FW: Innovation Matters ? Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
Sheila Nyberg
So many special grants listed here – check them out see if you fit – get some grant money!
Sheila Nyberg, Executive Director
Clark County Economic Development Corporation
And Tourism Bureau
301 N. Main St.
P.O. Box 236
Loyal, WI 54446
cell 715-305-7222
From: Wetuski, Carol - RD, Stevens Point, WI <Carol....@wi.usda.gov>
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 8:15 AM
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: FW: Innovation Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
Please share with those who may have an interest.
Carolyn Wetuski
Area Director
Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
1124 Professional Drive Suite 100 | Dodgeville, WI 53533
5417 Clem’s Way | Stevens Point, WI 54482
Cell 920-948-8651
www.rd.usda.gov/wi | “Committed to the future of rural communities”
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 9:44 AM
Subject: Innovation Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
Greetings All!
The Rural Development (RD) Innovation Center was recently established to identify and develop new ways to better support rural communities. Focusing on priorities around the areas of Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Innovation, the Center provides this list of funding opportunities, publications, events and learning to support rural communities’ transformation into prosperity. Enjoy!
Innovation Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
FUNDING
ACF encourages grassroots social change in Central Appalachia (eastern Tennessee, eastern Kentucky, southwest Virginia and all of West Virginia). ACF provides support to community-based organizations working for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice. ACF’s General Fund provides operating support and project grants of up to $3,000 to grassroots organizations that are addressing the underlying causes of poverty and oppression in the region. The focus is on organizations with budgets less than $200,000 that have limited access to traditional funding sources. Deadline: 4/12/2018.
NEA is offering support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations-those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability through its Challenge America program. Grants of $10,000 are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development, and require a minimum $10,000 match. The involvement of experienced artists and arts professionals is essential. Each applicant must present a straightforward project that reflects only one of the following three project types: guest artist, cultural tourism, public art. Deadline: 4/12/2018.
HUD has released the Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFA) for the FY 2017 Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The purpose of the YHDP is to promote comprehensive systems of care to address youth homelessness. YDHP will select up to 11 communities, including at least five rural communities, to support them in developing and implementing a coordinated community plan to prevent and end youth homelessness. Deadline: applications are due 4/17/2017.
Aetna Foundation is offering grants to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and federally recognized Indian tribes for programs that focus on activities that align with at least one of the following five domains: Healthy Behaviors, Community Safety, Built Environment, Social/Economic Factors, and Environmental Exposures. Applicants can request from $50,000 to $100,000 for projects lasting between 18 and 24 months. Organizations with annual operating budgets below $250,000 are not eligible to apply. Deadlines: Stage 1 application deadline is 4/18/2018; Stage 2 applications are due 6/15/2018.
- Newman's Own Award
Offers grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life for military members and their families, including programs for job training, housing, caregiver support, and mental health.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Apr 25, 2018
Sponsor: Fisher House Foundation
The U.S. Department of Justice is offering funding through The Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction Program. The program supports efforts in persistently distressed neighborhoods that face significant violent and serious crime challenges. Deadline: 4/29/2018.
The Association of American Indian Physicians is offering funding through the National Native American Youth Initiative (NNAYI). The initiative features a summer program designed to prepare American Indian and Alaska Native high school students to pursue careers in healthcare or biomedical research. Deadline to apply: 4/30/2018.
6. Foundation for Financial Planning
Foundation for Financial Planning is offering grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide to support the delivery of pro bono financial planning to populations who could not otherwise afford or access financial planning services. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 support programs helping many diverse groups, including active military members and wounded veterans, people with cancer, seniors and family caregivers, domestic violence survivors, general low-income families, etc. Deadline: online applications must be submitted by 4/30/2018.
The U.S. Department of Justice is offering grants through The Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program to nonprofits for community programs to help people who are reentering communities from incarceration. Deadline: 5/1/2018.
- Native Youth and Culture Fund
Grants for projects that focus on youth and incorporate culture and tradition to address social and health issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, and mental health.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Letter of Intent (Required): Mar 8, 2018
Application Deadline: May 1, 2018
Sponsor: First Nations Development Institute - AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants
Funding for programs that are designed to strengthen tribal communities and solve local problems through service and volunteering.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Letter of Intent (Optional): Apr 2, 2018
Application Deadline: May 2, 2018
Sponsor: Corporation for National and Community Service - AmeriCorps State and National Grants - Targeted Priority
Funding for programs that are designed to strengthen communities and solve local problems, including those found in rural and underserved areas. Funding priorities in 2018 include prescription drug and opioid abuse, child wellness, and infrastructure.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Letter of Intent (Optional): Apr 2, 2018
Application Deadline: May 2, 2018
Sponsor: Corporation for National and Community Service - VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program
Department of Veteran Affairs is offering grants to nonprofit and other organizations for programs to support adaptive sports activities for veterans within their home communities, as well as more advanced Paralympic and adaptive sports programs at the regional and national levels. Deadline: 5/2/2018.
