Grants

The ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, seeks to increase physical activity in students and help fight childhood obesity nationwide through the creation of school-based running programs. The awards program will provide at least fifty $2,000 grants to schools that want to establish a running program, or expand an existing program, that targets grades 4 through 8 in public elementary or middle schools.

Non-profit organizations located in many California Communities are eligible for EcoStar Grants. Grants of 5,000 dollars will be given for environmental education, as well as action projects such as community park clean-ups, litter reduction, recycling programs, and tree plantings. The application deadline is March 16, 2010. To learn more and apply, click here.

Kindergarten through eighth grade student teams with an adult mentor can compete in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. The Challenge involves researching, planning and carrying out a course of action that will make a positive environmental change in your community. Students compete for a cash prize and an opportunity to appear on the discovery channel and present their project to the United Nations. The K – 8 Proposal deadline is March 15, 2010. For more information and to apply, click here

The National Endowment for the Arts is offering Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth Grants. These grants are for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge, understanding, and skills in the arts that engage youth with participatory learning, skilled artists, and excellent art. Grants are offered for school-based programs including after-school and summer enrichment programs that are formally connected to school curricula. Grants are also available for community-based projects that occur outside of the school day and the school system in a variety of settings.

Charitable or educational organizations that operate as a non-profit entity are eligible for Nature Hills Nursery Green America Awards. Nature Hills Nursery will donate $5,000 of plant materials annually to the earth friendly award-winning projects. Awards will be presented to a Grand Prize winner in the amount of $2,500 of plant materials. First place winner will receive $1,500 in plant materials and the Second Place winner $1,000 in plant materials. The plant materials can contain trees, fruit trees, bushes and shrubs, perennials and vegetable seeds.