AASL Innovative Reading Grant

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the newest addition to its grants and awards program – the AASL Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, the $2,500 grant will support the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for students that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.

"Reading fluency is fundamental to overall student success and achievement," said AASL President Cyndi Phillip. "AASL is proud to offer this new funding opportunity to school library media specialists who teach these essential life skills to their students. The AASL Board of Directors approved the new grant earlier this year and we are looking forward to learning about the winning project at next year's Awards Luncheon."

The grant is designed to fund literacy projects for grades K-9 that promote the importance of reading and facilitate literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice, and policy. The selection committee will look for initiatives based on original ideas and methodology, which showcase innovative ways to motivate and involve students in reading. Projects need to demonstrate potential to positively impact student learning and growth of reading skills. Program proposals submitted must include a timeline, a budget and a statement of purpose, and should have potential for replication.

"Coughlan Publishing is pleased to be sponsoring this important grant with AASL," said Matt Keller, president, Capstone Press. "The importance of literacy instruction cannot be emphasized enough and the role of the school librarian is crucial to a school's success in teaching students reading skills."

Applications and detailed information will be available on the AASL Web site http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards

The Innovative Reading Grant is sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, whose companies include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books and Red Brick Learning.

IRA Presidential Award for Reading and Technology

The International Reading Association (http://www.reading.org) is accepting applications for the Presidential Award for Reading and Technology, an annual award designed to honor educators in grades K-12 or equivalent who are making an outstanding and innovative contribution to the use of technology in reading education. This award is sponsored by PLATO Learning (http://www.plato.com) and presented at the International Reading Association Annual Convention.

The grand prize winner, selected as the best application from across all the eligible regions, will receive a $1,000 prize plus expenses ($2,000 maximum) to attend the IRA Annual Convention.

All entrants must be educators who work directly with students ages 5-18 for all or part of the working day. Educators who work in public, parochial, or private elementary, middle, or high schools in the United States are eligible for the U.S. regional awards. Educators who work with students ages 5-18 in a public or private school in Canada are eligible for the Canadian award. Educators in all other countries, including U.S. Territories and APO schools, are eligible for the international award. All entries are eligible for the grand prize.

Entries incorporating any brand of computers, operating systems, software applications, and other technologies such as TV or video are acceptable. Program information and applications are available at the International Reading Association Web site.
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004020/reading

Target Stores Grants

Through its Store Grants, Target (http://target.com) supports local giving in the categories of Arts, Reading, and Family Violence Prevention.

The program awards Reading grants to schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations, supporting programs such as weekend book clubs, after-school reading programs, and events encouraging family reading time. Arts grants are given to programs that bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for families to participate in cultural experiences, such as school touring programs, field trips to the theater or symphony, or artist residencies and workshops in schools. Family Violence Prevention grants support groups working to make individual homes and entire communities safer, such as child abuse counseling programs and shelters.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, schools, or units of government. Most grants average between $1,000 and $3,000.

Funding is limited to the communities in which Target does business. Because applications will be reviewed as they are received, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Applications for Target Store Grants are available at local Target stores and online through the Target Web site. Visit the Web site for complete program information and application procedures.

http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10001791/target

State Farm Foundation

The State Farm Companies Foundation makes charitable contributions to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Canadian charitable organizations, and educational institutions. The Foundation's philanthropic interests are meeting the needs of their communities by focusing their giving in three areas: education, safety, and community development. Proposals are accepted year-round and are reviewed in a timely manner. However, approval time depends on the requesting amount and completeness of the proposal. Requests exceeding $100,000 are considered quarterly.

For more information contact:
Public Affairs Office
Michigan Operations Center
410 East Drive
Marshall, Michigan 49069-0001
Telephone: (616) 789-5000
http://www.statefarm.com/foundati/cogrants.htm

MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education Minigrant Program

Are you an enthusiastic member of the educational community with innovative, original ideas for programs, events or projects that will enhance your students' classroom experiences? The MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education, a non-profit organization created in 1992 by the MEEMIC Insurance Company offers financial assistance to schools and educators in the form of mini-grants.

For more information, write:
MEEMIC Foundation Mini Grant Program
691 N. Squirrel Rd.
Suite 100
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
Email: foundation@meemic.com
Phone: (248) 375-7535
Fax: (248) 375-7549
http://www.meemic.com/comfndoverCKR.htm

Corning Foundation

Selected public K-12 school districts, community colleges and four-year institutions of higher learning are the consistent beneficiaries of Corning Foundation support.

Corning’s areas of involvement have included community service programs for students, curriculum enrichment, student scholarships, facility improvement and instructional technology projects for the classroom.
http://www.corning.com/inside_corning/foundation.asp

Hasbro Programs for Children Grants

Hasbro Children Foundation grants to support the development and/or expansion of programs for children.
Maximum Award: $500-$35,000
Eligibility: Programs must provide direct services to children under age 13. They must serve children and families who are economically disadvantaged. They must be innovative and provide a model from which others can learn.
Deadline: April
http://www.hasbro.org/default.cfm?page=grantmaking

Staples Foundation for Learning

The mission of Staples Foundation for Learning is to provide funding to programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth.
http://www.staplesfoundation.org/foundapplication.html

McKenzie Foundation

The McKenzie Foundation has selected four initiatives that will shape its grantmaking for the next few years. These are early childhood development, education, the environment, and arts and culture. The Foundation believes that assisting families is one of the most effective and lasting ways to strengthen communities and therefore supports opportunities and experiences that enrich learning for all ages. Also listed under Grants for Nonprofits: children and youth, education, environment and arts.
http://www.mckenziefoundation.us/guidelines.php

Casey Foundation (Annie E.) Support For Public Education

The Annie E. Casey Foundation considers support for public education and disadvantaged children one of its priorities. It is primarily interested in "initiatives that have significant potential to demonstrate innovative policy, service delivery, and community supports for children and families." Collaborative projects that engage parents in school improvement and the academic success of their children are within the foundation’s area of interest. There are no deadlines. The first step in the grant-seeking process is to send the foundation a 2-3 page letter summarizing the proposed project, its goals, a brief history/background of the school, the population to be served, and the amount requested. If the foundation sees potential in the project, it will invite you to write a full proposal.

address:
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Attention: Office of the President
701 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Grant guidelines are also available at the foundation Web site, or from External Resources and Partnerships (ERP) by calling 773/553-2610, or e-mail at: erp@cps.k12.il.us.
http://www.aecf.org

The Janus Foundation

The Janus Foundation accepts grant applications from nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. for the first two giving categories:

• At-risk youth through education
• Community service and volunteerism

Grants will be made to organizations and programs that are considered innovative and visionary, and that have a long lasting impact, ultimately leading their constituents to self-sufficiency. The foundation prefers to support specific programs rather than general operating funds and capital campaigns. Applicants should have clearly defined goals and anticipated outcomes and be able to demonstrate the success of their programs through quantitative and qualitative evaluations. An organization may submit only one grant proposal per calendar year.

All grant proposals must be submitted to:
The Janus Foundation
151 Detroit Street
Denver, CO 80206
Contact Person: Tracy
Contact Phone: 303-333-3863
Contact Email: janusfoundation@janus.com