New Connections Fund

Posted by on July 14, 2006

Irvine Foundation Accepting Applications for New Connections Fund
Deadline: August 9, 2006

The James Irvine Foundation (<a href="http://www.irvine.org/">http://www.irvine.org/</a>)’s New Connections Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 over one or two years to eligible organizations with projects that fit within the foundation’s core program priorities.

NCF applications are offered only for selected program strategies that lend themselves to a review process that is less extensive than the Irvine Foundation’s invitational grantmaking.

1) Arts: the Artistic Creativity strategy supports projects that involve a collaboration between individual artists and a local arts organization, while the Connection Through Cultural Participation strategy supports small and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations working to broaden, deepen, and diversify participation in their programs.

2) California Perspectives: the Promote Dialogues Between Under-represented Communities and Public Officials strategy supports projects that foster dialogues between people in underrepresented communities and public officials for the dual purpose of improving public officials’ understanding of the interests and concerns of their constituents and facilitating opportunities for people in underrepresented communities to participate in public decision-making.

3) Youth: the College Knowledge for Youth and Their Families strategy supports community-based organizations working to expand the awareness and knowledge of low-income youth and their families about college opportunities, with a priority on first-generation college-going youth.

To be considered for a grant from the New Connections Fund, an organization must meet all of the following requirements: have 501(c)(3) status or an established relationship with an approved fiscal sponsor; have a California focus; generate no more than 50 percent of its revenue from government sources; have annual revenue of at least $100,000; request a grant amount totaling no more than $50,000 or 10 percent of its annual organizational budget; and have no active grant or outstanding reports due to the foundation.

Visit the Irvine Foundation’s Web site for complete program guidelines, application procedures, and an FAQ.

RFP Link: <a href="http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10003137/irvine">http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10003137/irvine</a>

For additional RFPs in Arts and Culture, visit: <a href="http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_arts.jhtml">http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_arts.jhtml</a>