USFCR Blog

NSF Allocating Over $68 Million For Highly-Effective STEM Teachers

Jul 1, 2024 2:56:45 PM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants

The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is offering up to $68,000,000 in funding that supports the recruitment, preparation, and retention of highly effective K-12 STEM teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. This program offers four distinct avenues that applicants can choose from:

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Amplify All: Disability Pride Month Grant Opportunities

Jul 1, 2024 2:56:18 PM / by Isaiah Haddon posted in News, Hot Grants

An overview of the celebrations of Disability Pride Month and information on Grants available towards ensuring equal opportunities for all.

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." - Christopher Reeve

The month of July is celebrated as Disability Pride Month, marking the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With aims to uplift the experiences and dreams of those living with disabilities, celebrations seek to encourage love, joy and fair treatment year-round. Both nonprofit and for-profit organizations have stepped up to fill gaps in service for the Disabled community, often in partnership with state or federal funding through grants.

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Implementing Climate Smart Initiatives to Protect the Humanities

Jun 27, 2024 1:15:59 PM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants

[…] Disasters come in all shapes and sizes—fires, hurricanes, economic downturns, droughts, virus outbreaks, terrorism. We can’t predict how long the impact will be felt but we can do much to be ready. […] Disasters stretch the limits of community systems. Communities that recover best are […] those that have invested in social fabric, inter-connectedness, physical and emotional infrastructure, and those that have woven bonds between sectors and between citizens.

Jennifer Cole, Metro Nashville
Arts Commission1

Given the uncertainty of disasters, humanities organizations must have precautionary preparedness plans to ensure that their valuable works are accounted for. Some risk strategies to develop include:

  • Relocating pieces to more structurally-sound areas;
  • Conducting comprehensive structural assessments of the building to determine areas of vulnerability;
  • Training staff to know the plan of action when disasters occur;
  • Prioritizing pieces of most importance; and
  • Ensuring that individuals are not put in harm's way in order to protect their work.2

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USDA Allocating Over $22 Million Towards Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

Jun 6, 2024 9:18:44 AM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants, Grants

The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, also known as the 2501 Program, has recently been released with the goal of enhancing equal access and opportunities for the underserved by encouraging participation in USDA programs related to agriculture and forestry. Under this initiative, the USDA, in partnership with the OPPE, is expected to reward applicants with funding geared towards aiding underserved populations with the ownership and operation of farms and ranches. Funding will also be allocated to projects that aid in the development of underserved youth’s interest in agriculture through education and training.

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The History of Grants: A Multi-Series - Part I - The Money That Built America

Jun 3, 2024 1:28:21 PM / by Cameron Blevins posted in News, Hot Grants, Grants

Since formation, the United States has utilized grants to distribute resources amongst its various states and peoples. From farmers to industrialists, the federal government has pursued a policy of no-strings-attached funding for a variety of projects that serve the national interest. Because of this, grants have taken and will continue to take, many different and unique forms over the years to effectively influence the progression of national goals through for-profit and nonprofit entities. Follow along in this multi-part series, The History of Grants, as we explore some of the most effective and impactful programs that have helped build America, as well as contemporary examples of what we’re doing today to make change happen.

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Reading Grants Effectively: A Guide to Understanding Grant Elements

Jun 3, 2024 1:28:00 PM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants, Grants

“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grant opportunities allow organizations to elevate their current programs so they can channel connections within their communities to provide assistance to their intended populations. However, searching through the plethora of federal, national and foundational databases to identify Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), Request for Proposals (RFPs) or Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) can get tiring if you are unsure what to seek out. 

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Healing Invisible Wounds: Grants for PTSD Awareness Month

Jun 3, 2024 1:27:35 PM / by Daniel Cavins posted in News, Hot Grants, Grants

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month

June marks the start of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. PTSD is a debilitating illness that causes people to repeatedly relive a traumatic event, significantly reducing their quality of life.1,2 Approximately 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and 20% of these individuals will develop PTSD.3 In total, roughly 13 million people in the United States have PTSD in a given year.3 Raising awareness and understanding of this condition is a crucial first step to improving the lives of those affected.

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Prioritizing Animal Welfare, Research & Community Services

May 6, 2024 10:03:42 AM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants

The well-being of domestic animals is of high priority for many. Oftentimes, our beloved companions symbolize more than just a pet and become genuine members of our families. In situations involving domestic violence or intimate partner violence, finding shelters that accommodate pets is a common barrier that survivors face. Over 77 percent of pet-owning adult women have witnessed their pets being physically abused.1 Since most shelters do not allow for the intake of animals, survivors must either forgo checking into a shelter or surrender their pets to animal welfare facilities. Animal welfare facilities are left in need of greater support and equipment to ensure that influx of animals are offered quality care. By spreading awareness of the following grant opportunities, USFCR hopes to help increase the capacity of organizations that facilitate initiatives that benefit animals and enhance their livelihoods. 

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USDA Investing Up to $10.5 Million in Projects Supporting Local Food Systems

Apr 4, 2024 1:59:48 PM / by Daniel Cavins posted in News, Hot Grants

The USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) presents a significant opportunity for entities involved in supporting local food systems. With $10.5 million in funding available, the USDA expects to support approximately 150 projects that focus on the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises.

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USDA is Offering $10.5 Million in Funding To Promote and Expand Farmers Markets

Apr 4, 2024 1:59:41 PM / by Mari Crocitto posted in News, Hot Grants

“When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.”
–Daniel Webster

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is offering approximately $10.5 million in funds to domestic entities owned, operated and located within the 50 U.S. states and its territories that sell their agricultural products at farmers markets. The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), compared to the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), focuses on promoting direct-to-consumer or direct producer-to-institutional activities.  

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