FW: Publications, Learning, Tools, and Funding

From our colleagues at USDA-RD . . .

 

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 2:37 PM
Subject: Publications, Learning, Tools, and Funding

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

The Seventh Key to Economic Success is Growing Entrepreneurial Communities.

 

The Riches of Third Places - The Heart & Soul of a town can often be found in unexpected places. From the Orton Family foundation newsletter.

Think of your town. Now think of your favorite places —the places, aside from your home and workplace, where you spend quality time. What types of places are they and why are they meaningful to you?   For the rest - http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1423865/c72a35b812/571010661/c8bc51b994/

 

Funding America’s Rural Nonprofits by Rick Cohen, June 13, 2013 Nonprofit Quarterly -  some analysis over 5 years of funds to rural nonprofits.

http://nonprofitquarterly.org/philanthropy/22453-analyzing-america-s-rural-nonprofits.html

 

“Changing Lands Changing Hands” is a 30-minute video that was produced by NET Television in Nebraska and Harvest Public Media that looks at the fastest growing group of farmers in the United States, those who are 65 years old and older. Thousands of farms, as much as half of the farmland in the United States, will be changing hands over the next generation. "Changing Lands, Changing Hands" examines how that could reshape the industry that drives the economy in middle America. Click here to watch the video. A second video “How Can We Save Rural America?” offers a 30-minute discussion program following up on issues raised in "Changing Lands, Changing Hands." It focuses on solutions to helping small towns in rural America survive and thrive. Watch this video here.  

 

“All-In Nation: An America That Works for All” is a book from PolicyLink and the Center for American Progress that offers policy recommendations for building a prosperous economy by ensuring that all are able to participate and achieve their full potential – particularly communities of color that are quickly becoming the nation’s majority. Download a free copy here.

 

“Community Food Enterprise: Local Success in a Global Marketplace” is a book funded by The Kellogg Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. From the Executive Summary: “The local food movement is now spreading globally, yet is not well understood. To many, local food is exclusively about proximity, with discriminating consumers demanding higher-quality food grown, caught, processed, cooked, and sold by people they know and trust. But an equally important part of local food is local ownership of food businesses. This report is about the full range of locally owned businesses involved in food, whether they are small or big, whether they are primary producers or manufacturers or retailers, whether their focus is local or global markets. We call these businesses community food enterprises (CFEs).” Download the book here.  

 

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published the latest edition of its Community Development Investments newsletter entitled “Extending Credit in Indian Country: How Banks Use Federal Programs to Promote Economic Development”. This issue reviews current economic conditions in Indian Country, presents examples of how national banks and federal savings associations can use federal programs to lend and invest in this market, and provides a primer on Community Reinvestment Act implications for OCC-regulated institutions that seek to do business in Indian Country.  Click here to read the newsletter.

 

 

TOOLS

 

“Storytelling Tools for Community Change: Tools You Can Use” PowerPoint

Resource title: “Storytelling Tools for Community Change: Tools You Can Use” PowerPoint Source (copyright holder): Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources Resource description: This PowerPoint resource talks about the important of intentionally and strategically finding stories, crafting them, and using them … http://ruralxchange.net/communitychange/?p=248

 

 

LEARNING

 

WEBCAST - Sept. 11 Farm Foundation Forum - Broadband services in rural America, 9-11am EDT

An informational opportunity available to your colleagues, members and clients.  On Sept. 11, the Farm Foundation Forum will examine issues on the delivery of high-speed internet services to rural America.  This Forum will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT at the National Press Club. A free webcast will also be offered, which means the members and leadership of your organization can participate in the discussion live regardless of their location.

  

From the comfort of their home or office, or via a gathering of leadership in your offices, your members can hear the live speakers and ask questions of them as part of the discussion session.

We ask you help in sharing information on the availability of this free webcast with your membership.  Encourage them to participate and add their voice to the discussion. To participate in this free webcast, all you need to do is register at: www.visualwebcaster.com/FarmFoundationForumSept2013. The webcast will be archived for those unable to view the live event.

 

Iowa farmer Ann Jorgensen, a former member of the Board of the Farm Credit Administration, will moderate this Forum.  Panelists are:

• Sharon Strover, the Philip G. Warner Regents Professor in Communication and former Chair of the Radio-TV-Film Department at the University of Texas. She is one of authors of Rural Broadband Availability and Adoption; Evidence Policy Challenges and Options, a report commissioned by the National Agricultural and Rural Development Policy Center.
• Jessica Zufolo, Deputy Administrator of USDA's Rural Utilities Service, on the challenges of advancing broadband access to rural communities.
• Mark Lewellen, manager of Spectrum Advocacy, Deere and Company, who will discuss broadband use by agriculture.
• John Windhausen, Executive Director of Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), examining broadband needs of rural communities and schools.

Panelists will each have about 10 minutes to present, after which the floor will be opened for discussion. 

 

WEBINAR SERIES:   October Youth Online Workshops – Addressing Out-migration

For years, rural communities have been exporting one of their most precious resources - young people. Increasingly, we hear from rural leaders that they are searching for ways to stem youth out-migration and attract alumni and young families to their communities. These young people bring so much to a community - new energy and ideas, new pupils for the schools, new shoppers on Main Street, new business and civic leaders. Beginning in October, the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the Heartland Center for Leadership Development will co-host a three-part series to help rural leaders address youth out-migration through strategies to attract young people and families. We bring together the extensive experience of our two organizations and input from over 40,000 young people across rural America about what motivates them to want to return to rural communities. 

The three sessions will address Tying Assets to Targets (October 2), Crafting Your Message (October 23) and Building a Winning Game Plan (November 13). To register for the series, click here. For more information, contact the Center's Craig Schroeder.

 

 

FUNDING

 

MISSISSIPPI RURAL IMPACT FUND provides funding for publicly owned infrastructure needs. Funding from this program can be used by rural communities to assist with the location or expansion of businesses. Usage of the funds must be directly related to the construction, renovation or expansion of industry. Deadline: Open. Click here to learn more about this fund.

 

CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION has announced the availability of Front Porch grants of up to $2,500 to nonprofits, congregations, educational institutions and government agencies working to foster the building of social capital between and among individuals, communities, neighborhoods and organizations. Deadline: 9/16/2013 (pre-registration); 9/30/2013 (full application). Click here to learn more about the foundation and these grants.

 

THE FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY PROGRAM has announced the availability of funding to tribal governments for transportation projects related to safety, engineering, emergency services and education. Deadline: 9/19/2013. Click here for more information and to apply.

 

USDA still has a substantial amount of funding available for Section 504 home repair loans. Loan funds not obligated by 9/30/2013 will be lost. USDA Section 504 loan funds are available in all states and funds help very low-income homeowners repair their homes. Click here to learn more about the program and here to find out where to apply in your state.  

 

HUD is offering grants to owners of eligible subsidized housing developments to hire staff to coordinate supportive services for elderly residents and/or residents with disabilities. Deadline: 10/14/2013. Click here for more information and to apply.

 

LOWE’S TOOLBOX FOR EDUCATION® GRANTS support projects in the following categories: technology upgrades, tools for STEM programs, facility renovations and safety improvements. Grant requests can range from $2,000 to $100,000. Deadline: 10/15/2013. Click here to visit the website and read more about this program.  

 

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN (AAUW) is accepting applications for Community Action Grants of up to $10,000. Grants are available to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women. Deadline: 1/15/2014. Click here to learn more about the AAUW.  

 

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Announces New Family Engagement Initiative - Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to public entities and nonprofits to support effective family engagement models that address obstacles faced by low-income families.... Deadline: September 23, 2013 (Pre-Applications)

 

Blackstone Charitable Foundation Seeks Proposals for Annual Entrepreneurship Initiative - Grants of up to $250,000 will be awarded to organizations that pilot, expand, or replicate entrepreneurial projects designed to catalyze the growth of successful businesses, industries, and communities.... Deadline: October 4, 2013

 

Target Accepting Applications for K-12 Field Trip Grants Program
Over 3,600 grants of up to $700 each will be awarded to help public, private, and charter schools in the United States bring K-12 students to museums, historical sites, and cultural organizations in 2014....Deadline: September 30, 2013

 

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Accepting Minigrant Applications - Public schools and libraries in the United States and its territories are invited to apply for mini-grants of up to $500 to support extra-curricular projects that foster expressiveness and community....Deadline: March 15, 2014

 

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Seeks Proposal for PreK-8 Action Research Projects - Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded for "action" research projects aimed at enhancing the teaching of math in pre-K through 8th-grade classrooms.... Deadline: May 2, 2014

 

Practice Change Leaders Invites Applications for Program to Improve Leadership at Health Institutions Offering Care to Older Adults - Offering a $45,000 stipend, the program is a one-year opportunity for organization leaders to gain enhanced skills and expertise to positively influence care for older adults.... Deadline: September 23, 2013

 

 

Suzette M. Agans

Community and Economic Development
Rural Development | U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W. | Washington, D.C. 20250-3253
Phone: 202.401.1922 | Fax 202.401.7311
www.rurdev.usda.gov

 

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"

 

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