Just Arrived at the GIC!

Foundations and Public Policy: Leveraging Philanthropic Dollars, Knowledge, and Networks for Greater Impact edited byDr. James M. Ferris, director of The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy

GIC Call #: HV97 A3 F65 2009

Grant Links: May 26, 2009

Eau Claire, WI: Women's fund offering grants (Scroll down to view opportunity)

WI: Specialty Crop Grant Applications are Due By June 30

US: June 1 is deadline for BWAA Chuck Pezzano Scholarship applications

US: USDOT: Now accepting applications for TIGER grants

GIC Receives Friends of UW Libraries Grant

We are delighted to announce that the Grants Information Collection has been selected to receive a collection development grant from the Friends of the UW Libraries.

We will use the graciously given funds to update our print collection, particularly in the areas of nonprofit accountability, management, and benchmarking, as well as the topics of grantseeking and fundraising in difficult economic times.

Please check back to learn about the purchases as they become available for use in the GIC!

Grant Links: May 15, 2009

WI: Grants Available for Forest & Wildland Fire Suppression

WI: Summer Music Institute Scholarships (pdf)

WI: Youth Entrepreneur Camp – Scholarships Available

WI Schools: $1.7 Million Available to Help Homeless Wisconsin Kids, Families

US: CVS Caremark Charitable Trust Grants – Supporting Children with Disabilities

US: Art Directors Club Scholarships

US: American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Innovation Fund

Grant Links: May 8, 2009

Newton, WI: Newton Lions Club offers scholarship (scroll down to view announcement)

WI Tech Colleges: Wisconsin Rural Rehabilitation Scholarship

WI: Wisconsin Library Association Diversity Scholarship

US: 2009 Save America's Treasures Grant Applications Now Available

US: Travelocity Change Ambassador Volunteer Travel Grants

Response to "Non Profit Response to Challenging Economic Times"

Yesterday morning I attended this excellent summit (sponsored by United Way of Dane County) at the Epic Campus outside of Madison. Aimed at nonprofit leaders in Dane County, this half-day event was chuck-full of information and inspiration.

Sure, not everything everyone had to say was what we in the nonprofit community would like to hear. Yes, money is tight -- we all know this. But what I really appreciated about the event, was that it focused on practical strategies for (sure) tightening our belts, (but more significantly) moving forward and even thriving in the now changed landscape:

• Mergers


• Measures and Accountability


• Collaboration


• Boosting Employee Performance


• Lowering Administrative Costs, and


• Effective, Efficient Use of Volunteers

The speakers themselves were excellent as well, though I won't name them all here. And, the Panel Moderator, Neil Heinen of WISC-TV, was a delight as always.

For those of you who were also at the Measures and Accountability breakout group, here are some links to resources you might find helpful:

Logic Model - Comes from UW Extension and focuses on three factors: inputs, outputs, and outcomes.

SMART Criteria - A brief, Wikipedia overview

Writing Measurable Objectives: SMART from the Association of College and Research Libraries

And, for those of you who prefer to cosy-up with a book in hand, you might like to take a look at the following two books available at the Grants Information Collection:

Level Best: How Small and Grassroots Nonprofits Can Tackle Evaluation and Talk Results by Marcia Festen and Marianne Philbin.

Storytelling for Grantseekers: The guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. Clarke

Grant Links: May 1, 2009

Neenah, WI: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation and J. J. Keller Foundation Inc. Scholarships

Sheboygan, WI: Music Club offering two scholarships (Scroll down to view posting)

WI: The Arts Challenge Initiative (ACI) - Minority Program

WI: Jersey Youth Scholarships Now Available

WI: Shamrock Club of Wisconsin (Scroll down to “SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS”)

WI: Wisconsin Council on Children and Families: Announces “What Family Means to Me” college scholarship contest