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Celebrate Global Youth Service Day 2013

2013-04-26T11:34:55-04:00

The world's young people are serving and celebrating as part of the 25th anniversary of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) this weekend, April 26-28, 2013.

At least 1 million children, teens, and young adults in more than 100 countries across 6 continents will lead service or service-learning projects as well as events celebrating the good work youth are doing in their communities year-round.

Global Youth Service Day shines a bright light on the unique perspective, compassion and creativity that young people contribute to their communities. This is a time for young people to find their voice, take action, and serve - not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the leaders of today.

Find GYSD projects in your area: www.GYSD.org/map

Fight for National Service

2013-03-26T16:08:53-04:00

The future of national service depends on the support of people like you.

As you’ve probably heard, last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint calling for the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service. While we’ve heard these threats before, this time is different. The budget process in Washington has become particularly charged, with both sides looking for bargaining chips that will justify the ultimate goal of a reduced federal budget and decreased deficit.

These cuts threaten the programs you run and the services you are able to provide.

We need your help and the help of your organization to fight back with the best resource we have: the stories of the impact of national service in communities across the country.

Voices for National Service and ServiceNation, in partnership with AmeriCorps Alums, are launching the first ever “I Serve Because…” Video Contest. If you are passionate about the promise of national service, watch this “I Serve Because…”video from US Senator Tom Harkin then submit a video of your own. As Sen. Harkin explains, “The future of national service depends on your voice being heard.”

You can help us by not only recording your own “I serve because” video, but also by recruiting your friends, peers and co-workers to record one as well. Will you help us spread the word about our video contest by updating your Facebook page, Twitter feed and email list? Click here for a promotional email template you can use as a guide to draft a message to your program list.

Sharing the video contest information is easy. Click here for resources on how your organization can make and submit a video, view other entries for examples of what you can do on our Tumblr page. In the coming weeks, we’ll post the most compelling videos on our Facebook page. The creator of the video that receives the most “likes” will be named the winner, and will receive a prize.

Once recorded, you can even share your video, and the others we post, with your own Congressional delegation via your own social media channels.

Need some ideas on what to tweet? Here are a few you can use:

Submit a video for the #IServeBecause video contest. Support #NationalService w/ RT! http://bit.ly/10czwu0

Were you #MadeinAmeriCorps? Share your story of service! Enter @SaveService & @AmeriCorpsAlums #IServeBecause contest http://bit.ly/10czwu0

It is crucially important that we share our stories of service with decision makers in Washington, and this contest offers a perfect opportunity to do just that. The success of this effort hinges on our ability to gather a large amount of quality videos, and we need your help—so step up, get involved, and spread the word.

This post has been passed along from the good people at Voices for National Service.

President Clinton & DOMA

2013-03-26T09:48:19-04:00

Before I came to SMYAL I was working to help launch President Clinton's AmeriCorps program and I had met the President several times. In fact, on a jog with him one morning, I came out to the President as we were crossing the National Mall. I told him I was gay and thanked him for all that he had done to support gay people. At the time, he was far and away the most positive and vocal President we had ever seen on our issues.

So you can imagine my disappointment when he indicated he would sign DOMA. At the time, I was angry and felt somehow betrayed. Looking back, he didn't have a whole lot of options, but between this and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," we were all pretty frustrated.

Fortunately, President Clinton and Secretary Clinton have both reversed their stances and are now supporting full marriage equality. They supported President Obama's overturning of the military ban and the majority of Americans are now standing for full equality under the law for LGBT people.

Of course, we also have President Obama, who has done more to push LGBT equality than any political leader in U.S. history.

It really is an amazing time in America.

LGBTQ Youth Leading the Fight Against DOMA 17 Years Ago

2013-03-26T09:17:27-04:00

Following the very successful press conference against DOMA, Paul Caccamo wrote this piece for SMYAL's supporters.

“We’re Not Just Out, We’re Out in Front!”

SMYAL youth are very much out front when it comes to speaking out on the issues which shape the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. During the past month, youth speakers, as young as 15 years old, organized a press conference on the Defense of Marriage Act with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and a youth “Speak Out” in which they addressed current legislation, read poetry and spoke about other issues at a popular coffee shop in Dupont Circle. In addition, SMYAL youth were guest speakers at the NOW Rally and the Pride Faith and Anger Neighborhood Rally and Inter-faith Service which were organized in response to the Christian Coalition Conference held in mid-September.

