Category Archives: Uncategorized

Smart Family Fund Angel Philanthropy

The Smart Family Fund invests in early stage US-based nonprofits through their Angel Philanthropy program. In addition to $25,000 – $100,000 in funding, the Fund works with grantees to get ready for the next phase of organizational development. Introductions may be submitted on a continual basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to early stage 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations with the potential to have a signficiant impact on the world.

National Scenic Byways Program

The National Scenic Byways Program from the DOT Federal Highway Administration funds projects to recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

Applications are due by December 16, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. The Notice of Funding Opportunity states that there is no maximum or minimum award, however, Grants.gov lists the maximum as $650,000. Applicants must provide at least 20% of project funding.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to:

  • State governments
  • Federally recognized Native American tribes

Previous grantees may apply to fund additional phases for their project, but they will be required to demonstrate how they effectively met budget and schedule estimates for the previous phase.

Applicants may submit more than one application and must submit separate applications for separate projects.

Highway

Only highways that have received one of the following designations is eligible:

  • National Scenic Byways
  • All-American Roads
  • America’s Byways
  • State scenic byways
  • Indian Tribe scenic byways

Allowable Activities

Image by https://www.facebook.com/OurPlanetEarth01

Only the following activities are eligible for funding under this solicitation:

  • Planning, design, or development of a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program
  • Developing and implementing a corridor management  plan to maintain the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological characteristics while accomodating tourism
  • Making safety improvements to accomodate increased traffic and changes in the types of vehicles following the highway’s designation as a scenic byway
  • Building a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, turnout, highway shoulder improvement, overlook, or interpretive facility
  • Improving the scenic byway to increase access for recreation
  • Protecting adjacent scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological resources

Merit Criteria

All projects must advance at least one of the following priorities from the U.S. DOT Strategic Plan:

  • Safety
  • Climate and sustainability
  • Equity
  • Workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation

Priority consideration may be given to projects that advance two or more of these goals as well as those that:

Natoora Farm Fund

Natoora is on a mission to preserve the flavor in food by protecting the planet and its people. They do this through supply chains that source ingredients directly from growers and supporting young farmers with their Farm Fund.

The Farm Fund helps farmers 35 and under in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe overcome financial barriers to establishing sustainable farming practices. Applications for up to $12,500 are due by February 2, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to farmers in the US, UK, and Europe who are:

  • Individuals aged 35 and under
  • A cooperative or partnership primarily made up of individuals aged 35 and under

Key Areas

Grantees must be committed to agroecological methods that preserve rather than deplete the environment. Projects must address at least one key focus area and be able to measure progress in achieving their goals.

Key areas:

  • Soil Health
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Innovation
  • Biodiversity  
  • Education
  • Access to Land
  • Accessible Scale

Grantee farms are also expected to keep synthetic interventions as a last resort, if they use them at all.

Strengthening Childcare Models that Advance Women’s Economic Power

Strengthening Childcare Models that Advance Women’s Economic Power is a Grand Challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It seeks to address the limits to women’s ability to work outside the home created by a lack of childcare. This Challenge is specifically focused on Africa and South Asia.

Applications for up to $400,000 and a grant term of up to 3 years are due by December 6, 2023 at 11:30 AM PST.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations in Africa and South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Eligible organizations may include:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • For-profit companies
  • International organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Academic institutions

Program Objectives

Photo by PICHA Stock: https://www.pexels.com/photo/office-team-having-a-meeting-3869649/

Projects should aim to achieve at least one of the program objectives.

  • Support Women’s Economic Opportunity – Increase employment opportunities for women by expanding childcare access, reducing the burden of unpaid work disproportionally done by women, and creating new job opportunities for women in the childcare field.
  • Advancing Evidence – Collect evidence on effective, sustainable, and scalable models of childcare with a gender intentional focus.
  • Shift Gender Norms – Change gendered expectations to make it more acceptable for women to work outside the home, allowing them to control the money they earn, and making it more acceptable to use services to perform traditional ‘women’s work.’

