The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC)

The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC) distributes books on contemporary art and culture free of charge to rural and inner-city libraries, schools and alternative reading centers nationwide.

The program aims to actively further a more egalitarian access to contemporary art offering over 490 titles by more than 90 different publishers. The program reaches readers in all 50 states and has placed over 200,000 free books in public libraries, schools, and alternative pedagogical venues.

The DUC is a program of Art Resources Transfer, Inc., a non profit organization founded in 1987, that is committed to documenting and supporting artists' voices and work, and making these voices accessible to the broadest possible audience.

According to the FAQ, every book, including its shipping, is absolutely free to public libraries and schools. Public schools, libraries, and community centers within the U.S. that are located in either rural or inner-city communities are eligible to receive free materials from the DUC.

Cora Foundation: Christian education, discipleship, human services

The Cora Foundation, national in scope, supports three primary program areas with a maximum grant of $60,000. All opportunities are centered on Christianity. Go directly to guidelines and application.

Deadline:  December 31, 2012; It appears that applications may be submitted at anytime during the year.    

Education Program 

The Education Program seeks to strengthen education at the K-12 level. The goals of this program area are to help reduce private Christian education costs, increase the quality of Christian education, and make a Christian education opportunity more affordable and accessible for a larger segment of the population. The foundation is interested in funding educational models and curriculum delivery methods that help achieve the program's goals. 

Discipleship Program 

The Discipleship Program seeks to strengthen the making and maturing of Christian disciples. The goals of this program area are to encourage non-Christians to become followers of Christ and to help Christians mature and deepen their commitment to live as disciples of Christ. The foundation is interested in funding missionary, Church expansion, and discipleship building models and methods that help achieve the program's goals. 

Human Services Program 

The Human Services Program seeks to strengthen the ability of Christian churches and ministries to provide human/social services to individuals and families in need. Programs that enable people to increase their self-sufficiency and improve their capability to lead a Christian life are a priority for this program area. The goals of this program area are to help reduce the costs of providing human services, improve efficiency of delivery of human services, and make these services more available and accessible to people in need. The foundation is interested in funding human services delivery models, methods, and programs that are innovative, repeatable, and reproducible by church and para-church ministries, and programs that have an effective Christian discipleship component. 

4 Imprint: promotional items grant

4 Imprint is a company that manufactures branded tchotchkes and useful products like pens, water bottles, mugs, balloons, and stuff like that. But get this: Each business day 4 Imprint makes a $500 grant in promotional products. My grantees are always asking me, 'Where can I get money for promotional items?' Here!  Check it out. Maximum Grant:  $500 product value         Deadline:  December 31, 2012; application at http://onebyone.4imprint.com/application.aspx The application consists of some fill-in-the-blanks and four 250-words-or-less short answer questions. What product are you requesting, and how would your organization use that product? Tell us about your organization. Why should your organization be chosen? Describe the population your organization serves. Please explain how many people you serve each year and what service you provide. Is there a FAQ? Yes there's a FAQ. It will probably answer your silly little questions. It might be able to get easier, but I'm not sure how.

Lowe's Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grants

In addition to yesterday’s community garden grant from Annie's Homegrown and also in addition to Lowe’s own Toolbox for Education grant comes Lowe's Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grants.

Maximum Grant:  $20,000; Deadline:  March 16, 2012     

The program will award $900,000 in grants to Keep America Beautiful Affiliates* (see below for CT list) or you can form your own for community improvement projects to be completed in 2012. 

The Lowe's/Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Project and Spotlight Grant Partnership Program consists of:

* One-hundred (100) Lowe's/Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grants of $5,000 each. Grants will be awarded as a $4,500 check with a $500 follow up check to be awarded once project completion report is submitted and accepted. 

* Twenty (20) Lowe's/Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Spotlight Project Grants of $20,000 each. Grants will be awarded as an $18,000 check with a $2,000 follow up check to be awarded once project completion report is submitted and accepted. 

Applications should be for a high impact project in your community and you are strongly encouraged to involve your local Lowe's Heroes, stores and its employees. 

The Lowe's/Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grants will be awarded in 2 Phases: 

Phase 1: Applications must be received by March 16, 2012. Winners will be announced April 14, 2012. (please note that only Keep America Beautiful Affiliates in good standing are eligible) 

Phase 2: Applications must be received by April 27, 2012. Winners will be announced May 15, 2012.  

Connecticut Keep America Beautiful Affiliates: 

Keep New Milford BeautifulLaurene Beattie, Executive Director
New Milford, CT 06776
Email: lbeattie@newmilford.org
Phone: 860.355.6040

Keep Norwalk Beautiful
David Shockley, Executive Director
Norwalk, CT 06854
Email: dshockley@norwalkct.org
Phone: 203.854.7810

Keep Stratford Beautiful
Jeffrey Thompson, Executive Director
Stratford, CT  06615
Email: c3jt@optionline.net
Web site: www.townofstratford.com  
Phone: 203.378.6674

Knox Parks FoundationCharmaine Craig, Community Network Builder
Hartford, CT 06106
Email: charmainec@knoxparks.org
Web site: http://www.knoxparks.org
Phone: 860.951.7694