It’s all part of the Youth Leadership Initiative, a new youth leadership program which gives SMYAL youth the opportunity to bring their opinions and voices to bear on issues which face our city and the entire country. “ I admire and respect the courage of these young people,” Congressman Frank said at the Capitol Hill Press Conference which was attended by CBS News, NewsChannel 8, and the Washington Blade.

Our new Youth Leadership Initiative provides not just leadership training, but also outreach and education to the general public on the unique needs of gay and lesbian youth. In the weeks ahead, the SMYAL youth leaders plan on speaking at the educational stage outside of the display grounds for the AIDS Quilt. They also plan on pursuing interviews with reporters of local and national magazines and newspapers. “Most important of all,” says Brett Harris, a high school sophomore, “we need to try and reach out to our own school papers, because for everyone of us who is out front, there is someone else who may be sitting in our same classrooms feeling very frightened and alone.”

Paul joined the SMYAL staff as a part-time Special Events Coordinator in August of that year, having received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to joining SMYAL, Paul worked as an English teacher in China, Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, and at colleges in New York City and New Hampshire.

YOUNG PEOPLE AT SMYAL:“We’re Not Just Out, We’re Out in Front !”
by Paul Caccamo
SMYAL youth are very much out front when it comes to speaking out on the issues which shape the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. During the past month, youth speakers, as young as 15 years old, organized a press conference on the Defense of Marriage Act with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and a youth “Speak Out” in which they addressed current legislation, read poetry and spoke about other issues at a popular coffee shop in Dupont Circle. In addition, SMYAL youth were guest speakers at the NOW Rally and the Pride Faith and Anger Neighborhood Rally and Inter-faith Service which were organized in response to the Christian Coalition Conference held in mid-September.It’s all part of the Youth Leadership Initiative, a new youth leadership program which gives SMYAL youth the opportunity to bring their opinions and voices to bear on issues which face our city and the entire country. “ I admire and respect the courage of these young people,” Congressman Frank said at the Capitol Hill Press Conference which was attended by CBS News, NewsChannel 8, and the Washington Blade. Our new Youth Leadership Initiative provides not just leadership training, but also outreach and education to the general public on the unique needs of gay and lesbian youth. In the weeks ahead, the SMYAL youth leaders plan on speaking at the educational stage outside of the display grounds for the AIDS Quilt. They also plan on pursuing interviews with reporters of local and national magazines and newspapers. “Most important of all,” says Brett Harris, a high school sophomore, “we need to try and reach out to our own school papers, because for everyone of us who is out front, there is someone else who may be sitting in our same classrooms feeling very frightened and alone.”

Paul Caccamo joined the SMYAL staff as a part-time Special Events Coordinator in August of this year. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to joining SMYAL, Paul worked as an English teacher in China, Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, and at colleges in New York City and New Hampshire. He has done development work for Public Allies, Harvard University, Cambridge Community Learning Center and has directed dozens of special events. In addition to his present work at SMYAL, Paul continues to be a part-time teacher, screenplay writer, and a consultant to other area non-profits.

Fighting DOMA Since 1996

2013-03-26T08:59:24-04:00

In getting ready to head down to the Supreme Court for today's rally, I was reminded of a speech I gave on September 4th, 1996. I was the executive director of the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) here in Washington and it was the day before the Senate was set to pass the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

I had only been the director for about a year at that point and our offices were steps away from the Capitol. We had created a very active Youth Council and the youth in the program wanted to speak out. We worked with Barney Frank (D-MA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton's office and secured a permit to hold a small rally and press conference on the Northeast side of the Capitol in what is known as the "Senate Swamp."

The young people who spoke were amazing. Their personal stories of courage and the dreams they had for their future inspired me then and are still sparking my work today.

Here's what I had to say back then:

Thank you all for coming out this afternoon.

And thank you for respecting our young people’s need to schedule this press conference after school hours.

Each year, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) serves more than 800 adolescents and young adults in the DC metro area—all of them struggling to come to terms with their sexual or gender orientation.

