New York State Assembly - Grants Action News

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Questions?
For more information contact:
Laura Koennecke
1 Commerce Plaza, Suite1125
Albany, NY 12260
or call the
Grants Action News hotline at
1-800-356-8486

...On the State Level

Humanities Mini-Grants

New York Council for the Humanities (NYCH)

The New York Council for the Humanities offers mini-grants for public humanities programs that interpret history and culture. These programs can take many forms, such as conferences, lectures, film or museum exhibitions, or walking tours. The Council favors applications that display a critical and analytical approach to humanities topics and that include significant involvement by appropriate scholars. Special consideration is given to events that bring humanities to underserved communities.

ELIGIBILITY: Non-profit New York State organizations are eligible.

FUNDING: Awards are made for up to $1,500.

DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be received at least two months prior to proposed program date. Decisions are made within six weeks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For applications and guidelines, contact NYCH, 150 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10038; (212) 233-1131; fax (212) 233-4607;
e-mail hum@echonyc.com; website www.culturefront.org

Speakers in the Humanities

New York Council for the Humanities (NYCH)

The Speakers in the Humanities program offers a roster of distinguished authorities lecturing on a wide range of humanities topics. Since the program began in 1983, NYCH has sponsored nearly 2,000 separate speaker events, reaching over 90,000 people.

ELIGIBILITY: Any non-profit organization in New York State, including high schools may sponsor a speakers program.

DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be received at least six weeks prior to proposed lecture date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To request a copy of their current 2000-02 catalogue (application included), contact NYCH, 150 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10038; telephone (212) 233-1131; fax (212) 233-4607; e-mail hum@echonyc.com; website www.culturefront.org

Revision — Local Assistance Program for Non-toxic Pest Management Training and Structural Improvements

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

This notice is to revise the announcement published in the June edition of the Grants Action News concerning the Local Assistance Program for Non-toxic Pest Management Training and Structural Improvements. The previous notice read “Legal Assistance” instead of “Local Assistance.” Eligibility is also expanded to include non-profit corporations.

The purpose of the program is to provide State financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit corporations for training in non-toxic pest management methods and to make minor structural repairs that prohibit pest infestations. Although both training and structural improvements are components of this program, the emphasis is on the training element.

Any entity which intends to apply for assistance under this program must request the application package for further information on application requirements and on eligible projects under this program.

ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities (including counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and improvement districts within a city, county, town, or village; local public benefit corporations; local public authorities; Indian tribes residing within New York State; and any combination of these) and non-profit corporations are eligible. Multi-municipal projects are encouraged.

FUNDING: Grants are available up to $50,000 per award. No municipal funding match is required.

DEADLINE: July 28, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Mary A. Roy, Environmental Program Specialist 2, Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12233; telephone (518) 457-0917.

Mentoring and Professional Development Program for Folklife and Traditional Arts

New York Folklore Society

The New York Folklore Society, in partnership with the Folk Arts Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) offers technical assistance and professional growth services to the folk arts field through its Mentoring and Professional Development Program.

Folklife and traditional arts programming requires knowledge and skills in many areas, including fieldwork, artist self-management, marketing and publicity, concert production, interpretation and presenting, editing, graphic design, exhibit design, documentation, archives, and organizational management. People involved in this work need to keep current with developments in the field.

This program provides opportunities for organizations and individuals engaged in or planning folklife and traditional arts programs in New York State to work with a consultant who offers expertise in the needed area. In this way, professional staff, folk artists, and leaders of community-based cultural organizations gain knowledge and develop or improve skills that help them become more successful in their work.

ELIGIBILITY: Individuals and organizations engaged in or planning folklife and traditional arts programs in New York State are eligible to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, folk artists, community organizations, folk cultural specialists, arts councils, museums, historical societies and public libraries. Highest priority will be given to consultancies that directly benefit 1) folk artists, or 2) community-based organizations in African American, Asian, Latino, Native American, European ethnic, rural or other underserved communities of the State.

FUNDING: Short-term consultancies — up to $1,200; Quick response consultancies — up to $800; Ongoing consultancies — up to $1,800; Folk artist mentoring — $30 per hour plus travel; and Professional development exchanges — up to $250.

DEADLINE: September 15, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ellen McHale, Executive Director, or Dale Johnson, Director of Services, New York Folklore Society, P.O. Box 764, Schenectady, New York 12301; telephone (518) 346-7008; fax (518) 346-6617; website www.nyfolklore.org

...On the Federal Level

The Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (G.R.E.A.T.)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is accepting applications for the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (G.R.E.A.T.). This program is designed to educate youth about the dangers associated with joining street gangs and participating in violent crime. It functions as a cooperative program that utilizes the skills of ATF, Federal, State and local law enforcement, as well as individuals from the community and civic groups. The G.R.E.A.T. Program trains police officers to provide instruction to grade and middle school-aged children in gang prevention and anti-violence techniques. The program consists of three major components: School-Based Education; After School/Summer Education/Booster Classes; and Parent Involvement.

ELIGIBILITY: State and local law enforcement agencies are eligible.

FUNDING: Funding depends on population.

DEADLINE: August 10, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact James Scott, G.R.E.A.T Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 50418, Washington, DC 20091-0418; telephone (800)
726-7070; e-mail Great@atfhq.atf.treas.gov; website www.atf.treas/great/great.htm

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Small Grants

U.S. Department of Interior

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCA) are accepting applications for funding for wetland and wetland-associated upland conservation projects. The purpose of the program is to promote long-term conservation of North American wetland ecosystems and the waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish, and wildlife that depend upon such habitats. Principal conservation actions supported by NAWCA are acquisition, enhancement and restoration of wetlands and wetlands-associated uplands habitat.

ELIGIBILITY: Projects must meet the purposes of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989.

FUNDING: Grant proposals requesting more than $50,000 will not be considered.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Small Grants Coordinator, or Heather Poindexter, Office Secretary, North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office; telephone (703) 358-1784 or fax (703) 358-2282.

Small Business Innovation Research Grants

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, expects to award project grants for certain areas of research to science-based small business firms through phase I of its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants Program.

Objectives of the three-phase program include stimulating technological innovation in the private sector, strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA-supported research and development efforts, and fostering and encouraging participation of women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns in technological innovation.

The research to be supported is in the following topic areas: Forest and Related Resources; Plant Production and Protection; Animal Production and Protection; Air, Water and Soils; Food Science and Nutrition; Rural and Community Development; Aquaculture; Industrial Applications; and Marketing and Trade.

ELIGIBILITY: Firms with strong scientific research capabilities in the topic areas are encouraged to apply.

FUNDING: Approximately $5.5 million is expected to be available.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dr. Charles F. Cleland, Director, SBIR Program, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, STOP 2243, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-2243; telephone (202) 401-4002; fax (202) 401-6070.

Urban and Rural Community Economic Development and Rural Community Facilities Development for
2000 and 2001

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Administration for Children and Family Services (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), is accepting applications under the Urban and Rural Community Economic Development and Rural Community Facilities Development programs. The purpose of the grants is to provide technical and financial assistance for economic development activities designed to address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families, conduct rural community development activities and conduct neighborhood innovation projects.

Urban and Rural Community Economic Development projects must further the goals of strengthening families and promoting their self-sufficiency. OCS is interested in projects that focus on providing employment and business development opportunities for low-income people through business start-ups, business expansions, development of new services industries, and/or other newly-undertaken physical and commercial activities.

Rural Community Facilities Development funds are available to help low-income rural communities develop the capability and expertise to establish and/or maintain affordable, adequate and safe water and waste water facilities.

ELIGIBILITY: Urban and Rural Community Economic Development — Private, non-profit 501(c) (3) community development corporations governed by a board consisting of residents of the community and business and civic leaders that has as a principal purpose planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or community development projects are eligible. Rural Community Facilities Development — Multi-state, regional private, non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations that can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural communities in meeting their community facility needs.

FUNDING: Approximately $3,900,000 is available for fiscal year 2000 and $26,560,000 is expected for fiscal year 2001.

DEADLINES: Fiscal year 2000 — August 4, 2000. Fiscal year 2001 — October 20, 2000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For a copy of the full announcement, contact Administration for Children and Family Services, Office of Community Services, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20447, telephone (202) 401-9345, (202) 401-9354; fax (202) 401-4687; website www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ocs/kits1.htm. For general questions, contact Kaaren Turner (202) 260-5683; David Matthews (202) 401-5271; Walter Thaxon (202) 401-5269; or Bobby Malone (202) 401-5270.

The Grantsmanship Center
Buffalo, Rochester, Oneonta and Albany

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: