Corporate dollars may be available for your non-profit
While local, private and state funders do all they can to assist non-profit programs that provide much needed community services, the well often runs dry. Programs seeking grant funding may consider reaching out to national corporations that often have community giving or charitable programs.
Changing the World
The Siemens Corporation offers We Can Change the World education grants for grades K through 8 to develop projects that improve the environment in their communities. The deadline for grant applications is in March annually. Teachers must choose the appropriate grade level and register at the website. You can find the website URL in the references section of this article.
Get Connected
AT&T offers grants in varying amounts via its Aspire Program. Annually the corporation gives approximately $100 million in grants to school districts focusing on school retention and preparing students for college or the workforce. Proposals are due in December and are approximately $25,000 each. For more information and to view past recipients, visit the AT&T Aspire website found in the reference section.
Caring for Communities
Bank of America funds Caring for Communities grants that funds a variety of community projects that have the potential to improve the quality of life for its residents. This funder offers an online eligibility quiz that will save you time in the grant seeking process. Those applying must pass the eligibility quiz to go on to apply. To access the quiz, visit the Bank of America community giving website. The website URL can be found in the reference section of this article.
Citi Never Sleeps
The Citi Corporation provides grant programs for economic growth in their Small and Growing Buisness, Financial Education and Asset Building, and Neighborhood Revitalization grants. The company gave more than $899 million in grants in 2008. The Citi Foundation reviews proposals by invitation to organizations that demonstrate significant impact on the communities they serve. To view the particular focus of each granting area visit the foundation's Grant Guidelines page at the URL listed in the resource section of this article.
Home Depot Builds Communities
Home Depot offers small grants of $2,500 each three times a year to non-profits that promote volunteer projects in the community. The application deadlines annually are: March 1, July 1 and November 1 with the notification process taking place approximately one month after application deadlines. To acquire a grant you must apply online at the URL listed in the resource section of this article. Your local Home Depot often gives in-kind grants of materials and supplies for community projects like improving playgrounds and building safety ramps. To apply for a materials grant, visit your locat Hopme Depot and ask the store manager for a local request form.