At SMYAL we work hard to create a safe space where these youth can develop as healthy, happy, and productive young people—a space where they can ask questions, explore their feelings, and meet other kids just like themselves.

We are here today, because that safe space that so many have worked to create has been threatened by the vicious rhetoric and inhumane actions of Congress.

We are here today, because our elected leaders have forgotten how powerful their words and actions can be, especially in the hearts and minds of young people.

We are here, because young gays and lesbians are attempting suicide at a rate three times greater than their heterosexual peers. They are becoming addicted to substances, dropping out of school , becoming HIV+, and often ending up homeless on the streets at rates higher than any other subset of the population.

And why? Why are these kids suffering?

They suffer because as adults we are not fulfilling our responsibilities—ensuring that every youth, of every race, religion, or sexual orientation, grows up in a safe environment, a tolerant environment, an environment that nurtures and supports their hopes and dreams.

But how can any of us begin to create these environments when our own government chooses to perpetuate ignorance and hatred disguised as morality and family values.

Tomorrow the Senate is poised to join the House of Representatives in passing DOMA, the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.” In so doing they will be turning their backs on liberty and justice—turning their backs on fairness and compassion and equality.

We are here today because Congress is legislating loneliness—a kind of loneliness that is killing gay and lesbian kids.

These young people from SMYAL who have spoken here today, and the countless others in high schools around the country who could not be here, demand accountability from our political leaders. Their stories remind us that our elected officials must understand that their rhetoric, their actions—their vote of hate—is more than a political game. It has very real consequences in people’s lives.

Please Senators, stand up, speak out, vote no on DOMA, and make a difference! These kids, all kids, are entitled to happiness. Please, don’t steal their American dreams.

Thank you.

And thank you for respecting our young people’s need to schedule this press conference after school hours.
Each year, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) serves more than 800 adolescents and young adults in the DC metro area—all of them struggling to come to terms with their sexual or gender orientation.
At SMYAL we work hard to create a safe space where these youth can develop as healthy, happy, and productive young people—a space where they can ask questions, explore their feelings, and meet other kids just like themselves.
We are here today, because that safe space that so many have worked to create has been threatened by the vicious rhetoric and inhumane actions of Congress.
We are here today, because our elected leaders have forgotten how powerful their words and actions can be, especially in the hearts and minds of young people.
We are here, because young gays and lesbians are attempting suicide at a rate three times greater than their heterosexual peers. They are becoming addicted to substances, dropping out of school , becoming HIV+, and often ending up homeless on the streets at rates higher than any other subset of the population.
And why? Why are these kids suffering?
They suffer because as adults we are not fulfilling our responsibilities—ensuring that every youth, of every race, religion, or sexual orientation, grows up in a safe environment, a tolerant environment, an environment that nurtures and supports their hopes and dreams.
But how can any of us begin to create these environments when our own government chooses to perpetuate ignorance and hatred disguised as morality and family values.
Tomorrow the Senate is poised to join the House of Representatives in passing DOMA, the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.” In so doing they will be turning their backs on liberty and justice—turning their backs on fairness and compassion and equality.
We are here today because Congress is legislating loneliness—a kind of loneliness that is killing gay and lesbian kids.
These young people from SMYAL who have spoken here today, and the countless others in high schools around the country who could not be here, demand accountability from our political leaders. Their stories remind us that our elected officials must understand that their rhetoric, their actions—their vote of hate—is more than a political game. It has very real consequences in people’s lives.
Please Senators, stand up, speak out, vote no on DOMA, and make a difference! These kids, all kids, are entitled to happiness. Please, don’t steal their American dreams.
Thank you.

11 Simple Concepts to Become a Better Leader

2013-02-21T07:57:49-05:00

From Dave Kerpen, the New York Times bestselling author of two books, Likeable Social Media and Likeable Business.

Being likeable will help you in your job, business, relationships, and life. I interviewed dozens of successful business leaders for my last book, to determine what made them so likeable and their companies so successful. All of the concepts are simple, and yet, perhaps in the name of revenues or the bottom line, we often lose sight of the simple things - things that not only make us human, but can actually help us become more successful. Below are the eleven most important principles to integrate to become a better leader:

1. Listening

"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." - Ernest Hemingway

Listening is the foundation of any good relationship. Great leaders listen to what their customers and prospects want and need, and they listen to the challenges those customers face. They listen to colleagues and are open to new ideas. They listen to shareholders, investors, and competitors. Here's why the best CEO's listen more.

