August 2023 Resources | LOR Foundation

August 2023 Resources

Each month LOR sends a curated list of funding opportunities and other resources relevant for small rural communities in the Mountain West. To receive a link to our monthly resources guide, drop us a line to connect@lorfoundation.org.

Funding Opportunities

AUGUST DEADLINES

The National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program provides up to $3.5 million in funding to integrate technology in STEM education. Projects led by schools, local governments, and nonprofits that engage students in technology-rich learning, address the needs of historically underserved groups, motivate students to pursue technology careers, and promote collaboration are eligible for funding ranging from $100,000 to $3.5 million.
Deadline: Aug. 11

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice’s Small Grants program provides grassroots groups working to address environmental threats and public health issues with grants between $1,000 and $20,000. Funding helps groups by building leadership, increasing capacity, providing training and education, membership outreach, board development, or planning.
Deadline: Aug. 14

The WITH Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are providing grants between $50,000 and $100,000 to nonprofit organizations for projects that improve health and healthcare systems for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in communities of color. Proposals can include implementing new models of care, the creation of educational resources, advocacy efforts, or research and should foster partnerships between organizations, including primary care providers.
Deadline: Aug. 15

The Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs initiative aims to make place-based investments in regions to help them accelerate business growth and workforce development in industries such as computing, alternative energy technology, semiconductor development, and disaster prevention. The Tech Hubs competition is being run in two phases and is available to academia, private sector, government, federal labs, and unions, among others. During Phase 1, EDA will designate Tech Hubs and provide Strategy Development Grants up to $500,000. Strategy Development Grants will assist regions in planning for their advanced technology futures and make them eligible for a potential for Phase 2 implementation grant.
Deadline: Aug. 15 

The Library of Congress’s Community Collections Grant offers organizations $50,000 to individuals and nonprofit organizations to conduct contemporary cultural field research. Community-based projects that advance cultural documentation, such as interviews with community members and audio-visual recordings of cultural activity are eligible for funding. The Library of Congress will archive the collections from grant projects, expanding its representation and inclusion of contemporary cultural expressions and traditions.
Deadline: Aug. 18

F5’s STEM Education grant supports increased access to STEM education and career opportunities for girls and women of color by funding nonprofit organizations with unrestricted funding up to $50,000. Programs that increase access, capacity building efforts, and career development in STEM education, the technology sector, and associated careers are eligible for funding.
Deadline: Aug. 18

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Justice Assistance Grant, Local Solicitation, supports local governments’ efforts to fund law enforcement, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment, mental health programs, and other public safety programs. Grants ranging from $15,000 to $150,000, depending on community size and need, are available to local governments.
Deadline: Aug. 24

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is accepting applications for its Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program. Grants of up to $1 million may be used to modify or rehabilitate veterans’ primary residences or provide technical assistance to programs providing those services.
Deadline: Aug. 31

The International Mountain Bike Association Trail Accelerator Grant provides $5,000 to $30,000 in in-kind professional trail planning and consultation services from the IMBA Trail Solutions team. The grant, which requires a one-to-one cash match, offers awardees professional trail planning and consultation services to launch their trail development efforts, and results in a planning process and documentation for the project. Projects that serve mountain bikers as the primary users are eligible, though multi-purpose human-powered trail uses are also considered. Local, municipal, state, or federal government agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that actively manage parks and trails may apply. Mountain bike clubs and IMBA local partners with the capacity to match and manage a grant of this scale are also eligible.
Deadline: Aug. 31

SEPTEMBER (AND BEYOND) DEADLINES

The Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program is offering grants from $250 to $5,000 to rural places. Funds can be used to support a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural communities across America. Focus areas include business development, community development, education, and telecommunications. Applications are submitted in conjunction with the local member of the National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA), also known as The Rural Broadband Association, which is frequently the landline service provider in an area.
Deadline: Sept. 5

Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Parent-Powered Solutions Fund supports nonprofit organizations and institutions focused on increasing postsecondary success among parents. Organizations and institutions that are supporting parents in completing postsecondary programs, including workforce development, career and technical education, and baccalaureate degree programs, are welcome to apply for awards of $12,500, $25,000, and $50,000. Selected partners will also participate in a yearlong peer-learning cohort.
Deadline: Sept. 8

The Calvin K. Kazanjian Economics Foundation supports efficient and innovative solutions that promote economics, entrepreneurship, and financial education by providing grants between $10,000 and $25,000 to nonprofit organizations. A variety of strategies to support increased access to economics education, in K-12 school settings and beyond, are eligible for funding.
Deadline: Sept. 10

