COMMON GROUND CONSULTING LLC

International Grants & Awards International Grants & Awards

 

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Grants (Deadline: January 1, 2011)

The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund supports projects that contribute to the conservation of endangered or threatened species, their habitats, and the communities that surround them worldwide. The Fund seeks to support established conservation programs that contain a strong in site component (scientific field studies), promote education and community engagement, and demonstrate a significant benefit to in-country participants, habitats, and species by working with local communities, regional/national non-governmental organizations, or governments. The Fund supports programs around the world, including North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and marine environments. Applicant organizations must have U.S. nonprofit status; non-governmental organizations outside the U.S. can apply in partnership with a U.S. organization. Letters of inquiry must be submitted prior to receiving an invitation to apply. Beginning November 1, 2010 applicants whose letters of inquiry have been approved will be sent a request for proposals. The Fund recommends that all applicants submit their letters of inquiry by January 1, 2011 at the latest. Invited proposals are due by January 25, 2011. Visit the Fund's website for program priorities and application instructions: www.dwcf-rfp.com

 

Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center: Cultural Development Program Grants (Deadline: January 31, 2011)

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) provides multilateral financing and expertise for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB Cultural Center's Cultural Development Program makes small grants for cultural initiatives with social and economic impact in IDB member countries. The objectives of the program are to recognize and stimulate the activities of cultural development centers; promote the restoration and preservation of historical cultural heritage; support the education of cultural facilitators; and support the development of artistic manifestations such as craft making, visual and plastic arts, music, dance, theater, literature, or any other area of cultural expression that benefits individual and community development. Legally registered nonprofit institutions with a minimum of five years of experience in the cultural and artistic fields may apply. Grants range from $3,000 to $10,000. Proposals must be submitted through the IDB Country Office in the country where the project is to be carried out. The IDB Country Offices will accept proposals from October 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011. Please click here to visit the IDB Cultural Center's website for application guidelines and Country Office contact information.

 

Starbucks Shared Planet Youth Action Grants (Deadline: January 31, 2011)

The Starbucks Foundation is accepting applications from organizations that provide young people a continuum of opportunities to develop creative approaches to address pressing concerns in their communities. Grants are 10,000 to $30,000(USD) on average. Funding will be considered based on numbers of beneficiaries served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, and size of operating budget. Please complete a letter of inquiry for your organization. The Starbucks Foundation will contact you if we'd like to request a full grant proposal. Successful grant applicants will exhibit all of the following qualities: Deliver services to youth, ages 6 - 24; Preference will be given to organizations that focus on young people in the age range of 12 and older, when they are able to take independent action; Provides opportunity to combine learning with action that support communities and further global citizenship; Deliver services, disseminate information, provide training and/or build broad networks; Provide opportunities for Starbucks partners and multiple stores to be engaged in community service. The Starbucks Foundation reviews the submissions on an annual basis; letters of inquiry submitted between October 1, 2010 and January 31, 2011 will be reviewed and considered for the spring 2011 grant round. For more information, visit: www.starbucksfoundation.com.

 

JPMorgan Chase Foundation Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation welcomes grant inquiries from non-governmental organizations working internationally in the Foundation's three focus areas: community development; youth education; and arts and culture. Of particular interest are requests in the areas of microfinance and support for small business development; low-income housing; youth education in low-income communities; and arts and culture projects aimed at promoting asset development in low-income communities. To be considered for a grant, an organization must be working in one of the countries outside the U.S. where JPMorgan Chase has a grants program. Please click here for more information about the grant application process and determining your organization's eligibility.

 

PepsiCo Foundation Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)

The PepsiCo Foundation seeks to foster healthy, vibrant, and self-sufficient communities worldwide through global partnerships that improve the quality of life across communities in areas of great need. Grants provide support in the areas of health, including food security and improved nutrition; environment, including water security, sustainable agriculture, and adaptive approaches to climate change; and education, including access to education and training for the underserved and women's empowerment. The Foundation aims to provide support to underserved regions across the globe. Registered nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) organizations in the United States or the equivalent internationally) are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $100,000 are accepted through the Foundation's letter of interest application process. Letters of interest may be submitted year round. Guidelines for submitting a letter of interest are available by clicking here.

