COMMON GROUND CONSULTING LLC

Grants & Award Opportunities for Youth & Their Organizations

GenerationOn goLEAD "Catch the Spirit" Scholarships

Deadline: May 20

 

The generationOn goLEAD program equips educators, non-profit professionals and youth development practitioners to empower teens to increase their leadership skills through a unique series of skill-building activities. Through the generous support of the Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative, generationOn is offering "Catch the Spirit" scholarships of up to $500 to defray travel expenses related to attending a goLEAD Facilitator Training.  http://bit.ly/15RmGIw     

 

Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants

Deadline: May 23

 

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, libraries, and nonprofits working to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grant funding is provided to assist in implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs; purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives; and/or purchasing books, materials, or software for literacy programs. Applicants must be a nonprofit organization, a K-12 private or public school, a college or university, or a public library and must be located and provide services within twenty miles of a Dollar General store. Maximum grant amount is $4,000. http://bit.ly/ZwiPXX     

 

Generations United Youth Jumpstart Grants

Deadline: May 24

 

Generations United and MetLife Foundation are awarding $1,000 Youth Jumpstart Grants (along with technical assistance) to organizations to develop creative, youth-led intergenerational programs that address challenges in their communities. Priority will be given to programs focusing on technology and/or building stronger, healthier communities.  Initiatives must be youth-led and engage youth and older adults. Submit your application in writing or via a short video or other multi-media presentation.  Grantees will also have the opportunity to participate in a youth leadership training and educational opportunities at the Generations United Conference in Washington, DC this summer.  http://bit.ly/mCprqx  

 

Campaign for a Toxin-Free Generation Video Contest

Deadline: May 24

 

EarthEcho International and Seventh Generation Foundation have partnered to engage youth across the country in a new campaign and video contest to help remove toxins in their homes, schools, and communities. Part of Seventh Generation's Campaign for a Toxin-Free Generation, the partnership has launched a video contest, in which young people (ages 13-22) can share 30-second videos on how they are helping to create a toxin-free generation.  Entries into the Campaign for a Toxin-Free Generation video contest are eligible to win prizes, including a GoPro Premium camera, Patagonia gift certificates, and Seventh Generation home and personal care products. http://bit.ly/11ICMmk   

 

Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change

Deadline: May 24

 

The Challenge for Change offers US residents ages 18-25 the chance to share how you want to spark positive change in your community or the world. Everybody wins! Just for entering, you will receive a $25 Give for Youth gift card to help you support a project that inspires you. 20 finalists will receive a Microsoft Surface with Windows RT and Office Home and Student 2013 RT1 to help create their winning video entry. 5 grand prize winners will receive: an all-expenses paid volunteer trip to Kenya, $2,500 cash prize, and a Microsoft technology bundle. http://on.fb.me/107Zu4f       

 

Volunteering: Make a Difference Video Contest

Deadline: May 26

 

Volunteen Nation and Teenage Survival are awarding $5000 through RMG Voter's Choice Vids 4 Kids Contest for the most creative YouTube video that is educational and/or promotes positive behaviors regarding "VOLUNTEERING = Make a difference!".  The entry with the most votes will win $5000 CDN, split 50/50 between the person/team that submitted the video and the registered school that was chosen and named on the entry. Videos must be a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 3 minutes long and consist of original content belonging to the person(s) entering the contest. http://bit.ly/10twcs1    

 

Annie's Grants for Gardens

Deadline: May 31

 

Annie's offers grants to school gardens that connect children directly to real food. These funds can be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other needed supplies.  Get $500 to start a brand-new school garden program. Use these funds for anything from classroom seeds in a cup to garden beds. There's no need to have an existing garden! Or, apply for $1,500 to deepen your school garden program. You must have an existing school garden to choose this entry type. http://bit.ly/YIGM4i      

 

Amway's Who Cares Challenge: Youth Leadership Contest

Deadline: June 5

 

Amway will honor 10 youth changemakers in the United States and Canada. The contest is open to youth ages 13 - 22. Applicants will be narrowed down through public voting to a group of 100 entries. Charity partner Free The Children will then select 10 winners to receive $10,000 each to give to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Five grand prize winners from among those 10 will also receive a trip for themselves and a companion to Free The Children's next We Day youth empowerment event in Minnesota on October 8, 2013. http://bit.ly/11IGEnj  

 

The Be Big Contest

Deadline: June 23

Bring YOUR BIG Idea To Life! If you have a BIG Idea that demonstrates Clifford's BIG Ideas, let us know! The BE BIG Fund can help bring YOUR winning idea to life with the help of Scholastic, HandsOn Network and, of course, Clifford! The 5th Annual BE BIG in Your Community Contest is open NOW! Enter now for the chance to bring your BIG Idea to life with a $5,000 community grant. Other prizes consist of 5 $1,000 first prize grants. http://bit.ly/YuVbeT        

 

2013 National Service Impact Awards

Deadline: June 30

 

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is now accepting nomination for the 2013 National Service Impact Award. Recipients will exemplify the best in national and community service in the key issue areas of the Serve America Act and disaster services. Recipients will be announced and recognized on CNCS's website and through traditional and social media.  Recipients will receive a Service Impact statue recognizing their award and be showcased at relevant grantee meetings of CNCS.  http://1.usa.gov/12f06mt   

 

World We Want Foundation Grants

Deadline: Rolling

 

The World We Want Foundation promotes and supports Young Global Citizens making positive social change in their communities and around the world. They work with and through Partner Organizations and Mentors youth applicants provide; help young people design and conduct meaningful Social Action Projects and acquire substantive knowledge and 21st-century skills while creating social value; provide micro-grants to support their Projects; provide an online funding platform to encourage and allow others to help fund their Projects; and provide an online Showcase to share their Stories of Social Impact with the world. http://bit.ly/11IE94t   

 

DoSomething.org Seed Grants

Deadline: Rolling

 

Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. http://bit.ly/PQYfTr

Celebrate Global Youth Service Day 2013

The world's young people are serving and celebrating as part of the 25th anniversary of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) this weekend, April 26-28, 2013.

At least 1 million children, teens, and young adults in more than 100 countries across 6 continents will lead service or service-learning projects as well as events celebrating the good work youth are doing in their communities year-round.

Global Youth Service Day shines a bright light on the unique perspective, compassion and creativity that young people contribute to their communities. This is a time for young people to find their voice, take action, and serve - not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the leaders of today.

Find GYSD projects in your area: www.GYSD.org/map

Fight for National Service

The future of national service depends on the support of people like you.

 

As you’ve probably heard, last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint calling for the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service. While we’ve heard these threats before, this time is different.  The budget process in Washington has become particularly charged, with both sides looking for bargaining chips that will justify the ultimate goal of a reduced federal budget and decreased deficit.

 

These cuts threaten the programs you run and the services you are able to provide. 

 

We need your help and the help of your organization to fight back with the best resource we have: the stories of the impact of national service in communities across the country.  

  

Voices for National Service and ServiceNation, in partnership with AmeriCorps Alums, are launching the first ever “I Serve Because…” Video Contest.  If you are passionate about the promise of national service, watch this “I Serve Because…”video from US Senator Tom Harkin then submit a video of your own. As Sen. Harkin explains, “The future of national service depends on your voice being heard.”

 

 

 

You can help us by not only recording your own “I serve because” video, but also by recruiting your friends, peers and co-workers to record one as well.  Will you help us spread the word about our video contest by updating your Facebook page, Twitter feed and email list? Click here for a promotional email template you can use as a guide to draft a message to your program list.

 

Sharing the video contest information is easy.  Click here for resources on how your organization can make and submit a video, view other entries for examples of what you can do on our Tumblr page. In the coming weeks, we’ll post the most compelling videos on our Facebook page. The creator of the video that receives the most “likes” will be named the winner, and will receive a prize.

 

Once recorded, you can even share your video, and the others we post, with your own Congressional delegation via your own social media channels.

 

Need some ideas on what to tweet? Here are a few you can use:

 

Submit a video for the #IServeBecause video contest. Support #NationalService w/ RT! http://bit.ly/10czwu0

 

Were you #MadeinAmeriCorps? Share your story of service! Enter @SaveService & @AmeriCorpsAlums #IServeBecause contest http://bit.ly/10czwu0

 

It is crucially important that we share our stories of service with decision makers in Washington, and this contest offers a perfect opportunity to do just that.   The success of this effort hinges on our ability to gather a large amount of quality videos, and we need your help—so step up, get involved, and spread the word.

 

This post has been passed along from the good people at Voices for National Service.

President Clinton & DOMA

Before I came to SMYAL I was working to help launch President Clinton's AmeriCorps program and I had met the President several times. In fact, on a jog with him one morning, I came out to the President as we were crossing the National Mall. I told him I was gay and thanked him for all that he had done to support gay people. At the time, he was far and away the most positive and vocal President we had ever seen on our issues.

So you can imagine my disappointment when he indicated he would sign DOMA. At the time, I was angry and felt somehow betrayed. Looking back, he didn't have a whole lot of options, but between this and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," we were all pretty frustrated.

Fortunately, President Clinton and Secretary Clinton have both reversed their stances and are now supporting full marriage equality. They supported President Obama's overturning of the military ban and the majority of Americans are now standing for full equality under the law for LGBT people.

Of course, we also have President Obama, who has done more to push LGBT equality than any political leader in U.S. history.

It really is an amazing time in America.

 

LGBTQ Youth Leading the Fight Against DOMA 17 Years Ago

Following the very successful press conference against DOMA, Paul Caccamo wrote this piece for SMYAL's supporters.

“We’re Not Just Out, We’re Out in Front!”

SMYAL youth are very much out front when it comes to speaking out on the issues which shape the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. During the past month, youth speakers, as young as 15 years old, organized a press conference on the Defense of Marriage Act with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and a youth “Speak Out” in which they addressed current legislation, read poetry and spoke about other issues at a popular coffee shop in Dupont Circle.  In addition, SMYAL youth were guest speakers at the NOW Rally and the Pride Faith and Anger Neighborhood Rally and Inter-faith Service which were organized in response to the Christian Coalition Conference held in mid-September.

It’s all part of the Youth Leadership Initiative, a new youth leadership program which gives SMYAL youth the opportunity to bring their opinions and voices to bear on issues which face our city and the entire country. “ I admire and respect the courage of these young people,” Congressman Frank said at the Capitol Hill Press Conference which was attended by CBS News, NewsChannel 8, and the Washington Blade. 

 Our new Youth Leadership Initiative provides not just leadership training, but also outreach and education to the general public on the unique needs of gay and lesbian youth. In the weeks ahead, the SMYAL youth leaders plan on speaking at the educational stage outside of the display grounds for the AIDS Quilt. They also plan on pursuing interviews with reporters of local and national magazines and newspapers.  “Most important of all,” says Brett Harris, a high school sophomore, “we need to try and reach out to our own school papers, because for everyone of us who is out front, there is someone else who may be sitting in our same classrooms feeling very frightened and alone.”

Paul joined the SMYAL staff as a part-time Special Events Coordinator in August of that year, having received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to joining SMYAL, Paul worked as an English teacher in China, Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, and at colleges in New York City and New Hampshire.

YOUNG PEOPLE AT SMYAL:“We’re Not Just Out, We’re Out in Front !”
by Paul Caccamo
SMYAL youth are very much out front when it comes to speaking out on the issues which shape the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. During the past month, youth speakers, as young as 15 years old, organized a press conference on the Defense of Marriage Act with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and a youth “Speak Out” in which they addressed current legislation, read poetry and spoke about other issues at a popular coffee shop in Dupont Circle.  In addition, SMYAL youth were guest speakers at the NOW Rally and the Pride Faith and Anger Neighborhood Rally and Inter-faith Service which were organized in response to the Christian Coalition Conference held in mid-September.It’s all part of the Youth Leadership Initiative, a new youth leadership program which gives SMYAL youth the opportunity to bring their opinions and voices to bear on issues which face our city and the entire country. “ I admire and respect the courage of these young people,” Congressman Frank said at the Capitol Hill Press Conference which was attended by CBS News, NewsChannel 8, and the Washington Blade.  Our new Youth Leadership Initiative provides not just leadership training, but also outreach and education to the general public on the unique needs of gay and lesbian youth. In the weeks ahead, the SMYAL youth leaders plan on speaking at the educational stage outside of the display grounds for the AIDS Quilt. They also plan on pursuing interviews with reporters of local and national magazines and newspapers.  “Most important of all,” says Brett Harris, a high school sophomore, “we need to try and reach out to our own school papers, because for everyone of us who is out front, there is someone else who may be sitting in our same classrooms feeling very frightened and alone.”

