Hurrah! It’s summer. I admit I may be someone afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder because when the temperature is over 70 I feel like a whole new person. I just want to be outside and enjoy life. I also feel much healthier in the summer because the opportunities for good food are so much more abundant. Gardens are blooming and farmer’s markets are in full swing. My funder is of a similar mindset and would like to make the most of initiatives that grassroots nonprofits are offering to help us lead healthier lives…and it doesn’t even have to be summer for that to happen.

This week’s pick: Grants to Encourage Health Lifestyles are offered through the American Medical Association Foundation Fund for Better Health. Support is offered to programs addressing the issue of healthy lifestyles in the following areas:

• Nutrition and physical fitness
• Alcohol, substance abuse and smoking prevention (includes smoking cessation)
• Violence prevention (domestic violence, Internet safety, bullying)

Maximum award amounts are $5,000 and the deadline to apply is July 15, 2009. For a link to the complete RFP, click here.

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Earlier this month, I was elected Treasurer of the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) and last Thursday, I officially assumed my new duties at the MPHA annual meeting. The theme of the meeting was “Public Health Leadership in Challenging Times” and we had a fascinating presentation and panel discussion on this topic from leaders in the field, including Dr. Cheryl Easley, President of the American Public Health Association and Dr. Sanne Magnan, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.

I’ve already met so many wonderful public health colleagues through MPHA; in the next two years, I look forward to collaborating with public health leaders across the state to work together as “Minnesota’s voice for public health.”

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With the unpredictable weather we have had lately I thought it might be good to highlight a group that gives assistance in the area of disaster relief along with other funding objectives.

This week’s pick: The Social Responsibility Program of the FedEx Company serves core giving areas that include:

• emergency and disaster relief;
• pedestrian and child safety;
• education; and
• health and human services

You must be a non-profit to apply and you will need your organization’s tax identification number to access the online application. If you a non-U.S.-based non-profit you need to submit an application via mail. Requests are accepted year-round and reviewed in approximately 3 weeks of receipt. Indication of involvement of FedEx employees in your project will be favored.

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Last week, the DHS Waiver Review Team hit a huge milestone. Todd County was our 50th county reviewed since we started the project in May 2006; we’ve been to over half of Minnesota’s 87 Counties. Since beginning this project, we’ve met so many wonderful people across the State of Minnesota and would like to thank everyone who made our trips so enjoyable. We have many fond memories during the past several years and look forward to making more in the years ahead.

One thing that unites the waiver review team is our love of Dairy Queen. Here you see Mary Robison (IG), Danielle Dryke (IG), Jean Martin (DHS), Eric Wong (IG), and Liz Radel Freeman (IG) celebrating the best way we know how – with Blizzards, sundaes and ice cream from the DQ in Long Prairie, Todd County. Not pictured is our cameraman, Bob Meyer of DHS.

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On a visit back home to my folks I was recently going through old family photos. Every time I look at my Grandmother Vagnoni’s pictures I miss her even more. I still wonder at all the things she quietly accomplished in her life. One of those things was the way she helped the homeless who came off of nearby trains and found themselves at her back door getting a good hearty meal (even though her own family often had little to share). So many women I knew, and know of now, have done amazing things for others and have never really gotten the recognition they deserve. My featured funder would like to recognize women like these.

This week’s pick: The L’Oreal Paris Company is looking for nominations for their Woman of Worth Volunteer Awards. “In 2009, there will be ten honorees selected from across the United States. L'Oréal will make a $5,000 donation to each honoree's chosen charitable cause, and will make an additional $5,000 donation in the name of each winner to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.” An additional online, national vote will select one woman to be a special honoree and her cause will receive $25,000.

Nominations of women who have done something inspiring for others are due in by July 13, 2009. Click here to access the nomination process.

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Improve Group staff members have their ears perked up waiting for a call from Becky Stewart and hubby Meleck Davis. Becky’s due date was June 10th as she and Meleck await their first baby. We are sending good thoughts and wishes their way. Needless to say, Becky will be away for a while being a new Mom. Feel free to send her any good wishes on our Facebook page.

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This economy has so many organizations looking for funds that have fewer restrictions so they can apply them exactly where they need them. As I have stated in previous Grant Gazings, I am particularly interested in finding unrestricted funds or those for capital needs to highlight for my readers. My funder today is giving that kind of funding, along with special guidance to help those who want to help their neighborhoods.

This week’s pick: Applications are being accepted for the Neighborhoods of Excellence Initiative from Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “The Neighborhood Builders program provides $200,000 ($100,000 annually for 2 years) in unrestricted grant funding in addition to leadership training for two local nonprofit organizations working to promote vibrant neighborhoods.”

Grantees will also be part of special leadership development workshops. The due date to apply is June 30, 2009. You must create a login to access the application and apply.

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The Performing Arts Workshop has recently been featured in an Arts Education spotlight for IssueLab, an online publishing forum for nonprofit research. Our work together for the Project ARISE (Arts Residency Interventions in Special Education) evaluation and the Artists-in-Schools evaluation can be found on IssueLab’s website.

IssueLab describes their Arts Education CloseUp as a “special collection of Arts Education case studies and evaluations [that] reveals the lessons, benefits, and pitfalls of existing and past projects, providing vital information for program staff at organizations running their own Arts Education projects.”

We’re so pleased that Performing Arts Workshop’s research can be shared with a broader audience through this venue. Congratulations!

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The Improve Group was pleased to receive a surprise certificate in the mail signed by the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty. Groups who were awarded government contracts in 2007-2008 fiscal year were given recognition by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

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The gorgeous weather we have had is an invitation to spend as much time outdoors as possible. I have been very fortunate to have our apartment complex start a community garden this year. One of my sons helps me water and I have already picked lettuce from my plants. Another neighbor just put up a little play area in the space between the apartments for the toddlers to use. Special efforts like this mean a lot to those of us who don’t have a big back yard for our children to play in. My granting opportunity this week is directed toward communities with a need for fun outdoor places for young people.

This week’s pick: Minneapolis happens to be one of the eligible communities to apply for the KaBOOM Playspace Project. This organization hopes to provide a “great place to play within walking distance of every child in North America.”

There are 30 states that are currently eligible for funding with specific towns noted in each state. Towns are chosen by available funding partners. The process starts with an email application.

Evaluation of applicant projects includes:
• Enthusiasm and Commitment
• Need
• Location
• Demographics
• Ability to mobilize the community
• Site logistics
• Public access

You can view a 12 minute video on how to apply for a Playspace Project by clicking here. Fundraising from applicants is part of the process. Whether or not your project is selected KaBOOM has a free toolkit and resources to help you continue to plan out a project.

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