2. Storytelling

"Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today." -Robert McAfee Brown

After listening, leaders need to tell great stories in order to sell their products, but more important, in order to sell their ideas. Storytelling is what captivates people and drives them to take action. Whether you're telling a story to one prospect over lunch, a boardroom full of people, or thousands of people through an online video - storytelling wins customers.

3. Authenticity

"I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I've become. If I had, I'd have done it a lot earlier." -Oprah Winfrey

Great leaders are who they say they are, and they have integrity beyond compare. Vulnerability and humility are hallmarks of the authentic leader and create a positive, attractive energy. Customers, employees, and media all want to help an authentic person to succeed. There used to be a divide between one’s public self and private self, but the social internet has blurred that line. Tomorrow's leaders are transparent about who they are online, merging their personal and professional lives together.

4. Transparency

"As a small businessperson, you have no greater leverage than the truth." -John Whittier

There is nowhere to hide anymore, and businesspeople who attempt to keep secrets will eventually be exposed. Openness and honesty lead to happier staff and customers and colleagues. More important, transparency makes it a lot easier to sleep at night - unworried about what you said to whom, a happier leader is a more productive one.

5. Team Playing

"Individuals play the game, but teams beat the odds." -SEAL Team Saying

No matter how small your organization, you interact with others every day. Letting others shine, encouraging innovative ideas, practicing humility, and following other rules for working in teams will help you become a more likeable leader. You’ll need a culture of success within your organization, one that includes out-of-the-box thinking.

6. Responsiveness

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." -Charles Swindoll

The best leaders are responsive to their customers, staff, investors, and prospects. Every stakeholder today is a potential viral sparkplug, for better or for worse, and the winning leader is one who recognizes this and insists upon a culture of responsiveness. Whether the communication is email, voice mail, a note or a a tweet, responding shows you care and gives your customers and colleagues a say, allowing them to make a positive impact on the organization.

7. Adaptability

"When you're finished changing, you're finished." -Ben Franklin

There has never been a faster-changing marketplace than the one we live in today. Leaders must be flexible in managing changing opportunities and challenges and nimble enough to pivot at the right moment. Stubbornness is no longer desirable to most organizations. Instead, humility and the willingness to adapt mark a great leader.

8. Passion

"The only way to do great work is to love the work you do." -Steve Jobs

Those who love what they do don’t have to work a day in their lives. People who are able to bring passion to their business have a remarkable advantage, as that passion is contagious to customers and colleagues alike. Finding and increasing your passion will absolutely affect your bottom line.

9. Surprise and Delight

"A true leader always keeps an element of surprise up his sleeve, which others cannot grasp but which keeps his public excited and breathless." -Charles de Gaulle

Most people like surprises in their day-to-day lives. Likeable leaders underpromise and overdeliver, assuring that customers and staff are surprised in a positive way. There are a plethora of ways to surprise without spending extra money - a smile, We all like to be delighted — surprise and delight create incredible word-of-mouth marketing opportunities.

10. Simplicity

"Less isn't more; just enough is more." -Milton Glaser

The world is more complex than ever before, and yet what customers often respond to best is simplicity — in design, form, and function. Taking complex projects, challenges, and ideas and distilling them to their simplest components allows customers, staff, and other stakeholders to better understand and buy into your vision. We humans all crave simplicity, and so today's leader must be focused and deliver simplicity.

11. Gratefulness

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." -Gilbert Chesterton

Likeable leaders are ever grateful for the people who contribute to their opportunities and success. Being appreciative and saying thank you to mentors, customers, colleagues, and other stakeholders keeps leaders humble, appreciated, and well received. It also makes you feel great! Donor's Choose studied the value of a hand-written thank-you note, and actually found donors were 38% more likely to give a 2nd time if they got a hand-written note!

The Golden Rule: Above all else, treat others as you’d like to be treated

By showing others the same courtesy you expect from them, you will gain more respect from coworkers, customers, and business partners. Holding others in high regard demonstrates your company’s likeability and motivates others to work with you. This seems so simple, as do so many of these principles — and yet many people, too concerned with making money or getting by, fail to truly adopt these key concepts.

Which of these principles are most important to you — what makes you likeable?

Grants & Funding Opportunities for Youth

2013-02-20T02:09:27-05:00

Get Ur Good On Grants

Deadline: March 10

It's Time to Get Ur Good On™! Get Ur Good On Grants offer young people around the world an opportunity to help make a lasting positive change. With $500 Get Ur Good On Grants, you'll have the inspiration, project support, and necessary funding to turn your idea into a reality. Youth, ages 5-25 worldwide are eligible to apply for a $500 Get Ur Good On Grant to support youth-led projects. Projects must address a demonstrated community need or issue. Service projects will be held in conjunction with Global Youth Service Day-the largest service event in the world, on April 26-28, 2013. www.GYSD.org/gysd_grants

Huggable Heroes Program

Deadline: February 28

The Huggable Heroes program recognizes young leaders between the ages of eight and 18 years old, doing extraordinary things in their communities or around the world to better the lives of others. Ten Huggable Heroes will each receive $10,000 which includes an educational scholarship, a donation to a charity of their choice, and a mentoring scholarship to support their charitable entrepreneurships. Entry forms are available at all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, and online at: http://bit.ly/V18CUb

Captain Planet Foundation Grants

Deadline: February 28

U.S.-based schools and organizations with annual operating budgets of less than $3 million are eligible to apply for grants from the Captain Planet Foundation. Grants support high-quality educational programs that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that engage them in active, hands-on community service projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities. Preference is given to requests seeking seed funding of $500 or less and to applicants who have secured at least 50 percent matching or in-kind funding. http://bit.ly/y1tPpz

Building Environmental Education Communities Small Grants Program

Deadline: February 28

The purpose of this program is to develop collaborative structures that engage young people in environmental education. Grants will support consortium of 3-5 organizations coming together around youth addressing environmental issues in their communities. Each organization supporting the goals of the consortium will be awarded up to $5K. Altogether, the consortium can submit a request for up to $25K for their project. Grantees will be required to demonstrate how they engage young people as leaders solving environmental problems in a manner that develops their civic skills. Organizations throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa are eligible. http://bit.ly/WiyNIh

Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Awards

Deadline: February 28

The Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Competition is designed to bring the hard facts about school food to entire school communities - in the students' own words. Articles submitted for consideration must be about the need for healthy, sustainable school food and must have been published in a school newspaper. U.S. high school students ages 13 to 18 can enter. Best-selling author and food activist Michael Pollan will judge the finalists and select the winners! First prize: $1,500. Second prize: $1,000. Third prize $500. Fourth Prize (x3): $300...Plus, $200 for your journalism class and the opportunity to have your work publicized on Earth Day's website. http://bit.ly/SlxkPk

Kids to Parks Day School Contest

Deadline: March 1

The National Park Trust is once again hosting the Kids to Parks Day School Contest! The purpose of the contest is to help teachers engage their students with their local parks. This national contest is open to all schools across the country and in the U.S. territories. Students can submit proposals for a KTP event at a park in their community. NPT will award scholarships up to the amount of $1,000 to winning entries. Scholarships will be used by the winners to implement their KTP event during the week leading up to May 18th. http://bit.ly/WjbehN

State Farm Neighborhood Assist

Deadline: March 6

Have you ever wanted to help your community with a problem but didn't know where to start? Maybe it's a run-down park or to help the impoverished in your community. Now, YOU have the power to fix it. State Farm Neighborhood Assist, a crowd-sourced philanthropic initiative, lets communities determine where grant funding is awarded, exclusively through Facebook. The submission phase is open from February 13 - March 6 and each Facebook user who downloads the free application can submit up to three causes. Anyone living in Canada or the United States with a Facebook account is eligible to submit a cause. It's better to submit early - a maximum of 3,000 submissions will be accepted. http://bit.ly/12PFTrb

2013 Banking on Youth Competition

Deadline: March 15

This exciting competition provides youth an opportunity to showcase their exceptional ideas for benefiting society and creating positive social change! Youth between the ages 13-22 are invited to share their ideas for sustainable ventures that will directly benefit society for a for the chance to win one of 30 $1,000 seed money grants, a trip to the Ashoka Future Forum, and two grand prizes of $5,000 and $15,000!! The next 10 youth that apply before February 15th will be given an Amazon Gift Card. http://bankingonyouth.org/

World of Children Youth Award

Deadline: April 1

The World of Children Award, the only global recognition and funding nonprofit that recognizes individuals who are changing the lives of children worldwide, is searching for selfless individuals serving vulnerable children. The 2013 World of Children Youth Award carries a minimum grant of $25,000 and recognizes a young person under the age of 21 who is making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children. This person must have been doing this work for three years and have created a sustainable program they plan to continue to lead. Recipients of the 2013 World of Children Award will be officially announced and celebrated in New York City on November 7, 2013. Learn more: http://bit.ly/11m5k39

Peace First Prize

Deadline: April 12

The Peace First Prize will recognize impressive young people for meaningful peacemaking work that creates lasting good in a community, neighborhood or school. The Peace First Prize is open to young people between the ages of 8 - 22 and will be awarded to a select group of young leaders who have demonstrated compassion, courage and the power to create collaborative change. Five winners will each receive a $50,000 Peace First Fellowship over two years to further their peacemaking work. http://bit.ly/XolaFq

Do Something Awards

Deadline: April 15

Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation's best young world-changers, 25 and under. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. In 2013 five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded a minimum of $10,000 in community grants, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast. http://dsorg.us/YdWhea

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Deadline: April 30

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Nominees, who may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, must have been the prime mover of a service activity, and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing their goals. Nominees must be nominated by adults who are not related to the nominee. Winners of the Barron Prize receive $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project and several other benefits. http://bit.ly/edhitj

The Jefferson Awards for Public Service: Youth Service Challenge

Deadline: April 30

The Jefferson Awards wants to help tell the country about the incredible service projects youth are doing. By entering your project on the Youth Service Challenge website, your group could gain local and national recognition, earn awards & cash prizes, or even a trip to Washington DC to be recognized at the Jefferson Awards National Gala! Enter your project in 3 simple steps on the website: 1. Sign up; 2. Tell us about your project; 3. Upload your results (photos, videos, etc.). It's simple and free! Be sure to enter before the deadline of April 30, 2013. You are changing the world! We want to tell the country! http://bit.ly/X9i0ps

Check Out These Service-Related Grant Opportunities

2012-11-28T08:36:31-05:00

J-Serve International Day of Jewish Youth Service Grants

Deadline: Rolling While Funds Remain Available

Grants are available for J-Serve 2013 - April 28, 2013. J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Since 2005, J-Serve has been a part of YSA's Global Youth Service Day. A limited number of J-Serve micro-grants of up to $500 will be awarded to community projects committed to creating service opportunities that bring Jewish teens together to participate in a J-Serve project. Projects that are creative and innovative, especially those that will be first time events in a community, as well as projects conceived and planned by teen project leaders will receive preferential reviews. Micro-grants will be accepted on a rolling basis, and grants will continue to be awarded as long as funding remains available. http://bit.ly/111Szb3

President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Deadline: November 29

The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement. All accredited degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States are eligible to apply. By being admitted to the President's Honor Roll, your institution will be recognized by the President of the United States as a leader and role model in community service for the higher education sector. In addition, Honor Roll institutions receive: assistance with gaining media attention for your achievement, recognition at a national awards ceremony, and a listing on the President's Honor Roll website. http://1.usa.gov/TAxkHr

KaBOOM! Spruce Up Project Grants

Deadline: Rolling, Next Priority Deadline is November 30

KaBOOM! is awarding grants of $750 to communities who wish to make their playgrounds cleaner, safer and more inviting. You could be one of 100 projects to earn $750 simply by sprucing up a playground for kids! Organize your friends, clean up a playground, and you can become eligible for $750, courtesy of Dr Pepper Snapple Group. The grant is part of the Let's Play initiative to get kids and families active nationwide. http://bit.ly/IIzZfN

Architecture for Humanity Guerrilla Green Sustainable Showdown

Deadline: December 3

The Guerrilla Green Sustainable Showdown invites teams of middle and high school students across the U.S. to bring innovative green solutions to their school buildings, outdoor spaces, and activities. 8 teams with the best ideas will win $1,000; the 4 teams that best implement their project will win an additional $2,000; and one team who scales their project will win the top prize of $10,000. http://bit.ly/ThH8H7

