Monday, March 21, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #66
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

Note: Documents on this page or in this section may be in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. In order to read them, you require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is downloadable free from Adobe.

In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• Freedom, Inc.
• Groundspring
• Alliance for Justice
• Foundation Center
2. Promising Practices
• Nonprofit Media Tour: Free Press Makes Cents!
3. News
• Emphasis on English
• Immigrant Farmers Get Kernels of Wisdom
• Study Dispels Success Myth
• Diversity in Waterville Minorities' Numbers Growing
• Hmong Culture Featured at LP
• Vietnamese Bank Set to Open in California's 'Little Saigon'
• Council Outlines Its Plan for HRC
• Washington County
• Street of New Beginnings
• Conference on Vietnam War Turns to Decision to Normalize Relations
• Hmong Community Pleads for Help on Asian Gang Problem
• New Study Shows Apas to Be a Diverse Community with Plenty of ...
• History Lessons Beyond the Textbook - to Little Saigon
• Show Will Focus on Immigrants' Success Stories
• Hmong Urge Better Relations
4. Funding Opportunities
• SAMHSA
• SAMHSA
• DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities
• United Methodist Church
• National Endowment for the Humanities
• Target Community Giving Program
• The Ms. Foundation for Women
• The World of Children Awards
• The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• Her Circle
5. Resources
• Mediate-Facilitate
• SAMHSA

I. Announcements

Freedom, Inc. (VERB Grassroots Partner)

Candle Light Vigil- In memory of our deported Cambodian Brothers and Sisters

When: March 22, 2005 from 6pm until 6:30pm

Where: Wisconsin State Capitol

We as Freedom, Inc has dedicated the last two year to help bring awareness and educate our community. We will be holding a candle light vigil on this National Day of Action in memory of those who have been deported and their families for the hardships that they endured. We hope you will take the time to come out and support us. Please spread the word to anyone who supports us.

If you have any questions please contact us at (608)661-4088 or e-mail us freedominc608@hotmail.com

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Join trainer Cheryl Gipson in Groundspring's online classroom to learn about effective tools and techniques for online fundraising, Internet outreach, email messaging, Website building, and more! Classes start at just $39!

Link: http://www.groundspring.org/academy/

Link: http://www.groundspring.org/training/national_training.cfm

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The Alliance for Justice Presents

Worry Free Lobbying Online

Want to know what your 501(c)(3) organizations can accomplish but don't have time to attend a training outside of the office?Sit at your desktop in your office or home and join theAlliancefor Justice for a virtual lobbying training.

This one-hour-web-based training will cover the rules for 501(c)(3) lobbying activity, including lobbying limits, definitions of lobbying, and some notable lobbying exceptions.

WHEN: Wednesday March 30th at 2:00 Eastern Time

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO PARTICIPATE: You will need a computer with internet access and working computer speakers in order to participate.Questions will be taken through an online chat mechanism, but not through voice, so you do not need a microphone. Once you've registered, we'll email instructions on how to log in to the training.

COST: $30

REGISTRATION: http://afj.org/

If paying by check or AMEX, register directly with Robin Powers at rpowers@afj.org or 202/822-6070.

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Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course

This one-day course, designed for beginners, shows how your organization can identify potential funders and prepare to seek grants. Using a case study and group exercises, we'll help you assess your organization's fundraising readiness.

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II. Promising Practices

From GuideStar

Nonprofit Media Tour: Free Press Makes Cents!

What is a media tour and how can it positively affect my bottom line? Many years ago, I asked the same question. When our public relations (PR) agency first mentioned this concept, I immediately assumed it was something that authors and actors do to promote their latest creative endeavor! Whatever the term media tour might mean to you, though, in the PR business, it means free money!

Media Tour Defined

A media tour is simply a method for taking your message to a variety of communication outlets with the end result of free placement. For example, if your organization is hosting a food drive in the near future, your best bet for free media coverage might include "pitching" the local city paper to run a story on your event. In this manner, you are assured that a certain percent of readership will not only read the piece but will attend and support the food drive. This process works well for both single or yearly events. The use of a media tour for developing and promoting a brand, however, is quite another process.

Integrated Public Relations (IPR) Whether you employ the services of an outside PR agency or utilize internal talent, the question of how you plan and implement a media tour can vary considerably. In most organizations, PR activities operate as a separate entity or under the umbrella of marketing. By virtue of this separation, the PR department may be in pursuit of unrelated goals. Whatever the functional composition, the question of how PR operates to achieve strategic objectives and provides a measurable return on investment lies in its organization and execution. For these reasons, "integrating" PR into the overall business strategy is crucial.

