Funding Resources for Libraries Handout
Today, Pam and Stephanie are presenting an online webinar, "Winning Grants for Libraries 101", as part of the Alliance Library System and Learning Times “The Art of Grant Writing and Fundraising” conference. We have a handout to share that lists resources for finding funding. It is available online:
http://www.pamelamackellar.com/Resources.doc

Our publisher is giving a 10% discount on our book, Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD for Librarians. They've also extended this to you, our grant blog readers! The code is GLIB10, and can be used on the Neal-Schuman website during check-out.
For more information about the conference, visit: http://www.learningtimes.net/fundraisingconference.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 1:30 PM 0 comments

 
ALA IFRT Intellectual Freedom Awards
Deadline: December 1, 2009

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking nominees for three awards. Each award celebrates the achievements of librarians, writers, and citizens in their defense of our basic right to read and express ideas.

The John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award honors intellectual freedom fighters in and outside the library profession who have demonstrated remarkable personal courage in resisting censorship. The award consists of $500 and a citation. Individuals, groups of individuals, or organizations are eligible for the award.

The Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award is presented for the best published work in the area of intellectual freedom. Works to be considered for the award may be single articles (including review pieces), series of thematically connected articles, books, or manuals published on the local, state, or national level in English or English translation.

The ProQuest/SIRS State and Regional Intellectual Freedom Achievement Award is given to the most innovative and effective intellectual freedom project covering a state or region. Programs may be one-time, one-year, or ongoing/multi-year efforts. The award consists of a citation and $1,000 donated by ProQuest.

If you have any questions about these awards, please contact Nanette Perez (nperez@ala.org) at the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. More information and nomination forms are available on the IFRT Award website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:40 AM 0 comments

 
ALA's James Madison Award and The Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award
Deadline: February 6, 2010

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is calling for nominations for two awards to honor individuals or groups who have championed, protected and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know. Both awards are presented during Freedom of Information (FOI) Day, an annual event on or near March 16, Madison’s birthday.

The James Madison Award, named in honor of President James Madison, was established in 1986 to celebrate an individual or group who has brought awareness to these issues at the national level. Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and as the foremost advocate for openness in government.

The Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award honors an extraordinary leader who has built local grassroots awareness of the importance of access to information. Cooke, former director of the ALA Washington Office, was a tireless advocate for the public’s right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees.

Submissions should include a statement (maximum one page) about the nominee’s contribution to public access to government information and why it merits the award and one seconding letter. Please include a brief biography and contact information for the nominee.

Send e-mail nominations to Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director for the ALA Office of Government Relations, at jmcgilvray@alawash.org. Submissions can also be mailed to: James Madison Award / Eileen Cooke AwardAmerican Library AssociationWashington Office1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NWWashington, D.C. 20009-2520.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:21 AM 0 comments

 
NEA's The Big Read
Deadline: February 2, 2010.
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The Big Read provides U.S. communities with grants and comprehensive resources that support their efforts to read and discuss a single book or the work of a poet.

Organizations may apply for grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. Organizations selected to participate will receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, educational and promotional materials to support widespread community involvement and participation, an Organizer’s Guide for developing and managing Big Read activities, inclusion of the organization and its activities on The Big Read Web site, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national program.

Changes to the 2010-2011 Big Read Programming

• Grants will be more competitive. This year there will be approximately 75 awards made, I believe last year there were 400.
• The Big Read is going green. Although printed educational and promotional materials will be provided in limited quantities, grantees will be encouraged to access the materials online.
• Orientation has moved online. The same helpful information will be delivered through webinars, video conferences, and online forums.

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:02 AM 0 comments

 
A discount code for our blog readers!
As part of an online class we are giving next week, our publisher is giving a 10% discount to attendees on our book, Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD for Librarians. They've also extended this to you, our grant blog readers! The code is GLIB10, and can be used on the Neal-Schuman web site during check-out.

Stephanie and Pam's online webinar, "Winning Grants for Libraries 101", is part of an online conference next Thursday. Hope to "see" you there!

The Art of Grant Writing and Fundraising
When: November 19, 2009

In these tough economic times, libraries are relying more and more on fundraising and grant writing. Alliance Library System and Learning Times are co-sponsoring “The Art of Grant Writing and Fundraising” as an online conference to help libraries meet the challenge of finding funding in these tough times. This exciting program will offer a number of programs for beginners through intermediate and advanced levels of all aspects of grant writing and fundraising.

The cost of the one day online event is $69.00. For a group, the price is $99.00. If this registration fee is a hardship, please email Alliance Library System Director of Innovation Lori Bell, lbell @ alliancelibrarysystem, for a discount coupon of $20 off registration price.

Library students can attend for free.

