USDA Farmers Market Promotion   Program

The U.S.   Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks   applications for projects that establish, expand, and promote direct   producer-to-consumer marketing. FMPP provides funds on a competitive basis to   support the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers   markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs,   agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market   opportunities through:

1. Increasing   domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced   agricultural products; or

2. Developing   new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets   by developing, improving, and expanding, and providing outreach, training,   and technical assistance.

Funding:   Approximately $13 million is available to fund applications under this   solicitation. The minimum award per grant is $25,000 and the maximum is   $100,000.

Eligibility:   Eligible entities include agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives,   producer networks, producer associations, CSA networks, CSA associations,   local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations,   economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and   tribal governments.

Promise   Zones Benefits: Priority consideration will be given to projects that   benefit communities located in concentrated poverty with limited access to   supermarkets, and projects that involve Promise Zones Lead Applicant   Organizations.

Deadline   for Applications: May 14, 2015

For more   information: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5110858

View the Farmers   Market Promotion Program Fact Sheet posted on the Promise Zone website

USDA Local Food Promotion Program

The USDA, AMS   is seeking applications from eligible applicants to plan or implement   projects that assist in the development, improvement, and/or expansion of   local and regional food business enterprise supply chain activities   (activities that are not direct-to consumer).LFPP   offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion   of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic   consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural   products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch   operations serving local markets.Two types of   project applications are accepted under LFPP—planning grants and implementation   grants. Applicants can apply for either but will receive only one type of   grant in the same grant cycle.

Funding:Approximately $13 million is available to fund   applications under this solicitation. The minimum award per grant is $5,000   and the maximum is $100,000.

Eligibility:   Eligible entities include agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives,   producer networks, producer associations, CSA networks, CSA associations,   local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic   development corporations, regional Farmers market authorities, and tribal   governments.

Promise   Zones Benefits: Priority consideration will be given to projects that   benefit communities located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited   access to supermarkets, and projects that involve Promise Zones Lead   Applicant Organizations. LFPP will award at least 10 percent of its total   funding to these projects.

Deadline   for Applications: May 14, 2015

For more   information: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/LFPP

View the Local   Food Promotion Program Fact Sheet posted on the Promise Zone website

Small Business Administration (SBA)   Accelerator Growth Fund Competition

The   Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching an Accelerator Growth Fund   competition for accelerators and other entrepreneurial ecosystem models. The   goal of the competition is to get an extra infusion of capital to qualified   accelerators and the burgeoning ecosystem in which they play, which, in turn,   provides resources to boost the startup and entrepreneurship communities   around them. Through   this competition, the SBA is looking to support the development of   accelerators and their support of startups in parts of the country where   there are fewer conventional sources of access to capital (i.e., venture   capital and other investors).

Funding:   Monetary prizes of $50,000 each, totaling $4 million.

Eligibility:    Growth Accelerators include accelerators,   incubators, co-working startup communities, shared tinker-spaces or other   models to accomplish similar goals.

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 1, 2015

View   the Accelerator Growth   Fact Sheet   and specifics on how to apply, and the timeline for 2015’s competition. For   questions or comments, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Office of Juvenile Justice and   Delinquency Programs (OJJDP) FY 2015 Second Chance Act Supporting Latino/a   Youth from Out-of-Home Placement to the Community

This program   will promote effective and successful reentry services for Latino/a youth who   are transitioning back into their communities from secure confinement facilities,   including out-of-home placement. This solicitation will fund mentoring and   comprehensive transitional services that emphasize development of life and   parenting skills in offenders who are Latino/a youth.

Funding:   Estimated total program funding is $2,500,000 with an expectation of 5 awards   up to $500,000

Eligibility:    Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations (including   faith-based, tribal, and community nonprofit organizations) and federally   recognized Indian tribes with a demonstrable history of providing   community-based reentry programs and services for Latino/a youth

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 1, 2015

For more   information: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=275570

Indian Education Discretionary   Grants Programs—Native Youth Community Projects

Demonstration   Grants for Indian Children program is to provide financial assistance to   projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services   and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of   preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.

Native youth community project   is:

1. Focused on a   defined local geographic area;

1. Centered on the   goal of ensuring that Indian students are prepared for college and careers;

1. Informed by data,   which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three   years or other data analysis, on:

1. The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to   the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;

1.  Opportunities in the local community to support   Indian students; and

1. Existing local policies, programs, practices, service   providers, and funding sources;

1. Focused on one or   more barriers or opportunities with a community-based strategy or strategies   and measurable objectives; and

1. Designed and   implemented through a partnership of various entities

Funding:   Estimated total program funding is $3,000,000 with an estimation of 5-7   awards up to $600,000

Eligibility:    Eligible applicants are state educational agencies; LEAs, including charter   schools that are considered LEAs under State law; Indian tribes; Indian   organizations; BIE-funded schools; Indian institutions (including Indian   IHEs); or a consortium of any of these entities

Promise   Zones Benefits: Priority consideration is offered to Promise Zone   communities

Deadline   for Applications: Intent to Apply: June 2^nd, 2015;   Application Deadline: June 29^th. 2015

For more   information:

View the   Department of Education’s press   release and the federal   register notice. 

