Author Archives: grantcentraldepot

NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants

Learning & Leadership Grants from the NEA Foundation provide funding for professional development opportunities to educators in the United States. Awards of up to $5,000 are available for educators to expand their own knowledge in ways that can be applied in the classroom.

Applications are accepted through three annual cycles. The current cycle opened on March 1, 2024 and will close on May 1st.

Grant Types

Individual

Individual educators may apply for grants to attend conferences, seminars, summer institutes, and study aboard opportunities.

Group

Groups of educators can apply for grants to fund study groups, lesson plan development, and mentoring programs.

Eligibility

Applicants for this grant must be:

Non-NEA members can participate in group grant activities, but can not be the lead applicant.

Allowable Expenses

Individual

Individual grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

  • Registration fees
  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Lodging
  • Materials

Group

Group grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

  • Stipends
  • Substitute fees
  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Materials

Neither grant type may be used to pay for:

  • Indirect costs
  • Grant administration
  • Salaries
  • Political activities
  • Religious activities
  • Reimbursing funds spent prior to the grant period

Funding Priorities

Applications focused on the following topics are the most likely to be funded:

  • Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Mastery of essential academic content
  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Project-based learning
  • Learning experiences connected to real-world issues

U.S. AID: Digital Invest

The U.S. Agency for International Development has issued a Call for Concept Notes for the Digital Invest program. This program was launched to catalyze investment in internet service and digital finance.

USAID expects to build four public-private partnerships with up to $500,000 in grant funding plus an equal or greater amount of private sector resources. Concept Notes are due by April 15, 2024.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to:

  • U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofit organizations
  • U.S. and non-U.S. for-profit businesses
  • U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities

Objectives

Objective 1

Support the sustainable growth and expansion of competitive internet service providers (ISPs) and related telecommunications infrastructure companies in emerging markets. Potential partners include:

  • ISPs
  • Network infrastructure & equipment providers
  • Financing partners

Objective 2

Support the sustainable growth and expansion of competitive and inclusive digital financial services in emerging markets. Potential partners include:

  • Financing partners
  • Service providers for the digital finance sector

Submission Process

Step One

Applicants must first send an email to digitalinvest@usaid.gov and copy pscp@usaid.gov. They are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. This email should include:

  • A 100 word essay summarizing the proposed partnership
  • A description of their business or organization
  • What they hope to achieve through this partnership
  • Why they’re interested in working with USAID on this project.

After review, the Digital Invest team may reach out to schedule an initial phone call.

Step Two

After the introductory call, the team will work with some applicants to discuss the potential partnership and refine the concept. From these discussions, they will invite certain applicants to submit a concept note. Only those who have already connected with and been invited by the team will be accepted.

Step Three

Concept notes must be submitted in the provided template by April 15, 2024.

Farmers Market Promotion Program

The Farmers Market Promotion Program from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service supports projects that increase access to producer-to-consumer markets.

Grants are available in four categories: Capacity Building, Community Development Training and Technical Assistance, Turnkey Marketing and Promotion, and Turnkey Recruitment and Training. Awards vary by category, but all grants require a non-federal match equal to at least 25% of the requested amount. Applications are due by May 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Agricultural businesses or cooperatives
  • Producer networks or associations
  • CSA networks or associations
  • Food councils
  • Local governments
  • Nonprofit corporations 
  • Public benefit corporations
  • Economic development corporations
  • Regional farmers market authorities
  • Tribal governments

Applicants may also subaward or subcontract with partners or collaborators.

Program Goals

The primary goals of the FMPP are:

Image by Pexels
  • Connect and cultivate regional food economies through public-private partnerships
  • Support the development of business plans,feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural products and local and regional food system infrastructure
  • Strengthen capacity and regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains
  • Improve income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses through job creation
  • Simplify the application and the reporting processes for the grants administered under the Program.

Grant Categories

Capacity Building

Capacity Building grants are available for $50,000 – $250,000 over 36 months to increase an organization’s ability to sustain direct producer-to-consumer markets or to expand existing markets. Possible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing tools and practices that may be replicated
  • Market analysis and strategic planning
  • Training and education for local farmers, ranchers, and market managers
  • Recruitment of historically underserved producers

Community Development Training and Technical Assistance

Community Development Training and Technical Assistance grants are available for $100,000 – $500,000 over 36 months to provide training and technical assistance to producers serving local markets. Possible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Creating and sharing tools and practices
  • Assisting producers with marketing and promotion through training and technical assistance
  • Creating or expanding producer-to-consumer networks
  • Helping producers comply with regulations

Turnkey Marketing and Promotion

Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-knitted-sweater-and-denim-jeans-sitting-near-the-cart-with-woven-baskets-8540262/

Turnkey Marketing and Promotion grants are available for $50,000 – $100,000 over 24 months to conduct at least 3 of 5 pre-defined activities. Applicants must use the FMPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Project Narrative Form.

  • Identify and analyze new or improved market opportunities
  • Develop or revise a marketing plan
  • Design or purchase marketing and promotion media
  • Implement a marketing plan
  • Evaluate marketing and promotion activities

Turnkey Recruitment and Training

Turnkey Recruitment and Training grants are available for $50,000 – $100,000 over 24 months to conduct at least 3 of 5 pre-defined activities. Applicants must use the FMPP Turnkey Recruitment and Training Project Narrative Form.

