OJJDP FY 2013 Community-Based Violence Prevention Field-Initiated Research and Evaluation Program

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Valerie F. Leonard

I’m writing a federal proposal for a partnership involving a youth organization and a local university to develop a research design to study youth violence prevention. If the proposal is successful the group will use the proceeds to

Assess effectiveness of law enforcement in community efforts to prevent youth violence

Use infectious disease model to analyze ways violence spreads and within communities

Document potential return on investment and cost savings associated with evidence-based multi-disciplinary, community based strategies to reduce violence

Publish and disseminate findings

The results would be used to help the federal government better identify promising youth anti-violence programs in which to invest, and ultimately, reduce youth violence. Say a prayer for us.

Upcoming AFI Grants

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Valerie F. Leonard

I just got the following e-mail from AFI

Assets for Independence (AFI) helps individuals and families secure long-term financial stability through asset building. Collectively, asset building leads to transformational change in low-income communities. If you think your community might benefit from an AFI Individual Development Account (IDA) project, the AFI Resource Center encourages you to apply for an AFI grant in 2012.

The AFI Program will review and fund new grants in three cycles during 2012:

Winter Cycle – due January 25, 2012

Spring Cycle – due March 26, 2012

Summer Cycle – due May 25, 2012

The AFI Resource Center will host a series of calls this winter to help prospective applicants develop an AFI grant application. Register online now to participate in these interactive calls and learn more about AFI application requirements and procedures.

Upcoming Webinar dates:

· Thursday, January 19, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EST: AFI Questions and Answers

· Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EST: Tips for Developing Resources and Partners for AFI Projects

· Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EST: AFI Program Overview and Grant Application Process

Additional information about applying for an AFI grant is available in the Apply for an AFI Grant section of IDAresources.org:

· Determine whether the AFI Program is right for your organization.

· Learn how to apply for an AFI grant.

· Locate Current AFI grantees near you.

· Learn about Asset Building in Native Communities.

The Apply for an AFI Grant section on IDAresources.org also contains the AFI Project Builder, a guidebook for organizations that want to design and implement an asset building program supported by the AFI Program. The AFI Project Builder toolkit contains worksheets and other tools to help grantees design and implement their program.

AFI Resource Center | Office of Community Services
www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding | www.idaresources.org

1-866-778-6037 | info@idaresources.org

June Grants

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Valerie F. Leonard

I thank Alderman Sandi Jackson for providing a link to funding sources compiled by the Illinois Legislative Unit

June Grants 2011

Handouts from the Breakin’ it Down Conference-Workshop on Federal Funding

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

Here is a copy of the Power Point presentation I did on federal funding for the Breakin’ it Down conference.

In the Public Domain 2010

HAC News June 23, 2010

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

I received the following newsletter from HAC News June 23, 1010

This issue of HAC News is also available in PDF and HTML format at http://tinyurl.com/hacnews
HAC News… information on rural low-income housing issues

June 23, 2010
Vol. 39, No. 13

HUD/DOT PLANNING GRANTS OFFERED. A joint NOFA offers HUD’s Community Challenge Planning Grants and Department of Transportation planning grants to state and local government entities. Visit http://www.grants.gov. Contact TIGERIIGrants@dot.gov or sustainablecommunities@hud.gov; Robert Mariner, DOT, 202-366-8914; or Zuleika K. Morales-Romero, HUD, 202-402-7683, zuleika.k.morales@hud.gov.

RD EXTENDS ELIGIBILITY FOR SECTION 538 CONTINUOUS GUARANTEE DEMO. Lenders with Section 538 guaranteed rural rental housing obligations issued after October 1, 2007 (rather than 2009) are now eligible to apply for guarantees that cover construction through permanent financing. (See HAC News, 5/12/10). See Federal Register, 5/14/10, or http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_NOFAs.html. Contact Tammy Daniels, RD, 202-720-0021.

HUD CONSIDERS SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURE FOR COMPLETING NEW MANUFACTURED HOMES ON SITE. A proposed rule would establish uniform procedures for manufacturers to complete construction of homes at installation sites rather than in factories, without advance approval from HUD. Comments are due August 23. See Federal Register, 6/23/10, or http://www.regulations.gov. Contact William W. Matchneer III, HUD, 202-708-6409.

RULES SET FOR NEW WATER/WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM. RD will use up to 4% of its water and waste disposal funding for the new Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) program to make predevelopment and planning grants to public agencies, nonprofits, and tribes for projects in financially distressed communities with populations under 2,500. See Federal Register, 6/24/10 or www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDU_Regulations.html. Contact Anita O’Brien, RD, 202-690-3789, anita.obrien@usda.gov.

PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE CRA CREDIT FOR NSP ACTIVITIES. Comments are due July 23 on a revised Community Reinvestment Act regulation covering loans, investments, and services that support activities eligible for Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding in target areas identified in NSP plans. Activities could be outside a financial institution’s assessment area. See Federal Register, 6/24/10 or http://www.regulations.gov. Contact Michael S. Bylsma, OCC, 202-874-5750.

COMMENTS INVITED ON CRA REGULATIONS. The agencies that regulate banks and thrifts request written or oral comments on whether and how they should revise their regulations to better serve the Community Reinvestment Act’s goals. Public hearings will be held in four cities between July 19 and August 17. Written comments may be submitted through August 31. Visit http://www.ffiec.gov/cra/hearings.htm or contact Barry Wides, OCC, Barry.Wides@occ.treas.gov, 202-874-4930.

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON NATIONAL ENERGY RATING PROGRAM FOR HOMES. Comment by July 10 on a Department of Energy proposed program to encourage consumers to invest in energy improvements in existing homes. Details are posted at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/home_rating_rfi.html. Contact Joan Glickman, buildingratingRFI@ee.doe.gov.

NATIONAL HOMELESSNESS PLAN RELEASED. Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness is intended to serve as a roadmap for action by federal agencies along with local and state partners in the public and private sectors, to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015, and to end homelessness among children, family, and youth by 2020. Visit http://www.usich.gov.

STATE OF THE NATION’S HOUSING IS MIXED, SAYS ANNUAL STUDY. Harvard’s 2010 report notes numerous improvements and challenges in the U.S. housing situation as a whole, with continuing shortages of affordable housing for owners and renters. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2010 is free at http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/ or $15 from the Joint Center for Housing Studies, 617-495-7809.

GREEN BUILDING SYMPOSIUM MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE. Materials from “Building Green in Rural America: A Symposium on Policy and Practice,” hosted by HAC and the Home Depot Foundation on June 9 in Washington, DC, are posted on HAC’s website at http://www.ruralhome.org.

RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE FEATURES GREEN BUILDING. The spring issue of HAC’s quarterly magazine describes nonprofits building green affordable housing. Rural Voices is free at http://www.ruralhome.org. One print subscription per organization is free from Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600, lawrence@ruralhome.org.

HAC SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR RURAL HOUSING AWARDS. At the National Rural Housing Conference in December, HAC will present the Cochran/Collings Award for national rural housing service, the Skip Jason Community Service Award, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Award for local or tribal elected officials. Nominations are due September 15. Visit www.ruralhome.org or contact Lilla Sutton, HAC, 202-842-8600, lilla@ruralhome.org.

Housing Assistance Council
1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 606, Washington DC 20005
(202) 842-8600 | hac@ruralhome.org | www.ruralhome.org

Handouts from the Lawndale Alliance NSP Town Hall Meeting, June 23, 2010

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

The Lawndale Alliance held its NSP Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.The handouts are attached below.

Agenda-NSP Town Hall Meeting of the Lawndale Alliance

NSP Town Hall

Funding Announcements from the Indiana State Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

I thank Janine Schumm of the State of Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives for the forwarding the following grant opportunities.

