Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency

The purpose of the HCV FSS program is to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the HCV program with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS program and this FSS NOFA support the Department's strategic goal of utilizing housing as a platform for improving quality of life by helping HUD-assisted renters increase economic security and self-sufficiency. The FSS program provides critical tools that can be used by communities to help families develop new skills that will lead to economic self-sufficiency. As a result of their participation in the FSS program, many families have achieved stable employment. An FSS program coordinator assures that program participants are linked to the supportive services they need to achieve self-sufficiency. In addition to working directly with families, an FSS Program Coordinator is responsible for building partnership with employers and service providers in the community to help participants obtain jobs and services. FSS Program Coordinators must ensure that the services included in contracts of participation of program participants are provided on a regular, ongoing and satisfactory basis, that participants are fulfilling their responsibilities under the contracts and that FSS escrow accounts are established and properly maintained for eligible families.

Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program

The purpose of the Public and Indian Housing Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators program is to provide grants to public housing agencies (PHAs), tribes/tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), Resident Associations (RAs), and nonprofit organizations (including grassroots, faith-based and other community-based organizations) for the provision of a Service Coordinator to coordinate supportive services and other activities designed to help Public and Indian housing residents attain economic and housing self-sufficiency. This program works to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the Public Housing program with public and private resources, for supportive services and resident empowerment activities. These services should enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency or, in the case of elderly or disabled residents, help improve living conditions and enable residents to age-in-place. A Service Coordinator ensures that program participants are linked to the supportive services they need to achieve self-sufficiency or remain independent. Funds in this program are not allowed to be used for the direct provision of these services. This program is similar to the Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency program (PH FSS), however, the PH FSS program is open only to PHAs and tribes/TDHEs, has a requirement of an escrow account for its participants and provides one-year funding. The ROSS SC program is open to non-profit and Resident Association applicants, provides three-year funding, includes administrative expenses and training as eligible uses of the funds and requires a 25% match by statute. A PHA or tribe may receive grants in both programs. PLEASE NOTE: This program is ONLY to provide SERVICE COORDINATION and is ONLY to serve residents of CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING

Like Minded Network

[from Philanthropy 2173] The Craigslist Foundation unveiled its LikeMinded network - you can check it out here. This is the second launch from the Foundation in 2011 - they launched CraigConnects several weeks ago.

LikeMinded, which is supported by the Knight Foundation and Craigslist Foundation, is a way for people to share their own stories of making a difference in their communities and to connect with their local officials.

CraigConnects is Craig Newmark's 20 year commitment to sharing his work with local organizations and giving others a place to do so as well.

United Way to recruit 100,000

To help schools and communities improve, United Way Worldwide has announced that it plans to recruit one million volunteer readers, tutors, and mentors.

The effort was prompted by a new report, Voices for the Common Good: American Speaks Out on Education, which found that 29 percent of Americans are concerned their children will drop out of school. Based on numerous focus groups and a national telephone survey, the report also found that Americans don't feel the problems of young people and education are confined to public schools. Most people believe that when you improve schools, you improve communities, and instilling values is as important to people as a solid education.

In response to the United Way's campaign, the United Way Women's Leadership Council, a network of nearly 50,000 women in 120 communities across the country, agreed to recruit 100,000 volunteers who will focus on early grade literacy. United Way Worldwide also is recruiting volunteers through its Web site.

"Few issues are as important as the national debate on our education systems, yet the voices of everyday people haven't been part of the conversation," said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "United Way has been listening to the concerns of Americans across the country, and what we're hearing is that they care deeply about the success of the schools and young people in their communities, and they want to be involved."

“3 in 10 Americans Are Worried Their Children Will Drop Out of School.” United Way Worldwide Press Release 3/31/11.

Music grants

The ASCAP Foundation is a publicly supported charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs.

The foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for new 2012 grant funding from nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in music education and talent development programs for aspiring songwriters and composers.

The foundation does not consider requests for general operating or administrative support or annual giving campaigns, capital purposes, endowments, deficit operations, recordings, marketing efforts, or performance and production funding. The foundation does not purchase advertisements, sponsor events, or donate equipment.

The foundation's average grant is between $1,500 and $3,000 and is made on an annual one-time basis.

Grant applications are by invitation only. Applicants must first submit a LOI and then be invited by the ASCAP Foundation to complete and submit a full grant application.

Visit the ASCAP Foundation Web site for complete grant guidelines, application procedures, and the LOI form.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Strategic Planning training - $20

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Foundation Center

Presents

Strategic Planning

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Mt. Lebanon Public Library

This session will look at nonprofit planning for a new economy. The traditional rules of strategic planning still apply but, in some respects, they have been turned on their head by exigencies beyond the control of the nonprofit organization. We will look at models that work and will consider what adjustments in organizational planning might be appropriate, given the changes in the way we engage with donors, clients/constituents and the public. Every organization wants to reach the goals that achieve their mission. This presentation offers a fresh take on planning and strategies based on years of working with nonprofits to enhance their business practices.

Previously a senior consultant with First Side Partners, Matthew Dooley is a consultant and project manager with more than 25 years as a non-profit executive and board member, helping organizations meet the challenges of today. His expertise includes organizational capacity building, short and long-range planning, fundraising and board development. He teaches courses in nonprofit management at CMU and Duquesne Universities, and has served as guest lecturer for The Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management and the Erie Foundation. Matt is also the Managing Director of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.

The cost to attend this program is $20 per person and includes a light continental breakfast. Payment can be made at the door with either cash or a check made payable to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

To register, please call the Foundation Center at 412-622-6277.

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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Foundation Center is a Cooperating Collection of The Foundation Center in New York City.

Women Helping Others Foundation Invites Grant Applications for Programs to Assist Women and Children

[from Philanthropy News Digest]

The WHO (Women Helping Others) Foundation supports grassroots charities that serve the overlooked needs of women and children in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The foundation prioritizes specific projects and programs that address health and social service needs. The foundation recognizes the value of new programs created to respond to changing needs and will consider projects of an original or pioneering nature within an existing organization.

Grant applications are welcome from nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that have been incorporated for at least three years and that have total organizational budgets of $3 million or less.

Preference will be given to organizations that are not dependent on government grants, and those with greater organizational program costs than personnel costs. Organizations that have previously received a WHO Foundation grant should wait three years before applying again.

Grants are not provided to individuals, educational institutions, religious institutions, or governmental agencies, or for endowment campaigns, political causes, or capital campaigns.

Grants will range from $1,000 to $40,000.

Complete funding guidelines, eligibility restrictions, and application procedures are available at the WHO Foundation Web site.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP