COMMON GROUND CONSULTING LLC

U.S. Grants & Awards

Learn and Serve America Youth Engagement Zones Grants (Deadline: March 31)
The Learn and Serve America Youth Engagement Zones grants will fund schools and organizations to help students come to class eager to learn and graduate ready to succeed. The grants will provide up to three years of funding to partnerships that connect high schools, community colleges, and community organizations in a close collaboration. Youth will learn and serve in a defined geographic area - a "Youth Engagement Zone" - that includes schools and school districts in which 70% or less of the students graduate and 70% or more live below the poverty level. Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2011, CNCS anticipates the availability of approximately $5.7 million for new Youth Engagement Zones grants. CNCS anticipates making an estimated 5 to 7 grant awards that will range from approximately $700,000 to $1,500,000 to support three years of operations. http://bit.ly/ee5dKW

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2011 Craig Tufts Educational Award (Deadline: March 31)
The family of Craig Tufts, Family Summits, Inc. and National Wildlife Federation announce the 2nd Annual Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award, which is given to a young person between the ages of 8 and 18 to attend a week-long, summer outdoor educational adventure camp with a parent or guardian. Each year the Fund grants an award to one youth to attend a Family Nature Summit. The Fund provides travel, room and board and program fees for the award winner and an accompanying parent or guardian. This year's Family Nature Summit will take place in the Ozark Mountain Region of Missouri, August 1-7, 2011.http://bit.ly/e0p8df

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Green Your School Challenge (Deadline: April 1)
HP and DoSomething.org believe you have what it takes to Green Your School. Prove us right! Join the Green Your School Challenge. Any student or teacher can post environmental efforts they've made over the last 2 months, or plans they have for Earth Day coming up - just post your project by April 1. Schools with the most people involved, best innovation and use of technology, and biggest impact on their school community will win great prizes including up to $5000 in grant funding and up to 5 HP Pavilion DM1 laptops! http://bit.ly/gB5fWR

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Let Your Heart Rule PSA Contest (Deadline: April 11)

Break the Cycle and HopeLine from Verizon are proud to partner with Dr. Phil to launch the "Let Your Heart Rule" PSA Contest. If you're between 13 - 18, enrolled in high school in the United States (or US Territories), Break the Cycle needs your voice! Between March 14 - April 15, get together with up to 4 other classmates at your school and create a video PSA that helps raise awareness about dating violence. 5 entries will be selected for the final round where you, your friends and family can all vote for your favorite PSA. The grand prize winning team will each receive new Tablets from Verizon, a $1000 stipend for their school and the chance to have their PSA aired nationwide on Dr. Phil and the Verizon FiOS network!http://bit.ly/e0LzgH

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It's All About The Fruit Grants (Deadline: April 11)
Passionate about supporting schools and communities by promoting health, wellness and physical activities, Jamba Juice is sponsoring the It’s All About the Fruit grant program to provide schools with fruit trees to create engaging nutrition and gardening experiences. 20 recipients will receive fruit trees valued at $500 and the Jamba Juice It’s All About the Fruit Youth Garden Guide. http://bit.ly/fyzgD2

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Dare to Dream Grants (Deadline: April 15)
The Ann Bancroft Foundation's Dare to Dream grant program funds small experiences for girls designed to help them gain a new perspective on their own abilities and goals. Grants may be used for classes, camps, or lessons to improve a skill; outdoor adventures or camps; honors programs; travel with approved schools or groups; choir trips or school activities; and more. http://bit.ly/dIL5EV

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We (Heart) Action Scholarships (Deadline: April 26th)
DoSomething.org and AT&T are teaming up to offer $35,000 in college scholarships to students committed to rethinking what's possible and making a difference. Want to get in on the action? Apply online by telling us why the community action you do is awesome! http://bit.ly/hEiqTW

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Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (Deadline: April 30)
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes invites nominations for its 2011 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education. http://bit.ly/edhitj

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ING Unsung Heroes (Deadline: April 30)
Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. For more than 10 years, and with $3.0 million in awarded grants, ING Unsung Heroes has proven to be an A+ program with educators. The program's "alumni" have inspired success in the classroom and impacted countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. Applications for the 2011 awards are now available. http://bit.ly/eSC2sv

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Citizen Writer Contest (Deadline: April 30)
Reading Rockets and AdLit.org's new writing contest, Citizen Writer, offers writing prompts with connections to civics, citizenship, and our communities. We want students to think and learn more about America's people, places, and ideals as they write. Prize winners will have their work published onReadingRockets.org and AdLit.org and will receive a gift basket of age-appropriate books and a personalized certificate. http://bit.ly/ht9WZG

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State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grants (Deadline: May 2)
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is providing $5 million in service-learning grants to youth across the United States and Canada in an effort to create projects that bring about sustainable, positive change in local communities. Youth in public schools, or youth associated with a 501(c)3 organization have the opportunity to apply for grants ranging from $25,000-$100,000 to help their implementation of a school-based service-learning program that ties into an existing K-12 curriculum, and relates to one of the following focus areas: Driver Safety, Environmental Responsibility, Financial Literacy, Access to Higher Education, and Natural or Societal Disaster Preparedness. http://bit.ly/ekgICe

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2011 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition (Deadline: May 27)
America's Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation have announced the call for submissions for this year's 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING competition. The 100 Best program recognizes communities that are doing exceptional and innovative work to help reduce high school dropout rates and provide their youth with an outstanding place to live, learn and grow. Community representatives are encouraged to download the application now to gather the information needed, which includes essays by local students. Submit your application by May 4 to be eligible for additional prizes. http://bit.ly/hQZoJ2

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KaBOOM! Playful City USA Grants (Deadline: June 1)
A total of 103 grants worth $2.1 million are available to Playful City USA recognized cities and towns between 2011-13. Grants range in values of $30,000, $20,000 and $15,000 and will be awarded to existing Playful City USA communities as well as communities receiving Playful City USA recognition for the first time. Communities wishing to receive grants and apply for Playful City USA status must meet five core commitments of the program: Create a local play commission task force; Design an annual action plan for play; Conduct a playspace audit of all publicly accessible play areas; Identify current spending on capital projects and maintenance of playspaces; and Proclaim and celebrate an annual "KaBOOM! Play Day". Cities and towns can apply to become a Playful City USA community by completing the online application http://bit.ly/eM5MCz

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Be Big In Your Community Contest (Deadline: June 17)
Scholastic's Be Big Fund will help bring the winning BIG Idea that helps make your community a better place to life with help from Clifford, HandsOn Network and American Family Insurance. Awards include 1 $25,000 Grand Prize honoree, 10 $2,500 first place honorees and 19 $1.315 second place honorees will be selected. Be Big Fund prizes must be used to implement the winning proposals. http://bit.ly/eSU7Om

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Net Literacy Financial Connects Contest (Deadline: Rolling through June 30, 2011)
Net Literacy is a student-founded nonprofit where students comprise 50% of the board of directors.  Thanks to support from State Farm, students from across the country to submit short videos that teach a lesson about the importance of financial literacy.  Video entries win $100 to $500 and web-based games win $500 to $1000.  We hope to give away $100,000 in prizes as students provide the content to build a national financial literacy using their words to explain the importance of being financially literate. Eligibility: all full-time or part-time students - videos and games can be developed by a student, a group of students, or a classroom project. http://bit.ly/eDkDlX

 

Thanks to our friends at Youth Service America for this great list!

Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries/territories officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

 

Visit our Beyond the Hour platform to share your stories and to get inspiration from the actions our supporters have shared with us already.

Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, it’s one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

Lesson to Boards: Engage Sooner Rather Than Later

BY FC EXPERT BLOGGER ALICE KORNGOLD

"The data show that the more financially challenged nonprofit organizations are more likely to engage more deeply with their boards," said Jennifer Talansky, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), in a private interview with Fast Company. Talansky was referring to the results of NFF's 2011 Survey. Nonprofits with budget deficits indicated a higher likelihood of engaging more closely with their boards than nonprofits with budget surpluses. And nonprofits with less than 90 days of cash on hand were more likely compared with nonprofits with more than 90 days of cash.

There are many lessons to draw from the survey results. Here is one: Boards Should Engage Sooner Rather Than Later

First of all, boards have fiduciary responsibilities for the nonprofit organizations they govern, so they have a duty to be informed and aware, and to ensure that their organizations achieve their missions.

Second, even the best nonprofit CEO cannot maximize the revenue potential of a nonprofit without the full support and engagement of the board. The challenge, of course, is building a board that is committed to the mission, with the expertise and the passion to participate in meaningful and productive strategic deliberations: helping to affirm the mission, envision the organization's potential in serving the community, build a revenue model to achieve success, and engage in attaining the vision. There are many ways that board members can help accomplish results, including taking part in meetings with key investors/funders.

Boards, don't wait until the organization has less than 90 days in operating reserves to engage in strategic discussions about core programs and the revenue model. Make sure that your board meeting agendas are focused on key strategic issues, committees are streamlined to address priority governance matters, and that board members are using their precious time for vital board work. Partner with your CEO who should be an expert in the field, and make sure you have excellent board leadership.

