Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, to which the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has committed more than $20 million in 2008 for organizations, individuals, and students who have shown a commitment to improving and revitalizing their communities. Nomination submission due dates: for student leaders, February 29; for nonprofit organizations and individuals: June 27. (Info.)

'Affordable Housing Built Responsibly' Grants from Home Depot Foundation to support projects that result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units addressing various environmental and energy concerns for low- to moderate-income families. Deadlines: letter of intent, March 1; full proposal, May 15. (Info.)

New Market Tax Credits. Up to $3.5 billion in equity investments will be available. The CDFI Fund will give special consideration to applicants with successful past nonmetro NMTC use. Deadline: March 5. Visit http://www.cdfifund.gov or call (202) 622-9046. See Federal Register, 12/28/07, pp. 73976-87. Contact CDFI Fund staff, cdfihelp@cdfi.tre as.gov, (202) 622-6355.

USDA Farmworker Housing TA Grants for nonprofits and public agencies to provide technical assistance to applicants for Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing funds in the Eastern, Central, and Western regions. Deadline: March 14. See Federal Register, 1/29/08, pp. 5167-74. Contact Sue M. Harris-Green, Rural Development, (202) 720-1604.

Federal Individual Development Accounts. Standing notice issued by the Department of Health and Human Services for the Assets for Independence Demonstration Program. Eligible are nonprofits, government entities, credit unions, and others. Deadlines: January 15 and March 25 in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Contact AFI staff at (202) 401-4626, afiprogram@ac f.hhs.gov or visit website.

High-Energy-Cost Community Grants for nonprofits, for-profits, state and local governments, and tribes to improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities. Deadline: March 28. See Federal Register, 1/28/08, pp. 4778-90 or http://www.usd a.gov/rus/electric. Contact Karen Larsen, USDA-RD, (202) 720-9545, energy.gr ants@wdc.usda.gov.

Rural Business Opportunity Grants for public entities, nonprofits, tribes, and some cooperatives. Deadline: March 31. See Federal Register, 2/5/08, pp. 6692-96 or http://www.rurde v.usda.gov/rbs. Contact a USDA Rural Development state office or Cindy Mason, RD, (202) 690-1433.

Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants. Deadlines: March 31 and June 30. See Federal Register, 2/5/08, pp. 6696-99 or http://www.rurde v.usda.gov/rbs. Contact a USDA Rural Development state office or Melvin Padgett, RD, (202) 720-1495.

Rural Cooperative Development Grants for nonprofits and institutions of higher education. Deadline: April 8. See Federal Register, 2/8/08, pp. 7508-14 or USDA Rural Development website, or contact an RD state office.

Section 538 Rental Housing Guarantee. Applications received by April 25 will be processed first; continued acceptance while funds available. See Federal Register, 2/4/08, pp. 6469-77. Contact C.B. Alonso, (202) 720-1624.

Rural Capacity Building Initiative. Intermediary organizations can apply by May 5. See Federal Register, 2/4/08, pp. 6457-6466 or USDA Rural Development w ebsite, or contact an RD state office.

Household Water Well System Grants for nonprofits to make loans to homeowners. Deadline: May 31. See Federal Register, 1/28/08, pp. 4809-15 or USDA Rural Development website , or contact Cheryl Francis, RD, (202) 720-1937.

Business and Communities Grants from the Hitachi Foundation to support business-community partnerships that enhance job advancement and finance management opportunities for economically isolated people. Priority given to projects that leverage foundation support; can be replicated; focus on small to medium-sized businesses in sectors that traditionally employ low-wage workers. Interested parties must submit project ideas online to receive invitation for proposal. (Info.)