GrantStation International Insider - April 2018

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International Funding Opportunities

Funding Available to Address Unexpected Events
Open Road Alliance
Open Road Alliance is a private philanthropic initiative that serves the social sector by keeping impact on track in an unpredictable world. Open Road offers fast, flexible funding to nonprofit organizations and social enterprises. Grants and loans are made to fully-funded, mid-implementation projects experiencing external roadblocks that have a discrete solution. Open Road funding is designed to preserve impact in the face of an emergency and resulting cash-crunch. More specifically, loans are designed to serve as bridge-financing through those emergencies. Proposals for grants and loans are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Application criteria and information on the application process may be accessed on the Open Road Alliance website.

Award Honors Achievements in the Field of Pluralism
Global Pluralism Award
The Global Pluralism Award celebrates achievement and excellence in the field of pluralism. The Award is presented once every two years to organizations, individuals, governments, and businesses who are tackling the challenge of living peacefully and productively with diversity. Nominees must demonstrate remarkable and sustained achievement in any of the wide range of disciplines related to pluralism, including legal reform, human rights, democracy promotion, social cohesion, education, ethnic relations, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and immigration and integration. Three cash prizes of CAD $50,000 each are provided. The nomination/application deadline is April 30, 2018. Online nomination and application forms may be submitted through the Award website.

Grants Target Vulnerable Populations in France and Developing Countries
Fondation SUEZ
Fondation SUEZ works to combat exclusion and improve the living conditions and autonomy of persons through access to essential services, social insertion, and social harmony. The Foundation funds activities in developing countries and France. In developing countries, grants support initiatives providing access to water, sanitation, and waste services for disadvantaged populations. In France, the Foundation funds employment and training initiatives for vulnerable populations as well as projects promoting social harmony through education, culture, and sports. The annual application deadlines are April 30 and October 31. Visit the Fondation SUEZ website to download the selection criteria and submit an online application.

Challenge Seeks Innovations in Education
Misk Grand Challenges: Reinventing Teaching and School Leadership
Misk Grand Challenges aims to help young people change the world by empowering them to create fresh, innovative solutions to global challenges facing the next generation. The Reinventing Teaching and School Leadership challenge seeks new innovative ideas that transform teaching or school leadership to better prepare children with the 21st century skills they need to succeed in the future. Ideas may cover one or more of the following areas: reinventing the recruitment process, transforming training and professional development, improving resources that support high-quality learning, new forms of management, or any other area that drastically improves the performance of teachers and school leaders in line with the new competency-based curriculum of the future. Grants of up to $100,000 are provided. The application deadline is May 2, 2018. Visit the Misk Grand Challenges website to review the guidelines and apply online.

Marine Conservation Initiatives Funded
Waitt Foundation
The mission of the Waitt Foundation is to restore our oceans to full productivity. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations worldwide through the Rapid Ocean Conservation Small Grants Program, which provides grants with a quick turnaround time for solutions to emerging marine conservation issues. Grants generally ranging up to $10,000 support initiatives in the areas of sustainable fishing and marine protected areas, including the sub-themes of scientific research, policy, management, and communications. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn about the Grantee Requirements and submit an online application.

Prize Honors Food-Related Achievements
World Food Prize
The World Food Prize is awarded for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement at any point along the full range of the food production and distribution chain. This achievement must be shown to have resulted in an increase in the quantity, quality, or availability of, or access to, food for a substantial number of people. In addition, the impact must be measurable, quantifiable, or otherwise demonstrated either in terms of reduced poverty, hunger, or suffering; or enhanced health, nutrition, quality of life and well-being. The Prize may be awarded for achievements in a wide array of fields. Any academic institution, private or public organization, or governmental unit may nominate an individual for the Prize. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 1, 2018. Nomination criteria and the online nomination form are available on the World Food Prize website.

Grants Contribute to Open Societies in West Africa
Open Society Initiative for West Africa
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) works to support the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. OSIWA supports innovative interventions with effective strategies that respond to the broader deep-seated political, justice, and socio-economic roadblocks to open society in West Africa. Funding is provided in the following thematic areas: Economic Governance and Advancement, Justice Reform and Rule of Law, Journalism, Equality and Anti-Discrimination, and Democratic Practice. Local organizations based in West Africa are eligible to apply. Proposals will be accepted until April 30, 2018; early submission of proposals is encouraged. Visit the OSIWA website to review the Call for Proposals and download the application documents.

Support for Nordic Arts and Cultural Initiatives
Nordic Culture Fund
The Nordic Culture Fund contributes to positive artistic and cultural development in the Nordic Region by promoting cooperation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. The Nordic Culture Fund allocates grants on three levels: OPSTART which accepts applications all year round, Project Funding with three annual deadlines, and priority theme funding puls with specific criteria and application deadlines. OPSTART supports promising project ideas with a clear development perspective and the start-up phase of new Nordic projects involving at least two Nordic countries. The project must develop into further concrete Nordic co-operation. Project Funding supports projects that contribute to an innovative and dynamic artistic and cultural scene in the Nordic Region, one that is diverse, accessible, and of high quality. To qualify for funding, projects must involve Nordic relevance and co-operation, and further the development of art and culture. The upcoming application deadline for Project Funding is May 2, 2018. Applications to Project Funding and OPSTART are accepted from individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, associations, and companies. Applicants do not need to live in the Nordic Region or be Nordic citizens. Visit the Fund’s website to learn more about each program.

Canadian Funding Opportunities

Grants Promote Fitness for Children with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
GoodLife Kids Foundation
The GoodLife Kids Foundation aims to ensure that every Canadian kid has the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. The Foundation supports organizations providing ongoing physical activity programs for children and youth with intellectual disabilities or autism, ages four to 21 years. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided for programs taking place in Canada, excluding Quebec. Registered charities and qualified donees are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by May 22, 2018. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the Grant Fund Criteria and FAQs.

Company Communities Across Canada Supported
Shell Canada Corporate Giving Program
Shell Canada’s corporate giving program provides funding for community projects and initiatives that are located near the company's facilities and exploration interests throughout Canada. The company’s areas of interest include education, community skills and enterprise development, safety, environment, health, energy access, and community development. For 2018, the remaining application deadlines are April 15, June 15, and October 15. Visit the Shell Canada website to learn more about the company’s areas of interest and submit an online application.

Funding Benefits Women and Girls in British Columbia
The Lobstick Foundation
The Lobstick Foundation aims to assist girls and women in British Columbia who need a helping hand to reach their educational and career goals. The Foundation provides grants to registered charities and BC societies for initiatives targeting women and girls of all backgrounds who are seeking to develop their life skills, personal skills, and entrepreneurial skills, or pursue other professional and educational development. Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed semiannually. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the application guidelines and form.

Nunavut Inuit Cultural and Healing Projects Supported
Nunavut Tunngavik Foundation
The Nunavut Tunngavik Foundation provides support for cultural and healing projects targeting Nunavut Inuit through the Cultural and Healing Program. Grants of up to $25,000 support initiatives in the following categories: healing programs that address the harms and intergenerational effects of Residential Schools; teaching of Inuit history, culture, languages, and traditions; and traditional or on-the-land programs. At least 75% of the target population of the proposed project must be Nunavut Inuit. Eligible applicants include Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement, educational institutions, registered nonprofit organizations and societies, and unregistered groups of which the majority of its members or clientele are Nunavut Inuit. The annual deadline to apply is April 30. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the Cultural and Healing Program Policy.

U.S. Government Funding Opportunities

Support for Conflict Resolution Initiatives in Selected Countries
USAID
The Global Reconciliation Fund supports activities that mitigate conflict and promote reconciliation by bringing together individuals of different ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds in the following countries: Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Applications must be submitted by April 23, 2018.

Grants Aim to Control Neglected Tropical Diseases
USAID
The Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases program supports disease-endemic countries to control or eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) with proven, cost-effective public health interventions. The application deadline is April 27, 2018.

