Second Chance Act Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations: The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance announced that it is seeking applications for funding for mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations under the Second Chance Act. This program furthers the department's mission by providing services and programs to facilitate inmates' successful reintegration into society. Deadline: March 18, 2010.

Drug Free Communities Support Program Grants: The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention are accepting applications for Drug Free Communities Support Program grants. Drug Free Communities grant funds are intended to support eligible community-based coalitions focused on addressing youth substance use. Anticipated total available funding: $18.75 million. Anticipated number of awards: 150 grants. Anticipated award amount: up to $125,000 per year. Length of project period: up to 5 years. Deadline: March 19, 2010.

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program: This Environmental Protection Agency demonstration program supports community-based efforts to increase environmental awareness and reduce risks associated with pollution and toxic environments. Grants will range from $100,000 to $150,000. Deadline: March 9, 2010.

Assisted Housing Stability and Energy and Green Retrofit: HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation will make grants available for eligible property owners to make energy and green retrofit investments in the property, to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the property, the continued operation and maintenance of energy efficiency technologies, and the timely expenditure of funds. Physical and financial analyses of the properties will be conducted to determine the size of each grant and loan. Incentives will be made available to participating owners. Closing date for applications: February 16, 2011.

Economic Development Assistance Program Funding: The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is soliciting applications for public works, planning, local technical assistance, and economic adjustment assistance to address pressing economic recovery issues, particularly in economically distressed regions. The planning program helps support planning organizations in the development, implementation, revision or replacement of comprehensive economic development strategies to create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed. Deadline: September 30, 2010.

The Department of Education's $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund was created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand innovative programs and 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.

Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women Later in Life Program: The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women seeks applications from state, county, local and Native American tribal governments, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education to provide or enhance training and services to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, involving victims who are 50 years of age or older. Award Ceiling: $400,000. Closing date: March 10.

Home Depot Foundation "2010 Awards of Excellence" National Competitions: There are two competitions -- "Awards of Excellence in Affordable Housing Built Responsibly" and "Awards of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development." The Foundation awards several $75,000 grants to winners, $25,000 runners up grants, and $2,500 grants for honorable mention. For both grant competitions, letters of inquiry are due March 31, 2010.

Bank of America Foundation Neighborhood Excellence Initiative works with community-based organizations, local heroes and student leaders to address critical neighborhood needs. The initiative has two award categories. Neighborhood Builder awards: $200,000 in unrestricted grants. The grants will be awarded to two organizations in each of 44 cities nationwide. Neighborhood Builder awards carry with them national leadership programs (all expenses paid) for the Executive Director and an emerging leader from the organization. The online applications are only seven questions long. Local Hero awards: $5,000 will be directed to an organization of their choice. Five winners will be selected in each of 44 cities nationwide. For both programs, online applications are due June 1.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is currently accepting unsolicited proposals. The foundation's primary goal is to support and initiate programs that directly serve the needs of children living in urban poverty. Priority is given to initiatives addressing children's health, education, and microfinance, as well as India and Central Texas initiatives that specifically address the needs of children. All grant requests should be submitted online form.

Enterprise Green Communities offers grant opportunities to help cover the costs of planning and implementing green components of affordable housing developments, as well as tracking their costs and benefits. They offer up to $75,000 in planning and construction grants, up to $5,000 to coordinate green design charrettes, and up to $5,000 for post-construction sustainability training.

The Kessler Foundation Signature Employment Grant program seeks ways to increase training, education, and employment opportunities that help people with disabilities lead independent lives. The multiyear grant program supports large initiatives that serve residents of New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Projects must be collaborative, have multiple funding sources, and serve a large geographic area. Grants are for $100,000 to $250,000 each per year, for maximum project funding of $500,000. Deadline: April 2, 2010.

Powered by Service provides $500 grants to seed youth-led service projects. Its goal is to get young people involved in addressing the most pressing problems facing their communities. The organization is currently accepting grant applications from youth in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Los Angeles and New York City, and plans to add more jurisdictions soon. Applicants working with HandsOn Network and City Year are also eligible for grants.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will invest $70 million over the next seven years to community foundations serving cities and towns where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. The new Community Foundation Initiative will deepen Knight Foundation's focus on fostering informed, engaged communities -- providing funding to help Knight communities introduce technologies to allow citizens to connect to the Internet, work with national and grass roots organizations to help immigrants become naturalized citizens and play an active role in civic life, and invest in social innovators.

The Joyce Foundation works in the Great Lakes region to promote policies that improve economic outcomes for low-income working adults by enabling them to improve their skills and fill the job needs of employers in the region. The foundation also works to close the achievement gap by improving the quality of teachers in schools that serve low-income and minority children, expanding early childhood education, and promoting innovations such as charter schools and small schools. They accept applications throughout the year. Grant proposals will be considered at the Foundation's board meeting in July 2010. Proposal deadline: April 12, 2010 for consideration at that meeting.

The new Goldman Sachs Small Businesses Initiative introduced 10,000 Small Businesses, a $500 million commitment to promote small business and job development for nationwide over a period of 5 years. The Goldman Sachs Group will provide business owners with access to business education, mentors and capital to promote growth.

The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation supports community improvement initiatives, particularly in communities where Lowe's employees live. Community improvement projects include: park and neighborhood beautification, repair and enhancement of facilities serving the community, community clean-up initiatives, outdoor learning environments, and community garden, park or playground projects.

The Kroger Foundation supports charitable activities in the communities where Kroger customers and associates live and work. Grants are made to feed the hungry, support breast cancer initiatives, provide disaster relief and assist local grassroots organizations. Only proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations are considered. The foundation does not use a specific grant application.

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.

The Wal-Mart Foundation awards grants 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.

ACCION USA is a micro-finance 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.