More information, including registration, is available at: http://www.learningtimes.net/fundraisingconference.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:54 AM 0 comments

 
Books Across America Awards for School Libraries
Deadline: November 20, 2009

The NEA Foundation is accepting applications for the Books Across America Library Books Awards. Presented in collaboration with the National Educational Association, Books Across America will make approximately fifty awards of $1,000 to public schools serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books for school libraries.

Applicants must be practicing preK-12 school librarians, teachers, or education support professionals. To be eligible, seventy percent of students in applicant schools must be eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. For additional information, and to apply, visit the NEA Foundation web site.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:27 AM 0 comments

 
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Deadline: December 15, 2009

This program supports projects to develop faculty and library leaders, to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians, to conduct research on the library profession, and to support early career research on any area of library and information science by tenure-track, untenured faculty in graduate schools of library and information science. It also supports projects to attract high school and college students to consider careers in libraries, to build institutional capacity in graduate schools of library and information science, and to assist in the professional development of librarians and library staff.

Grant amounts from $50,000–$1,000,000 are available over a 3–4year period. A fifty percent of total project costs match is required. Funds requested for student support and for research projects are not subject to matching requirements.

IMLS will be holding a conference call to answer questions about applications, procedures, etc. on Tuesday, November 10, at 2pm (ET), 1 hour call. Those wishing to join the conference call should phone 800/603-9527 and when prompted, provide the conference id, # 39706057.

For more information, visit the IMLS web site or the Grants.gov web site.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:23 AM 0 comments

 
Laura Bush Foundation School Library Grants
Deadline: December 31, 2009

In order to promote a love of reading, the goal of the Laura Bush Foundation (LBF) is to provide books to the school libraries and students that most need them. Consequently, funds are available only for library books and magazine/serial copies and subscriptions.

The Foundation strives for wide geographic distribution in the support it offers, making grants of up to $6,000 to update, extend, and diversify the book collections of the libraries that receive them. All LBF grants are made to individual schools rather than to school districts, county systems, private organizations, foundations, or other entities. Only one application per school is allowed per year.

Because research demonstrates a clear relationship between family income and a student’s access to books, the LBF gives selection preference to schools in which 90% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunches (FRL) and are likely to have the fewest books at home.

More information and the online application are available on the LBF website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:20 AM 0 comments

 
Grants to Support Youth-Led Projects Addressing Teen Dating Abuse
Deadline: November 15, 2009

Do Something and Liz Claiborne, Inc. seek to support young people across the US who are taking a stand against teen dating abuse. This might be a good fit for a public teen advisory group program or a school library event.

Do Something will award ten grants of $250 each to help run projects started by young people that are fighting teen dating abuse. Programs may include activities such as holding an abuse awareness week, setting up a peer-counseling program, or posting fliers to alert people about dating abuse hotlines. Special consideration will be given to projects that include an event on It's Time to Talk Day (December 3, 2009), or culminate in some way on that day.

Visit the Do Something Web site for complete program guidelines.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 8:10 AM 0 comments

 
"We the People" Bookshelf Grant from NEH and ALA
Deadline: January 29, 2010

The We the People Bookshelf, a collection of classic books for young readers, is a project of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) We the People program, in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office.

The theme for the 2009-2010 Bookshelf is "A More Perfect Union". A total of 4,000 public and school (K-12) libraries will be selected to receive the "A More Perfect Union" Bookshelf, a set of classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the theme. The set includes sixteen books in English appropriate for reading levels from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Applicants may choose to receive some of these books in Spanish translation. Three bonus selections will appeal to audiences of all ages. Libraries will also receive supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters. Awards will be announced in April 2010.

The “A More Perfect Union” Bookshelf grants are part of the NEH's We the People initiative, which aims to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture through libraries, schools, colleges, universities, and cultural institutions.

Public and school (K-12) libraries are invited to apply online now at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 6:36 PM 0 comments

 
H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant
Deadline: December 1, 2009

This annual award of $3,500 and a 24k gold-framed citation and donated by the H.W. Wilson Company is given to a library organization whose application demonstrates greatest merit for a program of staff development designed to further the goals and objectives of the library organization. For more information visit ALA Grants and Awards.
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 6:46 AM 0 comments

 
Great Stories CLUB grants
Deadline: Nov. 2, 2009
The ALA Public Programs Office and YALSA have announced the theme ("New Horizons") and book titles for the next round of Great Stories CLUB grants. The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a book club program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books relevant to their lives.

All types of libraries (public, school, academic and special) located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens in the US and its territories are eligible to apply for a Great Stories Club grant. Potential organizations for Great Stories CLUB partnerships include juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children, shelters serving homeless and runaway youth and other agencies. For tips on creating a partnership, visit www.ala.org/greatstories.

265 libraries will be selected to develop a book discussion program for teens based on the three theme-related titles and will be given copies of the books to share with each participant. Participating libraries will also receive access to an online toolkit to support the program, including sample discussion questions, recommended titles for further reading and other resources. Small cash grants ($100-$200) will be awarded to as many as 25 sites for the support of program-related expenses.

For more information on the Great Stories CLUB, including guidelines, book descriptions, application instructions and feedback from past participants, visit www.ala.org/greatstories.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:50 AM 0 comments

 
Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant
Deadline: October 16, 2009

The Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant is sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association. All types of libraries in the US are invited to apply.

The grant of $3,000 will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2010 National Library Week theme, "Communities thrive @ your library." National Library Week is April 11-17, 2010.

Grant guidelines and application forms are available on the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant web site.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:47 AM 0 comments

 
State Farm Service-Learning Grants
Deadline: Oct. 2, 2009
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board grants funds for student-led service-learning projects in the US and in Canada. These grants address the issues of environmental responsibility, natural and societal disaster preparedness, driver safety, financial education, and accessing higher education/closing the achievement gap.

The minimum grant amount is $25,000 and the maximum grant amount is $100,000. Primary applicant should be either an educator who currently teaches in a public K-12 public, charter, or higher education institution, or a school-based service-learning coordinator whose primary role is to coordinate service-learning projects in a public, charter, or higher education institution. Non-profit 501(c) 3organizations are also eligible if they are able to demonstrate how they plan to actively interact with students in public K-12 schools.
Application and details are available on the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:41 AM 0 comments

 
Target Field Trip Grants Program
Deadline: November 3, 2009

The Target Corporation will award 5,000 field trip grants of up to $800 each for the coming K-12 school year.

Managed by Scholarship America, the program is open to education professionals who are at least 18 years old and employed by an accredited K-12 public, private, or charter school in the US with a 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status. Educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff of these institutions must be willing to plan and execute a field trip that will provide a demonstrable learning experience for students.

Grant funds may be used for visits to art, science, and cultural museums; community service or civics projects; career enrichment opportunities; and other events or activities away from the school facility. Funds may also be used to cover field trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, resource materials, and supplies.

Complete program information is available at the Target Web site.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:35 AM 0 comments

 
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Deadline: November 5, 2009
Funding for Research and Education Projects
Grants will be awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations and to state and other public colleges and universities working to give individuals the tools and information they need to better understand the markets and the principles of saving and investing.

More information and application are available on the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:29 AM 0 comments

 
NEH Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
Deadline: December 8, 2009
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 2:05 PM 0 comments

 
American Heritage Preservation Grants
Deadline: September 15, 2009

Bank of America is partnering with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to provide American Heritage Preservation grants to small museums, libraries, and archives. The grants will raise awareness and fund preservation of treasures held in small museums, libraries and archives. Priority will be given to smaller institutions, but all libraries, archives, and museums that meet IMLS institutional eligibility criteria are eligible to apply. Grants will help to preserve specific items, including works of art, artifacts and historical documents that are in need of conservation. Applicants will build on completed conservation assessments of their collections, to ensure that the Bank of America/IMLS grants are used in accordance with best practices in the field, and underscore the importance of assessment planning. Grant amounts are available up to $3,000. Grant Program Guidelines are available at:
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/pdf/AHPG_2010.pdf
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 1:06 PM 0 comments

 
2010 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant
Deadline: Oct. 16, 2009

US Libraries are invited to apply for the $3,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2010 National Library Week theme, “Communities thrive @ your library®.”

The grant is sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association (ALA). National Library Week is April 11-17, 2010.

All proposals must use the “Communities thrive @ your library” theme, which incorporates The Campaign for America's Libraries’ “@ your library” brand, on any and all promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site at under the “download logos” section.

A grant application form and guidelines are available on the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant Web site.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 12:53 PM 0 comments

 
NHPRC - Detailed Processing Projects
Deadline: October 6, 2009
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 11:55 AM 0 comments

 
NHPRC Archives - Basic Projects
Deadline: October 6, 2009
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 11:49 AM 0 comments

 
Books for Babies Matching Grants
Deadlines: April 15 and October 1, 2009

In partnership with Nordstrom, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) will be granting 20 grants for $500 each to match $1,000 raised by selected Friends groups, women's groups, libraries, and other non-profit organizations for purchasing Books for Babies kits from ALTAFF. Grant recipients do not need to be members of ALTAFF. For more information visit the ALTAFF Website.
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 3:30 PM 0 comments

 
Winning Library Grants Video Contest!
Stephanie and Pam are pleased to announce we are working on a new grants book! Winning Grants: A Multimedia How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians will be published by Neal-Schuman next year. And YOU could be showcased in it. Please spread the word about our new contest!

See Your Grant Success Story in a Neal-Schuman Book by Stephanie Gerding and Pam MacKellar. 16 library grant success stories were highlighted in our last Neal-Schuman book, Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual. Readers would love to learn about a successful grant your library has received. Tell us of your accomplishments, both planned and unexpected.