Read on: http://www.guidestar.org/news/features/media_tour.jsp

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III. News

Emphasis on English
Washington Times
March 13, 2005

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Immigrant Farmers Get Kernels of Wisdom
1108844109921.xml
OregonLive.com
March 15, 2005

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Study Dispels Success Myth
Philippine News Online
March 16, 2005

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Diversity in Waterville Minorities' Numbers Growing
MaineToday.com
March 16, 2005

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Hmong Culture Featured at LP
Mercury-Register
March 16, 2005

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Vietnamese Bank Set to Open in California's 'Little Saigon'
San Jose Mercury News
March 16, 2005

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Council Outlines Its Plan for HRC
New Hope Sun Post
March 17, 2005

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Washington County
Pioneer Press
March 17, 2005

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Street of New Beginnings
0970584110991.xml
OregonLive.com
March 18, 2005

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Conference on Vietnam War Turns to Decision to Normalize Relations
Kansas City Star
March 18, 2005

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Hmong Community Pleads for Help on Asian Gang Problem
KCRA-TV
March 19, 2005

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New Study Shows Apas to Be a Diverse Community with Plenty of ...
Asian Week
March 19, 2005

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History Lessons Beyond the Textbook - to Little Saigon
Pacific News Service
March 19, 2005

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Show Will Focus on Immigrants' Success Stories
Lowell Sun
March 20, 2005

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Hmong Urge Better Relations
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
March 20, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   SAMHSA

   WHO: Faith-based and community-based groups, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, units of state and local government, and others.

   WHAT: The purpose of this grant is to help communities provide direct services and to build the necessary infrastructure to support expanded services for meeting the diverse mental health needs of older persons. The target population of older adults, for the purpose of this program, is defined as persons 60 years and older who are at risk for, or are experiencing mental health problems.

   AWARD AMOUNT: Eleven awards for up to $400,000 each, totaling $4,400,000

   WHEN: Applications Due May 05, 2005

2. (National)
   SAMHSA

   WHO: Faith-based and community-based groups, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, units of state and local government, and others.

   WHAT: This grant is designed to improve treatment and services for all children and adolescents in the United States who have experienced traumatic events. The initiative addresses child trauma issues by creating a national network of grantees that work collaboratively to develop and promote effective community practices for children and adolescents exposed to a wide array of traumatic events.

   AWARD AMOUNT: 13 Awards for up to $400,000, totaling $5,200,000

   WHEN: Applications due May 06, 2005

3. (Washington, DC)
   DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities

   Dear D.C. artists, arts and cultural supporters, and organizations,

   The next deadline for submitting applications for the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities' Folk & Traditional Arts Mini-Grant is April 7th! Help spread the word that the Commission is offering quick response small-scaled grants to D.C. based artists, dancers, musicians, scholars, and organizations practicing or supporting folk traditions.

   The amount of support for the Folk & Traditional Arts Mini-Grant ranges from $500 to $1000 dollars and can be put towards a range of activities, including public programs, performances, lectures, etc. You can obtain more information at the following link:

   A workshop to assist you in preparing your application will be held on March 24, 2005 at 6:00 pm. The workshop will be held at the DC Commission on the Arts Humanities' offices at 410 8th Street, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC.

   No reservation is required.

   Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the application, the grant, or the funding potential of project ideas. Also, if you have ideas for other people or organizations I should contact, please let me know (or feel free to forward this email). We're eager to increase the number of applicants and lend assistance to some of the traditional artists and/or organizations showcasing folk art in D.C.

   We hope to receive your grant application (postmark dates of April 7th are fine too). Thanks in advance for your help spreading the word!

   Sincerely,

   Mary Eckstein
   Folk & Traditional Arts Consultant
   DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities
   202-724-5613

4. (National)
   United Methodist Church

   The United Methodist Church's Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Fund supports projects that are of special concern to women, children, and youth. In 2005, applications will be accepted from national and international groups that fit the theme of "Women Seeking Justice in the Workplace." Half of available funds will be directed towards projects in the U.S. and half will support international projects. In the U.S., the primary focus will be on improving the living wage. Internationally, the focus will be on economic justice. Small-scale, community and church-based programs and projects are supported.

   Deadline: August 15, 2005

5. (National)
   National Endowment for the Humanities

   NEH challenge grants are intended to help institutions and organizations nationwide to secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. Awards are made to museums, public libraries, colleges, research institutions, historical societies and historic sites, public television and radio stations, universities, scholarly associations, state humanities councils, and other nonprofit entities. Challenge grants most commonly augment or establish endowments that support humanities activities in education, public programming, scholarly research, and preservation. Because of the matching requirements, these NEH awards also strengthen the humanities by encouraging nonfederal sources of support.

   Deadlines: May 2 and November 1,2005

6. (Limited, see below)
   Target Community Giving Program

   The Target Community Giving Program supports nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company's stores are located. There are currently stores in every state except Vermont, Alaska, and Hawaii. The company's grants focus on the following three areas: accessible arts for families, family violence prevention, and early childhood reading. Most grants average between $1,000 and $3,000.

   Deadline: between March 1 and May 31, 2005, with early application encouraged.

7. (National)
   The Ms. Foundation for Women

   The Ms. Foundation for Women is a leading advocate for the issues that touch women's lives, from reproductive rights and violence in our communities to gaining access to resources to care for our families' well-being. The Foundation aims to promote a vision of an inclusive American society by strengthening women's voices in progressive movement building through its Democracy Funding Circle.

   Deadline: April 11, 2005

8. (National)
   The World of Children Awards

   The World of Children Awards are designed to honor ordinary people doing extraordinary work on behalf of children. Each year, World of Children, Inc. places a global call for nominations seeking to identify selfless individuals whose unwavering commitment to children makes the world a better place for children to live and succeed. By honoring these individuals, World of Children hopes to raise public awareness of these advocates, their work, and their organizations.

   Three honorees are selected for each of the two categories of lifetime achievement awards: the Kellogg's Child Development Award and the Cardinal Health Children's Care Award. In each category, one honoree will be selected to receive a $100,000 stipend, while two other honorees will each receive $10,000. Additionally, there will be one honoree selected to receive the $15,000 stipend for the Founder's Award.

   World of Children invites nominations of individuals who are working as advocates for children. An organization itself cannot be nominated.

   Deadline: April 25, 2005

9. (National)
   The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

   The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program selects high-achieving youth in the Unites States with financial need and provides them, throughout their high school years, with individualized educational services that enable them to develop their talents and abilities.

   Each recipient of a Young Scholar award receives a unique combination of funding and support services. Previous Young Scholars have received the support and guidance required to evaluate the suitability of their high school, take online courses, obtain computers or software, improve their musical or scientific skills, and explore their career goals.

   To be eligible to apply, applicants must be entering the eighth grade in the fall of 2005 and be planning to attend a high school in the U.S.

   Deadline: May 2, 2005

10. (National)
    Her Circle

    Her Circle is a new e-zine dedicated to the celebration of the feminine experience in the world community. Our goal is to promote understanding and respect for women across cultural lines through intelligent works of writing, art, and photography by women around the globe.

    We are looking for work that creates a sense of intimacy with its subject(s) by effectively relaying a story or revealing a telling moment in the lives of women. Themes related to non-western culture are highly encouraged.

    We are currently accepting submissions for our inaugural issue, to be published fall 2005. Please send your works of fiction, non-fiction, personal essay, poetry, art and photography to hercircleezine@aol.com no later than June 30, 2005.

    Compensation for non-exclusive rights is $25, payble upon publication. Please contact us at HerCircleEzine@aol.com for full submission guidelines.

    Deadline: June 30, 2005

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V. Resources

Mediate-Facilitate helps nonprofit leaders devise creative solutions to resolving internal conflict and navigating transition. Our supportive and collaborative approach unifies staff behind common goals, and keeps nonprofit leaders at the helm.

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Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers:

A Guide for Faith and Community-Based Service Providers

WHO: Faith-based and community-based organizations.

WHAT: The publication is a handbook designed for community groups and faith-based organizations seeking to maximize the skills of their volunteers, expand their services to the community, and enhance their effectiveness. Information provided includes five chapters that outline five steps for implementing an effective volunteer program.

CONTACT: Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) by calling 1-800-729-6686 or electronically at http://www.samhsa.gov/

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If you wish to contribute to the VERB Weekly e-Digest, please send all materials to sophy@searac.org