Michigan Humanities Council, Underwriting Grants

Arts & Humanities Touring Program Grants (up to 40% of expenses or $3,000)

Michigan’s Arts & Humanities Touring Directory represents 204 of our state’s most talented performing and visual artists and humanities presenters. It provides schools, libraries, museums, civic and service groups, festival organizers, and other Michigan nonprofits a wide variety of cultural programming in the fields of dance, music, storytelling, theater, and traditional and visual arts. The Touring Program grants are available to nonprofit organizations who may request up to 40 percent of presenters’/exhibitors’ fees and travel expenses. Request for a grant may not exceed $3,000 per application, and an organization may not submit more than four grant applications or request more than $4,000 in a fiscal year. Applications are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

As of January 28, 2010, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for programs April 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010. Funding is pending approval by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Deadline: Grants are first come-first served until funding is exhausted.

Questions? Contact Phyllis Rathbun at 517-372-7770.

Scenic Byways Grants Available, Due April 16

Federal highway has announced the availability of scenic byway grants for the next funding cycle. The picture shown is an underground water tank GFA designed along a scenic heritage route in Peninsula Township.

Expected Number of Awards: 150
Estimated Total Program Funding: $40,000,000
CFDA Number(s): 20.205 -- Highway Planning and Construction
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Eligible Applicants
County governments
City or township governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Individuals

Additional Information on Eligibility:
Federal agencies, local units of government, and nonprofit organizations may apply to this program, but they must coordinate their applications with their State Departments of Transportation (DOT). The formal applications to FHWA are submitted by the State DOTs, and the projects are generally managed by the cognizant State DOT. Indian tribe governments have the option of submitting byway grant applications through the State or directly to the FHWA Division office in their State.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued the FY 2010 solicitation for proposals under the National Scenic Byways Program. Under this program, the Secretary of Transportation may make grants to States or Indian tribes to implement projects on roads designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Indian tribe scenic byways. The Secretary may also make grants to States or Indian tribes to plan, design and develop a scenic byways program. Eligible projects must be from one of the following eight eligible activities:
State or Indian tribe Scenic Byway Programs,
Corridor Management Plans,
Safety Improvements,
Byways Facilities,
Access to Recreation,
Resource Protection,
Interpretive Information,
or Marketing.

FHWA will continue to be more strategic in its FY 2010 National Scenic Byways Program grant awards process by targeting its resources toward projects that provide the greatest benefits. FHWA is particularly focusing on projects that place additional emphasis on livability, or with demonstrated benefits for the byway traveler and invites the application of large-scale, high-cost projects that provide strategic benefits to the byway. The Federal share of the byway project grant is 80 percent.

Contact us for more information!

Rural Firefighter Assistance Grants, Due April 30

Current Closing Date for Applications: Apr 30, 2010

Estimated Total Program Funding: $7,000,000
Award Ceiling: $20,000
Award Floor: $0
CFDA Number(s): 15.242 -- National Fire Plan - Rural Fire Assistance
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Eligible Applicants
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Agency Name
Department of the Interior
Description
To implement the National Fire Plan by increasing firefighter safety and enhancing the knowledge and fire protection capability of rural and volunteer fire departments by providing basic wildland firefighting supplies and equipment.

Contact us for more information!

Building Health Communities Grants, NOIs Due Friday

Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Elementary Schools and Community Partners

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is currently soliciting grant proposals from Michigan elementary schools and community partners to address the root causes of childhood obesity through prevention and collaboration. The Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Elementary Schools and Community Partners grant program will provide funding for healthy physical activity and nutrition programs during the 2010-2011 school year.

We have developed a "toolbox" of proven resources and activities that promote awareness of good nutrition and the benefits of physical activity. Using the toolbox, schools and community partners can help students become more physically active and healthier.

The toolbox consists of seven elements. Four of the elements are mandatory. They must be must included in any proposal that we consider for funding. You can also increase your chances for funding by including one or more of the optional elements in your proposal.

Schools also may propose to engage parents and community partners through either or both:
Parent education to complement student learning
Community assessments
Communities that have completed a Promoting Active Communities assessment between January 2007 and February 2010 may propose to implement one recommendation from the assessment.

Grant details, forms and applications
E-mail our Social Mission staff with questions you have about the grant elements or application process. Include your contact information.
Applicants must meet all requirements in the request for proposals (PDF).
The required Building Healthy Communities grant applications and forms are available below. You can type the required information into the applications.
School application (PDF)
Community application (PDF)
Conditions of grant (PDF) Late or incomplete proposals will not be considered for funding.
Complete the Notice of Intent to Apply form no later than Feb. 12, 2010. Submitting the form by the deadline is a condition of funding eligibility, but does not obligate your organization to apply for a grant.

Submit complete proposal. To be eligible for consideration, your proposal must meet all RFP requirements and the following deadlines. Sunday, March 14, 2010: Full grant proposal must be submitted online by midnight. All completed forms and attachments must be sent in a single e-mail to our Social Mission staff at buildhealth2010@bcbsm.com. Monday, March 15, 2010: A hard copy of the proposal must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2010 and sent to:
Building Healthy Communities Grant Program — MC B718Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan600 E. Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226-2998

Manistee, Muskegon AuSable River Grants, Due Feb 28

MICHIGAN HABITAT IMPROVEMENT FUND PROGRAM GRANTS

Program Objective(s):
To provide funds for projects on the Manistee, Muskegon and AuSable rivers to improve and
enhance fisheries and aquatic resources affected by the operation of Consumers Energy
Company’s hydropower projects. These projects include fisheries habitat restoration and
enhancement, preparing comprehensive river management plans, aquatic studies, fisheries
recreation, water quality improvement and soil erosion control activities on these three rivers.

Criteria:
1. The proposed project must be needed in the area.
2. Degree to which the project meets one of the needs, areas of concern, or
management direction indicated by the river assessments, river management plans,
or Fisheries Division priorities and supported by the project coordinator
3. Length of time the project will provide benefits
4. Impact on future research projects such as enhancement to increase natural
recruitment thereby reducing future costs of stocking
5. Reduction of future expenditures or direct expenditures in a positive manner
6. Size of area that will benefit from the proposed project
7. Proposed project benefits compared to the costs
8. Applicant has made preliminary arrangements with appropriate contractors for
completion of the proposed project.
9. Proposed projects having match funds available will be given preference.

Eligibility:
All units of government, nonprofit organizations, and individuals willing to develop and complete
projects located in the watersheds for the three river systems where the Consumers Energy
Company hydropower projects are located.

Funds available in the fall if applications are accepted for award.

Matching Grants, Wetlands Conservation Due Jul 30

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has announced availability for matching funds. The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. A 1:1 match is required. Research funding is ineligible.

Expected Number of Awards:
50
Estimated Total Program Funding:
$50,000,000
Award Ceiling:
$1,000,000
Award Floor:
$75,001