Youth Services Commission

Chairperson: Keiona R. Miller


Meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month (except June & August) at 7:00pm at the North Plainfield Community Center at 614 Greenbrook Road, 2nd floor. Closed to the public.

Grant Opportunities
Student Learning $2,000 to $25,000 Grant: ING Unsung Heroes for 2010 - For innovative classroom projects. Funder: ING. Eligibility: Full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff with effective projects that improve student learning. Deadline: April 30. Amount: 100 finalists will receive an award of $2,000. From that group, three winners will receive $25,000, $10,000 and $5,000. Contact: www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/CorporateCitizenship/Education/INGUnsungHeroes/index.htm.
$25,000.00 Grant: ING. Funder: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. and National Science Teachers Association. Eligibility: Full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff with effective projects that improve student learning. Deadline: April 30, 2010. Amount: 100 finalists will receive an award of $2,000. From that group, three winners will receive $25,000, $10,000 and $5,000. Contact: www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/CorporateCitizenship/Education/INGUnsungHeroes/index.htm.
Youth-Directed Activist Projects $500.00 MIX IT UP GRANTS PROGRAM Have a great idea about how to challenge social boundaries and bring down the walls that divide your school? We want to help, and, to prove it, we offer $500 grants to support youth-directed programs and projects that address social boundaries in schools or communities. The Mix It Up Grants Program funds small-scale, youth-directed activist projects that focus on identifying, crossing and challenging social boundaries in schools and communities. The projects should be: * Youth Driven * Challenging * Creative * Collaborative * On-Going: * Responsible Funding limitations Due to the high volume of materials that we provide each of the 10,000+ schools that participate in the annual Mix it Up at Lunch Day event, we are unable to provide grant money to support a Mix it Up at Lunch Day event at your school or in your community. Conditions As a recipient of a Mix It Up Grant, you are required to complete and submit a project report within thirty days after your project completion date. In addition to documenting your grant project for our records, your report may also serve as the basis for articles about your efforts in the print and online publications of Mix It Up or other Southern Poverty Law Center materials. Notification Within 8 weeks of receiving your complete application packet, we will let you know in writing if your project will receive a Mix it Up Grant. If your project is selected for funding, we'll send you a grant agreement by e-mail, which you have to complete and return to us by snail mail. Once we receive your agreement form in the mail, we will in turn send you a check within three weeks, along with instructions about the required final project report. Application: To apply, complete the grant application form. Mix it Up Grants are made possible through the generosity of the Southern Poverty Law Center's supporters.
WAL-MART FOUNDATION $1,000 to $5,000 Wal-Mart Foundation – Wal-Mart Store and Sam’s Club Giving Program The Wal-Mart Foundation supports programs and initiatives addressing education, workforce development, economic sustainability, and health and wellness. For health and wellness in particular, the Foundation looks to improve access to healthcare, promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors, and reduce disparities. Grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. Eligible applicants include organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), recognized government entities, volunteer Fire Departments, K-12 Public Schools/Districts, Charter Schools, Colleges, Universities, Private Schools with tax-exempt status, and faith-based organizations. Deadline: Rolling Please contact the Wal-Mart Foundation for more specific grant information and to apply: http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8916.aspx
Wachovia Foundation – Wachovia Community Needs GrantsThe Wachovia Foundation provides Community Needs Grants to support organizations working to improve communities with low- to moderate-income. In particular, the Foundation strives to improve education, community development, and environmental health, ensure access to health and human services, and to bolster civic engagement. Award amounts may vary. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3), have broad community support, and can demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability. Deadline: Rolling Please contact the Wachovia Foundation for more specific grant information and to apply for this funding opportunity: https://www.wachovia.com/foundation/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=93b85ef43a0aa110VgnVCM1000004b0d1872RCRD&vgnextfmt=default
The Prudential Foundation - Prudential Foundation Revitalizing Communities GrantsThe Prudential Foundation promotes sustainable communities by focusing its grant making on education, economic development and civic infrastructure. Examples of funded projects are helping to improve schools, promoting neighborhood activities, and preserving parks and playgrounds. Award amounts vary. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) or agencies that are members of the Federal, or any State, County or local Municipal government. Deadline: Rolling Please contact The Prudential Foundation for more specific grant information and to apply: http://www.prudential.com/view/page/public/12373 SOURCE: The Weekly Insider, July 8, 2009, reporting from the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
State Farm Service-Learning Grants The State Farm Youth Advisory Board plays a leadership role in creating and overseeing a $5 million-a-year State Farm® funded service-learning initiative. The Youth Advisory Board grants funds for student-led service learning projects in the United States and in the Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario provinces of Canada. These grants must address, in a structural way, the issues of environmental responsibility, natural and societal disaster preparedness, driver safety, financial education, and accessing higher education / closing the achievement gap. The number of grants to be awarded will depend on the number and quality of requests received. Grant amounts will vary according to the nature of the proposal and availability of funds. However, at least one service-learning project will be funded in each of the thirteen State Farm zones which include the three provinces in Canada. The minimum grant amount is $25,000 and the maximum grant amount is $100,000. Applicants may request any amount within this range based on the required budget, outlining project expenses. Applications for State Farm's Youth Advisory Board grants are now being accepted through Friday, October 2. Visit www.statefarmyab.com
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (Deadline: April 30) Nominate a young service-learning leader for a $2,500 Barron Prize! The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2010 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit www.barronprize.org
Do Something Seed Grants (Deadline: Ongoing) Are you working to start a community action project or program? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? If you answered, "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Seed Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Seed Grant every week to help young people just like YOU! Do Something Seed Grants are targeted towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started. These grants can be used to jump-start your program or to realize your ideas for the first time. These are grants for all types of community action projects around causes that you care about and are important in your community! Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission.