VIDEO CONTEST Just submit a 5 minute video about your library grant success story by Oct. 30, 2009 for your chance to be spotlighted in our new book and DVD. Your video could include a tour of a grant project, interviews with grant team members or people who benefited from the grant, tips about grant writing or any part of the grant process. Please limit to 5 minutes or less, and be engaging! More details are available online and you can submit at YouTube in the Library Grants Group.

Thank you!
Stephanie Gerding & Pam MacKellar
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:17 AM 0 comments

 
NEA Learning & Leadership Grants and Student Achievement Grants
Deadlines: June 1, October 15, and February 1.
The National Endowment for the Arts Foundation has introduced a new online grant application system for their $2,000 and $5,000 Learning & Leadership Grants and Student Achievement Grants that makes the grant application process easier. For a guided tour and detailed instruction of the new system, the Foundation has posted a video featuring grants manager Jesse Graytock. Applicants can view the video or link directly to the applications from the NEA Foundation's web site at www.neafoundation.org/grants.

The Learning & Leadership Grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of the following two purposes: 1) Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; 2) Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment.

The Student Achievement Grants aim to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:17 AM 0 comments

 
2009 Healthy Sprouts Awards: Grow a Library Garden

Deadline: October 17, 2009
These awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the US. To be eligible for the 2009 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2010 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18.

This year there will be 20 awards to schools or organizations. Each program will receive:

• gift certificates for gardening materials from the sponsoring company, Gardener's Supply Company; 5 grants will be for $500; 15 more will receive a $200 gift certificate
• NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons
• 25 packets of seeds
• a literature package from NGA

Download Application or view more information at the website: http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp.

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:02 PM 1 comments

 
Build-A-Bear Workshop Giving Programs Accepting Grant Applications for 2009
Deadline: Ongoing

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is accepting grant applications as part of its annual giving program. In the company's twelve-year history it has donated over $20 million to organizations that support families, children, animals, and the environment, including the donation of thousands of stuffed animals to comfort children in need. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation supports charities in the United States and Canada through grant programs including Literacy and Education Grants which provide 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. Grant request deadlines are at the end of February, May, August, and November. For more information visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop website.
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 2:40 PM 0 comments

 
Jenny Jones Community Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Talk show host and philanthropist Jenny Jones has announced that she will donate an additional $1 million to continue her Jenny's Heroes ( http://www.jennysheroes.com/ ) community grantprogram. The Jenny's Heroes program awards grants to individuals who submit the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects. Jenny's Heroes provides grants of up to $25,000 each to fund projects that promise long-term community benefits. Through the fifty grant recipients so far, funds have been used to provide items and services such as library books, school computers, and coats for children in domestic violence shelters. The program's focus is primarily on smaller communities where fundraising can be difficult. For more information on Jenny's Heroes and grant guidelines, visit the program's Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016232/jennysheroes
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 12:42 PM 0 comments

 
Beyond Words: the Dollar General School Library Relief Fund

Deadline: Ongoing, applications reviewed monthly, through 2010

Dollar General, in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA), the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the National Education Association (NEA), is sponsoring a school library disaster relief fund for public school libraries in the states served by Dollar General. Grants will be awarded to public school libraries that have incurred substantial damage or hardship due to a natural disaster (tornado, earthquake, hurricane, flood, avalanche, mudslide), fire or an act recognized by the federal government as terrorism. Grants for $5,000 to $15,000 are to replace or supplement books, media and/or library equipment in the school library setting. The impact can be through direct loss or through an increase in enrollment due to displaced/evacuated students. More information and the grant application are available through the AASL website.

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:13 AM 0 comments

 
Libri Foundation Grants for Children's Books
Deadlines: Annually, January 15th, April 15th, and August 15th.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program. The Foundation awards grants three times a year.

The librarian of each library participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist have been judged as outstanding or highly recommended by recognized authorities in the library and education fields and have been published in the last 3 years or are classics. The application guidelines and forms contain details on eligibility for grants and the procedures for applying for one.The Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, your library could receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books (about 70 books). Local sponsors have five months (or longer, if necessary) after their library has been selected as a participant in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program to raise the matching funds.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:30 AM 0 comments

 
Seeds for Education Grant
Deadline: Nov. 15

Are you planning a library garden? Wild Ones is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the use of natural landscaping with native plant species as an ecologically better alternative to traditional landscaping practices. Eligible applicants include schools, nature centers and other non-profit and not-for-profit places of learning including houses of worship. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers and increase the educational value of the site. Creativity in design is encouraged, but must show complete and thoughtful planning. The use of and teaching about native plants and the native plant community is mandatory, and they must be appropriate to the local ecoregion and the site conditions (soil, water, sunlight).
Examples of appropriate projects are:

• The design, establishment and maintenance of a native plant community such as prairie, woodland, wetland etc. in an educational setting such as an outdoor classroom.
• Developing and maintaining an interpretive trail landscaped with native plant communities.
• Developing a wetland area to study the effect of native vegetation on water quality improvement.
• Group student-teacher research projects aimed at documenting the presence, behaviors, needs and contributions of various forms of wildlife and the impact of native plant species.