Priority Consideration

Priority will be given to applications that also meet some of these additional criteria:

  • Are led by local people
  • Are led by women, women’s organizations and/or make women’s voices key to the project
  • Engage the community
  • Involve a multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the public, private, and/or government sectors
  • Shows knowledge and understanding of cultural norms and local needs
  • Generates and measures positive outcomes for women and children
  • Take innovate approaches to childcare provision
  • Provides employment opportunities for women
  • Uses a business model with the potential to generate revenue to sustain the program
  • Has the potential to be expanded after the grant period

Review Criteria

Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-sitting-on-sofa-looking-at-folders-8068687/

Applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Their potential to create solutions that have a significant impact
  • Creativity of the proposed project and clear differentiation from existing programs
  • A clear conceptual framework
  • Capabilities of the investigator and organization and potential for collaboration
  • Appropriateness of budget and timeline to carry out the project and achieve the stated goals

Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program: Track Two

Track Two: Impact Grants

The Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program through USDA Rural Development is funded by The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its goal is to help rural communities manage the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to testing, vaccines, and general health services. It also supports food banks and food distribution.

Track Two: Impact Grants are for developing and promoting long term solutions to rural health care issues. Projects should support long term sustainability, defined as “improved health outcomes, improved access to quality health care, and creating and maintaining sustainable economic development for small communities.” Funds must be used to address problems in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact Grants will be awarded in amounts for $5 – 10 million and all application must be in to your State Rural Development office by October 12, 2021. Unlike Track One, no applications to Track Two will be accepted after that date.

Eligibility

Public bodies such as municipalities, counties, and other sub-State level government entities are eligible to apply; State level bodies are not eligible. Federally recognized Tribes located in rural areas are also eligible, as are non-profit organizations. Non-profits must be able to demonstrate that they are significantly involved in the rural community in which grant funds will be spent.

The facility or project must be located in an area that meets the legal definition of ‘rural’ for Community facility loans and grants. This definition is “any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants (Source).” Non-governmental applicants are not required to be headquartered in a rural area, but the funded project must primarily serve a rural area.

Track Two applicants must also establish a network of three or more organizations to administer this project. These groups can be healthcare providers, economic development organizations, federally-recognized Tribes, or colleges and universities. This network can include rural and non-rural organizations, but at least two-thirds of the members must be located in rural areas. One member organization will serve as the lead applicant and will be responsible for tracking progress and reporting.

Cost Share

Cost-sharing is required, but the percentage of the project cost you must pay depends on the community’s population and median household income. The percentages cited below are the minimum amount you would be expected to provide.

PopulationMedian Household IncomeCost share
5,000 or fewerBelow the poverty line or 60% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
25%
12,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 70% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
45%
20,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 80% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
65%
20,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 90% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
85%

If you serve multiple communities, you will need to calculate a weighted median household income. An example of how to do this can be found on page 10 of the Application Guide. When in doubt, check with your State Rural Development office. In kind contributions can not be used as part of your cost share.

Eligible Activities

Grant funds may be used for one or more of the following activities:

  • Establishing or building on an existing network of community leaders and healthcare professionals. The purpose of this network would be to create long term, sustainable solutions to rural healthcare problems.
  • Creating or building on an existing evidence-based model for rural healthcare and sharing the lessons learned from that model for possible replication.
  • Developing and implementing a solution to a health-related issue identified in your region. This includes an evaluation of the method for sustainability and replicability.
  • Paying for the technical assistance needed to implement, evaluate, or otherwise administer your project.
  • Making sub-awards to other members of your project network through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.
  • Paying professional services such as an architect, engineer, lawyer, or environmental consultant.

Application Requirements

Every application must include:

Non-profit organizations must also provide:

  • Articles of organization, incorporation, or association 
  • By-laws 
  • Evidence of good standing – this is typically a certificate from your state Secretary of State’s office
  • Evidence of ties to the local rural community – You can demonstrate this by showing that you are (1) closely associated with or controlled by a unit of local government, (2) owned or controlled by members of the community by providing a list of board members, (3) receiving substantial public funding.
  • Evidence of eligibility (will primarily serve a rural area with a median household income below the poverty line or the percentage applicable to your cost-share)
  • Three years of the most recent audits or financial statements, including a current balance sheet and income and expense statement
  • Intergovernmental Review comments, if applicable, from the local planning district commission 
  • Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities or
  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
  • Certification regarding any known relationship or association with a USDA employee
  • Certification from a CPA of how lost revenue was calculated, if you’re applying to be reimbursed

Construction projects will require an Environmental Report or Environmental Assessment and a preliminary architectural feasibility report or engineering
documentation. Work with your Rural Development Office to determine the specific requirements for your project.

Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program: Track One

Track One: Recovery Grants

The Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program through USDA Rural Development is funded by The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Its goal is to help rural communities manage the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to testing, vaccines, and general health services. It also supports food banks and food distribution.

Track One: Recovery Grants funds are for immediate needs, preparing for future pandemics, or increasing access to health care. Awards will range from $25,000 – $1 million. Approximately $350 million is expected to be disbursed. Submit your application through your State Rural Development office. They will begin reviewing applications after October 12, 2021 and continue accepting new applications until all funds are spent.

Projects should expect to begin no earlier than November 1, 2021 and last no more than 3 years.

Eligibility

Public bodies such as municipalities, counties, and other sub-State level government entities are eligible to apply; State level bodies are not eligible. Federally recognized Tribes located in rural areas are also eligible, as are non-profit organizations. Non-profits must be able to demonstrate that they are significantly involved in the rural community in which grant funds will be spent.

The facility or project must be located in an area that meets the legal definition of ‘rural’ for Community facility loans and grants. This definition is “any area other than a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants (Source).” Non-governmental applicants are not required to be headquartered in a rural area, but the funded project must primarily serve a rural area.

Cost Share

Cost-sharing is required, but the percentage of the project cost you must pay depends on the community’s population and median household income. The percentages cited below are the minimum amount you would be expected to provide.

PopulationMedian Household IncomeCost share
5,000 or fewerBelow the poverty line or 60% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
25%
12,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 70% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
45%
20,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 80% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
65%
20,000 or fewer Below the poverty line or 90% of state
nonmetropolitan MHI (whichever is greater)
85%

If you serve multiple communities, you will need to calculate a weighted median household income. An example of how to do this can be found on page 10 of the Application Guide. When in doubt, check with your State Rural Development office. In kind contributions can not be used as part of your cost share.

Eligible Activities

Grant funds may be used for one or more of the following activities:

  1. Increasing ability to distribute vaccines through purchase of equipment like refrigerators or vehicles.
  2. Purchasing medical supplies to accommodate increased patient loads. This can include personal protective equipment.
  3. Reimbursing revenue lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic going back to March 13, 2020. You must provide a certification from a certified public accountant to demonstrate how lost revenue was calculated.
  4. Increasing capacity to serve patients via telehealth by purchasing equipment and software, and paying for staff training.
  5. Construction or renovation of either temporary or permanent structures for testing and vaccine distribution.
  6. Salaries for increased staff needed for testing and/or vaccine distribution. You must provide a certification from a CPA that these expenses have not been reimbursed by another source. May not exceed $100,00.
  7. Supporting food banks and food distribution facilities. This includes operating expenses for the grant period and prior dating back to March 13, 2020.

Application Requirements

Every application must include:

Non-profit organizations must also provide:

  • Articles of organization, incorporation, or association 
  • By-laws 
  • Evidence of good standing – this is typically a certificate from your state Secretary of State’s office
  • Evidence of ties to the local rural community – You can demonstrate this by showing that you are (1) closely associated with or controlled by a unit of local government, (2) owned or controlled by members of the community by providing a list of board members, (3) receiving substantial public funding.
  • Evidence of eligibility (will primarily serve a rural area with a median household income below the poverty line or the percentage applicable to your cost-share)
  • Three years of the most recent audits or financial statements, including a current balance sheet and income and expense statement
  • Intergovernmental Review comments, if applicable, from the local planning district commission 
  • Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities or
  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
  • Certification regarding any known relationship or association with a USDA employee
  • Certification from a CPA of how lost revenue was calculated, if you’re applying to be reimbursed

Construction projects will require an Environmental Report or Environmental Assessment and a preliminary architectural feasibility report or engineering
documentation. Work with your Rural Development Office to determine the specific requirements for your project.