Resources

Resource Index

 

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LITERACY, READING PROGRAMS
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is accepting applications for its Adult Literacy Grants, Family Literacy Grants and Summer Reading Grants programs. The Adult Literacy Program awards funding to nonprofits that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Applicants must provide help in at least one of the following instructional areas: adult basic education, General Education Diploma preparation, or English language acquisition. The Family Literacy Program provides funding to family literacy service providers. The foundation uses the federal government's definition of family literacy when reviewing grant applications. Applicant organizations must offer the following: adult education instruction; children's education; parent and child together time (PACT); and parenting classes. The Summer Reading Grants program provides funding to local nonprofit organizations and libraries working to implement or expand summer reading programs. Programs must provide direct literacy-based services for pre-K through 12th-grade students who are new readers, below grade-level readers, or readers with learning disabilities. All applicants must be located in and provide direct services in a state in which Dollar General operates and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store. The deadline for all program grants is February 28, 2012. For more information, visit www2.dollargeneral.com/dgliteracy/Pages/grant_programs.aspx.

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USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACCEPTING REAP APPLICATIONS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year 2012 for: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans for the development and construction of renewable energy systems and for energy efficiency improvement projects; grants for conducting energy audits; grants for conducting renewable energy development assistance; and grants for conducting renewable energy system feasibility studies. Eligible applicants are agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The application deadlines are: February 21 for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance; March 30 for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants and combination grant and guaranteed loans; March 30 for renewable energy system feasibility studies; and June 29 for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loans only. For more information, visit http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=sylLPm3QnsKn0w2B4rsftSTqCJx6yhsVcs4593HRSvMJ5Gvpf8R1!1471941753?oppId=140654&mode=VIEW.

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HUD ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is accepting application for the fiscal year 2012 Choice Neighborhood Implementation Program. These grants support communities that have undergone a local planning process and are ready to implement their transformation plan to redevelop the neighborhood. Eligible applicants are public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofits, tribal entities, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity. The application deadline is April 1. For more information, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail/nofa12/choicenh. 

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2012 COMMUNITY WATERSHED EDUCATION AND SOURCE WATER PROTECTION EDUCATION GRANT ROUND NOW OPEN
The Water Resources Education Network (WREN), a project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund, has funding available to help launch community coalitions that raise awareness, conduct water education projects, and promote action to protect water resources now and for future generations within Pennsylvania. To see examples of prior funded projects for creative ideas, go to http://wren.palwv.org/local.html. The grant application deadline is March 23, 2012 and funded project activities should take place July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. For a copy of the grant application, visit http://wren.palwv.org/grants/grants_wren.html. 

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HOW PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY INITIATIVES INCREASE RESIDENTS' ECONOMIC SECURITY
The Center for Housing Policy, a research affiliate of the National Housing Conference, has released a new brief in the Ideas for Housing Policy and Practice series called, More Than a Roof: Case Studies of Public Housing Agency Initiatives To Increase Residents' Economic Security. The brief describes efforts by public housing agencies to help residents make progress toward economic security. Specifically, it profiles agencies running four initiatives: the Family Self-Sufficiency program; the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership program; Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach; and Individual Development Accounts. It concludes by highlighting two innovative approaches that merit consideration by agencies seeking to expand economic security opportunities for their residents. For a copy of the brief, visit www.nhc.org/publications/index.html.

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NATIONAL GROUNDWATER AWARENESS WEEK
March 11–17, 2012 is Groundwater Awareness Week. Sponsored by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), this annual event helps build awareness about this vital resource and asks: “Who should be aware of groundwater?” The answer is “everyone,” as groundwater is essential to the health and well being of humanity and the environment. Whether you’re on a public water system or a private well, whether you are a health care official, policymaker, regulator, or someone interested in water resources or the environment in general, groundwater is important to you. Find more information about groundwater and water well stewardship by visiting NGWA's website for well owners at www.wellowner.org.

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C2P2 WORKSHOPS BEING HELD IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is holding workshops on February 21, 22, 28 and 29 and March 1, 6 and 8 across the commonwealth on the Community Conservation Partnership Grants Program (C2P2). C2P2 grants help fund local park, trail, recreation and conservation projects. The 2012 C2P2 grant program opened January 11 and will close on April 4, 2012. The workshop training opportunities are geared to community leaders, consultants, board members, and park and recreation professionals who are interested in learning about resources available to plan, acquire and construct public recreation and conservation areas in their communities. All workshops are free and run from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar/list.asp?intDivisionID=24 for the workshop schedule and to register.

