HHS Assets for Independence – Spring Cycle Grant applications due March 25 – $19 million estimated funding for 55-65 grant awards

“Most young people stumble through their lives learning financial literacy by trial and error” – Jumpstart Coalition

There is a lack of financial literacy in the US of A to determine it an urgency… a crisis and non-profits are desperately needed to step up and think about offering financial literacy type of programs. Here is your chance with the Health and Human Services Assets for Independence Program (AFI).

The financial literacy concept in the Assets for Independence program provides five-year grants to nonprofit organizations — including faith-based organizations — and government agencies. The financial literacy programs should “empower low-income families to become economically self-sufficient for the long-term”.

AFI grantees provide financial education training on money management issues, and assist participants to save earned income in special accounts that are matched, sometimes, four dollars to each one dollar and are called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).

Participants use the IDAs to accumulate funds with the goal of acquiring a first home, post-secondary education, or starting up or expanding a small business.
Read the rest of this entry »

Texas – one of the first states to approve Summer Youth Program…more states to come

The Texas Workforce Commission, this morning approved “stimulus” funds… (WIA – American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA)… to implement “Summer Youth Programs”. TWC Staff has completed planning for this year’s Summer Youth Program. The plan has gone through the “bureaucratic” tiers- nonprofits…workforce board…state…fed…. “This year’s Summer Youth Program is poised to implement some great programs,“ said a TWC staffer.

So nonprofits, education, churches…START PLANNING!!!…Nonprofits that work with youth have a great opportunity to “co-enroll” youth with the “Summer Youth Program”… churches and education need to channel the youth to get enrolled quickly help get more information by contacting a workforce board staffer.

In the state of Texas there are 28 workforce boards that will receive the funds. The youth will receive money and other “perks” to participate…but most of the youth will receive work experience and instruction that teaches them the “right” workplace behavior…like “no pants on the ground”… ethical behavior… foundation skills.
Read the rest of this entry »

Immigration – What’s Going On?

We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.
-Anais Nin

When I hear people talking about undocumented immigrants it makes me wonder why, if this is such a problem, is it allowed to happen here in the United States? Then I take a good hard look at the entities that have everything to gain by having them here.  The motivation for undocumented immigration may be found in the “moving force” known as the capitalist system – the quest for profits.

During the Health Care “debate,” it was loud and clear in the arguments that some people believe the costs of schools, hospitals and public service are rising because of this undocumented population.    ”Send them back,” some of the “debaters” said, but at the same time you had  the agriculture, construction, restaurants and manufacturing industries hiring this population and service industries selling to them without any regard to the law. This is called talking out of both sides of your mouth.   If you do not want undocumented workers here…then stop hiring them. If you do not want undocumented immigrants here…then stop selling to them. But this is not going to happen, because the removal of this population out of the economic equation for the US of A and Mexico for that matter…would cause a devastation that would require a long time and a lot more stimulus money to heal.
Read the rest of this entry »

First Lady’s Family Literacy Initiative for Texas – Applications Due March 5

The First Lady’s Family Literacy Initiative for Texas, a program of The Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy, announces its 2010 grant competition. The grants of up to $50,000 each are given to enable an established literacy program to build on existing service to a single generation, i.e., children or adults, and create a complete family literacy program.

A successful grant application includes clearly stated objectives, along with a solid assessment plan to measure progress toward those objectives. Collaborative partnerships with other community groups are strongly encouraged.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, March 5, with Grant winners announced in May 2010.  For more information go to the website

OneStar Foundation “Renewing Our Communities Account”

The Texas OneStar Foundation (OSF) has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Renewing Our Communities Account (ROCA). Application deadline is February 19, 2010.

The RFP will be used to build capacity of small- to mid-size faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) and their partners. Applicants must describe who among the organizational and community partners will work to support the capacity building process…what activities they want to implement to address capacity building needs…the proposal must demonstrate an openness and willingness to change. Proposals must include both organizational and community partner capacity building activities and describe how this grant opportunity will help their organization and collaborative partners build capacity. The proposals must describe how the collaboration intends to apply what they will learn to improve their social service delivery system.
Read the rest of this entry »

Affordable Housing Program – Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program – February 15 – April 15, 2010

The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) is a great opportunity for organizations – like Habitat for Humanity…NeighborWorks…affordable housing entities… to receive gap assistance for low to moderate income homebuyers. The program provides direct grants and subsidized loans to assist in meeting the community’s affordable housing needs.

The AHP Funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area…and can be used to pay closing costs or down payments…buy down principal amounts or interest rates…refinance an existing loan (provided that the equity proceeds are used for the development of AHP-eligible housing)…assist with rehabilitation or construction costs…homebuyer education and counseling costs also qualify…the funds are intended for gap financing,
Read the rest of this entry »