Funding Leads for August - October, 2009

USDA Programs

USDA Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program (SSDPG)
Proposals due August 10, 2009. Formerly known as the "Small, Minority Producer Grant Program," the primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $175,000. For more information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm

USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) provides financial assistance to producers or entities that deliver eligible biomass material to designated biomass conversion facilities for use as heat, power, biobased products or biofuels. Initial assistance will be for the Collection, Harvest, Storage and Transportation (CHST) costs associated with the delivery of eligible materials. Learn more: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ener&topic=bcap

USDA Value-added Producer Grant Program (VAPG)
Funding can be utilized to support the creation or enhancement of value-added wood processing and marketing ventures that are owned by forest landowners. VAPGs provide cost-share funding for either: 1.) Planning Activities such as feasibility analysis, business planning, marketing planning and legal work; or 2.) Working Capital for staff, inventory and operational expenses of value-added activities. VAPGs have been utilized by several forest landowner cooperatives throughout the nation to incentivize the early-stage development of their cooperative business ventures. Please contact NNFP for more information and to talk through the prospects for compatability with your value-added wood processing ideas. Or visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant program (RBEG)
Provides funding to help with business development and infrastructure support in your community. RBEG grants can be used to pay for the extension of services, building of roads, training and technical assistance and professional services for rural enterprises. Forest-based business can utilize this grant program to expand their operations, move to a location, hire legal and professional contractors, or generate other expansion for high-impact rural enterprise growth and development. For instance, NNFP member, Mass Woodlands Cooperative, has utilized RBEG funding to build markets and improve wood processing opportunities for its FSC-certified wood products. RBEG grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact your State USDA Rural Development office for more information or visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rbeg.htm.

USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
Phase 1 proposals due September 3, 2009. The purpose of the SBIR program is to provide an opportunity for US-owned, for-profit small business firms to submit innovative, applied, research and development projects that address important problems facing American agriculture and have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. A few topic areas of probable interest to NNFP member businesses include Forests and Related Resources, Rural Development, Biofuels and Biobased Products, Marketing and Trade, and Small and Mid-Size Farms. The SBIR program exists in three phases. The purpose of Phase I is to prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the proposed research and development effort. Phase I projects typically are for 8 months. Phase II is the principal research and development effort and often involves moving the project from the laboratory to the field or the development of prototypes. Phase II projects typically are for 24 months. Phase III is the commercialization phase and there is no SBIR support provided for this phase. Examples of some past recipients include NNFP member Gordon West of Santa Clara Woodworks, Silver City, NM, and Forest Concepts, Inc. in Federal Way, WA. Contact us to listen to an earlier "Funding Opportunities" webinar recording to get the inside scoop from National CSREES SBIR Program Leader, Charles Cleland. For more information visit: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative(RCDI)
Proposals due September 24. $50,000-300,000 to qualified private, nonprofit and public organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance programs. Must provide a program of financial and technical assistance to a nonprofit, community-based housing and development organization, a low-income rural community or a federally recognized tribe (the Recipient) that will develop the capacity and ability of the Recipient to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in rural areas. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm

Private Foundations

Sociological Initiatives Foundation
August 15 (concept application). $10,000-15,000 grants to support research projects focusing on social policy objectives, institutional/educational practices, legislative and regulatory changes, development of community capacity and organization of previously unorganized groups. Eligible applicants are within the United States and include academic-community partnerships, advocacy or community groups that conduct research that can withstand challenge in academic and policy arenas. http://comm-org.wisc.edu/sif/

Lazar Foundation
August letter of inquiry (invited proposals due Oct 15). The Lazar Foundation supports projects in the Pacific Northwest focused on conservation of large, biologically significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Current priorities are preservation of biological diversity; projects that broaden the environmental movement; and projects that strengthen or increase the capacity of the environmental movement's ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message. Grant amounts are $5,000-20,000. http://www.lazarfoundation.org/guidelines

General Service Foundation
September 1 (online application). New grants are within the $10,000-25,000 range. The Foundation funds projects in Colorado that help build the capacity of community organizations serving underrepresented and low-income communities to promote collaboration, justice, and equity in the state. http://www.generalservice.org/Colorado%20Program.htm

Ittleson Foundation
September 1 (letter of inquiry). The Foundation seeks to cultivate environmental action through: education, training and other activities for the current generation of environmental activists (professional or volunteer), educating and engaging the next generation, and strengthening the grassroots and statewide efforts. Pilot projects and demonstration projects are encouraged, while general support is not funded. http://www.ittlesonfoundation.org/guides.html

Sapelo Foundation
September 1 (proposal). $5,000-25,000. The Foundation funds projects in Georgia that involve multiple groups that work cooperatively toward common goals, accomplish systemic reform, and have a statewide impact. In addition, the Foundation gives special attention to low-resource regions in the state and innovative, community-based projects. http://www.sapelofoundation.org/

The Abelard Foundation—East
September 14 (proposal). Typical grant size is $10,000. Abelard funds projects that encourage and foster community participation, especially in the following constituencies: low-income, people of color, and disenfranchised. The Foundation considers a broad range of issues involving civil and human rights. http://foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/abelardeast/

New England Grassroots Environment Fund
September 15 (proposal). Small grants range is $500-2,500. The Fund supports a broad range of environmental activities that use whole-systems thinking to make the environment better, healthier, and more sustainable. http://grassrootsfund.org/

The Jessie B. Cox Trust
September 15 (concept paper). The Trust funds multi-year projects in the six New England states. In its environment program, the Trust focuses on preservation of fresh and marine waters through natural habitat conservation, also funding projects that protect terrestrial and marine habitats and wildlife critical for the preservation of biodiversity. Priority is given to projects that address cross-boundary issues, emphasize collaboration, and promote economic competitiveness in the region. http://www.jbcoxtrust.org/?page_id=28

The Joyce Foundation
Late September- Early October (letter of intent for Dec. 8 proposal deadline) Beyond their usual funding of Great Lakes regional projects, the Foundation will consider proposals at the local, state, regional, and national levels that address the following four areas: Reduce polluted, non-point source; Protect and restore critical habitats such as wetlands; Improve coastal health particularly through the increased use of green infrastructure and through new means of financing conventional infrastructure. http://www.joycefdn.org/Programs/Environment/Guidelines.aspx

The Davis Conservation Foundation
October 10 (proposal). Funds projects in ME, NH, VT, and MA. The foundation supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations whose areas of interest are projects related to wildlife, wildlife habitat, environmental protection and outdoor recreation. Projects that strengthen volunteer activity and outreach/community involvement in these categories are of particular interest. http://www.davisfoundations.org/site/application_conservation.asp

Laura Jane Musser Fund—Rural Initiatives Program
October 15 (proposal). Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 grants are given in CO, HI, MN, NY, and WY. The program funds collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions in a number of civic areas including, but not limited to, economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. http://www.musserfund.org/rural.php