Environmental Protection Act Funds and Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)

OPRHP has announced that organizations with an ownership interest in the property may apply for funds under Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 for the acquisition, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas. In addition, municipalities may apply for funds under the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities.
ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities, state agencies, public benefit corporations, public authorities and non-profit organizations with an ownership interest in parks, historic properties, and heritage areas.
FUNDING: There is no statutory limit on the number of grants one property or one applicant may receive; for this year, the OPRHP commissioner has established a cap of $350,000. This is a matching grant program; therefore grant recipients are expected to provide a 50 percent match.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit http://www.nysparks.com/grants or contact T. Kevin Burns, Chief of Grants, Bureau of Grants Management, OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, 16th Floor, Albany, New York 12238; phone (518) 474-0427; fax (518) 486-7377.

Even Start Family Literacy Partnership Grants

New York State Education Department (SED)

SED has announced the availability of funding through the Even Start Family Literacy Partnership Grant program. The purpose of the program is to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities of low-income families. Even Start Family Literacy programs provide intensive family-centered education through school-community partnerships to children, from birth through age seven, and their parents.
ELIGIBILITY: An "eligible entity" must be a partnership composed of one or more local education agencies (LEA) and one or more nonprofit community-based organizations, public agenices other than an LEA, institutions of higher education or public or private nonprofit organizations, of demonstrated quality, other than the LEA.
FUNDING: SED estimates that there will be sufficient fiscal year 2004-2005 funds for twelve to fifteen new applications after funding continuation awards. Grant and grant contracts for new and renewal programs range from $75,000 to $300,000 annually for a period up to four years.
DEADLINE: Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/evenstartRFP04-08.doc. You may also contact Susan Henry or Bert Smith at (518) 474-5807 or by fax at (518) 486-7290.

Workforce Investment Act Title 1B Funds

New York State Department of Labor (DOL), Workforce Development and Training Division

DOL has announced the availability of funding to strengthen and support the manufacturing sector in New York State by providing funds to train workers in that sector in process improvement and/or productivity techniques. Grants from this program may be used to train any or all of the workers employed by the applicant business, but the training must be directly related to the manufacturing process.
ELIGIBILITY: An applicant must be a private sector, for-profit manufacturing business. Applications will also be accepted from firms that are not coded as a manufacturing industry, but manufacture products as a secondary activity. In the latter case, applicants must clearly identify the manufacturing portion of their business and how the occupations designated for training have a direct bearing on the manufacturing portion of their business. Applicants must have ninety-nine or fewer employees in New York State, be headquartered or have at least one physical location in New York State at the time of application, with only the training of the New York State employees paid for with grant funds. Contact DOL for complete eligibility requirements.
FUNDING: Up to $8.5 million of Workforce Investment Act Title 1B funds will be made available through DOL. Awards for the training portion of individual applications may not exceed $50,000. There is no minimum award.
DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until available funds are nearly depleted. A competitive process will be instituted for the remainder of the program. The due date will be established at that time, but will not be later than 5:00 p.m. EST on June 30, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Applicants may submit typed questions to onestop@labor.state.ny.us, fax (518) 485-2577, or by mail to Ms. Margaret M. Moree, Director, Workforce Development and Training Division, New York State Department of Labor, State Office Campus, Building 12 - Room 450, Albany, New York 12240. Questions regarding the RFA will be accepted on a continuous basis until five weeks prior to June 30, 2005 or the due date established for the competitive process. Answers to all questions will be posted on www.workforcenewyork.com on an ongoing basis.

Industrial Process and Productivity Improvement

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

NYSERDA has announced the availability of funding for innovative or underutilized energy-efficient industrial process improvements that improve productivity, product quality, emissions, or cost control at a New York State site. The proposed process improvement must result in quantifiable energy benefits, such as improved energy efficiency or reduced energy demand, to a facility in New York State. Projects are also welcomed that will yield environmental or economic benefits, such as meeting or exceeding emission/discharge standards, or creating more business or jobs in New York State.
FUNDING: NYSERDA anticipates making multiple awards. Each proposer may request up to $250,000 per project for process development or demonstration projects, or up to $75,000 for feasibility and proof-of-concept studies. All proposals must be cost-shared. Within the dollar limits noted above, NYSERDA may fund up to 50% of project cost.
DEADLINE: June 15, 2004 at 3 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: The full solicitation (PON 837) can be obtained at www.nyserda.org or from Karen Whalen by fax at (518) 869-1091, or by e-mail at kew@nyserda.org. For all program questions or to discuss your ideas or eligibility, please contact NYSERDA at (518) 862-1090.

…On the Federal Level

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

United States Department of Education (DOE)

DOE announces the availability of funding for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program, which is designed to improve student reading skills and academic achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists.
ELIGIBILITY: Local educational agencies (LEAs) in which at least 20 percent of the students served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line.
FUNDING: $19.8 million for 200 awards.
DEADLINE: May 20, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Irene Harwarth at (202) 401-3751 or Beth Fine at (202) 260-1091. You may also e-mail LSL@ed.gov.

...Foundations and Organizations

American Greenways Awards

Eastman Kodak Company

The Kodak American Greenways Awards are grants available to promote the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout the country. Greenways are corridors of protected public and private land that link recreational, cultural and natural features; provide pathways for people and wildlife; protect forests, wetlands and grasslands; and improve the quality of life for everyone. The awards are offered by a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society and are intended to develop new, action-oriented greenway projects; help grassroots greenway organizations; leverage additional money for conservation and greenway development; and recognize and encourage greenway proponents and organizations.
ELIGIBILITY: Local, regional or statewide nonprofits may apply. Public agencies are eligible to apply, although community organizations will receive preference. Grants are available for expenses needed to complete a greenway project.
FUNDING: Grants up to $2,500 are available; most grants range from $500 to $1,500.
DEADLINE: June 1, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the program's coordinator at (703) 525-6300; or at greenways@conservationfund.org.

Teacher Grants

National Geographic Society Education Foundation

The mission of the National Geographic Society’s Education Foundation is to prepare children to embrace a diverse world, succeed in a global economy and steward the planet’s resources. Teacher grants are given directly to educators to facilitate their work in the classroom, school, district and community. This year, a special emphasis will be placed on “cultural connections.” Particularly encouraged are projects that promote understanding of and respect for differences between cultures, as well as exploration of students’ own heritage.
ELIGIBILITY: Applications are accepted from any current teacher or administrator in an accredited K-12 school.
FUNDING: Approximately $100,000 in grants of up to $5,000 each.
DEADLINE: June 10, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/get_grants.html.

...Grant Writing

The Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Syracuse, June 14-18, 2004, hosted by P.E.A.C.E., Inc.

The class will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center (TGCI) and is 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 http://www.tgci.com. For local information and arrangements, call Len Colella at (315) 470-3300.