Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta

Foundation Center Launches National Education Stimulus Initiative

The Foundation Center announced the launch of "Foundations for Education Excellence," a national initiative to engage philanthropic institutions and education leaders across the country in a unified, strategic drive to improve public education.

foundationcenter.org/educationexcellence, the web portal developed by the Foundation Center with a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, was launched in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education. It connects foundation funders in education to information and tools that will help them support ARRA's education reform goals.

"There is a unique window of opportunity in the coming weeks and months for private philanthropy to leverage its investment in education," said Bradford K. Smith, the Center's president. "Funders need fast-track tools to target areas of need and collaborate in new ways to improve educational opportunities across the country. The Foundation Center is ideally positioned to provide foundations with the knowledge platform needed to advance this process."

Read the full press release for details on the contents and uses of the portal.

Investing in Innovation Fund to Support Leading-Edge Programs in Education

Innovative education programs around the country could soon benefit from a $650 million competitive grant fund included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Associated Press reports.

Part of the $5 billion provided by ARRA to overhaul schools, the Investing in Innovation Fund will support programs run by school districts and nonprofits, including colleges and universities, organizations that work to turn around failing schools, and charter schools. According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, programs that have proven successful will be awarded up to $50 million each, while programs that need money to expand or build a research base could receive up to $30 million and promising ideas worth trying could receive up to $5 million.

For more information on ARRA funding in your state, see our interactive Mapshot of the Best ARRA Funding Resources by State.

This post was submitted by Jean Johnson, Senior Librarian at the Foundation Center-San Francisco.

Local and National Funds Addressing the Arts Crisis

Although the economic crisis is impacting every sector, the arts community seems to be especially hard hit.  Declining philanthropic dollars and earned income (ticket sales) have been a double whammy on the arts sector.  All is not lost, however; there is some light in the dark tunnel. 

Atlanta Arts Recovery Initiative
In June, The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, a partnership of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, announced the Atlanta Arts Recovery initiative, a two-year, $2.5 million program designed to keep metro Atlanta’s small and midsized arts organizations stable as they face the turbulent economy and unpredictable financial challenges. The Initiative builds on the Arts Fund’s previous program of grantmaking, management consulting and loans to strengthen arts organizations.  It includes two grant cycles each year in 2009 and 2010 with each cycle distributing $500,000 in general operating support.

Already, the Arts Fund has awarded $500,000 to 11 organizations during its spring grant cycle.  Recipients include: Actor’s Express, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Atlanta Chamber Players,
Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, Georgia Shakespeare, Madison Morgan Cultural Center, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Theatre in the Square,
True Colors Theatre Company, and Youth Ensemble of Atlanta.  You can find information about the organizations and grant amounts at the Arts Fund web site.

It is too late to apply this year, but it’s not too early to begin planning for the 2010 grant cycle. 

Arts Stabilization Toolbox and Arts Loan Fund
The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund is continuing its Arts Stabilization Toolbox awards, which are awards of management consulting projects that help organizations implement scenario planning, update strategic plans, build stronger boards and improve financial plans. Further, changes to the Arts Loan Fund program will increase the maximum size of loans from $25,000 to $40,000 and extend the timeframe that organizations have to pay back loans.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The Recovery Act has appropriated $50 million in funds to The National Endowment for the Arts to be distributed in direct grants to fund art projects and activities that preserve jobs threatened by the current recession.  Nine Georgia arts organizations will receive a total of $625,000 through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These organizations include:  Atlanta Ballet, Inc., Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Inc., Center for Puppetry Arts, Fulton County Arts Council, National Black Arts Festival, Phoenix Theatre Academy, Inc., Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, Inc., Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, Inc., and Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia.  You can find details at the NEA web site.

Funding for the  Arts Month in October 2009
Join us in October for our Funding for the Arts Month Activities as we present free classes, workshops, and podcasts aimed at helping artists and nonprofit arts organizations.  Our kickoff event will be our annual Resource Market for the Arts on Monday, October 5, at the Rialto Center for the Arts.  Visit our calendar for information about our other programs in October.