Paul Caccamo joined the SMYAL staff as a part-time Special Events Coordinator in August of this year.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to joining SMYAL, Paul worked as an English teacher in China, Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, and at colleges in New York City and New Hampshire.  He has done development work for Public Allies, Harvard University, Cambridge Community Learning Center and has directed dozens of special events.  In addition to his present work at SMYAL, Paul continues to be a part-time teacher, screenplay writer, and a consultant to other area non-profits.

 

Fighting DOMA Since 1996

In getting ready to head down to the Supreme Court for today's rally, I was reminded of a speech I gave on September 4th, 1996. I was the executive director of the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) here in Washington and it was the day before the Senate was set to pass the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

I had only been the director for about a year at that point and our offices were steps away from the Capitol. We had created a very active Youth Council and the youth in the program wanted to speak out. We worked with Barney Frank (D-MA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton's office and secured a permit to hold a small rally and press conference on the Northeast side of the Capitol in what is known as the "Senate Swamp."

The young people who spoke were amazing. Their personal stories of courage and the dreams they had for their future inspired me then and are still sparking my work today.

You can read more about the rally by clicking here.

Here's what I had to say back then:

Thank you all for coming out this afternoon.

And thank you for respecting our young people’s need to schedule this press conference after school hours.

Each year, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) serves more than 800 adolescents and young adults in the DC metro area—all of them struggling to come to terms with their sexual or gender orientation.

At SMYAL we work hard to create a safe space where these youth can develop as healthy, happy, and productive young people—a space where they can ask questions, explore their feelings, and meet other kids just like themselves.

We are here today, because that safe space that so many have worked to create has been threatened by the vicious rhetoric and inhumane actions of Congress.

We are here today, because our elected leaders have forgotten how powerful their words and actions can be, especially in the hearts and minds of young people.

We are here, because young gays and lesbians are attempting suicide at a rate three times greater than their heterosexual peers. They are becoming addicted to substances, dropping out of school , becoming HIV+, and often ending up homeless on the streets at rates higher than any other subset of the population.  

And why?  Why are these kids suffering?

They suffer because as adults we are not fulfilling our responsibilities—ensuring that every youth, of every race, religion, or sexual orientation, grows up in a safe environment, a tolerant environment, an environment that nurtures and supports their hopes and dreams.

But how can any of us begin to create these environments when our own government chooses to perpetuate ignorance and hatred disguised as morality and family values.  

Tomorrow the Senate is poised to join the House of Representatives in passing DOMA, the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.”  In so doing they will be turning their backs on liberty and justice—turning their backs on fairness and compassion and equality.

We are here today because Congress is legislating loneliness—a kind of loneliness that  is killing gay and lesbian kids.

These young people from SMYAL who have spoken here today, and the countless others in high schools around the country who could not be here, demand accountability from our political leaders. Their stories remind us that our elected officials must understand that their rhetoric, their actions—their vote of hate—is more than a political game.  It has very real consequences in people’s lives.

Please Senators, stand up, speak out, vote no on DOMA, and make a difference! These kids, all kids, are entitled to happiness.  Please, don’t steal their American dreams.

Thank you. 

 

And thank you for respecting our young people’s need to schedule this press conference after school hours.
Each year, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) serves more than 800 adolescents and young adults in the DC metro area—all of them struggling to come to terms with their sexual or gender orientation.
At SMYAL we work hard to create a safe space where these youth can develop as healthy, happy, and productive young people—a space where they can ask questions, explore their feelings, and meet other kids just like themselves.
We are here today, because that safe space that so many have worked to create has been threatened by the vicious rhetoric and inhumane actions of Congress.
We are here today, because our elected leaders have forgotten how powerful their words and actions can be, especially in the hearts and minds of young people.
We are here, because young gays and lesbians are attempting suicide at a rate three times greater than their heterosexual peers. They are becoming addicted to substances, dropping out of school , becoming HIV+, and often ending up homeless on the streets at rates higher than any other subset of the population.  
And why?  Why are these kids suffering?
They suffer because as adults we are not fulfilling our responsibilities—ensuring that every youth, of every race, religion, or sexual orientation, grows up in a safe environment, a tolerant environment, an environment that nurtures and supports their hopes and dreams.
But how can any of us begin to create these environments when our own government chooses to perpetuate ignorance and hatred disguised as morality and family values.  
Tomorrow the Senate is poised to join the House of Representatives in passing DOMA, the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.”  In so doing they will be turning their backs on liberty and justice—turning their backs on fairness and compassion and equality.
We are here today because Congress is legislating loneliness—a kind of loneliness that  is killing gay and lesbian kids.
These young people from SMYAL who have spoken here today, and the countless others in high schools around the country who could not be here, demand accountability from our political leaders. Their stories remind us that our elected officials must understand that their rhetoric, their actions—their vote of hate—is more than a political game.  It has very real consequences in people’s lives.
Please Senators, stand up, speak out, vote no on DOMA, and make a difference! These kids, all kids, are entitled to happiness.  Please, don’t steal their American dreams.
Thank you. 

