New York State Quality Communities Program

New York State Department of State

The New York State Department of State has announced the availability of funding through the New York State Quality Communities Program. Under this program, funds are available for planning projects that revitalize downtowns, develop strong economies and protect environmental resources. Eligible applicants may apply for grants by submitting proposals that incorporate one or more of the following programs: Intermunicipal Growth, Community Growth, Community Open Space, Mountain Communities, and Community Center.
ELIGIBILITY:  Counties, towns, cities, villages, local public authorities, public benefit corporations, Indian tribes/nations, and not-for-profit corporations.
FUNDING:   Contact the Department of State for details.
DEADLINE:  December 5, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Requests for applications and forms along with other pertinent information are available for downloading from the Quality Communities Clearinghouse Web site, www.qualitycommunities.org. Other information is available by calling (518) 473-3355 or by sending an e-mail to QC@dos.state.ny.us.

New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Material

New York State Education Department, Division of Library Development

The New York State Education Department has announced the availability of funding for projects that contribute to the preservation of significant research materials in libraries, archives, historical societies and other agencies in the state. These projects can be for conducting surveys, improving collection storage environments, reformatting or treating collections or other preservation activities described in the program guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY:  Not-for-profit archives, libraries, museums, historical societies and similar institutions in New York State and consortia or cooperating groups of such agencies; colleges and universities; professional associations or other not-for-profit institutions or systems that provide services to libraries.
FUNDING:   A total of $500,000 is available with grants ranging in amounts from $1,500 to $30,000.
DEADLINE:  Applications must be received by 5 p.m. December 2, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  For eligibility criteria, additional information or to obtain a copy of the grant application and guidelines, potential applicants should contact the New York Library, Conservation/Preservation Program, at Room 10-B-41, Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York 12230 or at (518) 486-2197.

Urban Tree Planting; Urban Forest/Street Tree Management Plans; Urban Forest/Street Tree Inventory and Management Plans

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the availability of funding under three categories: 1) municipal governments, public benefit corporations, public authorities, school districts and not-for-profit corporations for urban tree planting; 2) city governments over 65,000 in population for the development of urban forest/street tree management plans and implementation of forestry work prescribed in existing urban forestry management plans; and 3) municipal governments under 65,000 in population for the development of urban forest/street tree inventory and management plans.
ELIGIBILITY:  See above information.
FUNDING:   For program 1 listed above, a total of $300,000 in grant funds will be awarded; for program 2 listed above a total of $120,000 in grant funds will be awarded; and for program 3 listed above, a total of $80,000 in grant funds will be awarded. Individual grants must request a minimum of $2,500 and may not exceed a maximum of $50,000 depending on grant category and size of community; see grant instructions for specific funding limits. All grants must be matched at least equally with non-federal/state source funds.
DEADLINE:  October 31, 2005 for each grant category.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Download specific requests for proposals from the Department of Environmental Conservation's Web site, www.dec.state.ny.us or contact Frank Dunstan, Urban Forestry Coordinator, Division of Lands and Forests, at DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4253; by telephone at (518) 402-9418; or by e-mail at fmdunsta@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

. . . On the Federal Level

Museums for America

The Institute for Museum and Library Services

The Institute for Museum and Library Services has announced the availability of funding that will support projects that strengthen museums as active resources for lifelong learning and as key players in the establishment of liveable communities.
ELIGIBILITY:  Nonprofits having 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and public and state controlled institutions of higher education.
FUNDING:   The total number of awards and the total program funding is not available, but grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000.
DEADLINE:   November 15, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact the Institute of Museum and Library Services at (202) 653-4657 or at imlsinfo@imls.gov.

. . . Foundations and Organizations

Grants for Basic Human Needs

The Public Welfare Foundation

The Public Welfare Foundation is a non-governmental grant-making organization dedicated to supporting organizations that provide services to disadvantaged populations and work for lasting improvements in the delivery of services that meet basic human needs. Grants have been awarded in the areas of criminal justice, disadvantaged elderly and youth, environment, population, health, community and economic development, human rights, and technology assistance.
ELIGIBILITY:  Browse the Foundation's web site (listed below) to see if your request fits the Foundation's guidelines, and to find information about funding priorities, etc.
FUNDING:   A total of $18,000,000 is available for Fiscal Year 2005.
DEADLINE:   Check with the Public Welfare Foundation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit www.publicwelfare.org.

Community Improvement

The Starr Foundation

The Starr Foundation offers funding to New York City nonprofits for medicine and health care; human needs (emergency food programs, job training, literacy programs, programs for the disabled and programs that provide emergency or transitional housing for the underprivileged); public policy and culture (both to large cultural institutions such as museums and to small, community-based groups providing special services to specific populations, such as the elderly and the disabled.)
ELIGIBILITY:  New York City nonprofits; contact the Starr Foundation for specific eligibility requirements.
FUNDING:   Varies.
DEADLINE:  There is no deadline or formal application.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Visit the Starr Foundation's Web site, http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/starr/ for additional requirements and guidelines.

Sacred Sites Program for Preservation of Historic Religious Buildings

The New York Landmarks Conservancy

The New York Landmarks Conservancy is a private not-for-profit preservation organization that administers the Sacred Sites Fund, which provides matching grants for the preservation of historic religious buildings located in New York State. Grants can be used for planning and executing repair and restoration work on historic properties and sites owned by religious institutions and listed on the State/National Register of Historic Places or locally landmarked. The funding is provided for financial and technical assistance for the repair and restoration of religious properties of all denominations throughout New York State. The Conservancy works closely with clergy, building committee members, and trustees, providing vital information and necessary funding to historic churches, synagogues, mosques, and meeting houses. The Conservancy helps to ensure that the buildings will be properly preserved, and can save congregations time and money as they begin restoration projects.
ELIGIBILITY:  Religious institutions of all denominations.
FUNDING:   Maximum grant is $10,000.
DEADLINE:   November 1 and May 1; same funding cycle every year.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Elizabeth McTigue, New York Landmarks Conservancy, 141 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10010; (212) 995-5260; www.nylandmarks.org.

. . . Grant Writing

The Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Buffalo, November 7-11, 2005, hosted by Junior League of Buffalo.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $825, which includes one-year enrollment in the TGCI Membership Program. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available to agencies with annual budgets of less than $300,000.

To register, or to apply for a scholarship, contact TGCI at (800) 421-9512 or visit www.tgci.com. For local information and arrangements, call Julie Ricchiazzi at (716) 608-8345.

The Foundation Center

The Foundation Center is holding a Proposal Writing Seminar on November 14, 2005.

The class will teach attendees techniques for writing proposals, how to foster strong working relationships with grantmakers, new trends in grantmaking, and more. The class will be held at the Center's New York City office, located at 79 Fifth Avenue; the cost is $195.

For more information, visit www.fdncenter.org, or call (800) 424-9836.