Pattie Johnson, Director, Foundation Center – Atlanta

Following the Money Trail: The Impact of the Economic Stimulus on Education in Georgia

If you’re wondering about the impact the economic stimulus will have on education funding in the state of Georgia, join us for this special education month program on Tuesday, June 30th at 2:30pm. Lauren Veasey, program officer, Southern Education Foundation will discuss the new federal stimulus law, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This law offers Southern states an historic opportunity to improve public education from pre-school through college - especially for low-income students. ARRA allocates over $100 billion directly to the 15 states of the South for creating jobs and spurring economic renewal during the next two years, and more than one-third of these funds will go towards education. Reserve your seat and join the discussion.

For more information and resources for coping with the economic crisis, see our Focus on the Economic Crisis web page.

Also at our web page, Jamie P. Merisotis, president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation for Education, discusses the foundation's strategic, outcomes-based approach to expanding college access and success, particularly among low-income, minority, and other under-represented populations.  Listen!

Asia M. Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

ARRA – Keeping Track

By now, you’re probably familiar with Recovery.gov, the federal government’s web site that provides the public with information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), including updates on how the money is being spent. There’s a new kid on the block – Recovery.org. This web site was recently established by Oniva, a Seattle company that collects data about purchasing by governments at all levels. At Recovery.org, you can view all of the active projects by state, county, and city. You can also track by type of project and cost. A couple of interesting features include (1) a glossary of terms and (2) an opportunity for the public to comment on each project. Check it out.

Also, in your search for ARRA info, don’t forget the Foundation Center’s Mapshot:  Best ARRA Funding Sources by State, which is a collection of the best resources on how nonprofits may be able to access stimulus funding. Just click on the state you’re interested in. 

If you are with a social service agency, I hope you are tracking the Strengthening Communities Fund, which is making $50 million in ARRA funding available to the communities most impacted by the economic downturn. The focus of this Fund is to build the capacity of nonprofits that are addressing various economic recovery issues, such as employment. 

Have you found any particularly helpful web sites about ARRA?  Has your organization applied for stimulus money?  We'd like to hear about it. Please share via the Comments section below.

Pattie Johnson, Director, Foundation Center – Atlanta

  

How Can Nonprofits Partner with Local Governments?

I saw an article recently in {Centered}, an electronic newsletter put out by The Grantsmanship Center (TGCI), about how nonprofits can “Get the most from local government”.  The article focused on the grant support local government entities such as counties and cities have given to nonprofit organizations in their communities.  TGCI stressed the need to strengthen those relationships as money from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act stimulus funds begins to flow through local governments.

They cited “Looking Downtown: How Nonprofits Can Partner with Local Governments”, an article in the March/April 2009 issue of Grassroots Fundraising Journal, in which the author offers some suggestions on how to do that.  His suggestions include:

• Make sure you understand your local government’s budget process and where it gets its revenue.
• Find out who your potential allies are at the relevant government agencies and make sure they are aware of the needs of your constituency.
• Politics is all about relationships.  Treat people in local government agencies with respect.
• Understand how local government grant decisions are made.
• Take advantage of non-cash resources local governments may be able to provide, including meeting space, technical expertise, surplus equipment or furniture.

For more information about funding from ARRA through local governments, see our new MapShot: Best ARRA Funding Resources by State, which connects you to information about funding and other current opportunities in each state.

How has your nonprofit partnered with local municipalities to fund your work?

Kayron Bearden, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

From The Answer Desk: What do Nonprofits Need to Know About the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)?

A: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, will provide more than $787 billion in spending and tax cuts intended to help stimulate the national economy.

The Foundation Center has collected the best resources on how nonprofits may be able to access stimulus package funding, and our new MapShot: Best ARRA Funding Resources by State connects you to information about funding and other current opportunities in each state.

The Act includes new or expanded government grant programs to provide funding for assistance to communities or individuals affected by the economic crisis. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for grants provided by this Act should visit the Grants.gov website for a listing of Recovery Act funding opportunities. For-profit organizations can find recovery procurement and contracting opportunities at FedBizOpps.gov.

In order to provide full accountability and transparency for the distribution of stimulus funds, the Federal government has created the Recovery.gov website. Visitors to the site can read the full text of the Act, view a timeline of administrative deadlines, and find news and updates on funding opportunities from Federal agencies.

Most state governments and Federal agencies have also created their own economic recovery sites. Directories of these official sites can be found at Recovery.gov:

• State Recovery Sites
• Agency Recovery Sites

The National Council of Nonprofits has issued a series of special reports on the economic stimulus and recovery, including:

• Nonprofit Grant Opportunities - Summarizes the major spending and tax cut provisions of the Act and identifies potential grant opportunities for nonprofits. 
• Stimulus Grant Tips and Thoughts - Offers grant information, tips, and considerations for nonprofits interested in applying for stimulus funds. 
• Whether and How States are Accepting & Distributing Federal Stimulus Funds - Reviews how state governments have indicated they will handle the Federal funds. 
• Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds - Identifies sources of information about the Act and stimulus funds.

The National Council of Nonprofits also encourages organizations to contact their state nonprofit associations or their state and Congressional representatives for more information on local stimulus funding.

Selected resources below may also be helpful.

IndependentSector - Economic Recovery Act and Nonprofits - Provides analysis and commentary on the Act at its site, along with tips for nonprofit organizations on establishing strong ties with policymakers.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: State-By-State Estimates of Key Provisions Affecting Low- and Moderate-Income Individuals - This report, issued by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, outlines key provisions of the Act affecting low- and moderate-income individuals and includes a state-by-state analysis of these funding provisions.
StateRecovery.org - A service of the Council on State Governments, StateRecovery.org is targeted towards officials in state government, but contains useful information on federal assistance, listings of grant opportunities, and a series of reports analyzing the prospective impact of stimulus funding at the state level. 
National Conference of State Legislatures - Economic Stimulus 2009 - Provides summaries and analysis of major provisions of the Act for state legislators, but also includes information that can useful to the general public.
National Governors Association - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Created to provide information on state implementation of ARRA, analysis of the Act’s provisions for a range of topics, and links to additional resources.

Have a question? Ask Us!

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

National Council of Nonprofits Offers Special Reports on Economic Stimulus Package

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the economic stimulus bill, has ignited a great amount of debate and speculation within the nonprofit sector as to the availability of funding.  To help organizations better understand the provisions of this landmark legislation, the National Council of Nonprofits has issued a series of special reports on the economic stimulus:

• Nonprofit Grant Opportunities
  (Special Report, Volume I)
  Provides an overview of the legislation and identifies key provisions that may result in grant opportunities for some nonprofits.
  
• Stimulus Grant Tips and Thoughts
  (Special Report, Volume II)
  Offers tips for organizations considering applying for stimulus-funded grants.
  
• Whether and How States Are Accepting & Distributing Federal Stimulus Funds
  (Special Report, Volume III)
  Reviews how various states have indicated they will handle stimulus funds.

Among the tips for nonprofits included in the second report:

• "One-Stop Shopping" for Grant Information
  Full coverage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can be found at the Recovery.gov web site, which currently includes general information on funding allocations and provisions of the legislation. As programs develop, the site will host detailed information on contracts and grants awarded, including announcements for funding opportunities. Nonprofits looking for information on the stimulus will want to keep this site bookmarked.
  
  
• Get Ready NOW
  One of the primary goals of the legislation is to provide quick relief to American families and businesses. As a result, deadlines for action by federal agencies are already fast approaching:

  March 3: Federal agencies to begin reporting use of funds
  May 3: Federal agencies to begin reporting on their allocations for entitlement programs
  May 20: Federal agencies to begin reporting their competitive grants and contracts
  July 15: Recipients of federal funding to begin reporting on their use of funds
  (See the full timeline)

  Nonprofits interested in applying for grants need to be preparing now in order to be ready to submit applications when the time comes. Also, nonprofit leaders need to act now to ensure that their voices are heard in the process of allocating funds.

• Stress the Official Purpose
  Congress appropriated the stimulus funds with specific goals in mind - job creation, economic efficiency, improvements to infrastructure, etc. When preparing a grant application for stimulus funds, stress how your organization will help achieve these goals. And, as an addendum...
  
  
• Just Because Grant Funding Exists Doesn't Mean You Should Ask for Some
  The weakened economy has hurt nonprofits across the spectrum. Your organization may have urgent funding needs, but this alone does not qualify you for stimulus funds. Think carefully and review your mission statement and the prospective impact of your programs on the community before deciding to apply for funding.

Additional information on provisions of the economic-stimulus legislation affecting charities can be found in this article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Looking for more information on government funding?

Following our Your Board and Fundraising class on March 11, join us for a special presentation on the ABCs or government funding. Ellen McCarty, Certified Grants Specialist, will explain the ins and outs of government funding for those interested in learning how to identify, research, and apply for government grants.

For information on U.S. foundations' response to the economic crisis, see the Foundation Center's Focus on the Economic Crisis.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta