RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health. The Foundation's primary interests within Education include programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education.

Within Community, the Foundation supports a broad range of human services, community improvement, abuse prevention, and youth development programs. Human service programs of particular interest to the Foundation include children and family services, early childhood development, and parenting education. The Foundation supports a variety of Community Improvement programs including those that enhance non-profit management and promote philanthropy and voluntarism. Youth development programs supported by the Foundation typically include after-school educational enrichment programs that supplement and enhance formal education systems to increase the chances for successful outcomes in school and life. The Foundation is also interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.

The Foundation's current interests in the area of Medicine/Health include programs that promote the health and well-being of children, programs that promote access to health services, and Foundation-initiated programs focusing on ALS.

Although there are no geographic restrictions to the Foundation's grantmaking program, the Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited requests for international agencies or programs. While the Foundation occasionally awards grants for operating expenses, capital campaigns, endowments, and international projects, such grants are infrequent and usually initiated by the Foundation. Multiyear grants are rare; most grants are awarded for a one-year period. Click here to view listing of recent grants awarded by the Foundation.

• Bringing history into the future  Motorola Lincoln Grants will support individuals or organizations using new technologies to educate students or their broader communities — particularly in civics, history, social studies — or disciplines such as the fine arts.  Preference will be given to those integrating lessons from Lincoln's life.
• Engaging in current events  In recognition of Lincoln’s engagement of the public in shaping policy, Motorola Lincoln Grants will support programs engaging young people or community members in national and local public policy issues and providing creative forums and innovative tools to facilitate debate and dialogue in the online and physical worlds.
• Leadership skills  Lincoln's legacy as an agent of change will be honored with support of organizations that are creating change — of perceptions and actions — in their communities with leadership programs for young people or the underserved that are based on collaboration, problem-solving and project management skills.

Founded in 1998 the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation was established to enhance our industry's contributions in those communities where we have extensive partnerships with state and local businesses. CICF's mission is to expand the cruise industry's presence in those states where we maintain vessel operations, generate significant employment, or purchase goods and services from our broad network of business partners.

CICF supports non-profit organizations that encourage job creation and training, improve access to community services and provide youth and adult education, particularly for minority and disadvantaged students. In addition, the Foundation promotes programs designed to improve public health or medical research aimed at disease prevention. CICF also supports programs that promote environmental awareness and education, as well as the study of enhanced environmental technologies for the maritime sector.

The Graffiti Hurts® National Grant Program aims to help communities kick-start or add to a local graffiti prevention program. Grant funds may also be used for a one-time project that has the potential to help reduce graffiti in the community.

Grants of $2,000 will be offered in three categories - community under 100,000 population, community between 100,000 and 300,000 population and community over 300,000 population. The funds must be used for projects that begin by Fall 2008 and are completed no later than December 31, 2009.

The purpose of the Gang Prevention Coordination Assistance program is to support and enhance the coordination of existing community-based gang prevention and intervention programs and strategies that are closely aligned with local law enforcement efforts. Community-based gang prevention and intervention often involve multiple organizations and programs working in partnership to deliver complementary services to the same or similar target populations. Effective coordination can help identify existing programs and resources and maximize their impact through information sharing, mutual referrals, joint case management, and collective action. For example, educational and other programs combined with rigorous law enforcement can effectively combat gang-related juvenile crimes. Funding is available to support salary and related expenses for coordinators with responsibility for organizing and overseeing antigang activities under two or more of the following strategies: primary prevention, secondary prevention, gang intervention, and targeted gang enforcement (see "Antigang Strategies," below). If necessary, a small portion (up to $30,000) of the awards under this program may be used to support service delivery under primary prevention, secondary prevention, or gang intervention strategies. Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate with their United States Attorney’s office. Awards will support coordination of community-based antigang initiatives that involve law enforcement as an essential partner. Other partners must be involved and may include schools, social services, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and businesses. Successful applicants will demonstrate that community- based antigang activities consistent with two or more of the antigang strategies described below are operating with existing funding

In order to determine the direction needed to reverse the trends of doctoral programs decline and the shortage of qualified higher education faculty members in Physical Education Teacher Education and related fields, a $10,000 research grant is being funded by the Helen Heitmann Funds, through NASPE.

The Broad Superintendents Academy is a rigorous 10-month executive management training program designed to prepare CEOs and senior executives from business, non-profit, military, government and education backgrounds to lead urban public school systems. Participants keep their current jobs while attending The Academy. All tuition and travel costs are covered by The Academy.

Participants attend seven extended weekend training sessions covering CEO-level skills in finance, management, operations, organizational systems and education. In addition, we work with you one-on-one to customize and supplement your skill building needs.