 

U.S. Grants & Awards

 

State Farm Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership and Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Awards (Deadline: October 29)

The State Farm Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership Award recognizes those who have equipped young people in public schools to lead and serve, both through their direct work with youth and by nurturing other practitioners. Nominations are accepted from the general public, and a committee of leaders from the service-learning field selects the winners. Please Click Here for More Information.

The State Farm Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Award recognizes public school K-12 service-learning programs and projects that demonstrate outstanding youth leadership. The award focuses on projects showing a high level of youth initiative in all areas including identifying the authentic need, planning the service, and putting that plan into action. Teams of young people participating in K-12 service-learning projects can apply. Please Click Here for More Information.

The State Farm Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership and Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Awards are programs of NYLC and will be presented during the State Farm Awards Celebration at the National Service-Learning Conference on Friday, April 8. The application deadline for both awards is October 29.

 

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards (Deadline: November 1)

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level. The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. To be eligible, a student must be in grades 5-12 as of November 1, a legal resident of a U.S. state, have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the last 12 months, and submits a completed application to a school principal or head of a designated local organization by November 1. 12 students will receive the maximum award of $1,000 and a trip to Washington, DC. For more information and to apply, please visit http://spirit.prudential.com.

 

Youth Garden Grants (Deadline: November 1)

Home Depot and the National Gardening Association (NGA) are partnering again to offer the Youth Garden Grants, given to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs.  Priorities will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration, nutrition or plant-to-food connections, environmental awareness/education, entrepreneurship, social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible.  Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so, but must wait one year (e.g., if you won in 2010, you can apply again in 2012) and have significantly expanded their garden programs. This year, 100 grants are available, with five programs receiving gift cards valued at $1000 (a $500 gift card to Home Depot and a $500 gift card to the Gardening with Kids catalog, and educational materials from the National Gardening Association.  Ninety-five programs will receive a $500 gift card to Home Depot and educational materials from NGA.  For more information, please visit www.kidsgardening.org/ygg.asp.

 

Tiger Woods Foundation Grants (Deadline: November 1)

Tiger Woods Foundation grants provide opportunities underserved youth, focusing on programs and projects that enhance the learning process for children, and transitional programs for young adults to become productive community members. Maximum award: $25,000. Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations; In 2010, the Tiger Woods Foundation's geographic focus will primarily be in the following locations: California, Washington, D.C., Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, Pennsylvania and Virgina. For more information, visit: http://web.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/programs/grants/index.

 

Echoing Green Fellowships (Deadline: November 12)

The two-year Echoing Green Fellowship program will provide start-up capital and technical assistance to help new leaders launch their organizations and build capacity.  This highly-competitive award will give 12-20 individuals $60,000, or two-person partnerships a grant of $90,000 to support their work.  In addition, a health insurance stipend, yearly professional development stipend, access to conferences led by organizational development experts, technical support, and other benefits are included in the package.  The application will open on October 12, and the deadline to submit is November 12.  For eligibility and more information, please visit www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship/application-overview.

 

Project Ignition Grants (Deadline: November 15)

Applications for $2,000 grants are now available online for high school students and adults interested in addressing teen driver safety through service-learning initiatives. State Farm and the National Youth Leadership Council are proud to continue their collaboration on Project Ignition in this seventh year. Students and staff from any public high school in the U.S. and in the Canadian Provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick can apply.  Applications are due November 15, 2010, and twenty-five high schools will receive $2,000 grants in December, 2010 to support implementation of their programs between January and April, 2011.  To apply, please visit www.sfprojectignition.com.

 

Office Depot Foundation Grants (Deadline: November 15)

The Foundation's funding focus includes: Making a Difference in Children's Lives - to support activities that serve, teach and inspire children, youth and families; Building Communities - to support civic organizations and activities that serve the needs of our community; and Disaster Relief - to support disaster relief efforts of recognized national, regional and local agencies, and to provide disaster relief to Office Depot associates who have experienced catastrophic loss. An online eligibility survey and grant application can be found on the Grant Making Guidelines page. Applications are retrieved on a monthly basis and are reviewed by a committee. Please allow at least 12 weeks after you submit your completed application before you receive a response. Grant amounts will be a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $3,000 (very limited). The majority of grants issued are in the vicinity of $1,000 and are supported by in-kind donations when inventory allows. The Office Depot Foundation will accept applications for the current funding cycle through November 15, 2010. Learn more at: www.officedepotfoundation.com/funding.asp.