Canadian Government Funding Opportunities

Funding Bolsters Sexual and Reproductive Rights
Global Affairs Canada
The “Partnerships for Her Voice, Her Choice” call for proposals aims to support sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as a means of combating poverty by focusing on empowering women. Support is provided for initiatives targeting women and adolescent girls that contribute to improved comprehensive SRHR and include advocacy activities. The focus is on comprehensive sexual education; reproductive health services and investments in family planning and contraceptives; the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence and female genital mutilation and cutting; and initiatives that support the right to choose safe and legal abortion, as well as access to post-abortion care. Priority is given to activities that take place in sub-Saharan Africa and countries of the Ouagadougou Partnership. Organizations legally incorporated in Canada are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $2 million to less than $20 million. The application deadline is May 1, 2018.

Support for First Nations Schools
Indigenous Services Canada
The New Paths for Education program allows First Nations to try new academic programs, strategies, and technologies, and develop evidence-based solutions that can be shared with other schools. It is intended to assist band-operated schools to pilot a new program, pilot an adaptation of an existing program for a new purpose or a new audience, assess and measure the impact of the pilot program, and share the story of successfully piloted innovations nationwide. Thematic areas of interest include land-based education, physical activity and sports, and music and dance. National organizations designated by band councils are eligible to apply. Proposals must be submitted by May 15, 2018.

PathFinder: Featured Resource
A library of quality resources designed to help you develop your career path as a grants professional.
 

The Ethical Argument for General Operating Funds
It is widely known that funders tend to limit the amount of general operating support they provide, or not offer this type of support at all. This, of course, is a hotly debated issue between nonprofits and foundations. Speaking from a nonprofit executive director’s view, Vu Le at Nonprofit AF offers his insights into the matter in “The Ethical Argument for General Operating Funds,” which examines some moral arguments in favor of the provision of general operating support.

Upcoming Online Education Trainings
Live Webinars

Unless otherwise noted, all Online Education Trainings are webinars,
are 90 minutes in duration, and are scheduled to begin at 2 PM Eastern Time.

Now Is the Time - Mobilize Your Board to Raise Funds
In today's highly competitive grantseeking economy, nonprofit organizations that fail to attract outside funding most often are those with boards who are unable or unwilling to engage in efforts aimed at contributing to their agency's financial security. Stated quite simply, nonprofit board members no longer have the option of saying "I don't raise funds." In this webinar, Judith Margolin addresses the change in perspective necessary to turn weak boards into powerful fundraising entities, beginning with a new and much broader definition of "fundraising". Topics covered include: who should and should not be on your board, how to address your board member's reluctance to raise funds, and what specific roles board members can and should play vis a vis your prospects and funders. The webinar concludes with advice on developing an action plan to more fully engage your board in fundraising. This presentation will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Re-Imagine Your Proposals
For beginners and those with a fair bit of experience, this webinar provides a fresh new approach to grantwriting. The rule for grantwriting is simple: 80% of your time on preparation work and 20% of your time on writing. Does your grantwriting process follow this rule? What does that 80% include? How do you build organizational credibility into your request?  What should you be doing to strengthen everything from your statement of need to your explanation of the impact the grant award will engender? Learn to re-imagine how you present basic documents such as your budget, organizational description, and board and staff bios so they add significant credibility to your request. These are the topics that GrantStation's CEO, Cynthia Adams, will discuss in this fast-paced, content rich session. This presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Building a Stellar Grantseeking Team
One of the most time-consuming tasks for an executive director of a nonprofit organization is the research, writing, and submission of grant requests. And, unfortunately, it is often a task that is both daunting and isolating. This webinar, taught by GrantStation's CEO, Cynthia Adams, takes you through a step-by-step process to develop a grantseeking team, all working toward a common vision: to strengthen and build your grants program. This online training focuses on a step-by-step process to craft the perfect committee, develop a process to energize your team, and discover ways to create a sustainable program. Ms. Adams's unique approach will help you develop a team that will generate stellar results. This presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

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Editor: Diana Holder
Contributing Writer: Ashlyn Simmons