June 2010 FO

News from the Foundation Center: Lessons in Grantmaker-Government Collaborations

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

I received the following press release from the Foundation Center.

Although the nation’s foundation community has provided critical financial and technical support to states applying for the first round of Race to the Top funds, the success of future collaborations will depend on government including grantmakers in the development of new policies and grantmakers being engaged, long-term partners in the process, a new issue brief from the Foundation Center finds.

Based on interviews conducted in March and April with foundation staff, education consultants, and government leaders who guided the first-round application process in nine states, the brief, Race to the Top: What Grantmakers Can Learn from the First Round (8 pages, PDF), found that while grantmakers supported the application process in a variety of ways, states faced numerous challenges in completing Race to the Top applications, from the tight timeframe to developing reform agendas to securing buy-in from key constituencies. And while they were optimistic about the potential impact of Race to the Top, interviewees expressed a number of concerns about the effort, from the amount of reporting required by winning states to the possibility that the competition could expand the achievement gap between winning and losing states.

The brief was issued as part of the Foundations for Education Excellence initiative, an effort launched last year to help foundations leverage federal education funds and plan strategies for longer-term impact on education reform. Both the initiative and the brief are funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

“In our new economic reality, it will take grantmakers and government working together to achieve education reform,” said Foundation Center president Bradford K. Smith. “This report contains valuable lessons about how to make these collaborations work better in the future.”

“Race to the Top Competition Offers Lessons for Grantmaker and Government Collaborations.” Foundation Center Press Release 6/02/10. Primary Subject: Education
Secondary Subject(s): Elementary and Secondary Education
Location(s): National, New York, New York CityFC014928

Illinois ResourceNet A Funding Access Initiative

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

Illinois ResourceNet: A Funding Access Initiative (IRN) is a university-based resource providing Illinois organizations a unique approach to grant access centered on providing information and resources on an interactive website, working with experienced technical assistants on designing high caliber proposals, and connecting with a diverse group of partners to meet proposed project goals.

I am deeply honored to be a technical assistance provider. In this capacity, I review proposals within federal proposal guidelines and point criteria. I have also assisted with developing curriculum, and delivered workshops and online courses in proposal writing. To find out more about Illinois ResourceNet, download the attached brochure, and visit www.illinoisresource.net.

Connecting to IRN TA[1]

IRS Seeking Applications for Volunteer Tax Assistance Program Grants

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Valerie F. Leonard

IRS Seeking Applications for Volunteer Tax Assistance Program Grants

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service will soon begin accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant programs, which will allow some organizations to apply for annual funding for up to three years.

Applications will be accepted June 1, 2010, through July 9, 2010. Previous grant recipients will have the option to apply for up to three years of annual funding, which would reduce the amount of paperwork they must complete over a three-year period. This annual funding will also help recipients with budget planning.

The 2011 application packages and guidelines will be available on the IRS website by June 1, 2010. More information about the TCE and VITA grants is available in Publication 4680, TCE & VITA Grant Programs.

The IRS in 2010 awarded 24 TCE grantees $6.1 million and 147 VITA grantees $7.44 million. Through mid May, the two grant programs filed more than 2.1 million returns at almost 9,000 sites nationwide.

The TCE program was established in 1978 to provide tax counseling and return preparation to persons age 60 or older and to give training and technical assistance to the volunteers who provide free federal income tax assistance within elderly communities across the nation.

The VITA Grant program was established in 2007 to supplement the VITA program, which was created in 1969. VITA provides underserved communities with free tax filing assistance. The grant program enables VITA to extend services to underserved populations in hardest-to-reach urban and non-urban areas, to increase the capacity of targeted taxpayers to file returns electronically, to enhance training of volunteers and to improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared at VITA sites.

Staying in the Loop

Moderated by Valerie F. Leonard

Category Archives: Federal Funding