Build a bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation

[dave]

Juli-
A while back (ok, last week), you asked me to look into the build-a-
bear foundation grants, so I did.

First off, I looked at the info for the “literary and education
grants”, since you said you wanted to use the money available to fund
skills club.
The program areas for this grant include “direct support for children
in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs,
early childhood education programs, and literacy programs for children
with special needs” – so this sounds like it would be a good fit for
skills club. The specific grant types funded are “individual project
grants” (generally for one-time purchases or to fulfill a short-term
need, like purchasing materials or books), and “organization program
grants” (to fund start-up or operational costs for ongoing programs,
like a summer reading program). Judging from what you’ve said about
skills club and what-not, I would assume we’d be aiming for an
Organization Program grant.
The application deadline for the grant is 28 October, 2011, so we
still have time, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
throughout the year (the application period opened in March), with
grant review and processing taking 4-6 months.

Grants range from $1000 to 10,000, with the average being $1500. If we
are selected to receive a grant, then we’ll have to sign a grant
agreement and provide a follow-up report within six months of receipt
of the grant to show how the grant was used and its results.

To apply, organizations in the US must have 501c3 recognition, and may
only apply once a year. If I understand the guidelines correctly, if
we receive funding this year, we will not be able to apply again until
2013. If we do apply (and I think we should, since we seem to be a
good fit), the process is all on-line, and looks pretty
straightforward.

There’s a list here (http://www.buildabear.com/html/en_US/aboutus/
community/2010-Literacy-Grants.pdf) of last year’s recipients, and
judging from the names, I think we have a shot.

Let me know if you need more info/detail/whatever.

Thanks,
Dave

[dave]

Revisit this in the spring, after we've identified what skills club
needs there are.

[linda cozzolino]

Hi Juli (and group:) - 

Will "Homework Buddies" be offered as a Spring session (April-June), following the current session?  This could be the "gateway" program to CHH's community outreach, the 'angle' of interest to prospective funders.

Linda C

[linda cozzolino]

Took a look at Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation as well - attached is 2012 grant guidelines info, for our records.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2011 10:30:16 PM UTC-4, dave wrote: