ELIGIBILITY:  Public libraries in New York State. Local libraries must submit all application materials to their library system, which will set the deadline for receipt. Libraries with multiple buildings may submit more than one application, but only one application per building.
FUNDING:  Libraries could be eligible for funding for up to 50% of a project; the minimum grant award is $2,500, meaning no award will be made for any project with a total cost of less than $5,000. There is no maximum award, but the amounts of the awards will depend on the number of project applications received and the total funding available to the library system. Information on the allocation of funds throughout the state can be found at the web site mentioned below. Libraries may use local, state, or federal public funds, private funds, or a combination of funds from those sources for the required match.
DEADLINE:  5:00 p.m., December 29, 2006. However, the State Library encourages libraries to submit project applications to their public library system as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for system review and system board approval. Please contact your local public library system to find out their due date.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  For the grant application and instructions, an application checklist, and a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions, as well as information on the allocation of funds throughout the state, visit www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/construc/grants.htm.

. . . Foundations and Organizations

Sacred Sites Program for Preservation of Historic Religious Buildings

The New York Landmarks Conservancy

The Sacred Sites Program is comprised of the Sacred Sites Fund, which provides congregations with grants for exterior restoration projects; Consulting Grants, which are for congregations to retain professional services for the preservation of historic houses of worship; and Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge Grants, which are matching grants for large-scale church restoration projects.
ELIGIBILITY:  Eligible properties include, but are not limited, to churches, synagogues, meetinghouses, mosques, and temples. To be eligible for a grant, properties must be located in New York State; owned by a religious institution and actively used for worship; and listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places or designated pursuant to a local landmarks ordinance by New York State. There is an additional Consulting Grant Program that is for congregations in New York City only.
FUNDING:  The maximum grant amount for the Sacred Sites Fund is $10,000 and no grant shall exceed half the project cost. The maximum Consulting Grant is $7,500 and no grant shall exceed half the project cost. Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge Grants are matching grants of $25,000 to $50,000.
DEADLINE:  Sacred Sites Fund grants and Upstate Consulting grants have two annual deadlines, November 1 and May 1; the New York City Consulting Grants applications are considered as they are submitted; May 1 is the yearly deadline for the Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  The first step in applying for a grant is to discuss the project with a representative of the Scared Sites Program by calling (212) 995-5260 or by e-mailing Elizabeth McTigue at emctigue@nylandmarks.org. You may also visit www.nylandmarks.org.

Farmer Grant Program

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

The goal of this program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the SARE region, which includes New York State. Sustainable practices are defined as those that are profitable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to the community.
ELIGIBILITY:  Farmers in the SARE region. Applicants need not be farming full time, but the operation should have an established crop or animal product that is sold on a regular basis. Nonprofit farms may apply, but the primary activity of the farm must be to produce and sell food under the kinds of economic constraints that affect commercial growers. Many community-supported farms qualify, but farms where the primary mission is educational normally do not.
FUNDING:  Grants average about $5,200 with a cap of $10,000 on any single grant.
DEADLINE:  Proposals must be postmarked by December 22, 2006.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.uvm.edu/~nesare/grants.html, call (802) 656-0471, or e-mail nesare@uvm.edu for program information.

Toolbox for Education Grant Program

Lowe's

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation has established the Lowe's Toolbox for Education Foundation to empower parents and further encourage their involvement in their children's schools.
ELIGIBILITY:  Any nonprofit K-12 school (including charter, parochial, private, etc.) or parent group (associated with a nonprofit K-12 school) that has a group tax ID number and official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Parent groups that do not have 501(c)(3) status should apply through their school. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored.
FUNDING:  Up to $5,000 per school is available.
DEADLINE:  October 15, 2006 and February 15, 2007. The program will only be accepting 1,500 applications per grant period. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to be sure they are considered to receive a grant.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.toolboxforeducation.com for complete program information and application procedures.

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Buffalo, October 16-20, hosted by Junior League of Buffalo; and Troy, November 6-10, hosted by Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Greater Capital Region.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $825, which includes one-year enrollment in the TGCI Membership Program. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to agencies with annual budgets of less than $300,000.

To register or to apply for a scholarship, contact TGCI at (800) 421-9512 or visit www.tgci.com.

Interpreters will be present at the Buffalo workshop to assist participants who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you require the services of an interpreter, notify the TGCI Registrar at least two weeks prior to the workshop.

Nonprofit Central NY/NJ

Nonprofit Central NY/NJ is a new website where nonprofit leaders can ask a question of an experienced consultant on a topic such as grant writing, grant research, board development and much more. You can also post volunteer opportunities and jobs online for free. Visit http://www.npocentral.net.

The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center is holding the following classes:

Proposal Budgeting Workshop on October 20, 2006 in New York City. This class will examine the budget's role within a proposal, budgets for specific projects or general operating support, multi-year budgets, and more.

Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course, October 24, 2006 in New York City and October 31, 2006 in Buffalo. This class is designed for beginners and will show organizations how to identify potential funders and prepare to seek grants. Case studies and group exercises will help organizations assess fundraising readiness.

Proposal Writing Seminar, November 8, 2006 in New York City. This class will teach attendees techniques for writing proposals, the components of a grant proposal package, how to build strong working relationships with grantmakers, how to resubmit a grant proposal, new trends in grantmaking, how to report on a grant’s progress and impact, and more.

For more information on these and other scheduled classes, visit www.fdncenter.org or contact the Foundation Center at 79 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10003-3076; (212) 620-4230.