FW: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

From our colleague at USDA-Rural Development.

 

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 20, 2013 1:50 PM
Subject: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

 

Some especially good items in this week's email.  Have a great New Year everyone! There will be no email next Friday.  Suzette

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

GAO Releases Report on Local Area Challenges for Skilled Workforce
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on how local areas are having difficulty assisting employers fill certain jobs. According to the report, 80 percent of local areas reported that employers had difficulty filling certain "middle skilled" jobs such as welders and machinists because those jobs re​quire more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree. The GAO also found that local areas had difficulty supplying workers because participants lacked relevant qualifications or basic skills needed to participate in training programs. As a result of these findings, GAO recommended that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) collect and disseminate information on how local areas have used career pathways approaches to prepare workers for jobs that employers have difficulty filling. Click here to read the full report.

 

First Person Nonprofit: A Day in the Life of a Major Gifts Officer - http://www.blueavocado.org/node/865 - a portion excerpted below:

So exactly how do you lead someone up to a $1 million ask? The director of major gifts at a large regional environmental organization agreed to tell us everything . . . as long as we didn't reveal her name or organization.

And best of all: post your questions to her in the Comments section and she'll answer them there at the end of the week!

Major gifts aren't the right strategy for every organization, but we can still appreciate how this fundraiser talks about her job:

Q: Can you walk us through a major gift ask? – read the rest of the article for the answer and more.

 

SNAP participation rates for elderly households in Texas higher when non-elderly person present

Many people who meet the eligibility requirements for USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) do not apply to receive program benefits. Elderly Americans, in particular, tend to participate in SNAP at a much lower rate than other age groups. Just over one in three elderly individuals—those age 60 and older—eligible for SNAP participated in the program in fiscal year 2010, compared to about nine out of every ten eligible children, and seven out of ten eligible non-elderly adults. However, estimates from Texas SNAP administrative records linked to the American Community Survey reveal that the elderly are more likely to participate if they live with at least one non-elderly individual, rather than living alone or only with other elderly individuals. In 2009, only 35.9 percent of eligible elderly Texans living alone participated in SNAP, roughly the same rate as those living with other elderly individuals. By contrast, the participation rate among individuals in elderly households with at least one non-elderly member was 53.5 percent. A chart appears in "New Analysis Reveals Significant Within-State Variation in SNAP Participation Rates" in ERS's December 2013 Amber Waves magazine.

 

How to Staff and Support a Committee By Jan Masaoka - December 10, 2013

Is staffing a committee more like herding cats or like herding turtles? Actually it's more like Dancing with the Stars. An important skill for nonprofit managers is knowing how to support a committee of volunteers, such as an Advisory Committee, a Board Finance Committee, or a coalition:

Staff at many levels support your organization's volunteer committees. For instance, an administrative assistant may support a committee that is planning the spring fundraiser. Or the CFO may support the board Finance Committee. And, of course, the executive director supports the board.

When supporting a committee, the most seductive trap for a staffperson is . . .> Read more

 

TOOLs

 

Using Data to Understand Your Community
Provides ideas and steps in using data to understand your community's population. Includes a directory of websites for demographic, population, health, and other data for ZIP codes, cities, counties, and states. Organization: Rural Health System Analysis and Technical Assistance

 

One-Stop for Organics at USDA - http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=organic-agriculture.html - As an organic farmer, I know how frustrating it can be to search the internet for information that might help my operation. It might be there somewhere but finding it takes precious time, especially if I don't know exactly what I'm looking for.  Now, USDA has solved part of that problem with a centralized web resource center on USDA.gov for all the programs, services, and data we have that support organic agriculture.  Not only is this web resource center a "one-stop shop" for information about organics at USDA, but there is lots in store!

 

 

LEARNING

 

Recorded Webinar: Regional Innovation Acceleration Network (RIAN)
On December 6, NADO and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) hosted an informative webinar about SSTI's Regional Innovation Acceleration Network (RIAN). This was the fourth in a series of free webinars about various data tools developed with support from EDA. RIAN is intended to establish and support a virtual nationwide community of nonprofit Venture Development Organizations (VDOs). A VDO is a business-driven, public or nonprofit organization that promotes regional growth by providing a flexible portfolio of services including: assisting in the creation of high-growth companies; providing expert business assistance to those companies; facilitating or making direct financial investments; and speeding the commercialization of technology. Click here for more information about RIAN and to watch the webinar recording.

 

Recorded Event: Brookings Institution Hosts Event Addressing the Nation's Skills Gap
Employers routinely cite the "skills gap," or lack of qualified, trained candidates, as a primary hiring hurdle. Talented workers are at the heart of a company's economic success and key drivers for broader economic prosperity. Moreover, skilled workers command higher wages, plus enjoy greater potential for upward economic mobility than their less-skilled counterparts. On December 4, the Brookings Institution hosted an event "Fixing the Skills Gap: Getting Americans Back to Work via Workforce Development Programs" in Washington, DC to highlight the importance of understanding the workforce skills gap in order to create effective public policies aimed at creating equitable economic growth in America. Click here to watch a recording of the discussion and click here to read a summary of the event.    

 

METHOD; Live Health Assessment in a Virtual Class: Eliminating Educational Burdens for Rural Distance Learners
Describes a study that allowed nursing students in a distance education program to demonstrate skills acquisition and get faculty feedback online. This approach could allow rural students to remain in their communities while continuing their education. Date: 12 / 2013. Journal: Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Pages: 6-22

 

WEBINAR: Funding Rural America (Free) – January 30 - Register now for this webinar with Cynthia Adams of GrantStation on January 30th. Cindy will share trends and resources for small communities seeking funding for local projects. Space is limited, so register early!

 

CFED Announces Savings Innovation Learning Cluster

Selected participants will receive extensive TA and $30,000 stipend

 

FUNDING FOR LEARNING AND A WEBINAR: MetLife Savings Innovation Learning Cluster (SILC) - In partnership with the MetLife Foundation, CFED is soliciting applications from organizations to join a year-long learning cluster and receive extensive technical assistance to design and implement innovative savings products or strategies for their clients. Participation in this SILC will allow you to develop (or refine), implement and evaluate a savings innovation that has potential to achieve meaningful scale and impact. Selected participants will have experience in providing asset-building services to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Additionally, the participants will have the ability to develop and test innovative strategies for helping LMI families to save.

Download the Request for Proposals here, and fill out the Participant Application here.

Organizations who are selected to participate in the Learning Cluster will receive a $30,000 stipend, the opportunity to learn and problem-solve with other members of the Learning Cluster through virtual and in-person convenings and extensive technical assistance from asset-building experts.

If you are interested in participating, carefully review the Request for Proposals and submit your project proposal via the Participant Application Form no later than 5 pm EST on January 24, 2014. CFED will hold a webinar discussing the opportunity on January 7, 2014, from 4-5 pm EST. Please click here to register for the webinar.

If you have any questions, email Parker Cohen.

 

WEBINAR: Owning Our Future presented by Marjorie Kelly, The Democracy Collaborative, January 23, 2014, 1-2 pm ET Marjorie will be sharing insights from her new book of the same title. If you haven't had a chance to read it, Marjorie is a superb writer and this book reflects incredible research and stories about a variety of ownership models. To register for the webinar, click here.

 

FUNDING

 

Rural Health Policy Institute Tuition Assistance - Application deadline: Dec 31, 2013
Provides grants to be used toward travel and registration costs to attend the Rural Health Policy Institute. Sponsor: National Rural Health Association

              

Funding Community Design and Development Projects - You've got great ideas and a plan for moving forward, but let's face it: Your community lacks the cash it needs to make it real.  Join CommunityMatters® and the Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) on January 9th for our free conference call, Funding Community Design and Development Projects. This call will focus on key sources of funding and resources to help make design and development projects happen. We'll also cover strategies for creating successful funding pitches and positioning your project for funding applications.  Read more on our blog >
Funding Community Design and Development Projects, Thursday, January 9, 2014, 3-4:15 PM EST Register now!  
This is the second call in our three part series on Making It Happen.

Featuring:

• Cynthia M. Adams, CEO of GrantStation
• Erin Barnes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of ioby
• Jen Hughes, Design Specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts

Cynthia will offer an introduction to grant funding for community design and development projects, with a focus on grants for small communities. We'll also hear from Erin who will share case studies and tips on successful crowdfunding campaigns. Jen will tell us about opportunities and strategies for finding and securing federal funding to support your next project.

Healthy Start Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health - Level 1 - Application deadline: Jan 17, 2014
Funding to enhance the capacity of a community's perinatal and women's health service systems in order to reduce ethnic, racial, and other disparities in perinatal health. Funding is available for rural communities and communities along the US/Mexico border. Sponsor: Maternal and Child Health

 

Healthy Start Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health - Level 2 - Application deadline: Jan 17, 2014
Funding to enhance the capacity of a community's perinatal and women's health service systems in order to reduce ethnic, racial, and other disparities in perinatal health. Grantees must also be a catalyst for community collaboration and coordination and develop and conduct measurement approaches.
Sponsor: Maternal and Child Health

 

Healthy Start Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health - Level 3 - Application deadline: Jan 17, 2014
Funding to enhance the capacity of a community's perinatal and women's health service systems in order to reduce ethnic, racial, and other disparities in perinatal health. Grantees will also serve as a hub for networking and collaboration with other Healthy Start programs, providing technical support and leadership.
Sponsor: Maternal and Child Health

 

Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21) - Application deadline: Oct 16, 2014
Awards funding for research that targets the reduction of health disparities among children, including rural, low-income, geographically isolated children.
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health

 

USDA Announces Support for Mental Health Facilities in Rural Areas
Dec 12, 2013 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set a goal of investing up to $50 million to increase access to mental health care in rural areas over the next three years. The funding will be used for the construction, expansion, or equipping of rural mental health facilities and will be provided through the Community Facilities direct loan program.

 

RSF: Financing Social Enterprises - RSF currently provides $75 million in financing to over 80 for-profit and non-profit social enterprises.

Watch this new video to learn more about three of these organizations: Camphill Communities California, Guayaki, and Ceres Community Project. Hear their senior leaders talk about why they chose a mission-aligned financing partner and the relationships we're building with them on our journey to transforming the way the world works with money.

 

EPA Announces FY 2014 Funding Opportunity under Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant Program; Boards Eligible to Apply; Applications Due February 13, 2014. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver environmental workforce development and job training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field, with a focus on solid and hazardous waste remediation, environmental health and safety, and wastewater-related training. In Fiscal Year 2014 , EPA anticipates providing some funding preference to applicants who choose to deliver other types of environmental training,

 

The total funding available under this competitive opportunity is approximately $2,400,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 12 environmental workforce development and job training cooperative agreements at $200,000 each.

 

Note that local Workforce Investment Boards are eligible to apply.  Under the criterion "Community Partnership Building" applicants are required to describe the plan for involving the affected community (e.g., local community groups, Workforce Investment Boards, and academic institutions located in or near the affected community) in the proposed job training program.

The application can be found at http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oblr-14-01.pdf.  Applications are due by February 13, 2014. 

 

EPA Announces Funding Opportunity under the Environmental Education Model Grants Program; Applications Due by February 4, 2014

The purpose of the Environmental Education Regional Grant Program is to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues and provide the skills that participants in its funded projects need to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible actions toward the environment.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a funding opportunity under this program today, identifying $2,778,940 nationwide to support a range of grants.  EPA expects to award two or three grants per Region and two at Headquarters for an expected 22 - 32 grants nationwide.  The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately. The award amounts for the Regional grants will be no less than $75,000 and no more than $200,000 in federal funds. Each award at Headquarters will be for no greater than $200,000 in federal funds. The award amounts and the number of awards are subject to the availability of funds, the quality and quantity of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

Applications must be postmarked by February 4, 2014. Additional background / access to application package

 

Crayola Invites Proposals From Elementary Schools for 2014 Creative Leadership Grants - DEADLINE: JUNE 23, 2014
Twenty cash grants of $2,500 each as well as in-kind grants of Crayola products valued at $1,000 will be awarded in support of innovative creative leadership-team building programs at the elementary school level....

 

American Honda Foundation Invites Applications for Youth Education Programs - DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2014
Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded to nonprofits and schools for programs that support the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math....

 

Earth Day Network Seeking Entries for Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Prize - DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2014
The writing competition, which offers a first-place prize of $500, is designed to highlight the hard facts about school food in the words of students who eat it....

 

-------------------------------

Newsletters and email from where I gather this information include:

 

v  Foundation Center RFP Service -  To subscribe or unsubscribe, or to change your e-mail address, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/newsletters/

v  To subscribe to the RAC Health Listserv - click here to go to the subscription form.

v  Electronic newsletter of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Rural Entrepreneurship News. To subscribe, http://team.energizingentrepreneurs.org/news2/public_html/lists/?p=subscribe  

v  Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City newsletter: http://www.kansascityfed.org/alert/'

v  The npEnterprise Forum (www.npEnterprise.net ) - 5000+ subscribers discuss practical ways that organizations can advance their social missions through entrepreneurial, earned-income strategies.  http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/npEnterprise/

v  Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine - They have a newsletter on boards and nonprofit management, down-to-earth and useful.  http://www.blueavocado.org/

v  Rural LISC e-newsletter - http://www.lisc.org/rural

v  National Association for Development Organizations (NADO) – www.nado.org

v  ERS - A notification service is provided by USDA's Economic Research Service for Charts of Note and other research to keep you informed of the latest and most relevant research on the topics that interest you. You can subscribe at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Updates/

v  Department of Labor – Email Subscription Service - https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOL/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDOL_167

v  Good Done Great - Knowledge Sites – webinars and websites geared to nonprofits – to subscribe - http://4good.us1.list-manage.com/profile?u=04c75b52bdc230f3f32ad149d&id=7dc46f4ba6&e=53110692a1

 

 

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

"Worker-Owner Cooperatives" Webinar Dec. 18, OK Organics Conference, Solid Waste Mgt Conf

 

Worker owned businesses are an emerging tool for creating opportunity in Rural America.  Our Cooperatives Community of Practice on eXtension will be holding a free webinar on this topic tomorrow afternoon.

