United for Libraries grants will help 20 'threatened' communities with advocacy training

The Neal-Schuman Foundation ponied up $75,000 to support library advocacy at the local level for libraries with troubled budgets through 'United for Libraries' Citizens-Save-Libraries effort.

Note: grant recipients will not receive any direct funds. The funds will be administered by United for Libraries and will be disbursed directly to the professional consultants to cover their fees and expenses for providing the two days of on-site advocacy training at each library.

Grants will pay for travel and fees to send expert advocates to 20 locations over the course of two years to help friends of the library groups, library directors and trustees develop individual blueprints for advocacy campaigns to restore, increase or save threatened library budgets.

Application Materials:   Cycle 1 Application (PDF, 50 kb)            Official Release Form (PDF, 32 kb)

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The opportunity to apply for expert consultation will begin in January 2013, and the first 10 libraries will be selected in April.  Among the criteria to apply will be a willingness of recipient libraries to “pay it forward” by sharing what they learn with others in their states through presentations at local conferences, articles written for the state library association journal and a willingness to answer questions and support other advocacy campaigns via digital media and Skype.

In order to leverage the grant across the country, a power guide will be developed that will be freely available to all that will lay out a step-by-step blueprint for libraries to follow in generating their own campaigns.  In addition, United for Libraries will hold train-the-trainer workshops using the guide at Midwinter Meetings in 2014 and 2015.

 Grant Requirements

• Demonstrated need for help with a library advocacy campaign.
• Minimum of five volunteers committed to working on a leadership team for a campaign. Each member understands that this commitment may require at least weekly meetings for up to 90 days.
• Leadership team available for two days of on-site, in-person training (approx. 5 hours each day) between June 1, 2013-May 1, 2014.
• One member of the leadership team is willing to become a local “mentor” for other libraries in the state and/or region. Mentor may be invited to participate in a one-time live one hour webinar and may also be asked to give an advocacy program at state library conference.
• Support of the library’s Board of Trustees.
• No member of the United for Libraries' Board of Directors or his or her library will be eligible to receive this grant.

How to Apply: The 20 grants will be issued in two cycles:

• Cycle 1 Grants
  • Application materials due April 15, 2013.
  • Grantees notifed by May 15, 2013.
  • On-site trainings to be held June 1, 2013-May 1, 2014.
• Cycle 2 Grants
  • Application to be released January 2014.
  • Applications materials due April 15, 2014.
  • Grantees notifed by May 15, 2014.
  • On-site trainings to be held June 1, 2014-May 1, 2015.

2012 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program

With the goal to empower school age children nationwide with the means to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, ING Run For Something Better, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, has developed a school-based running program. In addition to fighting childhood obesity, research shows that physical activity improves self esteem, school performance and overall well being.

All information is located at the Call for Applications.

The awards program provides a minimum of fifty (50) grants up to $2500 for each school that desires to establish a school-based running program or expand an existing one.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2012

Cinereach Invites LoI’s for Film Production Grant Program

Cinereach is a not-for-profit film production company and foundation, is offering grants of up to $50,000, plus networking and outreach opportunities, to nonprofit organizations working to produce feature-length films that spark dialogue, challenge prejudice, and help foster global community.

Deadline for letters of inquiry: June 1, 2011.

2011 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program

With the goal to empower school age children nationwide with the means to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, ING Run For Something Better, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, has developed a school-based running program. In addition to fighting childhood obesity, research shows that physical activity improves self esteem, school performance and overall well being.

All information is located at the Call for Applications.

The awards program provides a minimum of fifty (50) grants up to $2500 for each school that desires to establish a school-based running program or expand an existing one.

Application Deadline: May 1st, 2011

Hartford Public Library presents free 'Best Practices' Workshops for Nonprofits

Three upcoming sessions at the Hartford Public Library. All programs held at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 in the Program room on the 3rd floor.

Affordable Technology Solutions for Nonprofits
Wednesday, February 23, 10:00 am - noon
Presenter: Jana Callahan, ADNET Technologies, LLC.
Nonprofits are forced to do more with less every day. Operational efficiency is not a luxury, but a requirement and technology plays a pivotal role. Learn how technology solutions can be easily managed taking the financial guesswork out of IT and also about best practices and hosted solutions that provide complete control while taking the risks out of your hands.

Building and Sustaining Your Nonprofit
Wednesday, March 9, 9:00 am - noon
Presenter: Martey Rhine, Management Solutions & Resources.
No matter how worthy your mission is to serve others, you will be more successful if you are operating from a solid foundation. If you are a small nonprofit organization and you want to enhance your knowledge of what it takes to build that solid foundation, this workshop is for you. We will cover the basics of building a board, budgeting, operational planning, marketing, and fundraising - all the building blocks your nonprofit organization needs. At the conclusion of this workshop you will have tools, templates, and references for taking the action steps to effectively structure your nonprofit organization and enhance your ability to achieve the mission. This workshop is offered in partnership with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Cultural competencies for service providers (2 Parts)
Part 1 Wednesday, March 23, 10:00 am - noon
Part 2 Wednesday, March 30, 10:00 am - noon
(Participants must attend both sessions)
Presenter: Dr. William A. Howe, State Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Compliance/Multicultural Education, CT State Department of Education.

In an ever-growing global economy and a vastly increasing diverse population it is imperative that nonprofit service personnel maintain high quality knowledge, skills and dispositions in cultural competence. This workshop will focus on theoretical and practical applications required for personnel who work with people from a variety of diversities, including, but not limited to - race, ethnicity, social class, language, gender, sexual orientation, and abilities. This workshop is offered in partnership with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Webinar: Winning Grants

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 2PM Eastern

This webinar on Winning Grants will show how grants can support the changing needs in your community while your budget is flat or shrinking and provide many benefits - in addition to funding!

Discover the confidence and knowledge to win grants, find out the best method for writing grant proposals, and learn all the steps to successful grant work. Stephanie Gerding will share practical advice, easy grants for beginners, and valuable worksheets and resource lists. We’ll also learn about free resources for finding funding opportunities and valuable discounted software products to aid your grant work, including GrantStation. You’ll be excited, motivated, and ready with the knowledge needed to apply the basic process of grant work.