 

2011 SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards (Deadline: December 1)

Since 1993, the awards have recognized the outstanding efforts of students across the country who are working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. Over the last 17 years, we've awarded $1.7 million to more than 150 schools and community organizations in 35 U.S. states/territories. 8 winning groups will receive $10,000 to benefit the award-winning project and an all-expenses-paid trip for three (3) students and one (1) adult leader to a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park for a special awards event. Previous award-winning projects have tackled a wide variety of environmental problems, including but not limited to: habitat restoration, school yard beautification, energy and waste reduction, environmental education and community outreach, wildlife protection, and natural resource conservation. Learn more at: www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea/index.htm.

 

AmeriCorps State and National (Deadline: January 25)

CNCS is looking for high-impact organizations across America to submit their strongest applications for how to use AmeriCorps members to address pressing social problems. If the President's fiscal year 2011 budget request is fully funded, the agency anticipates approximately $311 million to be available for new, recompeting, and continuation grants in all of the AmeriCorps State and National grant categories, and $1 million for AmeriCorps planning grants. This funding will make a focused investment in the six national issue priorities identified in the Serve America Act of improving education, energy conservation, the health of all Americans, and economic opportunity for economically vulnerable individuals; increasing service by and for veterans; and providing disaster services. Public or private nonprofit organizations, including labor organizations, faith-based and other community organizations; institutions of higher education; government entities within states or territories (e.g., cities, counties); Indian Tribes; partnerships and consortia; and intermediaries planning to subgrant funds awarded are eligible to apply. The Corporation encourages organizations that have never received funding from the Corporation or AmeriCorps to apply for these grants. Applications to the Corporation are due January 25, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and successful applicants will be notified in early June 2011. Please Click Here for More Information.

 

Do Something Seed & Growth Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)

Are you working to start a community action project or program? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? If you answered, "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Seed Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Seed Grant every week to help young people just like YOU!  Do Something Seed Grants are targeted towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started. These grants can be used to jump-start your program or to realize your ideas for the first time. These are grants for all types of community action projects around causes that you care about and are important in your community! Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission. www.dosomething.org/grants/seedgrants

Did you create a sustainable community action project, program or organization that you want to grow? Are you looking for funding to take your already successful project to the next level? If you answered "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Growth Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Growth Grant every week to help young people just like YOU! Do Something Growth Grants are targeted towards projects that are already developed and sustainable. These grants go towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact.Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission. Apply here: www.dosomething.org/grants/growthgrants

 

Defining Civil Society

So I have a lot of bright, creative friends and colleagues in this network and I could use your help today.

Many of you know that I've been working on a couple of projects in Afghanistan for the past year. In fact, I'm back in Kabul at the moment drafting a road map for where some of this work should take us next.

The plan I'm writing is the result of a year-long effort to determine the most effective strategy for strengthening institutions and building wider public support for organizations and individuals working within Afghan civil society (CS)—particularly NGOs.

By improving the transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness of civil society organizations (CSOs) and by engaging government, local and international donors and partners, and existing NGOs and their stakeholders, it is our belief that local actors in Afghan civil society can make a significant positive impact on development and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

After a few trips here and to Pakistan, a lot of research, dozens and dozens of interviews and conversations, things are starting to move quickly. I'm really excited about where we are in the process, especially as local stakeholders are really driving the process.

CIVIL SOCIETY is often simply defined as “The arena, outside of the family, state and market where people associate to advance a common set of interests.”

Another good way to describe it comes from my client, who defines civil society as “Organizations and actors committed to the public good and powered by voluntary energies.”

Despite the term civil society being in common use among the more urban and/or educated in Afghanistan, neither of the above definitions adequately capture the breadth of Afghan civil society; Neither the Farsi nor Pashto translations explain the concept in a way that makes “cultural sense” to many Afghans.

In fact, even among donors and international organizations, there is no clear consensus on the meaning of the term.

In provocative new research by Elizabeth Winter, she suggests that the term civil society has become “synonymous in the minds of most donors, and the public, with NGOs; perhaps because they are more easily identifiable and accessible than other components of civil society.”

In Afghanistan, if we are to improve the perception of civil society, that term itself must become more expansive and representative of the many actors helping to achieve the will of the people.

Perhaps the most valuable contribution of her research, at least for our purposes, is a proposed definition of the term civil society that seems much more suitable to the Afghan context and one which translates more appropriately.

So, I'd love to know how you feel about this definition. Even if you don't know much about the context here, think about whether it would apply in your world. Your feedback is appreciated ...

“Civil society is formed by individual and collective action around shared values, interests and purposes which is intended to improve the lives of Afghan men, women and children without compromising their dignity. Action can take a variety of non-profit forms; from charitable work, through cultural activities, to advocacy and campaigning. Civil society organizations can include registered non-governmental organizations, community and self-help groups, art and cultural associations, women’s organizations, professional associations, trade unions, business associations, faith-based organizations, umbrella groups and coalitions.”

It Gets Better. Stop Anti-Gay Bullying

For more than 12 years, I worked on the issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people: first as the director of SMYAL, a local direct services program, and then as the director of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC). During those years, both programs grew exponentially. SMYAL saw its budget grow from $150,000 annually in 2004 to more than a million dollars when I left five years later. At NYAC, our membership grew to more than 165 LGBT youth serving programs around the country and we added a host of new programs and services, all anchored by a strong social justice commitment.

Yet despite the hard work of so many talented staff and board members and the financial support of terrific donors, LGBT youth issues were never fully embraced by our movement. Issues that could help youth find their place in the world—a safe place, free from harassment, intimidation, and violence—never received the attention or the funding they deserved. As one of the largest national LGBT youth organizations in the country, NYAC's budget never exceeded $3 million a year. When Matthew Shepard was murdered, I spoke on the steps of the Capitol praying his terrible death might change how LGBT young people are treated and how our movement addressed youth issues. And for a short while, it did. But soon the status quo returned.

I left this work in 2007, believing that a new generation of leaders was necessary to carry the ball forward—new ideas, new energy, and a renewed sense of optimism. In the past few weeks, we've all been hearing the terrible stories of young lives cut short. We've been hearing more and more about the epidemic of bullying in our schools and hate on our streets.

It's heartening to me to see that finally the national media and local communities are paying attention. And I'm hopeful that more resources will begin to flow into the small LGBT youth organizations that are a lifeline for so many of our nation's struggling kids. If you don't contibute to your local youth group yet, please do so soon. They need your support and a little bit of money will go a long way.

A lot of wonderful people are getting involved now and I thought it might be useful to provide a list of some of the best anti-bullying and youth suicide resources available at the moment. The good news is that this list is growing all the time, so keep checking back.

The Trevor Project (Really terrific suicide resources)

The Trevor Project is a nonprofit endeavor established to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, and to aid in suicide prevention among that group. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

GLSEN (Some of the best K-12 resources available)

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community.

Human Rights Campaign's Welcoming Schools Initiative (A terrific curriculum)

Welcoming Schools is an LGBT-inclusive approach to addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping and bullying and name-calling in K-5 learning environments. Welcoming Schools provides administrators, educators and parents/guardians with the resources necessary to create learning environments in which all learners are welcomed and respected.

The Welcoming Schools Guide offers tools, lessons and resources on embracing family diversity, avoiding gender stereotyping and ending bullying and name-calling. The primer version of the Guide, An Introduction to Welcoming Schools, is a 93 page resource available for download in its entirety.

It Gets Better Campaign On Facebook (Dan Savage's powerful campaign to give LGBT kids hope)

Gay kids are four times more likely that straight kids to commit suicide, according to a recent study, and nine out of 10 gay kids report being bullied.

"Hearing about these kids that have committed suicide, the reaction as a gay adult is always, 'God, I wish I could have talked to them for fifteen minutes or five minutes and told them it gets better,'" said gay columnist Dan Savage.

In an effort to counter the despair and isolation that many young gay people feel, Savage has launched a YouTube channel to provide positive examples of gay adults living their lives and sharing that simple message -- it gets better.

Give a Damn Campaign (Great for straight allies)

The Give a Damn Campaign is for everybody who cares about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. The Give a Damn Campaign is a project of the True Colors Fund, founded by Cyndi Lauper.

But, it’s especially for all you straight people out there! Whether you’re already an active supporter, want to show your support for the first time, or hadn’t given equality a lot of thought before and now want to learn more, we are here to help you get informed about the issues and get involved, at a pace that works for you.

Stop the Hate (Support for colleges and universities)

Stop The Hate is is a program of Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit 501(c) 3 for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students across the United States.