June 2024 Resources | LOR Foundation

June 2024 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

June Deadlines

The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has an estimated $13,000,000 available for the Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse of Women Later in Life Program. This program will fund approaches to addressing abuse, including domestic violence, neglect, abandonment, and economic abuse against victims aged 50 or older. Eligible applicants include local, state, and tribal governments, and nonprofits. The Department of Justice expects to grant up to 25 awards with average grant sizes of $500,000.
Deadline: June 18

The National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program is funding projects across the United States that connect people to forests. The primary goal is community engagement, with stewardship activities as a secondary focus. Eligible community engagement activities include public lands days or cleanup days, school or collaborative group field trips, outdoor skills training, Indigenous ecological practices, natural resource-related ceremonies or celebrations, trail or site ambassadors, and nature-based therapeutic activities. Projects must occur on U.S. National Forests, Grasslands, or adjacent public lands and benefit National Forest System lands. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, tribal governments and organizations, and universities. A 1:1 cash match of non-federal funds is required, with a suggested grant request of $35,000 or less for new applicants.
Deadline: June 21

The “We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants,” an initiative of Youth Service America, will award up to 100 grants of $1,000 each to organizations, schools, and youth changemakers aged 5 to 25. These grants support youth-led service projects that pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to the tragedy. Projects must engage at least 100 youth volunteers in planning and implementing activities, with 80 percent of volunteers being youth who face systemic barriers to participation.
Deadline: June 23

The Nature’s Path Gardens for Good program is offering $7,500 grants to nonprofits with community garden projects that serve low-income communities, soup kitchens, food banks, emergency pantries, school feeding programs, shelters, or a similar mission. Applicants must be a registered nonprofit organization. In total, 10 grants will be made to nonprofits in the United States and five will be made to nonprofits in Canada.  
Deadline: June 24

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative provides grants to promote safe and responsible off-highway vehicle use, educate the public on recreational land use and wildlife conservation, and protect access to public lands. Grants are available for nonprofit organizations, clubs, associations, public riding areas, and communities committed to preserving outdoor recreational opportunities. Eligible projects include trail development and maintenance, facility renovations, protection of environmentally sensitive areas, public safety education, and wildlife or land management projects. Grant amounts will be based on the total project budget (in 2023, the Outdoor Access Initiative contributed more than $1 million in grants).
Deadlines: June 30, September 30, and December 15

July Deadlines and Beyond

The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award—worth up to $100,00 for the winning organizations—celebrates collaborations between nonprofits and public, private or social sector leaders. Recipients must showcase tangible outcomes of their partnerships, their potential for replication and innovation in tackling social issues, and their alignment with organizational missions and principles. In addition to their award, the winning nonprofit will have a documentary video produced about them.  Additionally, AN award of $75,000 will go to a partnership addressing social challenges across multiple communities or with replication potential. Four recipients will receive an honorable mention award of $50,000. 
Deadline: July 1

The Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards will support mental healthcare solutions for youth by granting five organizations $100,000 in seed funding. Ideal candidates are direct-service organizations with new or piloted projects addressing stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people. Projects should target specific challenges, reduce stigma, increase access to care, promote equity, enable early identification and prevention, or enhance intervention, particularly among disadvantaged populations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with annual revenue under $5 million. Additionally, a leadership learning series will be available for a broader group of applicants.
Deadline: July 8

The US Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention offers funding of up to $850,000 to communities developing approaches for children and families exposed to violence. The grant supports initiatives to build resilience, restore feelings of safety, address emotional wounds, and prevent future violence and delinquency. Funds can be used to enhance support services, reduce the impact of violence on youth and families, and improve the capacity of family-serving organizations to identify and assist at-risk families. The solicitation includes two grant categories: project sites and training and technical assistance, each with specific eligibility criteria. OJJDP plans to award seven grants for project sites and one for training and technical assistance.
Deadline: July 8

The National Endowment for the Arts will award communities that support public engagement with the arts up to $150,000. Programming should promote the health and wellbeing of people and communities and improve the overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. Eligible applicants include city and county governments, school districts, nonprofits, tribal governments, and higher education institutions.
Deadline: July 11

New free health clinics serving people without insurance can apply for up to $25,000 to purchase equipment and instruments necessary for primary care diagnosis and treatment through the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (AAFP). Eligible clinics must have opened or be scheduled to open within six months of the application deadline, have received or be in the process of receiving the NAFC Seal of Excellence, and have an AAFP member actively involved in patient care at the clinic. If funds remain, grants of up to $10,000 will be available for existing clinics.
Deadline: July 15

The Brookdale Foundation Group offers $20,000 grants through their Respite Program to enhance the quality of life for older adults in the United States. This program supports community-based efforts to develop and sustain group respite and early memory loss programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Nonprofits and public agencies can apply for seed grants, along with training and technical assistance, to expand existing services or develop new dementia-specific day programs.
Deadline: July 25

Petco Love provides funding to animal welfare organizations that shelter animals and offer adoption services. Most grants are under $100,000, but larger awards are available for organizations sheltering more than 2,500 animals. Eligible entities include nonprofits, animal control agencies, organizations standing against animal cruelty, and foster-based rescue groups. Funding aims to increase life saving opportunities, reduce animal intake, and provide care for community-owned animals in need.
Deadline: July 31

The Looking Out Foundation offers grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofits addressing challenges in a variety of areas.  Program interests include disadvantaged youth, public health, community development, supporting women, the environment (including environmental education), the arts, human and civil rights, hunger, and homelessness. Organizations are encouraged to request funding for project-specific needs. 
Deadline: August 1

The National Endowment for the Arts’ “Our Town” placemaking grants, offering up to $150,000 per project, are available to nonprofits creating a sense of place in their communities. This project-based funding supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local initiatives to strengthen communities. Eligible projects may include artist residencies, arts festivals, performances, public art, cultural planning, creative asset mapping, and the design of artist spaces, cultural facilities, or public spaces. Projects must involve a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a local government entity, with one partner being a cultural organization. A minimum match equal to the grant amount is required.
Deadline: August 1

Fire departments can apply for grants of up to $25,000 through the Leary Firefighter Foundation’s Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program. These grants can be used for equipment, education, training, and technology for firefighters nationwide. Both paid and volunteer departments are eligible. The program focuses on enhancing professional development through training, providing top-quality equipment to ensure the safety of firefighters and their communities, and updating processes and systems with the latest technology.
Deadline: August 15

The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations offer grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 for projects that foster multi-faith collaborations and interfaith religious literacy. Nonprofits and community-based organizations can receive funding for initiatives that promote cooperation across religious traditions, enhance public knowledge of various religious beliefs and practices, and encourage interfaith cooperation. Priority will be given to proposals focusing on religious literacy through digital media, religious literacy via religious publications, or collaborations between student groups.
Deadline: Aug. 29

The Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All funding opportunity provides grants between $100,000 and $25 million to regional, local, and tribal initiatives for projects that prevent death and serious injury on roads. Eligible activities include developing a safety action plan, planning or executing activities from an existing action plan, applying roadway safety treatments, correcting risks, installing pedestrian safety enhancements, or developing bicycle networks. Federal funding is limited to 80 percent of the project costs, requiring at least a 20 percent match.
Deadline: August 29

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation offers grants for bookmobile programs serving disadvantaged children to ensure they have access to quality books. Grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 are available for purchasing books for children from preschool through grade 8. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations, public libraries, and schools operating lending bookmobiles that serve economically or socially at-risk youth with limited book budgets. The foundation does not provide grants for schools or public libraries outside of bookmobiles; grants are strictly for related book purchases and cannot be used for administrative or operational costs. 
Deadline: September 1

The US Department of Interior’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program has $15 million available for initiatives that offer technical and financial assistance to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitats. PFW staff will collaborate with project partners to identify geographic focus areas and set habitat conservation priorities. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, city, county, and state governments, public housing authorities, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, Native American tribal organizations, individuals, and school districts.
Deadline: September 30

The D’Addario Foundation will award up to $2,500 to nonprofits providing music education. Eligible organizations must offer free or affordable instrument instruction, address a community need, and provide frequent instruction with students participating multiple times per week throughout the year, continuing through their primary and secondary education. Organizations should demonstrate community trust and deliver immersive, long-term music education as part of their youth development programs.
Deadline: October 30

WomensNet offers a variety of grants for women in business, totaling $435,000 annually. Opportunities include the monthly Amber Grant of $10,000, with each winner becoming eligible for an additional year-end grant of $25,000. They also provide a startup grant for businesses in the ideation phase or with minimal sales, and business category grants for under-represented sectors. 
Deadline: Rolling

The ECMC Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 to nonprofits, government entities, colleges, and universities to improve access to higher education for underserved populations. To be considered, programs must remove barriers to post-secondary completion, build the capacity of higher education organizations to better support learners, or transform the post-secondary ecosystem for more equitable outcomes. Grants applications are submitted via an open letter of inquiry process.
Deadline: Rolling

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program offers funding ranging from $500 to $2,000 to nonprofits across the country for educational initiatives that support children. These initiatives should aim to help young people develop into productive community members through one or more of the following strategies: youth development, mentorship, and education.
Deadline: Rolling

Craig Newmark Philanthropies offers support to public charities that align with its mission, focusing on military families, cybersecurity, journalism, and animal rescue. To be eligible, nonprofits should submit the Information Request and Checklist Form, along with proof of charity status and any relevant supporting materials. Recently funded projects have addressed veterans’ services, including food insecurity and mental health. 
Deadline: Rolling

State-Specific Funding Opportunities

Colorado The Anschutz Family Foundation offers grants between $5,000 and $10,000 to organizations that support strong families, community development, as well as programs helping the economically disadvantaged, children and youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Funding can support project-specific activities or general operating efforts. To be eligible, an organization must be a nonprofit (or have independent projects sponsored by a nonprofit), or be a tax-supported entity with activities or programs taking place in Colorado.
Deadline: July 1

Colorado The Innovate Onwards Fund provides up to $500,000 to existing and new businesses across rural Colorado working to rebuild the rural economy. The program offers “Level I” loans of $10,000 to $150,000 for startups or small businesses in rural Colorado, with a 6.5 percent interest rate and deferred payments for the first three months. “Level II” loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for existing businesses with fewer than 100 employees in rural Colorado, featuring a 3.9 percent interest rate and the same deferred payment option.
Deadline: Rolling

Colorado Belonging Colorado, a new initiative of the Denver Foundation, is aimed at fostering unity, resilience, and a broader sense of inclusion throughout Colorado. The program seeks to support innovative community initiatives that promote connections across diverse backgrounds. Community members with creative ideas for enhancing belonging in Colorado are encouraged to apply. Specific funding details and eligibility criteria will be provided after June 11th.
Deadline: July 31

Idaho and Montana The Northern Tier Shelter Initiative, administered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, along with complimentary consultations and training sessions. These resources are available to brick-and-mortar shelters, nonprofit veterinary clinics, and Indigenous communities across seven states, including Montana and Idaho, aiming to improve the well-being of cats and dogs. Funding is intended to facilitate increased access to spay and neuter services, optimize shelter operations, improve veterinary care availability, and promote pet retention initiatives. Eligible expenses may include veterinary equipment, personnel salaries, animal housing infrastructure, sanitation supplies, technology upgrades, subsidized veterinary services, and educational scholarships.
Deadline: Rolling

Montana Montana’s Department of Transportation has $1 million available for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to purchase ambulances, other emergency response vehicles, or related equipment. Grants can also be used for training, communication, or medical care purposes. The annual grant program requires applicants to provide a 10 percent match and maintain EMS licensure. 
Deadline: June 30

New Mexico The Hancock Family Foundation is offering grants up to $5,000 to nonprofits in New Mexico with a focus on education, health, shelters, the arts, and youth. Preference is given to organizations with operating budgets of less than $2 million. This is a statewide grant program open to all counties and nonprofit organizations.
Deadline: June 28

New Mexico New Mexico’s Public Education Department is providing grants of up to $50,000 to enhance outdoor learning and environmental education opportunities for students statewide. Eligible recipients include New Mexico public school districts, state charter schools, consortia of public schools, regional education cooperatives, and individual public schools collaborating with community outdoor learning or environmental organizations. Funding may cover expenses including professional development, equipment, outdoor learning area development, teacher stipends, and partnerships with outdoor education providers to develop new programs.
Deadline: July 19

New Mexico The Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to nonprofit organizations in New Mexico. Funding supports services benefiting low-income and vulnerable populations, including essential needs for children and youth, and programs enhancing the quality of life for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Supported initiatives encompass a wide range of services such as food assistance, housing support, medical care, therapeutic services, transportation, resources for seniors, and early childhood development. Rural nonprofits are encouraged to apply. 
Deadline: Rolling

New Mexico New Mexico’s Agricultural  Workforce Development Program is offering grants that help  agricultural businesses to hire interns. This program aims to foster hands-on educational experiences for students and young farmers and ranchers. Qualified businesses can receive reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the cost of hiring an intern, with a cap of $15,000 per internship. The program supports a range of agricultural fields, from agribusiness and crop production to food safety and machinery maintenance, ensuring a comprehensive learning opportunity for interns.
Deadline: Rolling

New Mexico Groundworks New Mexico is accepting applications for a cohort program for New Mexico nonprofit leaders working in education. The program is seeking applications from people whose work is focused on improving outcomes for children and young people, education, and serving families. This cohort is a pilot project with the goal of learning how the initiative can help other sectors learn and build capacity. Small grants to cover staff time will be provided to the organizations of participating cohort members upon project completion and travel stipends are available for in-person sessions. 
Deadline: June 10

Wyoming The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is inviting applications for the Community Facility Rehabilitation (CFR) grant program, which allocates $2.8 million for cities and towns. The funding is designated to preserve former school facilities as community centers, provided the facilities are listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places or recognized as National Historic Landmarks in communities with populations of less than 1,500. Eligible applicants must be cities or towns that have previously received funding or technical assistance from the WBC for similar preservation efforts before March 22, 2024, and must be prepared to deliver a presentation to WBC staff.
Deadline:  June 15

Resources

The Biden-Harris Administration is looking for nominations from the public for its “Rural Innovators” program. Community members can nominate people in rural communities who are making a positive impact. The nomination form will close on June 14, and selected individuals will be recognized later this year.
Deadline: June 14

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is inviting public input on a plan to make it easier for people in rural areas to access grant funding. Through the “Better Grants Better Service” initiative, USDA Rural Development is gathering and analyzing input from customers, agency staff, and other stakeholders to streamline its more than 30 grant programs into a better customer experience. 

The Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group created the “Thrive Rural Resource Center,” a hub for those committed to rural development. This platform includes research, resources, and case studies from organizations dedicated to equitable rural development. The content is organized into four themes: Health & wellbeing, equity, infrastructure, and jobs and workforce development. 

With support from the LOR Foundation, the Vilicus Institute put together open-source learning resources, including detailed case studies and presentations on four Montana farm and ranch projects designed to improve water conservation on the land. The case studies, “Bringing Back the Water,” highlight four innovative practices related to the use of water in agriculture:

The Virginia Commission for the Arts created a strategic planning workbook—a resource designed specifically for small to mid-sized arts organizations. The workbook is a visual, action-oriented seven-step guide designed to help staff and boards elevate their own arts organization with strategic planning best practices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development division and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) updated their “Stronger Together” guide in English and Spanish. The guide is designed to support rural communities working to boost local economic development.

The Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT) have added new stories to their “Everything Else: Stories of Rural America” website. This ongoing project will amplify local voices in some of the most persistently impoverished places in the U.S. Each story shows how local community members work to make the places they call home livable and more equitable.

New Mexico The Xerces Society is offering New Mexico Pollinator Habitat Restoration Kits to farms, ranches, tribal lands, conservation areas, and public spaces in northern New Mexico this year. These kits feature 98 native, pesticide-free flowering shrubs and perennial wildflowers that offer forage and shelter for pollinators and beneficial insects. Available in upland and riparian versions, each kit contains 14 plants of seven different species. Eligible properties include working lands and conservation areas whose owners or managers are committed to establishing these plants and safeguarding the habitat from pesticides. The kits are not for residential use. Proposal forms are open for submission from April 22 to June 30, and plant distribution will occur in mid-August in Santa Fe.
Deadline: June 30