Volunteer MICHIGAN Funding Alert:  
Grant Opportunities Available 
 

Welcome to the Volunteer MICHIGAN Funding Alert! Volunteer MICHIGAN is the newest program of the Michigan Community Service Commission and encompasses a family of complimentary volunteer initiatives. As we strive to address community challenges through service, we hope the funding opportunities below will allow you to engage additional volunteers and ultimately improve the services you are able to provide.

 The following funding opportunities are currently accepting applications. The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) compiles these opportunities - offered by outside organizations - and presents the relevant information to you. The MCSC is not offering these funding opportunities directly. 

 
   
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES  

 

Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation

 

The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation (CWF) is a tax-exempt, private foundation governed by a board of directors that represent populations in the Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge school-districts. Non-profit organizations in the CWF service area are eligible for grant funding, with priority given to programs that help residents eat better, move more, avoid unhealthy substances, and connect with others in healthy ways. An additional funding focus for the CWF is programs that target youth, young adults, and young families.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 5, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/15IkZsX.



Carol M. White Physical Education Grants Program

  

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations to initiate, expand, and improve physical education for students in grades K-12. Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting state physical education standards.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 12, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://1.usa.gov/ZDxulQ.


 

Snapdragon Book Foundation Grants

  

The Snapdragon Book Foundation was started in December 2008 to provide funds to improve school libraries for disadvantaged children. Founded by a former school librarian, this foundation exists to put books in the hands of kids. In a time when many schools are reallocating their funds to technology and audiovisual equipment, we hope to make sure that school libraries are still offering children good books to read.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/16ma34M.



The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Academic Enrichment Grant

 

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation is seeking proposals through their Academic Enrichment Grant Program that foster understanding, deepen students' knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them. The Academic Enrichment Grants provide funding for programs that nurture the intellectual, artistic and creative abilities of children from low-income households through in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. Grants in amounts up to $10,000 per year are available for a maximum of three years provided the eligibility requirements continue to be met.  

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/WKVVzi.
 

 

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation Teacher Development Grant

 

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation believes that continuous, insightful and innovative professional training and growth is crucial to the effectiveness of educators. As such, the Foundation is seeking proposals in their Teacher Development Grant program that provide funding to individuals or small teams of teachers for the formation and implementation of groundbreaking K-12 classroom instruction. The Foundation awards grants in amounts up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of three years, provided the eligibility requirements continue to be met.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit:  http://bit.ly/12EyK8A.

 

 

Building Bridges Grant Program 

 

The purpose of the Building Bridges: Campus Community Engagement grant program is to expand awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Muslim societies through the performing arts. This program will support U.S.-based performing arts organizations interested in building interdisciplinary cross-campus and community collaborations that use the arts and media to highlight the diversity of Muslim populations around the world in order to dispel negative stereotypes and increase cultural understanding. Up to eight grants, ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, will be awarded to designated presenting organizations for colleges or universities.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 24, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/WfvG09.

 

 

ING Unsung Heroes

  

Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung HeroesŪ could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. For more than 15 years, and with nearly $3.8 million in awarded grants, ING Unsung Heroes has proven to be an A+ program with educators. The program's "alumni" have inspired success in the classroom and impacted countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. All K-12 education professionals, whether or not they are clients of ING, are eligible.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 30, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/WVch5H.

   

 

Target Foundation Grants for Arts, Culture & Design

 

The Target Foundation funds in-school arts programs that enhance students' classroom curricula by bringing the arts and cultural experiences to schools. This can include in-school performances, artist-in-residency programs and workshops in schools. Programs must take place between September 2013 and August 2014. Each Arts, Culture & Design in Schools grant is $2,000.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 30, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://tinyurl.com/cdt25kz.      

 

 

Great American NO BULL Challenge  

 

The Great American NO BULL Challenge is the first, student-led national video contest and Teen Video Awards show dedicated to bullying prevention and promoting empathy, respect, and inclusive communities using the power of music and the magic of filmmaking. To enter, middle and high school students between the ages of 13 - 18 need to create a 2-5 minute video or 30-60 second PSA with a digital responsibility or a bullying prevention theme. As a result of the public voting period beginning May 6, the top 50 favorite videos by a panel of expert judges. All 50 nominees will receive a golden ticket to attend the star-studded NO BULL Teen Video Awards show.    

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 30, 2013. For more information about this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/YuZrdj.   

 

 

Fisher House Programs-Newman's Own Awards Grant Program

 

Every day, service members, veterans, and their families rise to the challenge of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while facing the unique trials that comes with having dedicated their lives in service to our nation. These families often face long deployments and separation, and many must cope with the long-term effects associated with service. Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation, And Military Times (Gannett Government Media Corporation) join together in presenting $100,000 in grants to the most creative military quality of life improvement plans.

 

The deadline to submit applications is May 1, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/10DlNAs.

 

 

Saginaw Community Foundation-YWCA Fund for Women & Girls Program

 

The Saginaw Community Foundation provides support for a wide variety of programs and purposes benefiting the citizens and communities of Saginaw County, Michigan. The sponsor's areas of interest are: arts, education, health, civic improvement, human services, environment, and youth. Their supplemental program, the YWCA grant program, focuses on the physical, mental, and educational needs or women and girls in the community.

 

The deadline to submit applications is May 1, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit http://bit.ly/12aGO3z.

 

 

State Farm Youth Advisory Board Service-Learning Grants

 

If you're organization or school has a great idea for a service-learning project that will impact student achievement in YOUR community, apply for a State Farm Youth Advisory Board Service-Learning Grant. The grants range in size from $25,000-$100,000, and must address the root cause of one of the following issue areas: access to higher education/ closing the achievement gap, financial literacy (and economic inclusion), community safety and natural disaster preparedness, social health & wellness issues, and environmental responsibility.

 

The deadline to submit applications is May 3, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/XWGHX3.

 

 

The Gerber Foundation

 

As the birthplace of the Gerber Foundation, a small pool of funding is available for grants in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties in west Michigan. Grants are geared towards projects serving youth ages 0 to 18. A special emphasis is placed on projects focused on dental and health issues, early childhood education, parenting education, and math, science and technology education.

 

The deadline to submit applications is May 15, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/Y5DQMj.


 

Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants

 

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:

  • Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
  • Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
  • Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

The deadline to submit applications is May 23, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/wMLHAn.

 

 

Amway's Who Cares Challenge: Youth Leadership Contest

 

Amway will honor 10 youth change-makers in the United States and Canada. The contest is open to youth ages 13 - 22. Applicants will be narrowed down through public voting to a group of 100 entries. Charity partner Free The Children will then select 10 winners to receive $10,000 each to give to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Five grand prize winners from among those 10 will also receive a trip for themselves and a companion to Free The Children's next We Day youth empowerment event in Minnesota on October 8, 2013.    

 

The deadline to submit applications is June 5, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/14zbzSX.    

 

 

Champion Creatively Alive Children Creative Leadership Grants 2013

 

Champion Creatively Alive Children (R) grant opportunity program provides grants for innovative, creative leadership team building within elementary schools. Apply now for the opportunity to receive a grant for your school. Each grant-winning school (up to 20 grants awarded) receives $2,500 and Crayola products valued at $1,000.  

 

The deadline to submit applications is June 21, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/W7U8G0.

 

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Grants

   

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and provides a number of grant programs in Michigan. BCBSM Foundation grant programs are conducted in Michigan, by Michigan researchers and non-profit community organizations to increase access, address critical public health issues, improve the quality of care, and enhance efficiency. Through the Community Health Matching Program, we encourage community-based nonprofit organizations to develop, test or validate new approaches that address community health problems.

 

The deadline to submit applications is rolling. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/10wRdEF.

 

 

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants

 

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation makes grants to organizations that embrace a similar mission of creating communities, systems, and nations in which all children have an equitable and promising future; one in which all children thrive. Their grants fund programs and projects that support children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.

 

The deadline to submit applications is rolling. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/83AuvO. 

 
 
SCHOLARSHIP/AWARD OPPORTUNITIES  
 

Peace First Prize  

 

Are you a young person who's taken action to make your school or community more peaceful? Do you know a young person who's taken personal risks to stand up for their beliefs? Who's rallied others to make a difference? Now is your chance to celebrate the powerful contributions of peacemakers by nominating them for the Peace First Prize. The Prize will recognize young people between the ages of 8-22 for their compassion, courage and ability to create collaborative change. Through a two-year $50,000 Peace First Fellowship, the Peace First Prize will invest in their leadership as peacemakers and share their stories with the nation.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 12, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/XeBdp6  

 

 

Do Something Awards

  

DoSomething.org is the country's largest nonprofit for young people and social change. Since 1996, they have been honoring the nation's best young world-changers, 25 and under. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. In 2013 five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast.

 

The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2013 by 5 pm EST. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://dsorg.us/RojII.


The Power of Children Awards

The Power of Children Awards: Making a Difference is an annual event to honor and further empower youth, in grades 6-11, who have made a significant impact on the lives of others, demonstrated selflessness, and exhibited a commitment to service and the betterment of society.  Each award recipient will receive a $2,000 grant to continue his or her extraordinary work, a four-year post-secondary scholarship to a participating institution of higher learning, recognition in the museum's The Power of Children exhibit for at least one year, and honor and recognition during a special awards event on Nov. 1, 2013, at The Children's Museum.

The deadline to submit applications is April 30, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/Yeu5bR


Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Nominees, who may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, must have been the prime mover of a service activity, and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing their goals. Nominees must be nominated by adults who are not related to the nominee. Winners of the Barron Prize receive $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project and several other benefits.

The deadline to submit nominations is April 30, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/edhitj.      
 

    
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Volunteer MICHIGAN is a signature program of the Michigan Community Service Commission, whose mission is to provide vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.
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