  • Identify and analyze new or improved strategies for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both
  • Develop or revise strategies or plans for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both
  • Design materials for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both
  • Implement plans for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both
  • Evaluate outcomes related to vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both. 

It Gets Better Project: 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices

The 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices grant from the It Gets Better Project aims to fund projects in all 50 states to support LGBTQ+ youth and educators. Schools can apply for for activities that will empower members of the LGBTQ+ community and help foster acceptance.

Applications for up to $10,000 are due by April 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public or charter middle/junior high and high schools in the United States and its territories.

Allowable Activities

Grant funds can be spent on a wide variety of projects supporting LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ students and educators. Examples include

  • Forming a Gender & Sexualities Alliance or similar group and providing leadership training for its leaders.
  • Purchasing books to create an LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ section in your school library.
  • Creating an art installation depicting local LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ history.
  • Building a float for your city’s Pride parade.

Funds may not be spent on political activities, research, scholarships, or projects that benefit only one person.

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

  • School Environment – 15%
  • Project Vision – 50%
  • Project Budget – 15%
  • Overall Review – 20%

Priority Consideration

Schools will receive priority consideration and an additional 10% added to their evaluation score if they have:

  • A diverse student population
  • Federally recognized Title I status (i.e. 40% or more of students come from low-income homes)
  • Demonstrated support for LGBTQ+ students through policies, curriculum, etc.
  • Incorporation of broader community involvement
  • A plan that can continue beyond the grant year

Rural Technology Education Grant

The Rural Technology Fund is bridging the digital divide between rural and suburban/urban schools in the United States through their Rural Technology Education Grant. They hope to spark interest in technology careers like computer engineering, programming, and robotics.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed every 30-60 days. The average grant is $500 – $2,500, but larger requests will be considered for projects that will impact a greater number of students.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public schools and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the U.S.

Topic Areas

Potential topic areas for tech grants include:

  • Coding/Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Engineering
  • Design
  • Digital Art
  • Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Robotics

Robert Schalkenbach Foundation Progress of Ideas Grant

The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation supports research projects that carry on the legacy of 19th century economist and social reformer Henry George through their Progress of Ideas Grant.

Applications for up to $10,000 over 2 years are due by April 12, 2024. Grantees will be notified by May 13, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States.

Potential Project Topics

Potential research topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Infrastructure spending
  • Public investment and value capture
  • Sprawl and suburbanization
  • Housing affordability, including gentrification and displacement
  • Native American and Indigenous land rights
  • Climate change
  • Influence of Henry George on Progressive Era history and politics

Project Deliverables

Following the completion of their research project, grantees will be expected to:

  • Participate in a one hour Zoom interview, to be recorded and shared as part of the Foundation’s video catalog
  • Participate in the creation of 2-3 short YouTube videos summarizing the research process
  • Submit an 800-1500 word essay, suitable for publication on the Foundation website and social media pages summarizing their research and its findings.

Dovetail Impact Foundation

The Dovetail Impact Foundation practices Christian stewardship by supporting projects in 35 countries that promote human flourishing. They currently fund through their Domestic Portfolio in Texas, Scale Portfolio, and Acceleration Portfolio.

Grants are by invitation only, but interested organizations may introduce themselves at any time.

Eligibility

Funding through the Domestic Portfolio is available to nonprofit organizations in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties in Texas.

Funding through the Scale Portfolio is available to nonprofit organizations in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, typically with an operating budget of $500,000 – $5 million.

Funding through the Acceleration Portfolio is available to nonprofit organizations in Africa, typically with an operating budget of less than $300,000.

Fundamental Principles

Dovetail looks for three fundamental principles in the organizations with which they partner:

  1. The ability to accomplish a lot with a little
  2. The potential to impact millions of people
  3. A sustainable model of operations, not entirely reliant on private philanthropy

Ideal partners will also have:

  • A unique, well defined mission
  • A 3-5 year strategic plan
  • A business model that demonstrates increased efficiency over time
  • Evidence of impact or a plan to measure results
  • A strong, effective Board or the intention to establish one
  • Strong executive talent with a coachable spirit

Funding Limitations

Dovetail typically does not fund requests focused on:

  • The Arts
  • Disaster response
  • Higher education
  • Events
  • Endowments
  • Scholarships
  • Individual assistance, such as tuition or emergency aid

Call for proposals evaluating the impact of AI on Poverty, Health, Energy and Climate SDGs

The Future of Life Institute has issued a Call for proposals evaluating the impact of AI on Poverty, Health, Energy and Climate on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Projects can examine uses of AI to directly impact SDGs or cases when the impacts occur as side effects. Applications for $15,000 are due by April 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to nonprofit organizations from anywhere in the world. Individual researchers must be associated with a nonprofit who can accept the funding on their behalf.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds are unrestricted, with the sole caveat that only 15% may be used for institutional overhead or indirect costs.

