The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), located at Mississippi State University, is providing leadership to a national e-commerce demonstration project funded by the U.S. Congress through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). The central goal of this important national effort is to introduce, strengthen and expand the delivery of Extension-based ecommerce educational outreach programs relevant to the needs of small businesses and communities in rural America. This new cycle of e-commerce competitive grants is designed to support activities that delve into a series of topics that complement the e-commerce Extension products currently under development by previous grantees. Approximately $100,000 is being set aside in this cycle of funding to support this important initiative.

In response to the widespread damage and devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Entergy Power of Hope Fund was created to provide assistance to affected Entergy customers and employees. Different from immediate relief efforts available through other agencies, this fund, administered through the Foundation for the Mid South, will focus on helping victims transition from shelters/temporary housing back into the community. Individuals and families are eligible for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per household. Grants for nonprofit organizations providing direct service to hurricane victims will range from $10,000 to $20,000.

The USDA-CSREES requests applications for FY06 grants seeking to fund improvements to the quality and quantity of comprehensive community-based programs for at-risk children, youth and families supported by the Cooperative Extension Service.

Balance Bar is committed to helping people enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Whether through an individual, a team, or through a community organization, these grants are intended to help recipients lead a healthier, more active lifestyle in pursuit of their goals. Individual/Team Grants range from $500 to $10,000; this application deadline is March 15, 2006. Community Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 and must be dedicated to a project that will provide organization members, as well as community residents, with opportunities to lead healthy, active lifestyles. The deadline for the Community Grants is August 30, 2006.

This grant program seeks to promote the development and sustainability of high-quality community-based service-learning programs in youth-serving community organizations across the nation. Funds will be used by intermediary organizations to create curriculum materials; support training and technical assistance activities; make sub-grants to local organizations that will implement service-learning programs for youth ages five to seventeen; and strengthen, expand, and anchor a network of youth-serving community-based organizations that implement service-learning programs.