Grants and awards information

Open Meadows Foundation Grants
http://www.openmeadows.org/
Deadline: August 15, 2008

The foundation offers grants of up to $2,000 each to projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect the diversity of the community served by the project; promote community power, as well as racial, social, economic, and environmental justice; and have limited access to financial resources or have encountered obstacles in their search for funding.

Nationwide Foundation Grants
http://www.nationwide.com/about-us/
funding-guidelines.jsp
Deadline: September 1, 2008

The Nationwide Foundation funds organizations that transform lives at critical moments. In order of emphasis, the foundation supports efforts that meet the following needs:

1. Emergency and basic needs - such as food banks, disaster relief efforts and emergency shelters

2. Stabilization needs - such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and organizations providing safety net programs and services

3. Individual development needs - such as youth mentoring, financial literacy and homeownership programs

4. Community enrichment needs - such as arts and culture organizations, higher education and civic improvement

Colombe Foundation Grants
http://www.proteusfund.org/grantmaking/colombe/
Deadline: October 13, 2008

The Colombe Foundation advocates the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, a shift from war and aggression to conflict prevention and conflict resolution, and a shift from wasteful military spending to investments in programs that address poverty, environmental degradation, and other root causes of violence. The foundation currently makes grants to grassroots organizations in the United States that share its mission and work to educate the public and influence American decision makers; advocate for peace and alternative policies; and initiate media coverage.

National Gardening Association (NGA) 2009 Youth Garden Grant Program
http://www.kidsgardening.com/YGG.asp
Deadline: November 1, 2008

The National Gardening Association (NGA) awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Up to 125 programs will win educational materials and gift cards to Home Depot ranging in value from $250 to $1,000 as well as 12 months of NGA

Tiger Woods Foundation Grants
http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/
grants_and_scholarships.php
Deadlines: May 1, 2008, August 1, 2008, November 1, 2008

Tiger Woods Foundation grants focus on providing opportunities to underserved youth, ages 5-17, primarily through organizations and programs that are based in American cities. The following are approved programmatic areas of funding:

1. Education – Programs that enhance the learning process for youth
2. Youth Development – Year-round mentoring or tutoring programs

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund Grants
http://www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html
Deadline: November 15, 2008

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. Schools, nature centers, and other nonprofit and not-for-profit places of learning (including houses of worship) with a site available to plant and maintain natural landscapes may apply for a grant. 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. Funds will be provided only for the purchase of native plants and seed. Cash awards range from $100 to $500 each.

Clorox Company Foundation Education and Youth Development Grants
lhttp://www.thecloroxcompany.com/
community/guidelines.html
Deadlines: April 1, 2008; July 1, 2008; October 1, 2008; and January 1, 2009

The foundation supports programs that prepare young people to successfully participate in the increasingly global society and to contribute to the betterment of the communities in which they live. Areas of funding include academic development, mentoring, and job readiness or career development for youth. The foundation supports selected scholarship programs by invitation only. The foundation targets youth and support programs that are designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Improve the academic performance of children, especially through strategies that foster reform within the public schools.

2. Prepare youth for the world of work and for community leadership.

3. Promote positive relationships among youth from diverse cultural and ethnic groups.

John W. Gardner Leadership Award
http://www.independentsector.org/about/gardneraward.htm
Deadline: January 30, 2009

Independent Sector presents an award each year to an individual whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve people’s lives. The recipient of the award receives a prize of $10,000 and a replica of an original relief bust of John Gardner.

Guitar Center Music Foundation Grants
http://www.guitarcentermusicfoundation.org/grants/index.cfm?sec=inf
Deadline: None

 The Guitar Center Music Foundation's mission is to aid nonprofit music programs across America that offer music instruction so more people can experience the joys of making music. The Guitar Center Music Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year from 501(c)(3) organizations. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing, and sustainable music programs across the United States that provide music instruction to people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The grant committee reviews all applications three times yearly, and grant awards range from $500 to $5,000 each.

New York Life Foundation Nurturing the Children Grants
http://www.newyorklife.com/cda/0,3254,13090,00.html
Deadline: None

The New York Life Foundation provides resources to organizations, programs, and services aimed at helping young people. Called Nurturing the Children, this initiative specifically focuses on programs that provide safe havens during non-school hours and offer structured activities; prepare young people for higher education or the workplace and equip them to be responsible citizens; and offer young people sustained relationships with caring adults or peers who serve as positive role models. Nurturing the Children does not encompass projects that are primarily sports-, health-, or arts-related; or those requesting support exclusively for personnel or capital expenses.

Ralph and Eileen Swett Foundation Grants
http://www.swettfoundation.org/
Deadline: None

The Ralph and Eileen Swett Foundation currently directs a portion of its funding each year to the assistance of orphaned children and the promotion of their adoption; and intervention in the lives of troubled youths. The foundation is actively seeking further areas of interest, so potential applicants with services in other areas should not feel discouraged from applying or from bringing themselves to the attention of the board.

Rohm and Haas Company Grants
http://www.rohmhaas.com/community/giving/guide_appl.html
Deadline: None

Rohm and Haas has a long heritage of helping support the economic, social and environmental quality of life in the communities where it operates, which include several in Ohio. They do this through their Responsible Neighbor Community Programs, which include employee volunteerism, dialogue, and giving programs. Grants made by Rohm and Haas manufacturing or research facilities typically range from $250 to $10,000 and are based on employee numbers and interest. The Rohm and Haas Company supports organizations that are within the following categories: health and human services; education; civic and community improvement; culture and arts; and environment.

Arts Midwest Performing Arts Fund Grants
http://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/paf/
guidelines2008-2009.asp
Deadline: None (applications accepted until monies expended)

The Performing Arts Fund supports the inter-state touring of professional performing artists specializing in the fine arts of dance, theater, music, youth and family entertainment, and other meaningful performing arts forms appropriate for communities throughout Arts Midwest's nine-state region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin). These engagements include public performances and in-depth educational activities reaching audiences that lack access to the performing arts.

Make It Matter Grants
http://www.rd.com/jsp/rdcom/makeItMatterLanding.jsp
Deadline: None

Each month beginning in April 2008, Reader's Digest magazine will profile an individual who has made a significant contribution to his/her community. Based on this person's actions, the Reader's Digest Foundation will make a $100,000 donation in the individual's name to a relevant charity. The Foundation will give away $1 million to nonprofit organizations based on inspiring stories submitted by the public.

Merrill Lynch Grants
http://philanthropy.ml.com/index.asp?id=
66319_67031_67433
Deadline: None

Merrill Lynch is helping young people leverage their education as a critical instrument for creating wealth and improving the quality of life in their communities and nations. As such, the education of underserved children and youth in the areas of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, career planning, and business awareness is Merrill Lynch's principal philanthropic focus.

Metropolitan Life (MetLife) Foundation Culture and Public Broadcasting Grants
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/
CDA/PageGenerator/0,4773,P291,00.html
Deadline: None

MetLife Foundation was established for the purpose of supporting educational, health and civic, and cultural organizations. Its goals are to strengthen communities, promote good health, and improve education. In recognition of the arts' contribution to the health, vitality, and development of communities, MetLife Foundation and MetLife provide grants to a variety of cultural organizations throughout the country. Support is emphasized for projects with large and diverse audiences that help promote greater understanding among different cultures. In addition, grants are made for arts education initiatives that contribute to the development of young people.

Richland County Foundation Grants http://www.richlandcountyfoundation.org/
grantseekers/generalgrants.html
Deadline: None

Grants are awarded to charitable tax-exempt organizations serving Richland County (OH) residents in the areas of health, economic development, basic human needs, education, cultural activities, environment, and community services. Submit applications by the first Friday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. The application procedure should begin with a telephone call to the foundation's program officer to schedule an initial meeting.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants
http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?
tabid=54&CID=2&NID=17&LanguageID=0
Deadline: None

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds programs that are designed to help unleash new and underused resources; programs that help people contribute in new and more effective ways to a mutually responsible and just society. The foundation defines philanthropy in the broadest sense. It means the giving of time, money, and know-how. The foundation believes that everyone gives in special ways--to organizations, causes, and each other--and that giving is a powerful force throughout society. It seeks to promote new ideas, and strengthen and connect new populations of leaders and donors. The foundation supports organizations that create tools and knowledge to improve the practice of philanthropy. And it is involved in boosting the potential and long-term health of nonprofit organizations world-wide.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Youth and Education Grants
http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?tabid=54&CID=
3&NID=17&LanguageID=0
Deadline: None

The goal of Youth and Education Programming is to support healthy infant, child, and youth development by mobilizing, strengthening, and aligning systems to promote learning, academic performance, and workforce preparation among vulnerable young people.

Pamida Foundation
http://www.pamida.com/foundation/foundation.asp
Deadline: None

The Pamida Foundation was developed in the year 2000 to support local communities with charitable contributions. The foundation focuses on encouraging and educating youth, assisting the underprivileged, and assisting people with disabilities.

Pamida's charitable giving committee meets once a month to review requests. Any request received less than one week before a committee meeting will be reviewed the following month. Pamida considers one funding request per organization each calendar year. Funding requests for contributions of $250 and over are reviewed.

RGK Foundation
http://www.rgkfoundation.org/guidelines.php
Deadline: None

The RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of education, community, and medicine and health. Within the funding area of community, the foundation supports a broad range of human services, community improvement, abuse prevention, and youth development 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. The foundation also is interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.

There is no deadline for submitting an electronic Letter of Inquiry (LOI). The Grants Committee typically meets three times each year to consider requests over $50,000 that have been recommended by staff for review. Grants Committee dates for 2008 are Feb. 8, June 6, and Sept. 5. While the foundation occasionally awards grants for over $25,000, the average grant is under $25,000. Multi-year grants are rare; most grants are awarded for a one-year period.