Spreading Smiles Service-Learning Photo Contest

Deadline: December 3

Are you a K-12 classroom that is participating in a service-learning project and could use funds to complete your project? Capture a photo of your classroom participating in their project and submit a completed entry form for a chance to win $500, $300, or $200. Online voting takes place Dec 7-17; the top three most voted photos will win one of the three grants. http://bit.ly/Sr1QGy

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes

Deadline: December 5

The truth is that many deserving students, who have dedicated a great deal of their time to athletics, will not receive athletic scholarships to college. Foot Locker and DoSomething.org will be rewarding twenty incoming college freshmen with $20,000 in scholarship funding for college - not because they scored the most touchdowns, but because of their character and commitment to volunteerism. This is the award for flexing heart, not muscle. http://bit.ly/Qif9UD

Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships

Deadline: December 5

Sodexo Foundation is accepting applications through December 5 for the Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships. These scholarships recognize students (kindergarten-graduate school) working to end domestic hunger with $5,000 for college and $5,000 to help those in need. http://bit.ly/Rc7meR

AmeriCorps State & National Grants

Deadline: January 23

The FY2013 AmeriCorps State and National grant competition is designed to help national service programs achieve greater impact by targeting resources on a core set of challenges: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. In order to maximize the impact of the public investment in national service, CNCS will fund programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems using an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach (e.g. performance data, research, theory of change). The 2013 competition also provides a new opportunity for state and local officials to work together on public-private partnerships. Specifically, a governor and a mayor may identify a pressing challenge and partner with local nonprofits to apply for grant funding to address it. http://1.usa.gov/YbABSf

Christopher Columbus Awards

Deadline: February 4

The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World® to attend National Championship Week and compete for cash prizes and the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, plus a $200 development grant to further refine their idea. http://bit.ly/PeFhFr

Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Awards

Deadline: February 28

Captain Planet Foundation Grants

Deadline: February 28

DoSomething.org Seed Grants

Deadline: Ongoing

Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. http://bit.ly/PQYfTr

Giving Tuesday

2012-11-26T22:16:49-05:00

November 26, 2012 | By Bill Gates

Over the weekend, the annual holiday gift-shopping season kicked off here in the U.S. with the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally known as Black Friday. Today is called Cyber Monday, as people return to their offices after the long Thanksgiving weekend, and take a bit of time to do some online shopping.

But there’s a new “day” in this post-Thanksgiving period I’m excited about: Giving Tuesday.

Over 1,000 charities, community organizations and businesses in the U.S. have banded together to promote this Tuesday as a day to give back, and to encourage people to give more, give smarter and celebrate the spirit of giving.

American philanthropy is the envy of just about every other part of the globe. Last year giving in the U.S. topped $300 billion, and 65 percent of Americans reported that they’d made some charitable contributions during the year. Those are impressive statistics, but with so much unmet need in the world, it’s clear there is ample room for people to do more.

Working with Melinda and Warren Buffett on the Giving Pledge over the last couple of years has been a fantastic experience, and has convinced me that we need lots of people starting conversations about the impact and the fun of charitable giving. That’s a conversation that needs to happen all over the world, not just here in the U.S.

So I wish the organizers well as they launch the first Giving Tuesday tomorrow. I hope lots of people will use the reminder to do something meaningful, and that it becomes part of the rhythm of this holiday season. If the organizers of Giving Tuesday can get more people thinking about giving and encourage us to be more generous with our time and resources, they’ll have done a very good thing.

Linked-In Launches New Board Recruitment Resource for Non-Profits

2012-11-14T16:52:50-05:00

Over the last two decades, the nonprofit marketplace has exploded. There are nearly 1.6 million nonprofits in the U.S. with nearly two million board seats that need to be filled annually. The good news is that professionals want to join these boards. According to the Taproot Foundation, an estimated 87% of human resources professionals and 92% of marketing professionals are interested in board service but far fewer actually serve on boards. With the launch of LinkedIn Board Connect, nonprofit leaders have a tool to help them leverage their own networks and their board members’ networks to find the right skilled professionals to join their boards.