The State of the Nonprofit Sector in 2011

From the Nonprofit Finance Fund: America's nonprofits are expecting 2011 to be another tough year for their organizations, and for the people they serve, according to a survey released yesterday by the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), with support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The survey of more than 1,900 nonprofit leaders in markets nationwide found that while there are some signs of hope, many nonprofits are straining under year-after-year increases in the demand for services.

Summary Survey Brochure

Full Survey Results
In Their Words (Quotes from the survey)
Media Coverage

2011 will be another tough year for nonprofits and the people they serve:

• 85% of organizations expect an increase in service demand in 2011; just 46% expect to be able to fully meet this demand.
• This comes on top of years of increases: in 2010, 77% of nonprofits saw an increase in demand; in 2009, 71% experienced an increase in demand, and 73% of organizations experienced increased demand in 2008.
• 60% of organizations have three months or less of cash on hand; 10% have none.
• Only 9% expect 2011 to be financially easier for the people they serve.

Yet, there are signs of hope:

• 44% of nonprofits reported ending 2010 with a surplus, a move in the right direction from the 35% who had a surplus in 2009.
• 25% of organizations added to reserve funds in 2010.
• 35% of organizations raised more revenue in 2010 than anticipated.

"Years of economic uncertainty have forced nonprofits to adjust to the 'new normal' of scarce resources and increased demand," said Rebecca Thomas, vice president of consulting services at NFF. "Some of the adjustments we're seeing are creative and healthy – such as strategic collaborations to improve impact in a community. Other effects – layoffs, people who need services being turned away, organizations operating at a deficit or with no cash, are further compromising the social safety net at a great cost to America."

"Lifeline" organizations that provide critical services to people in need are finding it particularly hard to meet the demands in their communities:

• 87% of lifeline organizations saw an increase in demand for services in 2010, compared with 68% of non-lifeline organizations.
• 60% of lifeline organizations increased the number of clients they served in 2010, yet only 43% were able to fully meet the demand for their services.
• Just 37% of lifeline organizations expect be able to fully meet demand in 2011.

"Unfortunately, the recession is not over for many of us in the nonprofit sector.  One of the hardest things is finding funding for operating support," said Ann King, executive director of the Tri-Valley Haven, a community resource center serving adults and children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness.  "Last year, we received more restricted money and less of the important general funds that help us manage the organization.  We’ve said ‘no’ to funding opportunities that didn’t cover their own cost – which on the one hand, we’re proud of—but on the other, makes us hope for the unrestricted money that is most helpful to our organization and the people we serve."

"Unrestricted support ties you to the overall success of the organization and supports the overall mission," said Kerry Sullivan, president, Bank of America Charitable Foundation. "In this economic environment, it’s imperative to do what you can to help nonprofits keep the lights on while they are supporting such an increased demand for the most essential, basic services."

Yet despite the challenges, nonprofits are not standing still.  Nonprofits are coping with the 'new normal' of fewer resources, and are taking significant and creative steps to meet the needs of their communities. Over the past 12 months:

• 55% added or expanded programs or services.
• 49% increased the number of clients served.
• 47% partnered with another organization to improve or increase services offered.
• 39% reduced annual expenses.
• 36% relied more on volunteers.

Visit their Annual Survey page for additional information.

Google's New Nonprofit Program

Google has announced a new program for nonprofits, which they say will include a grant for adwords, exclusive tools, and collaboration forums. "Instead of applying to each Google product individually," nonprofits can apply for a suite of tools here, according to Google's blog post.

The user-friendly site, Google.com/nonprofits, looks like it aims to simplify and educate how nonprofits can use the wide array of google products for their organization (like this video below):

 

Glimpse Correspondents Program

The Glimpse Correspondents Program is for talented writers and photographers with a passion for storytelling and a knack for finding truly unique stories. The program is open to anyone who will be working, volunteering, or studying outside of their home country for at least 10 weeks.

And it is super cool!

Glimpse believes that independent travelers, particularly those who spend significant time abroad, have a unique and often overlooked opportunity to effect positive change around the world. This begins with bearing witness to place, people, culture, and especially the stories and struggles that might otherwise go unrecorded.

Glimpse is a worldwide program powered by Matador and supported in part by the National Geographic Society. Glimpse connects young writers, journalists, photographers, and filmmakers with professional editors who help them develop their storytelling voice and media skills.

Correspondents receive the following benefits:

• $600 stipend
• Support from a team of professional editors
• Career training in writing and photography
• Guaranteed publication on Glimpse.org and Matador Network

To learn more about the Correspondents Program, check out the program requirements, frequently asked questions, and the program dates and deadlines .