Cash awards range from $100 to $500 for the purchase of native plants and seed. More information and the application are available on the Seeds for Education Web Site.

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:22 AM 0 comments

 
Usborne Literacy for a Lifetime Matching Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

This is a matching grant program for schools and organizations that support literacy, including churches, to buy Usborne books. If your school or organization receives a grant or donation and uses it to purchase Usborne Books, EDC (Educational Development Corporation) will match it by 50% in additional books.

For example, a $1,000 grant is matched with an additional $500 and the organization receives $1,500 in educational Usborne Books for their use. Literacy for a Lifetime can be used as often as grants or donations become available, and there is no cap on the amount matched. The receiving school or organization can select the books, from over 1,400 titles. The books are shipped free (within the US).

For more information, visit www.literacyforalifetime.com. To view titles, visit www.readingstars.us.

If you would like a free informational packet, e-mail Krissi Newtown krissi @ readingstars.us, Certified Educational Consultant.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:59 AM 0 comments

 
Pathways Within: Roads to Reading Initiative
Pathways Within: Roads to Reading Initiative
Deadlines: March 15th & October 15th

Pathways Within, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 organization that was established in 1993 to assist communities that are underserved. The Road to Reading Initiative's mission is to provide quality reading and educational materials to underserved small and rural communities (with a population of fewer than 50,000) in the United States.

Eligible programs for book donations include: after-school or community literacy programs, day-care centers programs, library reading programs, storytime programs, and reading centers. They will make donations to library collections available for students and for direct use. Most titles are in English with a limited number of books in Spanish (titles are listed on the website). On average 100 to 200 books are awarded per grantee.

Visit the website for application information or email Pathways Within, Inc. at biannual@pwirtr.org.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:46 AM 0 comments

 
Pay It Forward Foundation Mini-Grants
Deadlines: January 15, April 15 and October 15 of each year

The Pay It Forward Foundation Mini-Grant program was established to inspire students to realize that they can change the world. Grants fund service-oriented projects that are identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community.

Projects must contain a “pay it forward” focus – that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially – to be considered in the grant making process.

Schools, churches, and community youth groups may apply for mini-grants of up to $500. Because funding is limited, projects requesting smaller amounts will be given priority. Additional information and the application are available on the foundation website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:43 PM 0 comments

 
Kresge Foundation Capital Challenge Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

The Kresge Foundation's mission is to strengthen organizations that advance the well-being of humanity. Eligible and past applicants include libraries. The Capital Challenge Grant Program is designed to support an organization’s immediate capital needs and to build its capacity to raise private support for the future. An organization applies to the Foundation after it has recruited campaign volunteers, secured leadership gifts, and developed firm project costs. A Kresge grant is awarded on a challenge basis. It is an “all or nothing” challenge and is usually one-third to one-fifth of the amount an organization has to raise to complete its campaign goal. For further information, go to: http://www.kresge.org/content/displaycontent.aspx?CID=24
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:18 AM 1 comments

 
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Minigrant Program
Deadline: September 15, every year
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation offers minigrants of $500 to Public School and Public Libraries for programs that encourage literacy and creativity in children. Programs relating to the work of Ezra Jack Keats (writer and illustrator) are welcome, but not required. An application form is available on the website. NOTE: In 2007 minigrants have increased in from $350 to $500!
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 8:23 AM 0 comments

 
NLM Individual Fellowship for Informationist Training
Deadline: Multiple Receipt Dates

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) awards informationist fellowships to those wish to become informationists. Informationists are information specialists who work in domain settings of healthcare, public health and biomedical research as peers, in teams with scientists and health professionals. These fellowships are intended for health sciences librarians, scientists, health professionals and others who wish to broaden their existing scientific background by acquiring the additional disciplinary knowledge and experience to function as an informationist. Priority fields include but are not limited to library and information sciences, health professions, biomedical and behavioral sciences, public health, engineering and computer science.

For additional information visit the link to the full announcement.
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 6:39 AM 0 comments

 
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31

Want to teach youth about the environment? Start a library garden project, recyling program, or other hands-on environmental education programming. The Captain Planet Foundation awards grants in the amount of $250 - $2,500. The Foundation's objective is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. The application process (a short online form) and more details are on the website.

ALL PROJECTS MUST:
Promote understanding of environmental issues
Focus on hands-on involvement
Involve children and young adults ages 6-18
Promote interaction and cooperation within the group
Help young people develop planning and problem solving skills
Include adult supervision
Commit to follow-up communication with the Foundation
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:45 AM 0 comments

 
The Reviews are In!
Stephanie and Pam's book, Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual, was published in 2006. Order it from the Neal-Schuman website or order from Amazon.com.