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GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL LIBRARIES
The Libri Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for its 2012 Books for Children grants program. Through the program, the foundation donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the nation. The grant matches any amount of money raised by a library’s local sponsors, from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio, so that a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise the matching funds. Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system. A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library. The application deadlines for 2012 are January 23 and May 15. Grants will be awarded January 31 and May 31. For application guidelines and forms, visit www.librifoundation.org.

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VA GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO VERY-LOW INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering grants to nonprofits to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families, chiefly those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.  The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program is a new VA program that awards grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that will provide support services to very low-income veterans and their families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. The grantees will provide a range of support services designed to promote housing stability. The grant application deadline is February 15, 2012. For more information, visit www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp.

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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS OFFERING ‘OUR TOWN’ GRANTS
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced the availability ofgrants for the 2012 Our Town program.A limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, will be awarded for creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to: improve their quality of life; encourage creative activity; create community identity and a sense of place; and revitalize local economies. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. For more information, visit http://arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html.

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PHMC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR KEYSTONE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION GRANTS
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is accepting applications for Keystone Historic Preservation Project and Construction Grants. The grants support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and community revitalization. The grants receive funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Two types of grants - project and construction - are available for historic resources in Pennsylvania listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may apply for only one type of grant. Project grants are available to nonprofit organizations and local governments for planning and development initiatives that enhance historic preservation in communities. Project grant applications may include municipal planning initiatives focusing on historic resources or may be used to meet building- or project-specific planning goals. Construction grants are available for rehabilitation, preservation and restoration activities for historic resources that are publicly accessible. Available grant amounts are between $5,000 and $25,000 and require a 50/50 cash match. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. For more information, contact Karen Arnold at kaarnold@pa.gov or (717) 783-9927.

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RCAP RELEASES NEW WATER/WASTEWATER GUIDES
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) has released three new guidebooks to assist small, rural communities in managing and operating their drinking water and wastewater systems. Sustainable Infrastructure for Small System Public Services: A Planning and Resource Guide provides information, worksheets, examples, case studies, and resources about water conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable-energy resources for small utilities. It includes a step-by-step process for a utility’s decision-makers, staff, and community members wanting to operate increasingly efficient utilities. Formulate Great Rates: The Guide to Conducting a Rate Study for a Water System includes several worksheets that examine various aspects of customer use levels and revenue. Detailed instructions, including calculations, are provided for each worksheet. The guide also provides guidance on how rate structures impact the financial management of a system. Getting Your Project to Flow Smoothly: A Guide to Developing Water and Wastewater Infrastructure describes all of the steps the governing body of a utility should go through in planning, designing and constructing infrastructure. The guide discusses roles and responsibilities of the parties in a project and explores actions necessary to secure funding, how to stay organized, and how to maintain control of a project. For a copy of the guides, visit www.rcap.org/commpubs. 

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FEEDBACK FROM RURAL AMERICA
The White House Rural Council has released an overview of the challenges and opportunities rural Americans voiced during the council’s visits to nearly 200 rural communities in 46 states. For a copy of the document, The White House Rural Council: Feedback from Rural America, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/whrc_travel.pdf.

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ERS RELEASES 2011 RURAL AMERICA AT A GLANCE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has released the 2011 edition of Rural America at a Glance. This year’s edition highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas for use in developing policies and programs to assist rural areas. It focuses on the U.S. rural economy, including employment trends, poverty, education, and population trends. For a copy, visit www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB85/.

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DAILY YONDER OFFERS RURAL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NATION
Looking for news, commentary and blogs on rural America? Check out The Daily Yonder at www.thedailyyonder.com. The Daily Yonder is published on the web by the Center for Rural Strategies and focuses on big issues, such as health, employment, broadband access, education, and economic development, that are facing small communities. The Daily Yonder was developed with the support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Media Democracy Fund, a project of the Proteus Fund.

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STUDY ON GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY AVAILABLE
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation has published the report, Community Development Financial Institutions: A Study on Growth and Sustainability.  The report features input from the leaders of more than a dozen local, regional and national CDFIs working in the southeast.  The report considers the Aspen Institutes’ formative study on sustainability in the context of both today’s resource marketplace and issues related to rural and southern places.  For a copy of the report, visit http://www.mrbf.org/docs/CDFI%20Growth%20and%20Sustainability.pdf.

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PENN STATE AG LAW CENTER LAUNCHING LEGAL CLINIC FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES, AG BUSINESSES
Pennsylvania State University’s Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center is launching a new Rural Economic Development Clinic this fall. The clinic will serve rural communities and agricultural businesses and will be staffed by law students who will work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Students will assist clients with a wide variety of legal issues specifically faced by agricultural businesses and rural communities. Services may include drafting contracts or lease agreements, reviewing documents, and providing basic business planning. For more information about the clinic and its services, visit http://law.psu.edu/academics/clinics_and_externships/rural_economic_development_clinic.

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