The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Community Partners Program is accepting proposals for programs for community economic development, to improve the quality of life in the 26 communities nationwide where the founders owned newspapers. Interested nonprofits should submit a short letter of inquiry. More information at http://www.knightfdn.org.

The Kroger Foundation makes grants of up to $50,000 to support grassroots organizations, hunger-relief and primary and secondary education. The foundation supports nationwide efforts by nonprofits to meet their grant-making goals. (Info.)

The Nathan Cummings Foundation makes grants to benefit a series of service topics including health and collaborative initiatives for social and economic justice. The foundation tries to promote the voices of underrepresented communities through art and social justice. Applicants should send a letter of inquiry. Information at www.nathancummings.org.

The HUD HOPE VI Main Street Program offers funds to rejuvenate small communities or historic business districts through a variety of redevelopment strategies. Funding opportunity number FR-5300-N-24. Applications due January 20. More information at www.grants.gov.

The Supportive Housing for the Elderly Grant application deadline has been extended to December 14. The Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Grant deadline has been extended to December 17. These grants provide funding for initiatives to develop housing, implement green technology and provide rental assistance, as well as other programs for supportive housing. Funding opportunity numbers FR-5300-N-19 and FR-5300-N-21. More information at www.grants.gov.

The Goldman Sachs Foundation makes grants to help boost secondary education and nurture achievement in promising youths to develop future leaders. Information at http://www.gs.com/foundation.

The Wal-Mart Foundation is awarding grants of $250,000 or more to nonprofits for local and regional initiatives across the country. The foundation has four main focus areas: education, workforce development and economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellness. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. (More info.)

The PMI Foundation fosters projects for sustainable homeownership and affordable housing, as well as those that improve quality of life in these underserved neighborhoods. The foundation makes grants to nonprofits to further these goals. Applicants are requested to submit a short summary of their grant request as well as other documentation. For guidelines and further information, visit www.pmifoundation.org.

ACCION USA is a microfinance organization that provides small business loans and financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs who do not qualify for loans from traditional lending institutions. These affordable loans help borrowers build credit and start or grow a small business. Find more information at www.accionusa.org.

The PNC Foundation offers grants to promote community development through much of the Eastern United States. Application materials and more information available here.

The Home Depot Foundation UPDATE The Home Depot foundation has combined two of its grant programs. The Community Trees Program and the Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Program have been combined to reflect the foundation's commitment to creating healthy communities through responsible building and the development of urban green areas. First Cycle Letter of Interest due January 15, 2010. Guidelines and more information available here.

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation focuses its grant making on five Focus Areas: Community Economic Development, the Environment, Social Justice and Equity, Democracy and Civic Engagement, and Pre-Collegiate Education. Applicants are encouraged to review the results sought within each relevant focus area to better understand the fit of their organization's work or project within the priorities of the foundation. The foundation offers grants of up to $35,000 for one or two years, with two grant cycles each year, ending in February and August. Access more information and the online application at www.zsr.org.

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation makes grants to projects in a variety of areas, including the "civil society" program's three themes (strengthening the nonprofit sector, promoting people's rights and participation and improving race and ethnic relations) and a program called "Pathways out of Poverty", which focuses on projects for improving community education, economic opportunity and organization. The foundation requests a Letter of Inquiry from grant seekers. More information at www.mott.org.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is currently accepting unsolicited proposals for education, health, and microfinance programs geared at improving social services to children, families and communities in need within the United States. Submit an online grant proposal at www.msdf.org.

The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) will offer pre-development loans. As part of the Obama Administration's recent $90 million funding to CDFIs to support economic recovery projects in areas hit hardest by the recession, NFF was awarded $1.9 million. Funds will be used to allow nonprofits to plan and strategize for potential projects, including new programs and facilities. From this award, NFF expects to make approximately 20 loans, ranging from $25,000 to $300,000, over the next three years. The pool will make both non-secured and secured loans. Applications for these loans may be made at any of NFF's seven offices. If interested, contact the one nearest you. More information at www.nonprofitfinancefund.org.

The Open Society Institute has announced a Call for Proposals to support alliances of state-based organizations in Louisiana, Florida, and Colorado working to ensure that federal and state economic recovery efforts are transparent and accountable, benefit those most in need, and enhance equity rather than reinforce structures of inequality. OSI seeks to fund alliances that will seek comprehensive and timely collection and dissemination of recovery-related spending data, advocate for equitable spending, promote a strong social safety net, and spotlight the role of decision makers in the success or failure of economic recovery programs. OSI will consider grants of up to $500,000 per state to be distributed over two years. Complete guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions are available at the Open Society Institute Web site. (Contact.)

