Pollution Prevention Institute

Department of Environmental Conservation

The Department of Environmental Conservation is issuing a Request for Proposal for eligible entities to submit proposals to develop and implement a pollution prevention institute. The Institute must be established, operated, and maintained in New York State. Options may include a single center, a single center with satellite offices, or a group of multiple entities with specialty services. All centers, offices, facilities, entities and groups must be located in New York State. The Institute will offer an unparalleled center for technology evaluation and development as well as training and assistance to state businesses and organizations involved in pollution prevention. The Institute will promote cost effective methods of reducing and eliminating the use of toxic substances in the manufacturing process. The Institute will make businesses more competitive by enabling them to be more efficient. Incorporating research and development, technology transfer, technology demonstration, education, outreach, and workforce development, the Institute will focus on sustainability and toxic use reduction over the course of the product life cycle. The Institute will foster partnerships between businesses, universities, state and local governments, health and environmental organizations. These partnerships will stimulate the research and development of cutting-edge environmental technologies that will promote sustainable economic development. The Institute shall focus on priorities that optimize environmental benefit and economic development.
ELIGIBILITY:  Public or private university or non-profit institution or a consortium of such organizations.
FUNDING:  Provides up to $2 million in state assistance funding.
DEADLINE:  December 5, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Michelle Hinman at 518-402-9168 or by e-mail at mjhinman@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Centralized Property Tax Administration Program (CPTAP)

Office of Real Property Services

The New York State Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) is establishing this grant program and is seeking proposals from county governments for projects leading to county coordination of real property tax administration and property tax collection information management. ORPS anticipates awarding approximately 25 grant applications for the 2007-08 fiscal year.
ELIGIBILITY:  County governments.
FUNDING:  $2.6 million.
DEADLINE:  December 30, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Christopher Hayes at 518-474-5762 or by e-mail at westover@orps.state.ny.us.

Agri-tourism Projects

Department of Agriculture and Markets

Eligible projects will involve the development, implementation or expansion of programs, projects, activities or events which will promote New York State food and agriculture by attracting visitors to New York State food and agriculture related destinations. For the purposes of this program, agri-tourism is defined as any food or agriculture related program, project, activity or event taking place at a farm or other food or agriculture related location(s) that will attract visitors to promote and enhance the public’s understanding and awareness of New York food, farms, and agriculture and the importance of this sector to their way of life.
ELIGIBILITY:  Public and private agencies and organizations, business and industry, educational institutions, local governments, and individuals.
FUNDING:  The maximum award to any one applicant shall not exceed $50,000.
DEADLINE:  October 30, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Meg McCabe at 518-457-2195 or by e-mail at meg.mccabe@agmkt.state.ny.us.

Enhancing Education through Technology, No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

Education Department

The purpose of these grants is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary and secondary schools, to assist every student in becoming technologically literate by the end of eighth grade, and to encourage the effective integration of technology resources and systems with professional development and curriculum development to promote research/evidence-based instructional methods that can be widely replicated.
ELIGIBILITY:  High-need local educational agency or eligible local partnership.
FUNDING:  $11.7 million.
DEADLINE:  November 5, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact Teh-Yuan Wan at NYSEDEETT@mail.nysed.gov.

Municipal Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans

Department of Agriculture and Markets

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is announcing the availability of funds to assist with the development of Municipal Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plans. This program is intended to promote the development of municipal based plans and programs that are designed to recognize and protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture and make an effort to maintain the economic viability of the state’s agricultural industry and its agricultural land base.
ELIGIBILITY:  Towns, villages and cities.
FUNDING:  Up to $25,000 per municipality.
DEADLINE:  Applications will be accepted on a continuing basis subject to the availability of funds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Contact John Brennan at 518-457-5606 or by e-mail at john.brennan@agmkt.state.ny.us.

HOPE VI Revitalization Grants

Department Of Housing And Urban Development

The purpose of HOPE VI Revitalization grants is to assist Public Housing Authorities: 1. Improve the living environment for public housing residents of severely distressed public housing projects through the demolition, rehabilitation, reconfiguration, or replacement of obsolete public housing projects (or portions thereof); 2. Revitalize sites (including remaining public housing dwelling units) on which such public housing projects are located and contribute to the improvement of the surrounding neighborhood; 3. Provide housing that will avoid or decrease the concentration of very low income families; and 4. Build sustainable communities.
ELIGIBILITY:  All non-troubled public housing authorities (PHAs) with severely distressed public housing are eligible to apply, subject to the requirements under Section III of this NOFA. PHAs that manage only a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, tribal PHAs, and tribally designated housing entities are not eligible.
FUNDING:  The maximum amount of each grant award is $20 million. It is anticipated that four or five grant awards will be made.
DEADLINE:  November 7, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call (800) HUD–8929.

Brownfields Economic Development Initiative

Department Of Housing And Urban Development

The purpose of the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) program is to enhance the security of a loan guaranteed by HUD under Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, for the same brownfields economic development project, or to improve the viability of a brownfields economic development project financed with the Section 108-guaranteed loan, in order to stimulate economic development by local governments and private sector parties at brownfield sites and to return those sites to productive, economic use.
ELIGIBILITY:  Any public entity eligible to apply for Section 108 loan guarantee assistance.
FUNDING:  Approximately $32.9 million.
DEADLINE:  December 24, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call (800) HUD–8929.

. . . Grant Writing

Grantsmanship Center

The Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to New York: Syracuse, November 12-16, 2007 hosted by ARC of Onondaga.

The classes will be conducted by The Grantsmanship Center and are kept at a maximum of 30 participants. The cost is $875, 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 for the Syracuse event, contact: Tina Cornue-Chapman at (315) 476-7441 x135 or by e-mail: tcornue@arcon.org.

Foundation Center

The Foundation Center has scheduled the following free training opportunities during October 2007:

Grantseeking Basics:
October 3, 11, 17, 26.
Attendees will learn how the Center’s resources can help make them more effective grantseekers. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. A tour of the library will follow.

Proposal Writing Basics and Workshops:
October 4.
Attendees will learn about the basics of writing a proposal for their non-profit organizations.

Introduction to the Foundation Directory Online:
October 11 and 17.
This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Center’s comprehensive Web subscription database.

How to Approach a Foundation:
October 25.
Attendees will learn how to initiate contact with potential funders; plan calls and meetings; and build partnerships with donors. This class is intended for fundraisers with some experience, though not necessarily with foundations.

Classes are held at The Foundation Center, New York Library, 79 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor in New York City. Space is limited and you can register on-line at www.fdncenter.org, in person, or by calling (212) 620-4230. You may also visit the Web site for information on other training opportunities available through the Center.