Library Journal, Starred Review:
“Grants for Libraries is like the Boy Scouts’ field manual when it comes to grant-writing and development: it is an essential, authoritative, step-by-step guidebook to securing the funding your library needs….this essential “how-to” manual makes a complex topic comprehensible. Grab it and go “granting”!”

Booklist:
"This book should be at the side of every grant-writing librarian."

American Libraries:
"Although having a genie to grant all your funding requests might be handy, a better bet is to follow the advice of Stephanie K Gerding and Pamela H MacKellar."

Midwest Book Review:
"A "must-have" resource especially for library professionals."

Teacher Librarian:
"This book is an appropriate purchase not just for the individual teacher-librarian who needs a short course in grant writing but also for a district director who intends to provide professional development on this topic. This book can also be used as a text in a library school seminar or in a continuing education workshop. It is certainly a text worth considering. Bottom line: Recommended."
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:11 PM 0 comments

 
RGK Foundation Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing

RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health.
The Foundation's primary interests within Education include formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), literacy, and higher education. Human service programs of particular interest to the Foundation include children and family services, early childhood development, and parenting education. The Foundation's interests within Health/Medicine are programs that promote the health and well-being of children and families, programs that promote access to health services, and, on a more limited basis, medical research programs. Youth development programs supported by the Foundation typically include after-school educational enrichment programs that supplement and enhance formal education systems to increase the chances for successful outcomes in school and life.

All applicants must complete an electronic Letter of Inquiry from the Web site as the first step.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:08 AM 0 comments

 
Brinker International Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

Brinker International (includes Chili’s Grill & Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, and Maggiano’s Little Italy) gives to the communities where its restaurants are located. If there is a Brinker International restaurant in your community, you may be eligible to apply for funding. The company's Web site states that they give over $3 million a year to a diverse variety of local fund-raising activities. The objective of the Brinker International Foundation is to support programs and projects that are affiliated with Children/Family, Arts, Civic, and University related educational programs.

The exact amount requested and the specific purpose for the donation should be briefly summarized on 1-2 typewritten pages. Visit Brinker International's Web site for more information about proposal guidelines and funding restrictions.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:59 AM 0 comments

 
The Dreyer's Foundation Small Grants and Product Donations
Deadline: Ongoing

The Dreyer's Foundation makes small grants ($3,000 or less) and donates ice cream products and gift certificates/auction items to nonprofit organizations for events. Proposals are reviewed on a monthly basis. A one-page letter with brief information is all that is required. To view specifics and contact information, visit the Dreyer's Foundation website at http://www.dreyersinc.com/dreyersfoundation/small_grants.asp.
Source: grantsTX mailing list
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:52 AM 0 comments

 
American Legion Child Welfare Foundation
Deadline: July 15 (every year)

Applications must be requested from April 1 through July 1. Proposals are accepted from nonprofit organizations with projects that support the foundation’s purpose of contributing to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge about a) new and innovative organizations and their programs designed to benefit youth or b) by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society. Grants range from $1,500 to $70,000, with an average grant amount of $32,000. Grants must have the potential of helping American children in a large geographic area. More information, including contact address for proposal is included on the The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:30 AM 0 comments

 
Paul Allen Family Foundation Grants
The mission of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is to transform individual lives and strengthen communities by fostering innovation, creating knowledge, and promoting social progress. The Community Development and Social Change Program has previously funded new library construction and renovation. To be eligible, you must be serving populations of the Pacific Northwest, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. More details including how to apply are on the Foundation's website (http://www.pgafoundations.com).
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:49 AM 0 comments

 
Prudential Foundation Ready to Learn Program
Deadeline: Ongoing

Ready to Learn funds initiatives that strengthen public education at the elementary school level. Emphasis is put on systemic school reform; improving teacher and educational leadership skills; increasing parental involvement; arts education; early childhood care and education; and bolstering literacy in the early years.

The Foundation has geographic priorities, including programs that serve Newark and surrounding New Jersey urban centers, and the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Phoenix. Application and more information available on the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:40 PM 0 comments

 
Laura Bush Foundation Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative
Deadline: Ongoing

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries recognizes the critical and special needs of many schools in the areas devastated by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma along the Gulf Coast of the US this past year. A special fund has been established to refurbish and re-establish the libraries for schools in the areas of these natural disasters. The goal of the fund is to help school libraries become fully functional and to offer the needed print resources to the students of the schools that were destroyed or severely damaged.

