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Mini-grants and Awards

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Civic Engagement

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Youth in Governance


In the first three years of the program, 4-H S.O.S. awarded 132 mini-grants totaling $140,408 to youth-led 4-H groups!

Mini-grants funded projects that offered youth a true learning experience and clearly demonstrated youth involvement in every stage of the service learning cycle: planning, service, reflection, and celebration.

Click to see the
Year 1 (2000-2001)
Year 2 (2001-2002)
Year 3 (2002-2003)
recipients of the 4-H S.O.S. mini-grants!

Unfortunately, with the end of the original Learn and Serve grant that funded 4-H S.O.S., the mini-grant program is temporarily at an end. However, here are several other grant opportunities, as well as a chance for 4-H'ers and leaders of all ages to be recognized for their outstanding service!

P.S. Don't forget to check out the National 4-H Council Web site for grants they may have available!

Note: Grant and award opportunities are listed in order of application deadline.

Grants
Awards

Dollar General Community Grants

The Dollar General Corporation believes that there is no greater gift than giving individuals the ability to empower themselves. Their Community Grants Program focuses on youth literacy initiatives for the simple but important reason that literact is the foundation upon which all education and professional success are built.

Non-profit groups may apply for grants of up to $2500. Applications must be received (not just postmarked) by September 5 or December 5, 2004. For more information and a Community Grants application, visit the Dollar General Web site.


National 4-H Council Youth in Action/Community Tree Planting Grants

The 2004 National 4-H Council Youth in Action/Community Tree Planting Grant will offer youth grants in the amount of $500 - $1750 to 4-H/Extension groups in local communities, in counties, and at the state level. These grants provide opportunities for young people and adults to take action on issues critical to their lives, their families, and their communities. The youth grants program puts resources directly into the hands of youth, and their involvement at all stages is very significant. Youth take the lead in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation, and the evaluation of funded projects. The grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension programs in the U.S. and its territories.

The application deadline is Friday, September 10. For more information, visit http://www.4husablogs.org/ccn/.


State Farm Good Neighbor Service Learning Grants

Youth Service America is pleased to announce the availability of the State Farm Good Neighbor Service Learning Grant to enable youth and educators to bring the benefits of service learning to more people. One hundred grants of $1000 each are available to teachers, youth (ages 5-25), and school-based service learning coordinators to implement service learning projects for National Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2005.

National Youth Service Day, the largest service event in the world, mobilizes youth as leaders to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and service learning, supports youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement, and educates the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.

To apply, take advantage of the on-line application by visiting http://www.ysa.org/awards/partnerag/sf05/overview_parent.cfm. To learn more about National Youth Service Day and find resources to help you develop an outstanding service project and a quality grant application, visit http://www.ysa.org/nysd.

Applications must be received by October 18, 2004.


NEA Youth Leaders for Literacy Grant

Since 2000, the National Education Association (NEA) has awarded grants to student-led initiatives through Youth Leaders for Literacy, a joint program of the NEA and Youth Service America (YSA). The program encourages and celebrates literacy service by America’s young people (ages 5-21) and honors them for doing reading-related activities that benefit others. Youth leadership in developing and implementing a project that begins on NEA’s Read Across America Day in March and culminates on YSA’s National Youth Service Day in April must be evident in grant applications.

Twenty $500 Youth Leaders for Literacy grants will be awarded. Applications are available at http://www.nea.org/readacross and must be postmarked by October 22, 2004. Winners will be announced in December 2004.


Starbucks Foundation Grants

The Starbucks Foundation supports local programs that serve low-income, at-risk youth through its Youth Leadership Grant Program. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 and are given in two areas:

  • Power of Literacy: Programs that stimulate personal development and a commitment to social equity, justice and environmental awareness through writing, literacy and expression in public forums.
  • Leaders in Diversity: Programs that teach the value of societal diversity and develop youth leadership skills to foster understanding between individuals, groups and communities.

Grants will be reviewed December 1, 2004. Find out more information on the Starbucks Web site.


"Room to Grow" Juliana Greenhouse Grant

This grant is sponsored by the National Gardening Association and Juliana, the manufacturer of hobby greenhouses. Schools and community organizations with established youth gardens are invited to apply. Applicants must involve at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 in gardening in 2005. Proposed projects should actively engage youth in greenhouse environment, establish clear teaching and learning goals, and demonstrate need. Fifty selected projects will receive indoor growing equipment and/or materials.

Applications are due December 31, 2004. Visit KidsGardening! for application information. Also find information on other youth gardening grants, with deadlines throughout the year.


Youth Venture
Youth Venture is giving young people (ages 12-20) the opportunity to do something about an issue dear to their hearts. The national nonprofit provides them the tools necessary to start their own clubs, organizations or businesses that give back to their communities. Grant awardees will receive a seed grant of up to $1,000 to start a venture and will be given access to scholarships, awards, special conference invitations, media opportunities and a national network of active young people. Applicants must submit an application, present a plan and meet specific Youth Venture requirements. There is no deadline for application.

For additional information on how to become a Venturer, visit http://www.youthventure.org or e-mail info@youthventure.org.


 

President's Volunteer Service Award
The President's Volunteer Service Award is a Presidential recognition program for Americans of all ages who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer service. The Award is given to individuals, families, and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period. The awards are delivered through a variety of local, state, and national organizations that are registered as "certifying organizations." By registering your organization, you will help the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the outstanding volunteer service of individuals, families, and groups, and thereby encourage others to join the national volunteer service movement. To learn more about the President's Volunteer Service Award and to register as a certifying organization, please visit http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

 


Loudon County STARs (Special Teens Accepting Responsibility) celebrate the end of their successful junior high leadership program,
which was funded through a 4-H S.O.S. mini-grant.

 

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