USDA is offering grants for projects that assist in the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community‐supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer‐to‐consumer market opportunities. Deadline: 5/7/2018.
IMLS has announced the availability of funding through the Activating Community Opportunities Using Museums/Libraries as Assets program. Grants of up to $150,000 are offered to support projects that address significant challenges and opportunities facing the library, archive, and museum (LAM) fields and that have the potential to advance theory and practice. Libraries, museums, institutions of higher education and community organizations that support these entities are eligible to apply.
Deadline: 5/14/2018.
USDA Rural Utilities Service has announced the availability of funding through the Community Connect Broadband Grant Program which provides grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential and business broadband services and connect facilities via broadband facilities such as police and fire stations, healthcare, libraries, and schools. Deadline: 5/14/2018.
- Healthcare Connect Fund
Provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of a consortium or a stand-alone entity.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: May 31, 2018
Sponsor: Universal Service Administrative Company - Smart Rural Community Showcase Award
Honors rural communities that have achieved high levels of broadband activity and have used it to support innovative practices in industry sectors, such as healthcare, safety and security, and economic development.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jul 1, 2018
Sponsor: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association - Rural Hospital Leadership Award
Provides an educational stipend to a small or rural hospital administrator or chief executive officer to attend an AHA Annual Meeting or Health Forum Leadership Conference.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Aug 31, 2018
Sponsor: American Hospital Association
The Appalachian Regional Commission has released a request for proposals for the 2018 POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Program. In this round of funding, ARC will commit up to $20 million to support efforts that create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities in the ARC region by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and re-employment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment.
Evergreen Packaging and KidsGardening.org are proud to present our fourth annual national Carton 2 Garden Contest! Open to public and private schools, contest winners will be selected based on their implementation of an innovative garden creation featuring creative and sustainable uses for repurposed milk and juice cartons. Your school can get started by collecting at least 100 empty cartons from your home, community, or cafeteria. After gathering cartons, it’s time to design and construct purposeful garden items and structures using them. Looking for ideas? Check out last year’s winners for inspiration and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest or tips, activities, and lessons.
- Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment for educational loans in return for full-time clinical service in Indian Health Service programs.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Aug 15, 2018
Sponsors: Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rural LISC created the Community Facilities Fund to provide capital to help develop and improve essential community facilities in rural areas. Rural LISC utilizes this fund to provide permanent and construction-to- permanent financing for rural community facilities, including health care centers, hospitals, educational facilities, and other nonprofit and public facilities in rural communities with populations under 20,000. Deadline: ongoing.
The Walmart Foundation’s Community Grant Program is offering grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies that work in one of the following areas: hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human service, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, public safety, or environmental sustainability. Awards range from $250 to $5,000. Deadline: applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Home Depot Foundation provides funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies in the United States that are using the power of volunteers to improve communities through its Community Impact Grants program. Priority is given to projects that benefit veterans and/or diverse and underserved communities. Projects should be volunteer-friendly, engage people at all skill levels, and be expected to have a strong and lasting impact. Awards of up to $5,000 will be given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. Deadline: awards are made on a rolling basis.
First Nations today announced it has received a one-year, $100,000 grant from the Agua Fund as renewed funding to assist Native American communities in South Dakota and on the Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico and Utah). The funding allows First Nations to work with selected communities toward increasing control of their local food systems for improved health and well-being, as well as for asset-building and economic development purposes.
First Nations expects to issue a request for proposals for this grant program in the near future. Eligible entities will be Sioux or Navajo tribes, Sioux or Navajo-controlled nonprofit organizations, or Native community-based groups committed to increasing healthy food access in Sioux or Navajo communities.
First Nations will offer capacity-building training to the four selected participants, while two of these groups will receive direct grants of $30,000 each. The project will focus on tribal hunger, nutrition and healthy foods access, and will engage in activities such as conducting community food assessments and expanding initiatives for food-related business development. Participants will be selected based on their potential to serve as a positive model with replicable or adaptable components for other Native communities, as well as on their communities’ needs related to tribal hunger, food insecurity and healthy foods access.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grants Programs Directorate is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The Grant Programs Directorate administers the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program as part of the AFG Program. The purpose of the FP&S Grant Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards by assisting fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development. FP&S Grants are offered to support projects in two activities: (1) activities designed to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate the incidence of death, injuries, and property damage caused by fire and fire-related hazards ("Fire Prevention and Safety Activity") and (2) research and development activities aimed at improving firefighter safety, health, or wellness through research and development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries ("Firefighter Safety Research and Development Activity"). The program guidance document provides potential applicants with the details of the requirements, processing, and evaluation of an application for financial assistance for both of these activity areas.
Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Mercy Loan Fund and Neighborworks® Capital have partnered to offer $15 million in rapid-response loans for community organizations to accelerate recovery from last year’s hurricanes and wildfires. Loan recipients can use the financing for repairing, designing, and planning affordable housing developments; repairing existing or planned developments of other kinds; and relocating offices so organizations can return to work. Unsecured loans up to $500,000 will be available.
The Secretary of Agriculture has a congressionally designated advisory council that assists the U.S. Forest Service in establishing the grant categories and recommendations of final proposals for the Forest Service to consider. This is the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (Council). The Council serves to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the status of the nation’s urban and community forests and related natural resources. The Council seeks to establish sustainable urban and community forests, by encouraging communities of all sizes to manage and protect their natural resources, which, if well managed, improves the public’s health, well-being, economic vitality, and creates resilient ecosystems for present and future generations.
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PUBLICATIONS
In 2016, low-income participants in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received an average of about $126 in benefits each month to purchase eligible food items in authorized retail food stores. To become an authorized SNAP store, retailers are required to meet various criteria based in part on the types of food offered for sale. As of September 2016, over a quarter million (260,115) food retailers were authorized to redeem SNAP benefits. From 2007 to 2013, the number of SNAP-authorized stores grew by 53 percent. This increase coincided with a sharp rise in the number of SNAP participants that was largely due to the economic downturn, including the Great Recession of 2007-09, which increased demand for food assistance. Much of the growth in the number of SNAP stores was the result of more convenience stores applying for and receiving authorization to accept SNAP benefits. The number of SNAP-authorized convenience stores doubled from 2007 to 2016. By 2016, convenience stores accounted for 45 percent of all SNAP-authorized stores, but these stores accounted for just 6 percent of SNAP redemptions.
The prevalence of food insecurity—having difficulty providing enough food for all household members at some time during the year—varies across U.S. demographic groups. While some types of households may be less likely to be food insecure, the household groups could be so large that the households in the groups who are experiencing food insecurity make up a large share of all food-insecure households. For example, multiple-adult households without children had a lower food insecurity prevalence (8.0 percent) than single-mother households (31.6 percent) and single-father households (21.7 percent) in 2016. However, in the Nation as a whole, multiple-adult households without children—households that include married and unmarried couples with no children, or grown children, as well as households made up of relatives or roommates over the age of 18—are more numerous than single-parent households, so these multiple-adult households make up a larger share of all food-insecure households. In 2016, multiple-adult households without children accounted for 27 percent of all food-insecure households; single-mother households accounted for 20 percent; and single-father households accounted for 4 percent.
A recent ERS study analyzed spending on fruits and vegetables by the 4,826 households that participated in USDA’s National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Among these households, 170 bought some of their fruits and vegetables directly from farmers at roadside stands, farmers’ markets, or other direct-to-consumer (DTC) outlets during their week of participation in the survey. Another 3,388 households bought fruits and vegetables exclusively at nondirect food stores. The researchers found that purchasing fruits and vegetables at a DTC outlet was positively associated with several healthy practices. For example, people buying fruits and vegetables directly from farmers were more likely to have a vegetable garden (45 versus 25 percent of non-DTC shoppers), to be aware of USDA’s MyPlate campaign to promote Federal dietary guidance, and to search the internet for information on healthy eating. Households that bought fruits and vegetables directly from farmers were also more likely to rate the healthfulness of their diets as excellent or very good.
Commercial-sized farms often require more management and labor than an individual can provide. Additional operators can offer these and other resources, such as capital or farmland. Having a secondary operator may also provide a successor when an older principal operator phases out of farming. In 2016, nearly 40 percent of all U.S. farms had a multiple operators. Because nearly all farms are family owned, family members often serve as secondary operators. For example, 64 percent of secondary operators were spouses of principal operators. Some multiple-operator farms were also run by multiple generations, with a difference of at least 20 years between the ages of the youngest and oldest operators. These multiple-generation farms accounted for about 7 percent of all U.S. farms. Large-scale family farms and nonfamily farms were more likely to be operated by multiple generations, at about 20-25 percent of those farms. However, the operators in nonfamily multiple-generation farms were likely unrelated managers from different generations.
USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the Nation's largest food assistance program. For much of the program's history, administration of SNAP was largely uniform across States. However, welfare reform legislation in 1996 and subsequent legislative and regulatory changes have allowed States increased flexibility to administer some components of the program. ERS researchers recently developed an index that reflects how accommodative, or encouraging, State policies are to enrolling individuals in SNAP. This SNAP policy index is composed of 10 State policies related to eligibility, ease of enrolling and participating, participation stigma, and outreach to attract new participants. The index ranges between 1 and 10, with a higher number indicating more accommodative policies are in place. For the Nation as a whole, the index grew steadily from 1997 to 2014, meaning that States tended to adopt policies encouraging enrollment. Between 1997 and 2000, policies that relaxed eligibility and reduced stigma played the largest roles in the rising index. After 2000, policies that made enrolling and remaining in the program easier played a larger role.
Nearly 19 million veterans lived in the United States in 2015. Almost 18 percent of them lived in rural (nonmetro) counties, compared to 15 percent of the U.S. adult civilian population. About 45 percent of rural veterans were working age (18 to 64 years old); the rest were elder veterans (65 years or older). Overall, about 21 percent of elder rural veterans reported currently working (full- or part-time) or having last worked (if retired or unemployed) in the agriculture industry. By comparison, less than 3 percent of working-age veterans reported the same. Instead, working-age veterans relied more on the manufacturing industry for employment. About 19 percent of working age veterans reported currently working or having last worked in manufacturing, compared to 7 percent of elder veterans. Both working age and elder veterans relied about equally for employment in some industries —including education and health, wholesale and retail trade, and construction.
EVENTS/LEARNING
Hospitals can tackle food insecurity, obesity, and chronic disease while promoting healthy, local, and sustainable food systems. Created with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Health Care Without Harm’s “Delivering community benefit: Healthy food playbook” inspires and supports hospital community benefit professionals and community partners in developing initiatives to promote healthy food access and healthy, local and sustainable food systems. The playbook offers resources to address diet-related community health needs throughout the community health engagement process. The playbook features case studies from leading hospitals from across the country and 25 guidance resources that support community health needs assessments; developing implementation strategies; and evaluating, reporting, and communicating results.
- USDA Webinars Regarding the Community Connect Grant Program
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will host webinars focused on the Community Connect Grant Program. These webinars will inform participants about the major eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and will provide detailed guidance on how to submit a successful application. There will also be time for participants to ask the speakers specific questions about putting together an application. On March 15th, the Community Connect Grant Program's Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) was published in the Federal Register. A copy can be found here. You can register for the April 5th session here and the April 10th session here. We recommend you do this registration early and run a system check to ensure quick access on the day of the webinar.
- USDA Webinars Regarding the Community Connect Grant Program Environmental Requirements - FY2018
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will host webinars focused on environmental requirements for the Community Connect Grant Program. These webinars will inform participants about the major environmental requirements of the Community Connect Program. There will also be time for participants to ask the speakers specific questions on environmental reviews. You can register for the April 5th session here and the April 12th session here. We recommend you do this registration early and run a system check to ensure quick access on the day of the webinar.
CDFA is hosting a webinar on April 12th focused on the financing tools available through the US Department of Transportation. We have several great speakers lined up to participate, and if you haven't already registered, I hope you'll consider joining us. As you may already know, the recently passed federal spending bill allocates $1 billion to the TIGER program, making our upcoming webinar especially relevant to anyone considering applying for TIGER funds.
This webinar will explore best practices for planning and writing LFPP/FMPP proposals, emphasizing that designing effective and impactful goal-based programs is the foundation of successful grant applications. We will put special emphasis on addressing the opportunity's evaluation criteria, ensuring you put your best foot forward. This webinar will be geared to those who are less experienced in writing grant proposals, particularly proposals for US government grants. April 12th | 2PM EST
Learn from an in-depth survey of food hubs across the US. Designed, run and analyzed by Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems in cooperation with the Wallace Center and the NGFN Food Hub Collaboration, this is truly the definitive word on food hubs in the US in 2017. April 19th | 3:30PM EST
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Newsletters and email from which we gather this information include:
v Foundation Center RFP Service
v Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
v Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
v Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine
v National Association for Development Organizations (NADO)
v ERS