Do Something Growth Grants (Deadline: Ongoing) Did you create a sustainable community action project, program or organization that you want to grow? Are you looking for funding to take your already successful project to the next level? If you answered "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Growth Grant. We give out a $500 Do Something Growth Grant every week to help young people just like YOU! Do Something Growth Grants are targeted towards projects that are already developed and sustainable. These grants go towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact.Deadlines: Rolling- Apply now! You will be notified whether or not you have won within 2-3 months after submission. www.dosomething.org/grants/growthgrants
Funds for Arts and Reading Programs in Company Communities Nationwide Target Local Store Grants The Target Local Store Grants support nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company's stores are located. (There are currently stores in every state with the exception of Vermont.) Arts grants support programs that enhance students’ classroom curriculum by bringing the arts and cultural experiences to schools, such as in-school performances, artist in residency programs, and workshops in schools. Early Childhood Reading grants support programs that foster a love of reading and encourage young children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families. Grants of $2,000 are provided in both categories. Online applications will be accepted through April 30, 2010. Funding guidelines are available on the company’s website. http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031767
Six Flags Friends Scholarships (Deadline: April 30) DoSomething.org has teamed up with Six Flags Friends to award college scholarships to young leaders who are taking action to make their community a better place. Scholarships will be awarded based on past, current and planned action in the community as well as the applicant's passion, commitment and proven leadership skills. Six winners will receive a $1,500 college scholarships. www.dosomething.org/grants/sixflags/scholarships
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (Deadline: April 30) Nominate a young service-learning leader for a $2,500 Barron Prize! The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2010 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit www.barronprize.org
ING Unsung Heroes (Deadline: April 30) The ING Unsung Heroes awards program recognizes innovative and progressive thinking in education through monetary awards. Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. Eligibility: full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff members with effective projects that improve student learning at an accredited K-12 public or private school. www.ing.com/us/unsungheroes
100 Best Communities for Young People (Deadline: June 1) America's Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation are now seeking entries for the 2010 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. The Alliance and the ING Foundation seek to recognize 100 American cities and towns whose top priority is keeping children in school and helping end the nation's dropout crisis through innovative programs that are addressing everyday challenges facing young people and creating better places for them to live and grow. Winning communities receive ational recognition and media exposure, financial and logistic support to celebrate selection at a local event, commemorative awards to be displayed in the community, exposure to Alliance partner resources and the insights of other winning communities through an innovative online space to exchange ideas, and invitations to exclusive online informational events featuring Alliance partners designed to strengthen local efforts. Interested communities can apply through June 1. www.americaspromise.org/100Best
Habitat for Humanity State Farm Service-Learning Partnership Grants (Deadline: May 15) Service-Learning Partnership grants provide funds for teachers and schools to develop and implement service-learning projects in partnership with their local Habitat affiliate. For the 20010-2011 school year, teachers and local Habitat affiliates can jointly apply for a one-year grant of up to $7,000 to cover educational expenses associated with the service-learning project. www.habitat.org/youthprograms/parent_teacher_leader/grants.aspx
100 Best Communities for Young People (Deadline: June 1) America's Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation are now seeking entries for the 2010 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. The Alliance and the ING Foundation seek to recognize 100 American cities and towns whose top priority is keeping children in school and helping end the nation's dropout crisis through innovative programs that are addressing everyday challenges facing young people and creating better places for them to live and grow. Winning communities receive ational recognition and media exposure, financial and logistic support to celebrate selection at a local event, commemorative awards to be displayed in the community, exposure to Alliance partner resources and the insights of other winning communities through an innovative online space to exchange ideas, and invitations to exclusive online informational events featuring Alliance partners designed to strengthen local efforts. Interested communities can apply through June 1. www.americaspromise.org/100Best
Motorola Foundation Grants (Deadline: Ongoing) Motorola seeks to benefit the communities where it operates around the world, including locations in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. The Motorola Foundation focuses its funding on education, especially programs that support math and science teacher-training programs and charitable organizations that excite young people about these subjects. Other areas of interest include increasing access to communication technology for people in the developing world and supporting communities in areas where the company operates. The Foundation funds programs only in communities where Motorola has a significant presence. Organizations based outside the United States must be located in a country with a Motorola presence and be able to prove charitable status. Applications are accepted online throughout the year. www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Business/Corporate/US-EN/corporate-responsibility/society/community-investment-motorola-foundation-apply-for-a-grant.html
Funds for Charitable Programs in Company Communities State Farm Companies Grants Program The State Farm Companies Grants Program strives to meet the needs of company communities in the U.S. and Canada by supporting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies that focus on safety, community development, or education. The Safe Neighbors grant category focuses on driving safety, home protection, disaster preparedness, and personal financial security. The emphasis of the Strong Neighborhoods category is on affordable housing, home ownership issues, community revitalization, and economic development. The Educational Excellence category targets K-12 teacher development, service-learning programs, and systemic educational reform. Applications are accepted from January 2 through October 31, annually. Online application guidelines are available on the State Farm website.


Commission Roster, Meeting Dates/Times, and Location (Last revised date: 01/19/2010)