 

If you are interested in learning more about worker owned cooperatives, please join us for this FREE webinar and help spread the word!

Phil Kenkel, Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair, Agricultural Economics

"Worker-Owner Cooperatives"

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

4:00-5:00 pm EST/3:00-4:00 pm CST/2:00-3:00 pm MST/1:00-2:00 pm PST

 

Since the Great Recession there has been a great resurgence of interest in innovative ways of doing business. One such innovation is the Worker-Owner Cooperative. While popular in Europe, worker-owner co-ops have been less popular in the U.S., but that may be changing. The Cooperatives on eXtension, in conjunction with USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs and various state Cooperative Councils, will host a free webinar on Wednesday, December 18 from 3:00-4:00 pm CST where you can hear from worker-owners who will answer questions like:

• What are the advantages of a worker-owner cooperative over that of a traditional business and member cooperatives?
• What are the challenges of a worker-owner cooperative?

Each of the panel members will also talk about a worker-owner cooperative and the characteristics that make it a success.

Panel members will include:

• Dr. Rebecca Kemble, Worker-Owner, Union Cab Cooperative of Madison, Madison, WI and President, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
• Mr. Joe Rinehart, Rural Programs Coordinator, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, San Francisco, CA
• Ms. Leslie Schaller, Director of Programming, The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnets), Athens, OH

Moderator:

• Dr. Chester Bowling, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University, Food Innovation Center

Webinar Link: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/cooperatives     (Enter as guest.)

Participants who pre-register at the email below will receive a copy of the presentation materials and discussion summary.

 

 

Solid Waste Association of North America – OK Chapter’s Spring Symposium: Disaster Debris Management

March 24-26, 2014

Hard Rock Casino and Resort, Catoosa, OK

Topics to be covered:

·         Technical Tour of local Solid Waste facilities

·         Green Redevelopment

·         Contracting for Storm Debris Management

·         Clean Up from Moore and Mustang Tornadoes

·         Environmental Requirements in Disaster Response

·         Weather Conditions: What do you watch for? What is the impact of storms?

·         The Day After a Disaster: Continuing Normal Services

·         Managing Household Hazardous Waste in a Disaster Response

·         Managing Construction/Demolition Wastes at Transfer Stations

 

Oklahoma Organics Conference

February 28 – March 1, 2014

OSU-OKC Agriculture Technology Building

900 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City

Conference Description

The first annual sustainable and organic production conference designed for beginning AND advanced growers.

 

Programming emphasis will include the following:

 Hands-on Growing Techniques

§  Season Extension

§  Varietal Selections

§  Farm Management Practices

§  Tours of Farmers’ Market, green houses, and high tunnel facilities

§  Visit with product suppliers, educational vendors, and agricultural support agencies

§  Featured Speakers include nationally and state recognized specialists and experienced local growers

Registration and Sponsorship Forms available at: http://www.osuokc.edu/organicoklahoma/

FW: Publications, Learning, and Funding

From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development

 

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2013 11:22 AM
Subject: Publications, Learning, and Funding

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

USDA Overhauls Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program - Changes will strengthen rural housing markets; encourage new construction

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2013 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a series of sweeping changes to a popular loan program for rural homebuyers. The changes are part of an extensive overhaul that will strengthen rural housing markets, increase the availability of rural home loans and spur the construction of new homes in rural areas.

"These improvements will help create jobs and enable more people to participate in the rural home loan guarantee program," Vilsack said. "The changes will add significant capital to rural areas and give rural Americans more opportunities to make financing decisions that lay the groundwork for the future prosperity of their families."

The changes are published in today's Federal Register. They take effect Sept. 1, 2014 and make several improvements to USDA Rural Development's Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. Among other things, they expand the types of lenders who are eligible to participate. With the rule change, any lending entity supervised and regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Banks, or the Federal Housing Finance Board may underwrite loans guaranteed by Rural Development. This will enable many small community banks and credit unions to participate in the guaranteed loan program. Currently, these entities are not eligible lenders.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City: People tend to earn less and spend less when they retire. Authors Alison Felix and Kate Watkins find that, as the baby boom generation retires, the aging of the U.S. population will likely reduce state governments' revenue per capita from income taxes and sales taxes significantly. Macro Bulletins in some cases are short summaries of Economic Review articles and in other cases are stand-alone snapshots of other macroeconomic research findings from the Kansas City Fed.  http://www.kansascityfed.org/publications/research/er/index.cfm?ealert=econrev120513

Poorest SNAP households least likely to get additional support from unemployment insurance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and unemployment insurance are two countercyclical assistance programs. In economic downturns, more people become eligible for the programs and participation grows. A recent ERS report found that the poorest SNAP households are the most likely to rely on SNAP alone without unemployment insurance, perhaps because they lack the work histories and sufficient earnings to be eligible for unemployment insurance. In 2009, just 6.7 percent of SNAP households with annual incomes below 50 percent of the poverty line also received unemployment insurance. In comparison, 22.6 percent of SNAP households with incomes between 150 and 199 percent of poverty received unemployment insurance. In 2005 (a full-employment year), 3.6 percent of SNAP households in the lowest income group received unemployment assistance.

 

Case Studies of Regional Extension Centers Serving Rural Practices: Minnesota and North Dakota
Focuses on the HIT Regional Extension Center serving Minnesota and North Dakota and its experiences working with rural physician practices in the two states.
Organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center. Date: 11 / 2013

 

Frontier Extended Stay Clinics: Understanding and Facilitating Rural Health Transformation
An overview of the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic (FESC) demonstration project, which allows participating clinics to expand services to include extended stay and emergency services. Discusses the benefit of this type of facility as an option for small rural communities. Organization: Rural Health System Analysis and Technical Assistance

Rural high-poverty counties are concentrated in the South and Southwest

The national poverty rate (based on pre-tax income of less than $23,492 for an average family of four) was 15.0 percent in 2012; the rate was 17.7 percent in nonmetro areas and 14.5 percent in metro areas. High-poverty counties—those with a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher—are often geographically clustered. During 2007-11, there were 703 high-poverty counties in the United States; 571 were nonmetro, mostly in the South and Southwest. Most newly-classified rural high-poverty counties are located adjacent to clusters of historically high-poverty counties, but some were outside these clusters, mainly in areas with substantial losses in the real estate market and manufacturing employment between 2006 and 2009. This map is found in Rural America at a Glance, 2013 edition, released November 2013.

 

 

LEARNING

 

WEBINAR: Small Changes, Real Impact: Applying Behavioral Economics in Asset-Building Programs, Tuesday, December 17, 2013 | 3 - 4 pm EST

Speakers:

• Daria Sheehan, Citi Foundation
• Katy Davis, ideas42
• Matthew Darling, ideas42
• Pamela Chan, CFED

Last year, the BETA Project was launched to improve the effectiveness of products and services designed to help people bolster their financial security. In the 12 months since, we’ve worked closely with three organizations to understand a problem in their program, design solutions and test them.

On December 17, join CFED, ideas42 and the Citi Foundation as we discuss findings from this year-long project. During the webinar, speakers will report on the research conducted at BETA Project partner sites, explore the implications of applying insights from behavioral economics to asset-building program design and provide helpful tips on how to incorporate the behavioral perspective into your organization. More information on the project is available here. Advanced registration is required for the event and space is limited. Click here to sign up. Free

 

WEBINAR: Utility Scale Renewable Energy Development – Project siting & Conflict Resolution, December 18, 2013 (Wednesday), 1:00 PM – Eastern Time

http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd, there is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar. To join the webinar go to http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd, “enter as a guest” is by default already chosen. Type your name into the text box provided, and click on “Enter Room”. You are now in the meeting room for the webinar.

 

Large-scale wind farm development requires non-bias, factual based information on both the positive and negative community impacts to guide conflict resolution and the evolution of community perceptions. Local elected officials and decision makers need access to research-based information that will help them better understand the potential benefits and impacts on their community. Extension is uniquely positioned to help given its connection to university resources, its objective and unbiased research, and its commitment to transformational education. This webinar will provide an introduction to a 3 module curriculum developed with funding through the NCRCRD that addresses topics on project development, utility siting issues and concerns, and methods for resolving conflict involving wind farm projects.

 

About the Speakers:

Eric Romich, Ohio State University Extension Field Specialist for Energy Development. His research, outreach, and extension education efforts are focused in the areas of renewable energy development, shale energy development, and energy policy. As a statewide Extension Field Specialist, Romich works with elected officials, community planners, community residents, and state government agencies to develop and deliver educational programs. His energy programs are designed to guide informed decision making on energy development, facilitate local conflict resolution, and enhance the overall environmental and economic quality of life for Ohioans.

Peggy Hall, Director of the Agricultural and Resource Law Program at Ohio State University and a faculty member in the Department of Extension. She conducts research and outreach on legal issues affecting agriculture, land use and resource development and teaches Agribusiness Law in the College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at OSU. Hall is currently the President of the American Agricultural Law Association and has served as Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association Agricultural Law Committee, on the Board of Directors for the American Agricultural Law Association and on the Advisory Board for the National Agricultural Law Center.

Wayne Beyea, Extension Specialist, Michigan State University, School of Planning, Design and Construction. Mr. Beyea maintains a teaching and outreach program with an emphasis on the science and policy of green community planning, renewable energy siting and infrastructure, and sustainable development and climate change law. He has over 20 years of experience in the fields of community planning, economic development, and land use law at the local, county, regional and state levels.

 

 

FUNDING

 

FISKARS is offering Community Garden Grants to provide funding for tools, materials, and other support to help communities reach their goals for neighborhood beautification, community collaboration, and healthy, sustainable food sources. Deadline: 12/31/2013. Click here to visit the website and to apply.  

 

The Administration for Children and Families is offering grants to provide services through transitional living programs or maternity group homes for runaway and homeless youth, including youth from rural areas. Application deadline: 1/15/2014. Click here to visit the website.  

 

The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) is accepting applications to its FY 2014 Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program. A rural health network is defined as an organizational arrangement among at least three separately owned regional or local health care providers that come together to develop strategies for improving health services delivery systems in a community. Networks can include a wide range of community partners including social service agencies, faith-based organizations, mental health agencies, charitable organizations, educational institutions, employers, local government agencies or other entities with an interest in a community’s health care system. Applications due January 16.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced it will begin to accept requests, from December 9, 2013 through January 31, 2014, for grants to supplement State and Tribal Response Programs. A December 6 FEDERAL REGISTER notice provides guidance on eligibility for funding, use of funding, grant mechanisms and process for awarding funding, the allocation system for distribution of funding, and terms and reporting under these grants. EPA has consulted with state and tribal officials in developing this guidance.

The primary goal of this funding is to ensure that state and tribal response programs include, or are taking reasonable steps to include, certain elements and a public record. Another goal is to provide funding for other activities that increase the number of response actions conducted or overseen by a state or tribal response program. This funding is not intended to supplant current state or tribal funding for their response programs. Instead, it is to supplement their funding to increase their response capacity. For fiscal year 2014, EPA will consider funding requests up to a maximum of $1.0 million per state or tribe. Subject to the availability of funds, EPA regional personnel will be available to provide technical assistance to states and tribes as they apply for and carry out these

grants.

 

The Department of Labor is offering grants to nonprofits, LEAs and others to provide high school students with education and training that combines rigorous academic and technical curricula focused on specific in-demand occupations and industries. Deadline: 1/27/2014. Click here for guidelines and an application.

 

EDA Launches $1.3B Manufacturing Communities Competition - The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced a new competition to reward communities demonstrating best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing. EDA will offer the competition as part of its Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), which helps support comprehensive, integrated efforts to boost manufacturing and jobs. EDA has published a Federal Register notice, seeking applications for regions to be designated one of up to 12 manufacturing communities. The communities will be eligible for an array of cross-agency federal assistance totaling $1.3 billion.

 

Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas - Application deadline: Feb 3, 2014 (Extended deadline)
Awards grants to organizations that assist veterans in rural areas with transportation to VA medical centers and other VA and non-VA facilities for medical care. Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program – Interprofessional Collaborative Practice - Application deadline: Feb 3, 2014
Grants for projects that create and/or expand Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) environments where nurses and other professional disciplines join together to provide comprehensive healthcare services for patients and their families. Sponsor: Bureau of Health Professions

 

Direct Community Investment Program - Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Provides low-interest loans to organizations or financing intermediaries that give disadvantaged populations access to jobs, housing, education, and health care. Sponsor: Catholic Health Initiatives

 

American Association of University Women Accepting Applications for 2014-15 Community Action Grants Deadline: JANUARY 15, 2014
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations conducting programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equality for women and girls....

 

Bringing Theory to Practice Accepting Proposals for Campus Engagement, Civic Development Projects DEADLINE: MARCH 14, 2014
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for projects designed to strengthen the engaged learning, civic development, and psychosocial well-being of college and university students....

 

NCTM Invites Proposals for Teacher Action Research Grant DEADLINE: MAY 2, 2014
One grant of up $3,000 will be awarded to support collaborative action research projects involving university faculty, pre-service teachers, and classroom teachers seeking to improve their understanding of mathematics in preK-8 classrooms....

 

eWomenNetwork Foundation Announces Grants for Small Organizations that Support Women and Children DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2014
Grants of $6,000 will be awarded to small entrepreneurial organizations for projects that address the health, wellness, and/or safety of underprivileged women and/or children in North America....

 

 

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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FW: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development; there are some interesting opportunities for education and funding for local buildings, organizational support, housing and energy efficiency.

 

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 7:33 AM
Subject: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

The National Rural Funders Collaborative has published “Race, Poverty, and Transforming Rural Economies: Lessons Learned after Ten Years of Collaboration” which includes a discussion guide. Download a .pdf of the report here.  

 

An article in Shelterforce Magazine “Lighting a Spark Between Energy Advocates and Community Development” makes the case for finding ways to effectively use utility company-sponsored green retrofit programs to help fund energy-related capital improvements. Read the article here.  

 

HUD and the Department of Transportation have launched “The Location Affordability Portal” which provides data and resources on combined housing and transportation costs for all parts of the U.S. including remote rural areas. Click here to access the site.  

 

EPA Releases New Report, “Smart Growth and Economic Success: The Business Case”

Many companies representing diverse business types have recognized that compact, walkable downtowns are good for business and are choosing their operating locations accordingly. Our new report, Smart Growth and Economic Success: The Business Case, shows the benefits for businesses of choosing a regional location with smart growth features. These advantages include increased productivity and innovation, improved ability to compete for labor, and stronger retail sales. The report is the second publication in the Smart Growth and Economic Success series.

What is “very low food security”? - Household food security statistics published annually by ERS are based on responses to survey questions about conditions and behaviors that characterize households when they are having difficulty meeting basic food needs. In households classified as having “very low food security,” the food intake of household members was reduced and their normal eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. In 2012, the 7 million households with very low food security reported the following specific conditions (along with other conditions): 96 percent reported that they had cut the size of meals or skipped meals because there was not enough money for food, 95 percent reported that they had eaten less than they felt they should because there was not enough money for food, and 68 percent reported that they had been hungry but did not eat because they could not afford enough food. A chart appears in Household Food Security in the United States in 2012, ERR-155.

 

 

TOOLs

 

The LISC Institute for Comprehensive Community Development has launched a “How to Do It” section on its website. If you need to prepare a Request for Proposals for a new quality-of-life plan, or develop strategies for integrating community safety into your neighborhood development plan, or you could use some tips on how to design and benefit from a good evaluation process, the site has information to share so you don’t have to start from scratch. Visit the website here.  

 

 

LEARNING

 

A Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Approach to Community Action, Thursday, December 12, 2013 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern

RSVP Link: http://orton.givezooks.com/events/communitymatters-lighter-quicker-cheaper-appro...

After a design or planning process, most communities end up with scores of potential actions. How do you prioritize dozens of competing options? How do you get some cool stuff done without breaking the bank or exhausting your list of volunteers? Easy: start with the petunias. That’s one key lesson from the “Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” framework.

Join us and learn how to find the easiest, quickest and most impactful ways to start making things happen in your town. If you've used a Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper approach to get things done in your community, tell us about it when you register for the call. We'll ask a few people to share their story on the line!

This call is part of a capacity-building series offered jointly by CommunityMatters and the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design.

 

Webinar: Worker-Owner Cooperatives, Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 4:00-5:00 pm EST/3:00-4:00 pm CST/2:00-3:00 pm MST/1:00-2:00 pm PST

Since the Great Recession there has been a great resurgence of interest in innovative ways of doing business. One such innovation is the Worker-Owner Cooperative. While popular in Europe, worker-owner co-ops have been less popular in the U.S., but that may be changing. The eXtension Cooperatives Community of Practice, in conjunction with USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs and various state Cooperative Councils, will host a free webinar on where you can hear from worker-owners who will answer questions like:

·        What are the advantages of a worker-owner cooperative over that of a traditional business and member cooperatives?

·        What are the challenges of a worker-owner cooperative?

Panel members will also talk about a worker-owner cooperative and the characteristics that make it a success.

• Dr. Rebecca Kemble, Worker-Owner, Union Cab Cooperative of Madison, Madison, WI and President, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
• Mr. Joe Rinehart, Rural Programs Coordinator, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, San Francisco, CA
• Ms. Leslie Schaller, Director of Programming, The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnets), Athens, OH

Moderator: Dr. Chester Bowling, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University, Food Innovation Center

Webinar Link: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/cooperatives     (Enter as guest.)

Participants who pre-register here will receive a copy of the presentation materials and discussion summary.

 

 

FUNDING

 

Feds offer rural efficiency loans (The Hill – 12/4)

The Department of Agriculture is starting a new loan program to promote energy efficiency.

The department’s program, announced on Wednesday, will provide up to $250 million for rural electric cooperatives to lend to businesses and households to retrofit their homes and facilities.

 

THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION is offering grants to nonprofit organizations that address community needs and priorities in a meaningful way. The Foundation supports programs that focus on one of the following four categories: water stewardship; healthy and active lifestyles that lead to physical activity and nutritional education programs; community recycling; and education. Online applications may be submitted throughout the year. Visit the Foundation’s website here to review guidelines and application procedures.

 

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY has issued a NOFA for the 2014 funding round of economic development grants through the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program Grants. Deadline for both programs: 12/23/2013. Click here to read the NOFA for economic development grants.  Click here to read the NOFA for the Native America CDFI Assistance Program.

 

BLACKSTONE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION is accepting proposals from nonprofits serving veterans and active servicemen and women transitioning to civilian life. Deadline: 1/14/2014. Click here to visit the Foundation’s website.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies for both assessment and cleanup work at a specific Brownfield site. Deadline: 1/22/2014. Click here for more information about these grants.  

 

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR is offering WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to states, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States. Deadline: 1/23/2014. For more information, click here.

 

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR is offering grants to nonprofits, LEAs and others to provide high school students with education and training that combines rigorous academic and technical curricula focused on specific in-demand occupations and industries. Deadline: 1/27/2014. Click here for guidelines and an application.

 

THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND ARTS MIDWEST is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies through the Big Read program for reading programs that serve large geographic areas. Deadline: 1/28/2014. Click here for more information and to apply.  

 

WILLIAM G. AND MARIE SELBY FOUNDATION is accepting applications from nonprofits for capital grants for the construction, acquisition and/or renovation of facilities, as well as the purchase of equipment or software. Projects focusing on education, human services, arts and community projects including history, science, and/or the environment will be given top priority. Deadline: 2/1/2014. Click here to visit the website for guidelines and an application.

 

LOWES CHARITABLE AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION is accepting applications for the 2014 Toolbox for Education Grant Program. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in support of facility improvement projects that have a permanent impact on a K-12 school community. Deadline: 2/14/2014. Click here to visit the website and review program guidelines.  

 

THE KAZANJIAN FOUNDATION is offering grants to nonprofits for projects with national impact that address issues of economic education. The average grant is approximately $22,000, however grants as small as $3,500 and as large as $150,000 have been made. Occasionally, multi-year grants are made for larger projects. Deadline: 2/15/2014. Click here to go to the Foundation’s website for guidelines and an application.  

 

THE OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION supports projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect the diversity of the community served by the project; promote building community power; and encourage racial, social, economic, and environmental justice. The Foundation provides grants of up to $2,000 to cover start-up expenses or to support ongoing projects and also administers a number of special funds that are targeted to specific groups or activities. The next application deadline is: 2/15/2014. Funding guidelines and application instructions are available on the Foundation’s website here.

 

Call for Proposals: Behavior Health Information Pilot Communities - The Community Assessment and Education to Promote Behavioral Health Planning and Evaluation (CAPE) project is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and facilitated by the USDA. The project is advised by a technical committee of university and community behavioral health professionals drawn from across the nation. The purpose of the project is to explore ways in which communities currently gain information on behavioral health, to discover what datasets exist, and to work with pilot communities to enhance access to needed information. Important information about behavioral health is often published at the county (or parish/borough) level, so this project focuses primarily on a county-level definition of community. Local leaders serving smaller geographic units partially or fully within the county (such as cities, towns or districts) will be included in the project activities. Measuring and monitoring the various behaviors and related health outcomes can provide pivotal information to community decision-makers. More information is available at the project web site: http://healthbench.info/. A webinar describing the project is scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 12:00 PM – ET at http://connect.msu.edu/cape. The webinar will be archived at the project web site.

 

Timeframe & Available Support: Proposals are due January 21, 2014. Community selections are expected to be announced at the end of January. The pilot program is expected to run from March 3, 2014 to October 31, 2014. Communities selected for this program will receive funds to buy out up to 8 months of up to 1.0 FTE (0.67 FTE total) per selected community for current staff members to join the CAPE project. Funding will come in the form of a contract with the land grant institution leading the community effort. Community teams of one, two, or three individuals will be considered. Pre-approved travel or other pre-approved out-of-pocket costs will be directly reimbursed. Details and how to apply see attached document.

 

HUD announced the 2014 "Difficult to Develop Areas" (DDAs) for the purpose of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC). A DDA, as designated by HUD, is an area that has high construction, land, and utility costs relative to the area median gross income. A LIHTC project in a qualified DDA is eligible to receive up to a 30 percent higher LIHTC allocation in order to make the building financially feasible. Read the Federal Register notice here.  

 

Education, Community and Health Grants for FY13, Deadline: Open. Funder: RGK Foundation

 

 

 

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