Jewish Helping Hands’ Tikkun Olam Grant Program helps vulnerable populations by supporting grants up to $10,000 to individuals or organizations that advance economic development and social empowerment initiatives. The focus is on projects from groups of all backgrounds and religious affiliations that provide basic necessities, including education, food, shelter, clothing, water, health, and internet access.
Deadline: Sept. 13 (Letter of inquiry); Dec. 5 (Full application)

The Recompete Pilot program from the Economic Development Administration is designed to alleviate persistent economic distress and support long-term comprehensive economic development and job creation in communities with a high employment gap among 25- to 54-year-olds. With $12 million in total funding, approximately 20 nonprofits, local or tribal governments, and institutions of higher education will be awarded grants between $250,000 and $750,000 to implement a strategic planning process to improve economic opportunity in their communities.
Deadline: Oct. 5

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports training and professional development for library professionals and recruitment and retention of the next generation of library professionals. State or local governments, libraries, elementary or secondary schools, and colleges can apply for a total of $8 million in funding (awards range from $50,000 to $1 million) to implement programming to support library professionals.
Deadline: Until funds are expended but no later than March 20, 2024

The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation supports art, education, and outreach programs with grants between $1,000 and $10,000 (usually) to nonprofit organizations. Programs that extend the impact of arts and arts education and promote the arts in schools are eligible for funding.
Deadline: Rolling

STATE-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Colorado  The Boettcher Foundation’s Community Connections and Rural Catalyst Grants support Colorado nonprofits with grants to achieve two key purposes:

  • Community Connections grants often support the construction of buildings with multi-use community space, the co-location of numerous nonprofit or multi-sector partners, or one-time strategic investments that help take a proven initiative or program to the next level. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000. Deadline: Sept. 1
  • Rural Catalyst Grants are designed to strengthen the internal capacity of organizations through the distribution of capacity-building grants for strategic planning, convening, or operating costs, and range from $1,000 to $10,000. Focus areas include affordable rural housing, childcare, hiring and retaining a rural workforce, leadership pipeline and diversification, mental health, and strategic collaboration across a region or multiple communities. Deadline Sept. 1

Colorado The Gates Family Foundation’s Capital Grants program helps nonprofits fund building purchases, construction, expansion, renovation or land acquisition needs. The Foundation makes capital grants in five priority areas: arts and culture, community development, education, parks and recreation, and well-being of children, youth and families. Recent grants range from $500 to $150,000, and organizations must have at least 30 percent of their project budget raised prior to being considered. Deadline: Sept. 1

Colorado The A.V. Hunter Trust supports Colorado nonprofits that provide direct service to Colorado residents in need, including youth, seniors, people with disabilities, or others in crisis with grants up to $10,000. Priority is given to small organizations in rural or underserved communities.
Deadline: Rolling

Colorado The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Direct Effect Awards recognize Colorado nonprofit organizations whose missions align with CHFA’s work to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. Grants are available up to $30,000, with the average award of about $14,000 in prior years.
Deadline: Opens Sept. 1; closes Sept. 29

Idaho and Montana The Ash Grove Cement Company provides capital grants and special project grants up to $25,000 and program grants up to $10,000 for programs that support children and youth, community development, education, health and social services. The grant programs primarily support construction, renovation, repairs, and restoration of facilities.
Deadline: Rolling

New Mexico The New Mexico Public Education Department is accepting applications for two grant programs designed to support the well-being of youth in New Mexico schools.

Resources

Residents for rural areas could be eligible for no-down payment mortgages, guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bankrate has a helpful tool to see if you qualify.

HUD invites local governments to request Thriving Communities technical assistance to align housing and infrastructure investments. HUD has opened applications for local governments to request technical assistance for its Thriving Communities. This funding will help local governments ensure housing needs are considered as part of their larger infrastructure investment plans, with a focus on disadvantaged communities. 

The Addressing Homeless in Rural Communities Guidebook is designed to give community partners, service providers, and other housing stakeholders a look at housing and services resources to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. A summary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and HUD programs are reviewed to include an array of allocations, grants, and loans that offer rental assistance and the development of affordable rental housing for vulnerable tenants, including those experiencing homelessness.

The Greenlights Grant Initiative is a project of the Just Keep Livin Foundation and is designed to help school districts access federal funding to create safer schools. They offer links to grants and grantwriting resources. School districts can request assistance and identify aligned grant opportunities by exploring the website.