The Florida College Access Network (FCAN) is a collaborative network committed to ensuring all Floridians have the opportunity to achieve an education beyond high school so they can prosper in Florida’s dynamic economy. From its evolution as ENLACE Florida to FCAN in 2012, Helios and FCAN have partnered together to improve college access and completion for all Floridians. Together, both organizations have sought strategies and policies to increase the postsecondary attainment rates in Florida.

The goal of this brief is to outline local and statewide efforts that engage community members toward degree completion aligned to projected workforce needs. It is our hope that legislators, leaders at institutions of higher education, community organizations, and other groups focused on workforce needs and postsecondary attainment use this brief to learn best practices that leverage collective impact to align community resources behind enhanced economic mobility and job growth.

More Information

View Full Report

Constellation is inviting applications for its E2 Energy to Educate Grants program, which offers students from grade six through college opportunities to help problem-solve today’s and tomorrow’s energy challenges.

Through the program, grants of up to $25,000 (grades 6 through 12) or $50,000 (colleges and universities) will be awarded to projects that reach at least a hundred students and that are aligned with Constellation’s Energy to Educate Innovation Themes. Themes identified by the company that are eligible for support include:

Smart Home — How will new technologies and artificial intelligence transform home energy usage in the future? More and more, homes are generating their own electricity and interactive technology is becoming a part of our daily lives. Sample topics include onsite generation, smart home energy tech, voice and gesture interfaces, and home energy data.

Electrification — What will the future of transportation look like? New technologies are poised to power us into a cleaner energy future. Sample topics include electric vehicles, electric buses, electric charging infrastructure, and fuel conversions.

Clean Energy & Zero Waste — How do we understand which energy sources and choices will have the greatest impact on our collective and individual carbon footprint? What if we could harness and store energy that would otherwise be wasted? Sample topics include low-carbon energy, clean energy sources, waste to energy, biomass, energy storage, and fuel cells.

See the Constellation website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and information about previous grant awardees.

Deadline: October 1, 2019

Learn more and apply: https://www.constellation.com/community/e2-energy-to-educate.html

When editorial cartoonist Herb Block died in October 2001, he left $50 million and instructions to create a foundation that would encourage the art of editorial cartooning and support charitable and educational programs that help promote and support the causes he championed during his seventy-two years of cartooning. As such, the Herb Block Foundation is committed to defending basic freedoms, combating all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and improving the condition of the poor and underprivileged.

To advance this mission, the foundation is inviting applications for its Defending Basic Freedoms program. Through the program, grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded for projects aimed at safeguarding the basic freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, eliminating all forms of prejudice and discrimination, and helping government agencies be more accountable to the public.

To be eligible, applicants must be tax exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Letters of Intent are due October 3. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by December 12, 2019.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Herb Block Foundation.

Deadline: October 3, 2019 (Letters of Intent)

Learn more and apply: https://www.herbblockfoundation.org/grant-programs/defending-basic-freedoms

The Impact Fund provides grants to nonprofit legal services firms, private attorneys, and/or small law firms working to advance social justice.

To that end, the fund will award grants of up to $50,000 to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and/or small law firms seeking to advance justice in the areas of civil and human rights, environmental justice, and/or poverty law. Most grants range between $10,000 and $25,000 and are awarded for a particular case; occasionally, the fund will support a series of cases bound by a common strategy. Most grants are for class actions, but multi-plaintiff and environmental justice cases that aim to significantly affect a larger system are encouraged.

Impact Fund grants may be used for out-of-pocket litigation expenses such as expert fees and discovery costs but not for attorney’s fees, staff, or other overhead.

For the 2019 grant cycle, Letters of Interest must be received no later than October 8. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by November 5, 2019.

See the Impact Fund website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: October 8, 2019 (Letters of Interest)

Learn more and apply: https://www.impactfund.org/about-legal-case-grants/

The Karma for Cara Foundation was established by 21-year-old Cara Becker and her family while Cara was being treated for leukemia. Created in Cara’s hospital room, what began as a couple of blood drives grew quickly, and the foundation now supports young citizen leaders nationwide.

To that end, the foundation is inviting applications for its micro-grant program. Through the program, grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to students 18 years of age and under to complete a project that benefits their communities. Grants are intended to serve as a bridge between ideas and action, helping young citizen leaders execute and magnify their initiatives to help repair the world. Examples of fundable projects include transforming a vacant lot into a community garden, rebuilding a school playground, or helping senior citizens ready their home for winter.

The foundation requests that applicants applying on behalf of an entire class or student group designate a maximum of three student leaders to be the main points of contact for the project.

To be eligible, all students participating in the project must be 18 years of age or younger.

See the Karma for Cara website for compete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: October 1, 2019

Learn more and apply: http://karmaforcara.org/apply-for-a-microgrant/

The Clif Bar Family Foundation was established in 2006 to support grassroots groups that have an inspiring idea and limited funds.

To that end, the foundation is inviting applications for its Small Grants program. Through the program, grants will be awarded in support of mission-driven organizations and/or projects that protect Earth’s beauty and bounty; help create robust, healthy food systems; increase opportunities for outdoor activity; reduce environmental health hazards; and build stronger communities.

Funds are awarded for general organizational support as well as for specific projects.

To be eligible, applicants must be based in the U.S. and be tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or have a fiscal sponsor with such status).

See the Clif Bar Family Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: October 1, 2019

Learn more and apply: http://clifbarfamilyfoundation.org/Grants-Programs/Small-Grants

Since 1881, the American Association of University Women has worked nationally to improve the lives of millions of women and their families.

The organization currently is inviting applications for its American Fellowships program. Through the program, grants will be awarded to women scholars who are completing dissertations, planning research leave from accredited institutions, or preparing research for publication. Three categories of awards are supported through the program and are open to women scholars in all fields of study.

American Dissertation Fellowships — Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to offset a scholar’s living expenses while she completes her dissertation. Fellowships are open to applicants in all fields of study, and women scholars engaged in STEM fields or researching gender issues are especially encouraged to apply. Fellowships must be used for the final year of dissertation writing, and applicants must have completed all course work, passed all preliminary examinations, and received approval for their research proposals or plans by November 1, 2019. The doctoral degree/dissertation must be completed between April 1 and June 30, 2021, and degree conferral must be between April 1 and September 15, 2021.

American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships — Grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded to assist scholars in obtaining tenure and other promotions by enabling them to spend a year pursuing independent research. Fellowship applicants must hold a doctorate classified as a research degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DBA, DM) or an MFA at the time of application. Tenured professors are not eligible to apply.

American Short-Term Research Publication Grants — Grants of up to $6,000 will be awarded to women college and university faculty preparing research for publication. Grants are awarded to both tenure-track and part-time faculty, as well as new and established researchers, and are designed to assist candidates in obtaining tenure and other promotions. Activities undertaken during the grant period may include drafting, editing, or modifying manuscripts; replicating research components; responding to issues raised through critical review; and other initiatives that increase the likelihood of publication. Applicants must hold a PhD, EdD, DBA, MFA, JD, MD, DMD, DVM, DSW, or MPH at the time of application. Tenured professors are not eligible to apply.

See the American Association of University Women website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and a list of previous awardees.

Deadline: November 1, 2019

Learn more and apply: https://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards/american-fellowships/

Named for its founder, Gary Knisely, and his wife, Varian, the GKV Foundation supports individual development and related community impact through the visual arts, music, and dance.

To that end, the foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for its New Arts Education Initiatives program. The foundation is interested in programs and initiatives on the wish lists of established not-for-profits; big ideas that have not been funded and, as a consequence, are still untested; something untried but with exciting possibilities; and programs that are an extension of a current program into a new area or that include a creative but impactful new wrinkle. The foundation has previously funded projects that support artistic growth for all age groups. The ideal grant size as identified by the foundation ranges between $15,000 and $50,000.

To be eligible, applicants must be a not-for-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be fiscally sponsored by an organization with such status; have been in operation for at least five years; and be located within a five-hour drive of the New York City metro area.

Letters of Interest are due October 1. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by December 1, 2019.

See the GKV Foundation website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and LOI examples.

Deadline: October 1, 2019

Learn more and apply: https://gkvfoundationorg.wordpress.com/submission-process/

Accurate census data is essential for the fair distribution of political representation and the equitable distribution of resources. Census data also allows for the planning and decision-making for all sectors. Although philanthropy can’t and shouldn’t supplant the government’s responsibility to conduct a proper census, funder engagement in support of the constitutionally required count is more important than ever. The Mayor has allocated $975,000 in FY20 budget to fund the Philly Counts 2020 office and operating costs. The Philly Counts 2020 Office is a unit within the Managing Director’s Office in the City of Philadelphia.

Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia and Philly Counts 2020 have partnered to launch The Philly Counts 2020 Action Fund. The Action Fund seeks to ensure Philadelphia communities receive their fair share of federal dollars and representation as a result of a complete count of all Philadelphians. The Action Fund has announced a grant opportunity for Philadelphia organizations seeking to promote and support a fair and accurate count in the 2020 United States Census.

Click here for more information and to apply.

2019-2020 marks the 100^th anniversary since the passage and ratification of the 19^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution which articulated that, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The 19^th amendment was the result of centuries of activism and contributions from many social movements to ensure through the highest law of the land a “right through which all other rights could be secured.” But as suffragist leader Frances Harper observed in 1893, “I do not think the mere extension of the ballot a panacea for all the ills of our national life. What we need to-day is not simply more voters, but better voters.” Indeed, despite the passage of the 19^th amendment, women of color did not gain their right to vote until 1964, and some suffragist participation also went hand-in-hand with problematic racism.

Although there have been many advancements since the passage of the 19^th amendment, there is much to be done to improve the status of women, including among other things: ending sex-based discrimination, improving maternal mortality rates for black women, ensuring equal pay for equal work, increasing protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and addressing challenges faced by veterans and those who live in poverty.

Kearstin Kimm, a senior Computer Science major at James Madison University, spent her summer as a Democracy Fellow at the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement researching the history of women’s rights in what we now know as the United States and the 19th amendment. Using her knowledge and technical expertise, she created this comprehensive timeline beginning in 1619 up to present day. The timeline includes entries related to progress and challenges to the status of women, with photos and links to primary source documents.

Do you have a suggestion for an entry? Send it to Kearstin at kimmks@dukes.jmu.edu.

Requirements and details

• Start date is in October
• 12 month position
• Stipend of approx $16,534/year
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
• Previous successful completion of a National Service or Peace Corps term is required

Learn more and apply now:http://bit.ly/SummerVISTALeader.

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) – reading, writing, and math
  
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
  

• Residents must be 16 or older
  
• Residents must attend an intake session.