From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development. A wide range of topics included, many of which focus on components of community building such as housing and/or strengthening human and natural connections in communities.
From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED [mailto:RDCED@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2015 2:09 PM
Subject: Publications, Funding, Learning
Publications
White House Announces Four Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs
As a part of the Obama administration’s Big Data Research and Development Initiative, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced four awards this week, totaling more than $5 million, to establish four Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs (BD Hubs). The four BD Hubs divide the U.S. into regional collaborations, each focused on different Big Data challenges. In addition to the BD Hubs, NSF also announced this week the release of a new solicitation (due February 25, 2016) for projects that will leverage the BD Hubs’ data – the BD Spokes initiative.
Wharton School Study: Impact Investment Funds Achieve Results Comparable to Market Indices
Findings suggest that – in certain market segments – investors might not need to expect lower returns as a tradeoff for impact, according to a new study from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In the study, researchers look at two of the most important aspects of impact investing: financial returns and long-term impact. They conclude that impact investing firms seeking a return on investment can perform similar to leading market indices. In another recent study from Omidyar Network, the authors conclude that there should be a shift in the current venture capital paradigm that will lead to larger returns and social impacts by investing in companies making impacts on low- to lower-middle-income people in emerging markets.
Dashboards of Shared Metrics Support Coordination, Effective Benchmarking
The development of common metrics is increasingly used at the state and regional level as a method to ensure the coordination of likeminded stakeholders. While choosing which metrics to use is at the root of this process, identifying ways in which to communicate this information to interested parties is also important. With an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, this article highlights the ways in which governments and nonprofits are using dashboards to highlight their successes, identify their shortcomings, and gather data to inform next steps.
| The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released their first-ever set of reports that identify significant gaps in opportunities for good health in each state and make recommendations for improvement. The 2015 County Health Rankings Health Gaps Reports examine the number of premature deaths that could be prevented in each state if residents of all counties had the same opportunities to be healthy; discuss the factors influencing residents’ health; and, identify what states and communities can do to reduce these gaps. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program offers free community coaching, a database of evidence-based policies and programs, and other tools and resources to help communities throughout their journey in building a Culture of Health for all of their citizens. Examine all 50 state Health Gaps Reports > New Regulations for Projects Financed with Tax-Exempt Bonds The Treasury and IRS published final regulations concerning the treatment of "mixed-use" projects financed with tax-exempt bonds. These new regulations have particular importance for 501(c)(3) health care organizations that are borrowers of tax-exempt bonds. Treasury, IRS Issue Rules that Will Help Facilitate P3s The Treasury and IRS have released final allocation and accounting rules that bond lawyers say will help in administering public-private partnerships for transportation and joint ventures involving hospitals. One in four food-insecure households visited food pantries in 2014 Fourteen percent of U.S. households (17.4 million households) were food insecure in 2014, meaning that at some time during the year, these households were unable to acquire adequate food for one or more household members due to a lack of resources. For a subset of food-insecure households—households with very low food security—food intake of one or more members was reduced and normal eating patterns were disrupted. Households having trouble putting food on the table may rely on emergency food providers, such as food pantries and emergency kitchens. Food pantries distribute unprepared foods for offsite use. Emergency kitchens (sometimes referred to as soup kitchens) provide individuals with prepared food to eat at the site. In 2014, 5.5 percent of all U.S. households acquired emergency food from a food pantry, and less than 1.0 percent obtained meals from emergency kitchens. Food-insecure households were more likely to use these assistance options; more than one in four food-insecure households (27.1 percent) used food pantries in 2014, while 3.0 percent used emergency kitchens. An estimated 36.7 percent of households with very low food security visited food pantries, and 5.7 percent visited an emergency kitchen. The statistics for this chart are from Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2014, September 2015. |
Funding
Goldman Sachs to Invest $150B in Clean Energy Development
Fortune reports that financial giant Goldman Sachs is investing $150 billion in clean energy and technology projects, including wind and solar farms, energy efficiency upgrades, and power grid infrastructure.
Kresge Foundation Issues RFP for Creative Food Initiative
POSTED: November 11, 2015
DEADLINE: December 14, 2015
Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded for the planning of place-based efforts aimed at increasing access to healthy food in cities and regional supply chains serving urban markets....
EREF Accepting Applications for Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation is accepting pre-proposals for its Research in Sustainable Solid Waste Management grants program. The program supports research projects related to sustainable solid waste management practices, including waste minimization; recycling; waste conversion to energy, biofuels, chemicals, or other useful products; strategies to promote diversion to higher and better uses (e.g., organics diversion, market analysis, optimized material management, logistics, etc.); and landfilling. Desirable aspects of the above topics, in addition to or as part of hypothesis-driven applied research, also include economic or cost/benefit analyses; feasibility studies for untested technologies or management strategies; life cycle analysis or inventory, and analyses of policies that relate to the above (e.g., extended producer responsibility, recycling goals, carbon legislation, bottle bills, etc.).
RWJF Announces RFP for High-Value Innovations From Low-Resource Communities
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals for projects that support the identification and evaluation of promising innovations that improve health and healthcare quality — without increasing costs — in low-resource communities.
Up to ten evaluations will be funded for a total of up to $2.5 million. Priority will be given to evaluations of innovations that are set in and meant to benefit the health of people in low-resource communities; intended to substantially improve a pressing community health problem; and recognize consumers as important arbiters of value.
Pollination Project Invites Applications From Social Entrepreneurs for Seed Grants
The Pollination Project is accepting applications from social entrepreneurs looking to make their communities and world a better place. Seed grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to projects in the early stages of development, including those that promote compassion toward all life (people, planet, animals), environmental sustainability, justice in all its forms, community health and wellness, and social change-oriented arts and culture. Only applications for seed funding, as opposed to ongoing operational or program costs of a nonprofit organization, will be accepted.
To be eligible, applicants must be a passionate, committed individual with a social change vision that fits within one or more of the categories above. Established nonprofit organizations with paid staff will not be considered. See the Pollination Project website for complete program guidelines, examples of previously funded projects, and application instructions.
2015 Self-Help Homeownership (SHOP) Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announces the availability of $9,977,500 of FY2015 Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) grant funds. SHOP funding is intended to facilitate and encourage innovative homeownership opportunities on a national and geographically-diverse basis. The program supports self-help housing programs that require a significant amount of sweat equity by the homebuyer toward the construction or rehabilitation of his or her home. Volunteer labor is also required.
Deadline Date: January 4, 2016
More information is available on the HUD website.
Juvenile Reentry Assistance Program (JRAP)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announces the availability of approximately $1.75 million for the Juvenile Re-entry Assistance Program (JRAP) to support successful transition to the community by reducing barriers to public housing, employment, and/or educational opportunities. HUD encourages activities in communities with Preferred Sustainability Status (PSS) and/or Promise Zones (PZ), HUD will award two (2) points for qualified activities within a designated zone or area and supporting either or both initiative(s).
Deadline: January 4, 2016
More information is available on the HUD website.
Training to Work 3 – Adult Reentry Grants
The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $20 million in grant funds authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Second Chance Act of 2007 for Training to Work 3 – Adult Reentry. As a participant in the Promise Zone Initiative, DOL is cooperating with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, and nine (9) other federal agencies to support comprehensive revitalization efforts in 20 of the highest poverty urban, rural and tribal communities across the country. Applicants that submit a certification (HUD Form 50153) signed by an authorized representative of the lead organization of a Promise Zone designated by HUD or the Department of Agriculture supporting the application will receive 2 priority consideration points.
Deadline: January 15, 2016
More information is available on the DOL website.
National Endowment for the Arts
The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) has issued a request for proposals to rural communities interested in applying for funding to host a community design workshop in either 2016 or 2017. The communities will receive additional support through webinars, conference calls, and web-based resources on www.rural-design.org.
Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by 11:00 PM EST on January 12, 2016.
The Request for Proposals is posted on the CIRD website.
Federal Partners Announce Availability of Program Support for State Medicaid-Housing Agency Partnerships
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in partnership with national organizations are pleased to announce a new opportunity for states needing targeted program support aimed at strengthening state-level collaboration between health and housing agencies to bring to scale permanent supportive housing (PSH) by coordinating housing resources with Medicaid-covered housing-related services. The Administration is committed to bringing to scale the cost-effective, evidence-based solution known as PSH to end chronic homelessness in 2017, as well as to support the community integration for people with long-term services and supports needs. USICH, HUD, and HHS recognize that access to affordable, stable housing and access to coordinated and comprehensive health care services will improve health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries and lower health care and other public services costs for states and communities. To apply, state Medicaid, housing, and behavioral health agencies should work collaboratively to complete the Expression of Interest by December 1, 2015. The Expression of Interest form can be found in the announcement made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of coordinated program support being offered through their Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Small Buildings Risk Sharing Initiative
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is inviting Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to apply for its Small Buildings Risk Sharing (SBRS) Initiative. The purpose of SBRS is to support and encourage the production and preservation of affordable housing. The program provides insurance and reinsurance for multifamily housing projects whose loans are originated, underwritten, serviced, and disposed of by approved lenders, including CDFIs. CDFIs and other lenders participating in the SBRS may elect to access low-cost fixed-rate long-term financing through the Federal Financing Bank (FFB). FFB pricing will be benchmarked to comparable Ginnie Mae securities.
To learn more about SBRS, the benefits of the program, and how to apply, please visit the program's website. More information can also be found in HUD's press release about the Initiative.
$118 Million Public-Private Effort for Women, Girls of Color Launched
Backed by more than $100 million in initial funding commitments, the White House has announced a new public-private initiative aimed at improving the lives of women and girls of color.
Tools/Learning
New Handbook to Support Conservation on Organic Farms
A new NRCS Organic Farming Handbook was just released to help better prepare NRCS conservationists for working with the growing number of organic, and transitioning to organic, producers across the country.
The Handbook describes organic systems and a range of conservation practices and key resources for use on organic operations.
Though this information is specifically for conservation on organic and transitioning-to-organic operations, producers of all kinds can benefit from many of the practices in the handbook.
Why Big Co-ops Fail
Like all forms of enterprise, big co-ops can fail. Presenter Peter Couchman and Centre Director Murray Fulton claim that there is a repeating pattern with the world’s largest co-op failures — a pattern which, if understood, can be used to avoid collapse. This presentation was first given at the recent International Co-operative Alliance Congress in Antalya, Turkey.
Monday, 30 November 2015, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
University of Saskatchewan
Live streamed at http://live.usask.ca/?sn=15096-1
New Guide Explores the Field of Indigenous Philanthropy
Funding Indigenous Peoples: Strategies for Support explores how funders collaborate with and bring support to indigenous communities around the world. Developed by GrantCraft, a service of Foundation Center, in partnership with International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, this guide reveals compatibility between the goals of donors and practices of indigenous communities worldwide, especially in the areas of environmental defense, climate change, and global food security. Download the guide ›
Free eGuide: The Year-End Fundraising Plan Worksheet
December is the biggest fundraising opportunity of the year. To make the most of it, you'll need a clear plan, a rock-solid message, and a strategy to convert and retain your donors. This easy, fill-in-the-blanks workbook will help you quickly create a foundation for your year-end fundraising efforts.
Get your copy now to:
· Organize key elements of your campaign;
· Write a more effective appeal that inspires donors take action and give;
· Optimize your giving experience to convert more donors and increase average gift size;
· Create an acknowledgement plan that will help you retain more donors in 2016 and beyond.
CDFI Funding for CED and CED-HFFI Projects Webinar
The recording and materials for the CDFI Funding for CED and CED-HFFI Projects Webinar, which took place on October 22, 2015, are now available.
The materials from this webinar can be accessed on the CDFI Funding for CED and CED-HFFI Projects Webinar page, which you can also access from the CED Leveraging Additional Funding Resources page. The materials include the presentation slides and a transcript. The full audio visual recording will be available shortly.
Spotlighting Communities that are Successfully Coordinating Healthcare & Housing Resources to End Veteran Homelessness Webinar - Now Available
HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPs) and Office of HIV/AIDS Housing (OHH) are pleased to announce the availability of the recently recorded ‘Hear from Your Peers’ webinar. This webinar focuses on the strong bonds forged between HUD-funded housing and service programs, as well as mainstream resources and benefits, to ensure U.S. military veterans successfully receive and maintain housing. It also provides information about Veterans Affairs and locally-funded healthcare services, such as targeted case management, and substance and mental health treatment.
You can listen to peer leaders offering firsthand knowledge on how two innovative communities - Las Vegas/Clark County, NV and Seattle/King County, WA - have developed cross-systems partnerships to assist homeless and at-risk veterans with effectively accessing the housing, supportive services and healthcare resources they need. Discussants describe the approaches taken in their community to assure that all veterans are able to benefit from these resources, including permanent supportive housing. The webinar can be viewed on the course page here: Spotlighting Two Communities that are Successfully Coordinating Healthcare and Housing Resources to End Veteran Homelessness - A "Hear from Your Peers" Webinar.
Break the Chains, Build a Bridge (Elain Ellerbe)
Thursday, December 3, 2015, 11:00am-12:00pm CST
After 25 years of providing various evidence-based life skills programs to incarcerated populations and families affected by the criminal justice system, nationally trained Bridges/Getting Ahead/R Rules facilitator Elain Ellerbe will share her insights into and implementation experience with these key programs. Individuals who are experiencing incarceration, as well as family members they leave behind, have unique needs, with most living in either generational or situational poverty.
Participants will learn why the Bridges Out of Poverty philosophy is effective with these populations, a step-by-step process of implementation (from approaching corrections to gaining access and working within a facility), sample budget/funding options, and how to gain the trust of participants and access to family members. Additionally, Elain will describe how programs based on the Bridges philosophy can be used effectively alongside other life skills programs such as job readiness, parenting, money management, and values clarification, key components of any corrections-based reentry program.
Elain, who lives in Louisiana (the state that has ranked No. 1 in the world in incarcerating its citizens for more than two decades), oversees a reentry program that is the first of its kind in the state. Her work has garnered state and national recognition.
Elain Ellerbe is the President and CEO of Refined By Fire Ministries in Jackson, Louisiana.
Mindset, Motivation, and the Argument for Change (Jim Ott)
January 21, 2016, 11:00am-12:00pm CST
Jim Ott, a school psychologist and Bridges Out of Poverty Consultant with aha! Process, will discuss A Framework for Understanding Poverty and Bridges Out of Poverty principles and their application through Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World
Jim will focus on these issues from a psychologist’s perspective – why the principles work and how we can apply them individually and systemically to facilitate real change in individuals and families.
A Bridges Out of Poverty Overview (Spanish) (Dr. Emilia O’Neill)
Thursday, January 28, 2016, 11:00am-12:00pm CST
Join Dr. Emilia O’Neill as she provides a one-hour Bridges Out of Poverty overview in Spanish. Topics will include: the definition of poverty, mental models of class, the four research areas on the causes of poverty, a few of the hidden rules and an introduction to the resources needed to maintain a stable life.
Acompaña a la Dra. Emilia O´Neill es esta presentación de una hora, en la que presentará el trabajo de Puentes para Salir de la Pobreza. Hablaremos de la definición de pobreza desde este modelo, los modelos mentales de clase, las 4 áreas de investigación relacionadas con las causas de la pobreza, algunas reglas escondidas de las diferentes clases socio-económicas y, finalmente, los recursos que requerimos para lograr y mantener una vida estable.
Find the full list of upcoming webinars in 2015 and register on our website here.
Newsletters and email from which we gather this information include:
v Foundation Center RFP Service - To subscribe 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 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 Orton Family Foundation – email sign-up - http://www.orton.org/sign_up
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