A questionnaire/application for funds is available through www.laurabushfoundation.org. Applicant schools should provide the required information, as outlined in the questionnaire, in a 3-5 page narrative. A first round of two to four grants will be made by late April, and further grants are anticipated to be made as funds become available.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 11:19 AM 0 comments

 
W. K. Kellogg Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

Grants are made in the four areas of: Health, Food Systems and Rural Development, Youth and Education, and Philanthropy and Volunteerism. Online applications are encouraged. Most Kellogg Foundation grants are awarded in: the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven southern African countries – Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. Guidelines, programming interests and more details are available on the Kellogg Foundation website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:05 PM 0 comments

 
Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation Research Library Program Grants

Deadline: Ongoing

The Research Library Program concentrates primarily in areas of its founders’ interests and the Foundation’s other program areas (humanities scholarship, performing arts, and Venetian history and culture). The objective of the program is to improve the ability of research libraries to serve the needs of humanities scholarship and the performing arts, and to help make their resources more widely accessible to scholars and the public. The foundation is interested in library grants that promote cooperative cataloging projects, with an emphasis on access to archival, manuscript, and other unique sources; some elements of interpretation and exhibition; scholarly library publications; bibliographical and publishing projects of interest to research libraries; and preservation / conservation work and research. A limited number of small grants are available for projects related to the history of the book, book culture, printing history, and related programs. Grants for conferences designed to address these issues in collaborative ways and programs formulated to enhance or leverage similar activity by other institutions, consortia, or funding agencies will also be considered.

Application requires a two page letter of inquiry to the Foundation. For more information, visit the foundation website.

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 1:52 PM 0 comments

 
First Book National Book Bank Offers Free Books for Children
Deadline: Ongoing

The First Book National Book Bank (FBNBB) provides new books to children from low-income families across the country using generous donations from children's book publishers, service donors, and volunteers. Eligible organizations include non profit organizations with at least 80% of their children coming from low-income families and Title 1 schools. The books must become the personal property of the children. Receiving books through the First Book National Book Bank (FBNBB) is a two-step process. First, you must register at the FBNBB website. After you register, you will receive notifications via e-mail or fax alerting you when book distribution applications are available. Filling out the application is the second step. Through the FBNBB, your program may receive up to three books per child once a calendar year. View the FBNBB’s Frequently Asked Questions.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:12 PM 0 comments

 
The Lisa Libraries Book Donation Program
Deadline: Ongoing

The Lisa Libraries donates new children's books and helps establish small libraries for organizations that work with kids in poor and under-served areas. Founded in 1990, the Lisa Libraries was started by author Ann M. Martin and friends to honor and memorialize children's book editor Lisa Novak. Some of the libraries established have been at day-care centers, prison visiting areas for children of incarcerated parents, and after-school programs. The Lisa Libraries supplements under-filled shelves as well as provides books to many children who may never have owned a book before. In 2004, the Lisa Libraries contributed over 15,000 books to nonprofit organizations across the country. Visit the website for easy application criteria.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:53 AM 0 comments

 
International Paper Company Foundation Grants
Deadline: Varies according to location

International Paper Company is the world's largest paper and forest products company. These grants support programs in the areas of education, employee involvement, and community development. The Foundation's primary focus is education - specifically environmental, economic and literacy programs for young children. Education grants focus on career development for minorities, enviromental education, and literacy. Employee-involvement grants support nonprofit organizations at which International Paper Company employees volunteer. Community-development grants provide seed money for new projects that benefit communities where the company has operations. Additional information and the application are available on the foundation's website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 2:04 PM 0 comments

 
Verizon Foundation Grants
Deadline: Continuous from from Jan. 1 - Nov. 30

Verizon Foundation provides support to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations within the US. The foundation supports the following funding priorities: literacy, domestic violence prevention, and technology. Verizon strives to transform the way private, public, and non-profit sectors work together in building collaborative partnerships.

Grant-making is not just in dollar amounts. The Verizon Foundation and partners also offer volunteers, Internet training, and Web developers.

Verizon Foundation only accepts proposals through an electronic Apply Online process. For eligiblity requirements, guidelines and a FAQ, visit the Foundation's website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 8:36 AM 0 comments

 
Bank of the West Charitable Contributions Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The mission of the Bank's Charitable Contributions Program is to support nonprofit organizations that contribute to educational, civic, cultural, health and human care needs, and is committed to improving the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents within the communities in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Literacy and library programs for youth and adults are one of their supported Charitable Giving Categories.

See website for specific information and criteria required in a request.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 3:26 PM 0 comments

 
Barnes & Noble
Deadline: Ongoing.

Barnes & Noble considers requests for local and regional support from non-profit organizations in the communities they serve. Funding is focused on support of organizations that focus on literacy, the arts or education (K - 12). Barnes & Noble assess the merit of each request on an individual basis. For more information, visit the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:32 PM 0 comments

 
Rosie O'Donnell's For All Kids Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing

Rosie O'Donnell established her For All Kids Foundation, Inc. to provide financial support to nonprofit programs serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families. The foundation helps thousands of children across the country through grant awards to child care, after-school, education and other essential programs. The foundation's main focus is center-based child care, and first priority is given to programs serving low-income, urban areas, where many families struggle to find quality child care and early childhood education programs. Grants are only awarded to organizations with IRS §501(c)(3) classification as described in §509(a). Organizations applying for funds should submit a letter of intent of no more than three typewritten pages. Rosie's For All Kids Foundation encourages organizations to focus on a specific program and/or project when requesting assistance. For more information, visit the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:07 AM 0 comments

 
Community Catalyst Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

The Bank of America Foundation has three primary areas of giving: providing educational opportunities, building inclusive communities and promoting cultural outreach. It funds efforts that support issues such as: literacy, school readiness, economic education, teacher preparation, need-based and merit scholarships, work readiness, economic revitalization efforts, environmental awareness and urban planning, disaster relief, diversity and multicultural awareness, and arts education. For more information, visit the website.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 6:18 AM 0 comments

 
Carnegie Corporation of New York Grants
Deadline: Ongoing.

The Carnegie Corporation dedicates itself to the "advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." They support efforts to improve teaching and learning that have the potential to make a lasting and long-term contribution to the field of education. Their current educational work in education is focused on three major areas: 1) advancing literacy: reading to learn, 2) urban school reform, and 3) teacher education reform. A theme that unites these subprograms is the overall goal of increasing access to quality education and a rich educational experience for all students that will prepare them for success in today's knowledge-based economy. Grants are usually awarded in the range of $750 - $250,000. Visit the website for more information.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 7:50 AM

 
ShopKo Foundation Grants
Quarterly Deadlines: the 1st week of Feb., May, Aug. or Nov.

The ShopKo Foundation supports local grants for organizations are working to make their community a better place to live. Grants should focus on education, health and wellness. To apply, your community must have a ShopKo store.

Visit the Foundation website for application details.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 1:18 PM

 
Starbucks Foundation Offers Funding for Youth Literacy Programs
Deadline: September 1 and March 1, annually (Letters of Inquiry)

Through its Giving Voice program, the Starbucks Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of the Starbucks Coffee Company, will fund programs for youth, ages 6-18, that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in the communities where they live.

The Starbucks Foundation invites Letters of Inquiry from qualifying organizations that work with underserved youth in one of two areas: 1) Arts & Literacy -- programs that innovatively address literacy and learning for the 21st century, provide high standards of excellence in mastering basic skills, and promote youth voices through a variety of venues; and 2) Environmental Literacy -- programs that offer place-based approaches to addressing environmental literacy and empower youth to be heroes for a sustainable environment in their own communities.

The foundation supports registered, nonprofit, tax-exempt501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the United States, as well as Registered Charities in Canada, that deliver services to youth and address at least one of the program's action areas.

Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Visit the Starbucks Foundation Web site for program information, application procedures, and eligibility
questions.
- posted by Pam MacKellar @ 10:35 AM

 
Free Art Books from the DUC Program
Deadline: Ongoing, no application necessary

Since 1990, Art Resources Transfer has distributed books, videos and interactive materials on art and cultural issues at no cost to public, school and alternative libraries in rural and inner-city areas through the Distribution to Underserved Communities (DUC) Library Program. Even shipping costs are covered! Their goal is to make information about contemporary art and cultural issues available to people of all income levels in all geographic locations through their local libraries. Available materials and order form available at the DUC website. For more information, call Cesar Sevilla,(212) 255-2919.
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 9:44 AM

 
McKenzie Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

The purpose of The McKenzie Foundation is to encourage and support non-profit programs primarily in the areas of education, health, human services, and cultural and environmental concerns. Faced with the task of translating these broad-reaching goals into a more focused set of grant guidelines, the Board has selected four initiatives that will shape its grant making for the next few years: early childhood development, education, the environment, and arts and culture. The Foundation has chosen these four initiatives for its initial years of grant making because of its fundamental belief that assisting families is one of the most effective and lasting ways to strengthen communities. The McKenzie Foundation supports opportunities and experiences that enrich learning for all ages. Special consideration will be given to charitable efforts that inspire excellence and encourage personal development. Nearly $500,000 was awarded in 2002, ranging in size from $600 - $60,000.
http://www.mckenziefoundation.us/index.php
- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 10:35 AM

 
NN/LM grants for health information programs

Deadlines vary.

The National Library of Medicine, through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine funds a variety of outreach projects, especially those that engage multiple community partnerships in addressing the health information needs of the public. These projects typically involve multi type library and community partnership with the goal of improving access to health information through a variety of mechanisms.

The NN/LM consists of eight regions and each region, from time to time, solicits proposals for projects they would like to fund. The NN/LM is especially interested in funding projects that target rural, inner city, minority and underserved populations, and also senior citizens and low literacy populations. They type of awards and the amount of funds vary from region to region. The NN/LM funding web site contains information on such announcements. Many of these grants go unfunded due to lack of applications!!

- posted by Stephanie Gerding @ 1:56 PM