 

Check Out These Service-Related Grant Opportunities

J-Serve International Day of Jewish Youth Service Grants

Deadline: Rolling While Funds Remain Available

 

Grants are available for J-Serve 2013 - April 28, 2013.  J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of YSA's Global Youth Service Day. A limited number of J-Serve micro-grants of up to $500 will be awarded to community projects committed to creating service opportunities that bring Jewish teens together to participate in a J-Serve project.  Projects that are creative and innovative, especially those that will be first time events in a community, as well as projects conceived and planned by teen project leaders will receive preferential reviews.  Micro-grants will be accepted on a rolling basis, and grants will continue to be awarded as long as funding remains available.  http://bit.ly/111Szb3      

 

President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Deadline: November 29

 

The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement. All accredited degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States are eligible to apply. By being admitted to the President's Honor Roll, your institution will be recognized by the President of the United States as a leader and role model in community service for the higher education sector. In addition, Honor Roll institutions receive: assistance with gaining media attention for your achievement, recognition at a national awards ceremony, and a listing on the President's Honor Roll website. http://1.usa.gov/TAxkHr  

 

KaBOOM! Spruce Up Project Grants

Deadline: Rolling, Next Priority Deadline is November 30

 

KaBOOM! is awarding grants of $750 to communities who wish to make their playgrounds cleaner, safer and more inviting. You could be one of 100 projects to earn $750 simply by sprucing up a playground for kids! Organize your friends, clean up a playground, and you can become eligible for $750, courtesy of Dr Pepper Snapple Group.  The grant is part of the Let's Play initiative to get kids and families active nationwide.  http://bit.ly/IIzZfN   

 

Architecture for Humanity Guerrilla Green Sustainable Showdown

Deadline: December 3

 

The Guerrilla Green Sustainable Showdown invites teams of middle and high school students across the U.S. to bring innovative green solutions to their school buildings, outdoor spaces, and activities. 8 teams with the best ideas will win $1,000; the 4 teams that best implement their project will win an additional $2,000; and one team who scales their project will win the top prize of $10,000.  http://bit.ly/ThH8H7   

 

Spreading Smiles Service-Learning Photo Contest

Deadline: December 3

 

Are you a K-12 classroom that is participating in a service-learning project and could use funds to complete your project? Capture a photo of your classroom participating in their project and submit a completed entry form for a chance to win $500, $300, or $200. Online voting takes place Dec 7-17; the top three most voted photos will win one of the three grants. http://bit.ly/Sr1QGy 

 

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes

Deadline: December 5

 

The truth is that many deserving students, who have dedicated a great deal of their time to athletics, will not receive athletic scholarships to college. Foot Locker and DoSomething.org will be rewarding twenty incoming college freshmen with $20,000 in scholarship funding for college - not because they scored the most touchdowns, but because of their character and commitment to volunteerism. This is the award for flexing heart, not muscle. http://bit.ly/Qif9UD  

 

Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships

Deadline: December 5

 

Sodexo Foundation is accepting applications through December 5 for the Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships. These scholarships recognize students (kindergarten-graduate school) working to end domestic hunger with $5,000 for college and $5,000 to help those in need. http://bit.ly/Rc7meR    

 

AmeriCorps State & National Grants

Deadline: January 23

 

The FY2013 AmeriCorps State and National grant competition is designed to help national service programs achieve greater impact by targeting resources on a core set of challenges: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. In order to maximize the impact of the public investment in national service, CNCS will fund programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems using an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach (e.g. performance data, research, theory of change). The 2013 competition also provides a new opportunity for state and local officials to work together on public-private partnerships. Specifically, a governor and a mayor may identify a pressing challenge and partner with local nonprofits to apply for grant funding to address it. http://1.usa.gov/YbABSf  

 

Christopher Columbus Awards

Deadline: February 4

 

The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World® to attend National Championship Week and compete for cash prizes and the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, plus a $200 development grant to further refine their idea. http://bit.ly/PeFhFr
   

Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Awards

Deadline: February 28

 

The Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Competition is designed to bring the hard facts about school food to entire school communities - in the students' own words. Articles submitted for consideration must be about the need for healthy, sustainable school food and must have been published in a school newspaper. U.S. high school students ages 13 to 18 can enter. Best-selling author and food activist Michael Pollan will judge the finalists and select the winners! First prize: $1,500. Second prize: $1,000. Third prize $500. Fourth Prize (x3): $300...Plus, $200 for your journalism class and the opportunity to have your work publicized on Earth Day's website.  http://bit.ly/SlxkPk  

 

Captain Planet Foundation Grants

Deadline: February 28

 

U.S.-based schools and organizations with annual operating budgets of less than $3 million are eligible to apply for grants from the Captain Planet Foundation. Grants  support high-quality educational programs that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that engage them in active, hands-on community service projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities. Preference is given to requests seeking seed funding of $500 or less and to applicants who have secured at least 50 percent matching or in-kind funding.   http://bit.ly/y1tPpz       

 

DoSomething.org Seed Grants

Deadline: Ongoing

 

Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. http://bit.ly/PQYfTr

Giving Tuesday

November 26, 2012 | By Bill Gates

Over the weekend, the annual holiday gift-shopping season kicked off here in the U.S. with the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally known as Black Friday. Today is called Cyber Monday, as people return to their offices after the long Thanksgiving weekend, and take a bit of time to do some online shopping. 

But there’s a new “day” in this post-Thanksgiving period I’m excited about: Giving Tuesday.

Over 1,000 charities, community organizations and businesses in the U.S. have banded together to promote this Tuesday as a day to give back, and to encourage people to give more, give smarter and celebrate the spirit of giving.

American philanthropy is the envy of just about every other part of the globe. Last year giving in the U.S. topped $300 billion, and 65 percent of Americans reported that they’d made some charitable contributions during the year.  Those are impressive statistics, but with so much unmet need in the world, it’s clear there is ample room for people to do more.

Working with Melinda and Warren Buffett on the Giving Pledge over the last couple of years has been a fantastic experience, and has convinced me that we need lots of people starting conversations about the impact and the fun of charitable giving.  That’s a conversation that needs to happen all over the world, not just here in the U.S. 

So I wish the organizers well as they launch the first Giving Tuesday tomorrow. I hope lots of people will use the reminder to do something meaningful, and that it becomes part of the rhythm of this holiday season. If the organizers of Giving Tuesday can get more people thinking about giving and encourage us to be more generous with our time and resources, they’ll have done a very good thing.

Linked-In Launches New Board Recruitment Resource for Non-Profits

 

Over the last two decades, the nonprofit marketplace has exploded. There are nearly 1.6 million nonprofits in the U.S. with nearly two million board seats that need to be filled annually. The good news is that professionals want to join these boards. According to the Taproot Foundation, an estimated 87% of human resources professionals and 92% of marketing professionals are interested in board service but far fewer actually serve on boards. With the launch of LinkedIn Board Connect, nonprofit leaders have a tool to help them leverage their own networks and their board members’ networks to find the right skilled professionals to join their boards.

You can read more about this great new resource by clicking here.

The Art & Science of Social Profit Advocacy

By Doug Donovan for the Chronicle of Philanthropy

 

Nonprofits need a single organization to spearhead a national advocacy network to champion public policies that help charities and foundations, especially as Washington seems poised to consider an overhaul of the federal tax code, says a new report.

A two-year study involving more than 100 interviews with experts and studies of 500 advocacy efforts was released Wednesday by Independent Sector, a coalition of charities and foundations. The report estimated that it would cost $20-million over four years to establish a national organization to push a nonprofit agenda.

“The current fiscal climate demands a strong nonprofit voice on public-policy matters now more than ever,” says the report. “The sector must be well positioned to respond to public-policy initiatives concerning tax laws that affect charitable and philanthropic organizations.”

Diana Aviv, chief executive of Independent Sector, says challenges to tax laws that benefit charities and donors should spur nonprofits into action. No matter who wins the election, she says, lawmakers will come under pressure to change the tax code, given the huge federal deficit. “There is a great urgency now that we haven’t seen in decades,” Ms. Aviv says.

Please click here to read the rest of the article.

You can also download the full report by clicking here.