Grant Opportunities

Nature's Path Gardens for Good Grant (Deadline: May 31)
With the mission to increase organic acreage nationwide and provide every American with access to high quality, healthy and organic food, Nature's Path is launching the "Gardens for Good Grant" organic garden contest with the help of Organic Gardening magazine in which two communities will receive $25,000 value grant package toward starting organic gardens that includes: a $10,000 cash grant to be used to plant an organic garden; $5,000 worth of technical assistance from Organic Gardening magazine; and an organic breakfast fundraising event and garden dedication worth $10,000. This is a one question, 500 words or less, application process. In your essay, please clearly answer the following question: "Tell us about your program, who you serve, and how a garden grant will help you to serve more people." www.justmeans.com/take-action/GardenGrantContest

Garden Crusader Awards (Deadline: June 1)
The annual Garden Crusader Awards program was established to honor individuals who improve the world through gardening and make a difference in their community. Youth are eligible to receive this award. Categories for 2010 are: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Urban Renewal and Restoration. There are five winners for each category: first, second, third, plus two honorable mentions and one grand prize winner, for a total of 21 winners overall. The grand prize winner receives $2,500 in cash + $2,500 gift certificate from Gardener's Supply. First placers receive a $1,000 gift certificate; second placers receive a $750 gift certificate; third placers receive a $500 gift certificate; honorable mentions receive a $200 gift certificate. All prizes are awarded to the winner's organization in his/her name. www.gardeners.com/gardening/content.asp?Copyid=5549 or http://press.gardeners.com/crusaderform.aspx

Graffiti Hurts Grants (Deadline: June 1)
For the fourth year, Keep America Beautiful presents the opportunity to apply for a grant to help reduce graffiti vandalism in cities across America. The Graffiti Hurts® National Grant Program aims to help communities kick-start or add on to a local graffiti prevention program. Grant funds may also be used for a one-time project that has the potential to help reduce graffiti vandalism in the community. Grants of $2,500 are offered in three categories - community under 75,000 population, community between 75,000 and 250,000 population, and community over 250,000 population. The funds must be used for projects that will be initiated in Fall 2010 and completed no later than December 31, 2011. Proposed projects can address graffiti prevention and education, eradication, or enforcement of local anti-graffiti laws. Nonprofits, neighborhood and community organizations, youth groups, government agencies, and others are all eligible to apply. Deadline is June 1, 2010. www.graffitihurts.org/grants.jsp

Learning in the Arts Grants (Deadline: June 10 )
The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Learning in the Arts projects may take place in school-based or community-based settings and should focus on children and youth in the general age range of 5 through 18 years. After-school and summer programs are eligible, as are public and private nonprofits. Maximum grants are $150,000 each.
www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP11/LITA.html

It's Tea Time!!

The 9th Annual “Afternoon Tea”, a fundraiser for the Outreach Learning Center at St Matthew’s will take place on May 27 – June 8, 2010 at St Matthew’s Lutheran Church, located at 403 King Street, across from Marion Square.
The Tea Room is open from 12:00 – 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 – 4:00 on Sundays.
The event will be held during the Spoleto Festival and features daily musical entertainment, an
art exhibit by the Charleston Artist’s Guild, our unique gift boutique and tours of St Matthew’s historic sanctuary. This year’s menu features favorite tea sandwiches and scrumptious homemade desserts with a few new surprises.
Back by popular demand, we will have a satellite tent in the Marion Square among the artist’s tents.


The Afternoon Tea kicks off with a brand new “Afternoon Tea Together” especially designed for
kids, parents, grandparents and friends. We’ll cover the Do's and Dont's of Tea Etiquette together
at this separate ticketed event with a special menu.
Sunday, May 23, Two Seatings: 12:30pm and 3:pm; Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for youth.
For further information, please visit our website at www.connectinghands.org.

Facebook for Your Organization

Tuesday, May 11, 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Main Library, 68 Calhoun St
Want to build a fan page or a group for your organization on Facebook? Find out how at this month's free Small Business & Nonprofit Networking Lunch! Learn the difference between Facebook pages and groups, find out how to painlessly add blog posts and tweets to your account and get tips on how to manage your organization's Facebook activities without it taking over your life. Learn how to advertise your small business or nonprofit on this amazingly popular social media site as well. Registration is not required for this event. Call 805-6930 for more information.