Applications for the Fall 2011 Correspondents Program are now open! You can apply here for the program.

Leveraging Social Media Workshop

In addition to a session on Working Toward Sustainability, I've been asked to lead a new workshop session focused on Leveraging Social Media at an upcoming YouthBuild National Mentoring Conference. You can read about more of our workshops on the Common Ground website.

I've been enjoying designing the session and have written the following description for it:

Is it possible to use social media (Facebook and Twitter, in particular) as a strategy for supporting matches, recruiting mentors, and marketing your program? How about as a primary means of communication for mentors and mentees? And if we agree that it’s possible, is it a good idea? What’s acceptable when it comes to social media and youth programs? What about privacy? What about boundaries?

In this provocative session, we’re going to start the conversation. With more than 500,000,000 using Facebook, you can’t afford not to be planning for the future. Please come prepared to talk about what you’re already doing and to add your voice to this discussion. One thing though, please don’t expect a technical session. We’ll offer a few basics when it comes to understanding what’s out there, but we won’t be setting up Twitter accounts. Instead, this session will look at relationship building in the age of social media, focusing on when and how best to use these new tools and when to stick with phone calls and face-to-face meetings.

As I prepare for the discussions, I would love to hear how your youth program is using social media. Please send an email  to [email protected] or post your story here. Thanks!

 

Traveling Lifts the Soul

Mark Twain once famously said that: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.”

And as I take my last short flight home from New York's JFK airport, I can't think of a better way to put it.

Working with two clients, I was able to visit seven new countries (if you include Hong Kong) and see parts of the world I had only imagined until now—Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, India, and Nepal.

Each place was so amazing, so unique. I can't imagine how I'll be able to share all of the stories. I'm really grateful to be able to do what I do. When I'm traveling for work, it means I'm doing what I love—helping social justice organizations make the world more fair and more just; and working everyday with people whose stories inspire the imagination.

I wish that I could share the sense of awe that I seem to experience almost everyday. There are days, of course, when I wake up exhausted, longing for my own bed and a simpler routine. But, it doesn't take long before I'm aching to go exploring once again—new cities, new faces, new food!

With this last adventure, I've now visited a new country for ever year I've been on the planet. For me, the longing to see the world started when I was an exchange student at sixteen. It's never stopped and I hope it never will.

Gandhi's Ashram

Since college, I've had a real passion for the study of movements, grassroots action, revolution, and protest. I've been particularly interested in the language and rhetoric that surrounds this type of real social change. In fact, my honors program studies at Miami of Ohio focused on many of the leaders of these efforts—people like Caesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi.

“Wherever he trod became hallowed land, wherever he sat became temples.”  Nehru, speaking of Gandhi.

So when I learned that I would be working in Ahmedabad, India, I knew that a visit to the Gandhi Ashram had to be in my plans. The Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, so named after the holy river Sabarmati, is situated on the river’s banks; and was Gandhi's first ashram in India.

From the moment I stepped into the compound, just after sunrise, a sense of calm washed over me. It is truly a sacred place. It isn't as though there is a lot to see, but after walking the grounds where Gandhi walked; sitting in the spot where he read, studied, and wrote; seeing his sleeping quarters and his simple kitchen, you can't help but be moved by the quiet, graceful power that still sanctifies this special place.

 

From the website:

The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement toward passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. Sabarmati Ashram named for the river on which it sits, was created with a dual mission. To serve as an institution that would carry on a search for truth and a platform to bring together a group of workers committed to non-violence who would help secure freedom for India.

By conceiving such a vision Gandhi and his followers hoped to foster a new social construct of truth and non-violence that would help to revolutionize the existing pattern of like.

While at the Ashram, Gandhi formed a school that focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to advance his efforts for self-sufficiency. It was also from here on the 12 March 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march 241 miles from the Ashram (with 78 companions) in protest of the British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. This mass awakening filled the British jails with 60 000 freedom fighters. Later the government seized their property, Gandhi, in sympathy with them, responded by asking the Government to forfeit the Ashram. Then Government, however, did not oblige. He had by now already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the Ashram, which later became asserted place after the detention of many freedom fighters, and then some local citizens decided to preserve it. On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although this was won on 15 August 1947, when India was declared a free nation, Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948 and never returned.

Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. It aided countless other nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.

Today, the Ashram serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, and stands as a monument to Gandhi’s life mission and a testimony to others who have fought a similar struggle.

 

Celebrating 100 Years of International Women's Day

 

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1911. Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organizations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.

Here in India, International Women's Day is a very big deal. Check out yesterday's Times of India story. And take a moment to celebrate all of the amazing women in your life.