2010 Healthy Sprouts Awards
Deadline: October 1, 2010
The National Gardening Association and Subaru will provide 30 grants to schools and community organizations to plan and plant a garden in 2011 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18.  Grants will include $500 gift certificates to the Gardening with Kids catalog, among other items.

More information is available at: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/healthysprouts.asp

 
 
 
Seed Money for Innovative Projects
Deadline: October 29, 2010
The Sparkplug Foundation supports projects in three areas of focus, music, education and grassroots organizing. Sparkplug is a small foundation, which is why it tries to make grants where a small, one-time grant can have a big impact. Generally, the foundation tries to make grants that help projects become sustainable. Sparkplug gives preference to projects run on small budgets, projects of smallish organizations, and projects that are less likely to receive corporate, institutional or government funding.

Sparkplug aims to support the development of music by helping to launch new voices and ideas; projects that deal with "the whole student" and with learning as a community activity; and projects that encourage communities to address institutional injustices, and to build a just society. Because it is a small foundation trying to "spark" change, it does not fund community service.
 
Read more at http://sparkplugfoundation.org/.

CVS Caremark Community Grants Program
Deadline: October 31, 2010
Nonprofits working to provide health and rehabilitation services, greater inclusion in school activities, and access to physical movement for children under age 21 with disabilities are eligible for grants of up to $5,000.
Click here for details.

The People's Garden School Pilot Grants
Deadline: November 8, 2010
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is announcing the opportunity for public and nonprofit organizations to submit applications for a People's Garden School Pilot Program grant competition. FNS has set aside $1 million for this pilot program. One grantee will be selected to enter into a cooperative agreement for the purposes of developing and running community gardens at eligible high-poverty schools; teaching students involved in the gardens about agriculture production practices, diet, and nutrition; contributing produce to supplement food provided at eligible schools, student households, local food banks, or senior center nutrition programs; and conducting an evaluation of funded projects to learn more about the impacts of school gardens.
 
More information at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/outreach/grants/garden.htm

Office Depot Foundation Grants
Deadline: November 15, 2010
The Office Depot Foundation provides grants of $50-$3,000 to nonprofits serving, teaching and inspiring children, youth and families; supporting civic organizations and activities that serve community needs; and disaster relief.
 
More information at http://www.officedepotfoundation.com/funding.asp.

Bank of the West Introduces Online Charitable Grants System
Deadline: December 31, 2010
San Francisco-based Bank of the West's new online Commitment to Community Charitable Investments Program provides grants to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. Grants are made in the categories of Community and Economic Development, Education and Job Training, Health and Human Care, and Civic and Cultural.

Click here to visit the Commitment to Community grants site.

Intel STEM Education Grants
Deadline: January 1, 2011
Intel has a strong interest in supporting K-12 and higher education, and community programs that deliver the kind of educational opportunities that all students will need to prepare themselves to succeed in the 21st century. Intel vigorously supports education through donations and grants for programs that advance science, math, and technology education, particularly for women and underserved populations.
Guidelines and online grant application available: http://www.intel.com/community/grant.htm.

After School Advantage Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The GTECH Corporation is awarding afterschool computer labs to inner-city youth, ages 5-15, located in certain states, including Arizona.  They will award 100 Computer Labs at $15,000 each to programs serving minority and at-risk children and youth.
 
More information is available at: http://www.gtech.com/about_gtech/proposal_guidelines.asp

Captain Planet Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
The Captain Planet Foundation makes available grants, ranging from $250 to $2,500, for projects that engage children and youth in the environment with hands-on activities. 

Eligible programs will promote the understanding of environmental issues; focus on hands-on involvement; involve children ages 6 to 18; promote interaction and cooperation within the group; help children and youth develop planning and problem-solving skills; and include adult supervision. If awarded a grant, a commitment to follow-up communication with the Captain Planet Foundation also is required.

For information on the grants, including deadlines and a link to apply, go to http://captainplanetfoundation.org/default.aspx?pid=3&tab=apply.

Grants for Gardens
Deadline: Ongoing

Annie's Homegrown offers a limited number of grants for up to $250 to fund community gardens, school gardens, and other educational programs that connect children directly to gardening.  These funds can be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other needed supplies.
 
If you would like to apply, read the complete guidelines and fill out an online application at http://www.annies.com/grants_for_gardens.

Arizona Tax Credits Mean Funding for Afterschool
Did you know that Arizona taxpayers can receive credits of up to $200 per person or $400 per household for donations made to extra-curricular or character education programs out-of-school time?
 
For details and a list of schools currently accepting these contributions, visit www.arizonaschooltaxcredit.com/az-taxpayers.aspx.
If your school's afterschool program is not on the list but you would like to participate, contact Bonnie Leedy here.