We expect to place Academy graduates into superintendent or senior cabinet level positions within 18 months after completing the program. Our fast-growing alumni network and support system are designed to ensure that graduates succeed in their new roles in urban education.

Those graduates who have served as superintendents for two or more years have already demonstrated district gains in reading and math. Nearly three out of four have improved their districts' historical performance and are outperforming comparison groups in raising overall student achievement in elementary, middle and high school reading and math. The majority are also outperforming comparison groups in reducing income and ethnic achievement gaps.

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation provides equipment and Quickball grants to youth organizations, schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, local governments and community non-profit groups that meet our eligibility requirements, in order to support the growth of youth character education, as well as promote youth baseball and softball. Information about our grants and downloadable applications are below.

2008 Grants Available
Quickball Grants
This grant makes Quickball resources available to grow baseball and softball at a grassroots level through the game of Quickball. Quickball is a national baseball enhancement program that allows children to learn the basics of baseball in a fun, fast-paced way. Eligible organizations include: community recreation departments within local governments, existing baseball and softball leagues, Boys & Girls Clubs, public schools running out-of school programs and/or youth organizations with 501 (c) (3) status. Please download and read the application and guidlines for more eligibility information.
For more information about the game of Quickball please visit the official website at:

Download Quickball Grant Application- Part I as Word Doc
Download Quickball Grant Application- Part II as Word Doc

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide, in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music.

Two Programs:

Guidelines:

Melody Program helps K-12 school instrumental music programs that take place during the regular school day.

• Schools must have an established instrumental music program (i.e. concert band, marching band, jazz band and/or orchestra) that is at least three years old.
• Schools must apply separately (please provide information for the applying school only, do not include information for other schools within the district even if the music teacher teaches at more than one school.)
• Grants typically range from $500 - $8,000 worth of instruments.
• If your school offers Orff music only, it is NOT eligible to apply.

Special Projects Program helps after-school music programs.

• After-school music programs must be at least three years old OR have a music-related umbrella organization that is at least three years old to apply.
• Grants typically range from $500 - $8,000 worth of instruments.
• If any portion of your music program takes place during the regular school day, please use the Melody Program application.

A limited amount of funds will be available each year to assist educators to attend meetings sponsored by the International Reading Association. These meetings include the annual convention (only the Minnesota Convention not the Arizona), the world congress (held in even numbered years only), special institutes and seminars, and special seminars sponsored by councils or affiliates.

The Magna Awards is a national recognition program co-sponsored by American School Board Journal, the National School Boards Association, and Sodexo School Services that honors school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning.

Magna nominations are judged according to three enrollment categories (under 5,000 enrollment; 5,000-20,000 enrollment; and over 20,000 enrollment) with one Grand Prize Winner in each category. Each Grand Prize Winner receives a $3,500 contribution from Sodexo School Services. There are five additional winners and five honorable mention winners within each enrollment category.

All Magna winners and honorable mention recipients are recognized in a special supplement published with the April issue of American School Boards Journal. The Magna Awards publication is also published online at www.asbj.com/magna.

Winners and honorable mention recipients also are recognized at the School Leaders Luncheon held during the NSBA Annual Conference. Grand Prize Winners and regular winners will receive plaques at the luncheon. Honorable mention districts receive certificates by mail prior to the Annual Conference. Grand Prize Winners receive their cash award during the Monday General Session at the Annual Conference.

For the past 15 years, the Magna Awards panel of independent judges has reviewed programs that showcase school district leadership, creativity, and commitment to student achievement. The Magna Awards 2009 online nomination form is available here. We look forward to reviewing your district's nomination.

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust focuses primarily on supporting charitable organizations that are making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Resources are also allocated to help support organizations focused on providing healthcare to the uninsured. We believe these two areas represent opportunities for the Trust to create positive outcomes for diverse populations of people in communities across the country.

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust funds the following:

Programs that serve children with disabilities under the age of 21 that address the following:

• Accessibility to Physical Activity
• Early Intervention
• Health and Rehabilitative Services

A green light signals “GO!” and permission to proceed. What revs you up as an artist and moves you to create? What signals the spark of creativity? Imagine that you receive a signal to drive your own future. Describe the experience and how you will direct your route – both artistically and personally. How does art give you permission to be who you are? Consider the infinite possibilities that art (or creativity) provides.

We are interested in both representational and abstract work. Artwork may illustrate actual aspects of what signals your creative motivations such as the physical world or personal discoveries. Abstract work that relates to feelings or emotions is also encouraged. Work might also reflect your experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming your work