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Researcher’s track record
  • Quality of the evaluation outline
  • Likelihood of the research yielding valuable findings
  • Rigor of the proposed projection method

Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program Office on Violence Against Women

The Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program provides funding to programs that address and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in rural areas. In 2024, they are accepting submissions for a Rural Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Initiative in addition to new and continuation applications.

The Office on Violence Against Women expects to award a total of $36.4 million to approximately 55 grantees. The maximum expected award amount varies by application type. There is no matching requirement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent to ovw.rural@usdoj.gov by Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Form SF-424 and SF-LLL are due through Grants.gov by April 12, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Full applications are due through JustGrants by April 16, 2024 at 8:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to:

  • State and local governments in the United States and its territories
  • Native American Tribal governments
  • Nonprofits organizations

Area

All projects must focus their services on rural communities and include eligibility documentation. The exception is federally recognized tribes, which are rural by definition.

A rural community is defined as:

  1. Any area or community, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget
  2. Any area or community that is – (A)  within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered part of a metropolitan statistical area; and  (B) located in a rural census tract
  3.  Any federally recognized Indigenous tribe

Partnership

All applications must include at least one partner and either the lead applicant or the partner must be a “victim service provider.” A victim service provider is an organization, including a domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, or domestic violence/sexual assault coalition, that assists or advocates on behalf of victims.

Applications for the SANE Initiative must have partnerships in which:

  • Either the applicant or a partner have a mission specific to the provision of sexual assault services
  •  Either the applicant or a partner is a victim service provider, and any sexual assault services outside of the medical forensic exam should be provided by trained victim advocates
  • Either the applicant or a partner must offer services to address the impact of sexual assault across the survivor’s lifespan.
  • Staff implementing activities must have specialized training in sexual assault

Applicant Type

New

New applicants are those who have never received funding under this program or whose performance period ended before April 16, 2023.

New applicants are limited to $500,000, unless they are focusing 75% or more of their project on sexual assault. Then they may apply for up to $700,000 over 36 months.

Continuation

Continuation applicants have either a current award or one whose performance period ended after April 16, 2023. Continuation funds are not guaranteed.

Continuation applications are limited to $750,000 unless they are focusing 75% or more of their project on sexual assault. Then they may apply for up to $950,000 over 36 months.

SANE Initiative

Applicants may apply for both the SANE Initiative and a separate Rural Program, but they must submit two applications. SANE projects may request up to $500,000.

Possible SANE project activities include:

  • Implementing a new sexual assault medical forensic exam or SANE program
  • Establishing partnerships with local hospitals to secure facilities for sexual assault medical forensic exam services
  • Partnering with or training qualified midwives and/or Registered Nurses to perform sexual assault medical forensic exam services
  • Minimizing barriers to accessing sexual assault medical forensic exam services through assistance with transportation, emergency financial assistance, childcare, language access, etc.
  • Purchasing equipment, kits, and other items needed for sexual assault medical forensic exams

Program Requirements

Programs must implement at least one of the following strategies:

  1. Implementing, expanding, and establishing cooperative efforts and projects among law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victim service providers
  2. Providing treatment, counseling, advocacy, legal assistance, and other long- and short-term victim and population specific services
  3. Working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies directed toward such issues
  4. Developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs addressing sexual assault
  5. Developing programs and strategies that focus on the specific needs of victims in remote rural and geographically isolated areas

Priority Areas

Priority consideration will be given to applications focused on one of the following.

Advance Equity and Tribal Sovereignty

Equity and trial sovereignty can be used to increase outreach, prevention, and services for historically marginalized communities. This grant does this by:

  • Giving priority consideration to applications from Native American tribes, especially from Alaska and other states subject to mandatory Public Law 83-280. Access to funding will allow tribes to implement their own solutions to sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.
  • Giving priority consideration to applications from organizations with a demonstrated history of using culturally appropriate strategies to work with historically marginalized communities.

Strengthen Efforts to Prevent and End Sexual Assault

This grant supports this priority by:

  • Giving priority consideration to applications that focus 75% or more on responding to non-intimate partner sexual assault. Activities may include prevention, outreach, offender intervention, medical forensic care, legal assistance, and victim services.
  • Giving priority consideration to applications that focus 75% or more on  improving the criminal justice response to sexual assault. This includes the investigation, charging, and prosecution of sexual assault crimes.

The Water Research Foundation Unsolicited Research Program

The Water Research Foundation supports innovative research with the potential to significantly propel protection and enhancement of water quality through their Unsolicited Research Program.

Pre-proposals for $25,000–$175,000 are due by March 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM MT. For those invited to submit, full proposals will be due by July 25. A match of at least 33% of awarded funds is required.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nongovernmental organizations
  • Academics
  • Consultants
  • Utilities

Potential Project Focus

Projects may:

  • Complement the Research Priority Program
  • Address issues of regional and national significance
  • Pilot innovative technologies
  • Conduct research on drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater
  • Build on existing research to create solutions to water quality issues

Evaluation Criteria

All pre-proposals will reviewed based on:

  • Technical and scientific merit
  • Project originality
  • Technical approach
  • Significance and value of research
  • Project schedule
  • Qualifications of key personnel/Organizational capacity