Is your state or region one of the many working to improve emergency alert and communication efforts? Public broadcasting, as a key communicator, can play a major role here, and it is time for more stations to partner with their states on this vital issue. There is a growing interest surrounding emergency alerts and communications in response to a spike in disasters worldwide. From 1999 to 2003, there were an average of 708 disasters per year, nearly double that of the previous five years. With such a dramatic increase in disastrous events comes a growing awareness and need for better preparedness, prevention and mitigation. Public broadcasting stations can play a key role as hosts and conveners of communication during emergencies. 

Stormy Weather for Grants and Funding

Although the Race To The Top District Competition deadline was extended because of Hurricane Sandy, those funds, as well as the Race To The Top Early Learning Challenge funds, will be awarded in December 2012. As the last of FY 2012 funding is obligated, we can turn our attention to FY 2013.

 

In addition to finalizing the FY 2013 budget and addressing budget sequestration, Congress has some general housekeeping issues to address. Senate and House Committees must appoint new Members and reorganize the subcommittee structure. Once committee assignments are decided (probably in January or February), they will begin talks to determine if they will once again try to negotiate the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and other important education legislation.

 

As we wait for these decisions to be made, it's important to look closely at what is moving: the implementation of state flexibility waivers. The U.S. Department of Education has granted 34 states and the District of Columbia flexibility through waivers for certain provisions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and more states are awaiting approval. Approved states must continue to focus on accountability and preparing all students for college and careers. States and districts will need to build capacity to address the requirements that come along with waivers. Stations can be effective partners for these endeavors, so it is essential to continue to build relationships with states and local school districts, even as Congress is delayed.

 

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Ready To Learn Sustainability Awards: CPB's Demonstration Stations are invited to submit proposals for a new round of Sustainability Awards to continue their Ready To Learn efforts. A total of $110,000 will be awarded in grants. Deadline: December 7, 2012.

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program: This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program is designed to help communities understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Grants support activities designed to educate, empower and enable communities to understand the environmental and public health issues, and to identify ways to address these issues at the local level. Up to $1.5m is available for projects. Each grant will be for up to $30,000. In the 2012 competition, 50 projects were funded. Deadline: January 7, 2013.

America's Historical and Cultural Organizations: This National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) program supports museums, libraries, historic places, and other organizations that produce public programs in the humanities. Projects in a variety of formats are supported. Planning awards will range from $40,000 to $75,000, and implementation awards will not exceed $400,000. Deadline: January 9, 2013.

America's Media Makers: With a history of supporting public media projects, this National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) program supports interactive digital media, radio, and film and television projects. An average of four development grants, ranging from $40,000 to $75,000, and six production grants, ranging from $100,000 to $800,000, are expected to be awarded. Deadline: January 9, 2013.

Our Town: Through this program, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will provide grants for creative placemaking projects that contribute to the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Applicants must request a grant amount at one of the following levels: $25,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000, $150,000, or $200,000. Deadline: January 14, 2013.

Museums for America: This Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) program supports projects that strengthen a museum's ability to serve the public more effectively. Grants are available in three categories: Learning Experiences, Community Anchors, and Collections Stewardship. Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000. Deadline: January 15, 2013.

National Leadership Grants: This Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) program seeks to advance the ability of museums, libraries and archives to preserve culture, heritage and knowledge, contribute to building technology infrastructure and information technology services, and provide 21st-century knowledge and skills to current and future generations in support of a world-class workforce. IMLS estimates that grants will be in the range of $50,000 to $500,000. Deadline: January 15, 2013.

National Digital Newspaper Program: Through this program, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is creating a national, digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1836 and 1922, from all the states and U.S. territories. Successful applicants will select newspapers and convert pages into digital files. Cooperative agreements of up to $350,000 each will be awarded in all states and territories. Deadline: January 17, 2013.

Digital Humanities Implementation Grants: This National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) program is designed to fund the implementation of innovative digital humanities projects that have successfully completed a start-up phase and demonstrated their value to the field. Awards will range from $100,000 to $325,000, and NEH estimates that between three and five awards will be made. Deadline: January 23, 2013.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program: From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this program is designed to support private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives as they coordinate and/or provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families in or transitioning to permanent housing. Approximately $300m may be awarded. Each grant will be for up to $2m per year. Deadline: February 1, 2013.

Challenge Grants for Two-Year Colleges: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invites two-year colleges to apply for a grant to strengthen their long-term humanities programs and resources. The maximum amount an applicant can request is $500,000. Deadline: February 20, 2013.

James Irvine Foundation: The Foundation supports education, reporting on issues facing California, and engaging Californians with the arts. Next deadline for arts engagement: December 3, 2012.

Johnson & Johnson Corporate Giving Program: The Foundation is interested in health, including building the skills of community health workers and preventing chronic disease. It also supports disaster relief and is increasingly focusing on disaster preparedness.

Whether you are seeking federal or foundation funding, the Grant Center website, tailored specifically to public media grant seekers, will help you find just what you need. With over 300 funding opportunities, and growing each day, our user-friendly search options help you find the funding opportunity of your choice.

Visit our website. Then, be sure to check back often to see the most recent funding opportunities and news articles. We also encourage you to subscribe to our RSS feed or follow us on Twitter: @aptsgrantcenter.

The Grant Center is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Questions? Please email the Grant Center: grantcenter@apts.org, or visit our website: www.apts.org/grantcenter.