U.S. Department of Agriculture's Business and Cooperative Programs

The purpose of these grants is to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs. This is accomplished by making grants to pay costs of providing economic planning for rural communities, technical assistance for rural businesses, or training for rural entrepreneurs or economic development officials.

Applicants must have significant expertise in the activities they propose to carry out with the grant funds and financial strength to ensure they can accomplish the objectives of the proposed grant. They must be able to show that the funding will result in economic development of a rural area.

Online, visit http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=11975

Grants up to $300,000 for up to three years are available. The Foundation will fund eight to 10 projects in 2007.

To be considered, proposals must address ways for improving the health of immigrants and refugees by linking how social factors – language skills, significant cultural differences, education and poverty – affect health outcomes.

The Foundation is interested in projects designed to help new populations integrate into their communities. It is especially interested in providing support to organizations outside the formal network of healthcare providers, such as grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations and advocacy organizations, rather than traditional providers such as hospitals and medical clinics.

Online, visit http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19480

The Foundation primarily supports organizations located or working in the Southeast region of the United States. Projects are funded that focus on community and economic development, health and human services, education and literacy. The Foundation primarily provides project support, although from time to time it considers operating support proposals from organizations with budgets of less than $1 million.

The Ford Foundation focuses its grants on asset building and community development; peace and social justice; and knowledge, creativity and freedom. Applications are considered throughout the year. Grant seekers must send a brief letter of inquiry and will be contacted should the Foundation want a formal proposal. The Foundation directs its support to activities that are within its current interests and are likely to have wide effect.

The Foundation supports a broad range of human services, community improvement, abuse prevention and youth development programs. Human service programs of particular interest to the Foundation include children and family services, early childhood development and parenting education. Youth development programs supported by the Foundation typically include after-school educational enrichment programs that supplement and enhance formal education systems to increase the chances for successful outcomes in school and life.

Online, visit http://www.rgkfoundation.org/guidelines.php

Individuals from communities and organizations across America are asked to submit a written essay describing how the grant would help improve their community project. Applicants can request a one-time award of between $500 and $15,000 during any single month. All requests must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. Examples of possible community projects include computers for the local library, clean-up projects and training for volunteer firefighters. Funds will be awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on and support within the community.

Online, visit http://www.myhometownhelper.com/

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES); U.S. Department of Agriculture; National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRICGP)

The success of agricultural and rural economies is increasingly dependent on maintaining and expanding domestic and international markets. It is also dependent on the development of new products, production practices, and business and marketing tools and information that enhance efficiency and competitiveness of the producer. The Agricultural Markets and Trade program is designed to maintain and expand domestic and international markets and to identify public policies and private strategies that may be employed to enhance marketing efficiency and the competitiveness of agricultural producers. This program accepts a wide range of applications.