posted by admin on Feb 12

Texas Rural Communities (TRC) Grant Application Available – Due February 26

Texas Rural Communities, Inc. (TRC), offers grants for community programs…environmental…economic…educational. The projects have to be located in rural areas and they must advance community development.

When applying, there are two types of funding to consider…

(1) Recognition grants are for new or existing programs that are making, or have the potential to make, a significant difference in the community. The award ceiling is $5,000.00

(2) Impact grants are for programs that demonstrate innovation or have the potential to serve as model programs for other communities. The award ceiling ranges from $5,001 to $25,000.00.

To submit an application, you must be a nonprofit community-based organizations located in a rural community…the funding rules do not allow a governmental or quasi-governmental organization(s) to be the submitting applicant.

posted by admin on Feb 10

Resource For the Unemployed and Employers

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst addressed members from the 28 workforce boards at the Texas Workforce Commission Quarterly Forum, where he kicked off the newest initiative… Texas Back to Work

Nonprofits that work with persons who are unemployed, should take note of the $15 million dollar program funded by the Texas Legislature. The monies are targeted at persons who made less than $15.00 when they became unemployed.

The Texas Back to Work funds are available to employers through the 28 Texas local workforce development boards and each of them will set policy for how the program will work in their part of the state. But ultimately, if an employer hires an unemployed person and keeps them for 120 days, they could receive a portion of the new employee’s wages back up to $2,000…the check comes from the state. Couple those funds with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the employer can gain a windfall for hiring new employees.

Also, this program could be used for the summer youth program that will be available this year.

posted by admin on Feb 3

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.
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posted by admin on Feb 2

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

The Texas Workforce Commission, has 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.
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posted by admin on Jan 27

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.
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posted by admin on Jan 25

Help the Outreach to Artists with Disabilities in Texas

Please let any artist with a disability know about this contest. There is no entry fee, but the artist who is chosen for the poster must agree to donate the original art to the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities…

The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, each year during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October sponsors the Texas NDEA Poster, which is distributed to more than 2000 businesses throughout the state.

If you know of local artists in your community who might be interested in a submission contact, Jo. Virgil for the submission guidelines and entry form.

You can see the 2009 NDEAM poster and read about Andrea La Vigne, the artist, on their website.