The Kresge Foundation (http://www.kresge.org) has established a 24- to 36-month, interest-free program-related investment fund offering bridge loans of $250,000 to $500,000 for high-performance human service organizations that need funds to meet ever-increasing demand for food, shelter, and other emergency services. Homeless and domestic-violence shelters, safety-net providers, affordable housing and supportive services, legal aid services, emergency assistance providers, and multi-service health and human service organizations are encouraged to apply. Click here to access the RFP.

TD Charitable Foundation Offers Grants to Support Housing Stabilization. The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank and TD Banknorth, has announced that it will make available a total of $2 million in grants to support affordable housing initiatives from Maine to Florida through its "Housing for Everyone" grant competition, which for 2009 focuses on stabilizing the housing environment through the innovative efforts of local affordable housing nonprofit organizations. The competition will fund the most innovative plans that produce a quantitative difference in helping families stay in their homes or help maintain and protect the integrity of neighborhoods from deterioration caused by foreclosure and abandonment. The foundation will award 56 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to eligible housing nonprofits that submit compelling proposals for innovative projects designed to stabilize the housing environment in the communities where TD Bank and TD Banknorth do business. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply if they have a valid 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS and audited financial statements. Applicant organizations must develop or maintain affordable housing or provide housing-related programs and services targeted to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Programs must be located in one or several TD Bank N.A. market areas (selected counties of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia metro area, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City metro area, upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont). (Info.)

Home Depot Accepting Applications for Building Healthy Communities Grant Program. The Home Depot's Building Healthy Communities Grant Program awards grants of up to $2,500 each to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are made in the form of the Home Depot gift cards for the purchase or tools or materials. Grants are for community improvement projects that include activities such as construction or refurbishment of affordable or transitional housing, building, rebuilding, painting, refurbishing, increasing energy efficiency or sustainability, landscaping, planting of native trees, community facility improvements, and the development and/or improvement of green spaces. Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the United States. There is one remaining grant cycle for 2009: October 15-December 15.

The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation, which provides general operating support for charitable organizations with proven programs. A matching gift program provides support to organizations to which Dorsey & Whitney LLP attorneys make qualifying contributions. The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation generally concentrates its financial support on charitable organizations and programs in areas in which offices of Dorsey & Whitney LLP are located: Delaware, Denver, Minneapolis, New York, Southern California and Washington, DC. For more information, visit: http://www.dorsey.com/about/foundation/.

The Assets for Independence Demonstration Project (AFI) is pleased to announce the recent award of over $4.5 million to 24 AFI project grants. These AFI projects will provide Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)-special matched savings accounts-to low-income individuals and their families across the country. The AFI Program is now accepting applications for asset-building programs nationwide. The next AFI grant application deadline is Friday, January 15, 2010. (Info.)

Economic Development Assistance Program Funding from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the Public Works and Economic Development Act. Applications are now being accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received. (Info.)

HUD Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing. Approximately 25,000 apartment units will become more energy-efficient as the result of approximately $250 million in grants and loans made available through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. HUD will offer up to $15,000 per residential unit to reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality. Eligible applicants must already be HUD-assisted, through either Section 8 project-based rental assistance or Section 202 (elderly) and Section 811 (disabled) programs. See HUD's Recovery Act website.

Federal Grant Opportunity: Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Approximately $373 million will be available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in fiscal year 2009 to fund thirty to forty awards. The purpose of this FOA is to create healthier communities through sustainable, proven, population-based approaches such as broad-based policy, systems, organizational and environmental changes in communities and schools. More information at www.grants.gov. Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DP09-912ARRA09. CFDA Number(s): 93.724--Prevention and Wellness--Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Current closing date for applications: Dec. 1, 2009.

The Department of Education announced this month a program called the Investing in Innovation Fund (i3). The $650 million fund was created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and its aim is to expand innovative programs to boost achievement in schools. Individual school districts or groups of districts can apply independently or in conjunction with entrepreneurial nonprofits, universities and companies. Funds are available for promising new ideas as well as proven programs to boost achievement and student proficiency, increase graduation rates or improve teacher quality within school districts. (CFDA) Numbers: 84.396A, 84.396B and 84.396C. More information at www.grants.gov or www.ed.gov.

The Assisted Housing Stability and Energy and Green Retrofit grants program through HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation provides funding for affordable housing owners to maintain, preserve and retrofit properties to ensure energy efficiency and safety. Funding Opportunity number: HUD-RA-01. (More info.)

The Healthy Homes Demonstration Program (HUD) offers funding to cooperative projects for the demonstration and evaluation of cost-effective measures to prevent and correct residential safety, particularly in low-income households. Applications due Nov. 24. Funding Opportunity number: FR-5300-N-17. More information at www.grants.gov.

The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, through the USDA, offers grants to improve the self-reliance of communities by meeting the food needs of low income populations and expanding local food and nutrition programs. This grant program also extends to improvements in food production and distribution infrastructure and long-term planning. Funding opportunity number USDA-CSREES-CFP-002544. Applications due Nov. 19. (More info.)

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