View the Native   Youth Community Projects Fact Sheet posted on the Promise Zone website

Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance   Grants, Training, and Technical Assistance

The U.S.   Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of   Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance (TCCLA)   grants enhance tribal justice systems and improve access to those systems.   Targeted to non-profit organizations, the grants serve to strengthen and   improve the representation of low-income tribal members who are litigants in   civil causes of action and all indigent defendants in criminal proceedings under   the jurisdiction of Indian tribes. Finally, a third category funds   training and technical assistance (TTA) that supports the development and enhancement   of tribal justice systems.

Funding:   BJA estimates that it will make up to 7 awards of up to $1,000,000 for a   36-month project period.

Eligibility:  

• Category 1: Tribal Civil Legal   Assistance Grants and Category 2: Tribal Criminal Legal Assistance Grants: Limited to non-profit organizations, including tribal   enterprises and educational institutions (public, private, and tribal   colleges and universities), that provide legal assistance services for   members of federally recognized Indian tribes pursuant to federal poverty   guidelines, Indian tribes, or tribal justice systems. Federal poverty   guidelines are updated every year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human   Services (http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfm).

• Category 3: Tribal Justice   Training and Technical Assistance: Limited   to national or regional membership organizations and associations whose   membership or a membership section consists of judicial system personnel   within tribal justice systems.

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 9, 2015

For more   information: https://www.bja.gov/Funding/15TCCLAsol.pdf

Second Chance Act Comprehensive   Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors

The Second   Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the   increasing number of incarcerated adults and juveniles who are released from   prison, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and returning to   communities.  This solicitation is aimed at promoting more effective and   successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals through the utilization   of comprehensive, evidence-based wrap-around reentry plans which address the   identified needs of the individuals and are supported by trained mentors.   These needs are often related to housing, employment, substance abuse, and   mental health.

Funding:   BJA estimates that it will make up to 7 awards of up to $1,000,000 for a   36-month project period.

Eligibility:   Applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit   organizations) with a documented history of providing comprehensive,   evidence-based reentry services, and federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 11, 2015

For more   information: https://www.bja.gov/Funding/15SCAMentoringSol.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human   Services: Assets for Independence Demonstration Program

The   Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services   (OCS) is seeking application for the Assets for Independence (AFI)   demonstration program.

AFI   enables grantees to implement and demonstrate an assets-based approach for   supporting low-income individuals and their families. AFI grantees enroll   participants to save earned income in special-purpose, matched savings   accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Every dollar that a   participant deposits into an AFI IDA is matched (from $1 to $8 in combined   federal and non-federal funds) by the AFI project, promoting savings and   enabling participants to acquire a lasting asset.

AFI   participants use their IDAs and matching funds for one of three allowable   assets:

  
• Purchase a first home;
  
• Capitalize or expand a        business for self-employment; or
  
• Fund post-secondary        education or training.

AFI   grantees also assist participants in obtaining the skills and information   necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Grantees are encouraged to   tailor the strategies and services they offer to the needs of their project   participants and the opportunities in their community.

Funding:   Estimated total program funding is $11,250,000 with an expectation of 35   awards.  The minimum award per grant is $15,000 and the maximum is   $1,000,000.  Grantees are required to meet a non-federal share of the   project cost.

Eligibility: Community-based   nonprofits and government agencies

Promise Zone Benefits: Preference points   are offered to Promise Zones for this opportunity.

Deadline for Applications: June 15, 2015

View   information about resources, trainings, and other assistance for grantees and   potential applicants is posted on the AFI Resource Center   website.

View   the AFI Funding   Opportunity Announcementand the Promise Zone AFI   Fact Sheet.

Learn   more about AFI by joining the webinar on Thursday, May 14^th.    Details in the section below.

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Comprehensive Body Worn   Cameras Program

Law   enforcement agencies across the country and worldwide are using body-worn   cameras (BWCs) as a promising tool to improve law enforcement interactions   with the public.The   Body-Worn Camera Pilot Implementation Program solicitation provides fiscal   support to help law enforcement agencies develop, implement and evaluate   body-worn camera programs across the United States. BJA is soliciting   applications from law enforcement agencies to develop a comprehensive,   problem solving approach that incorporates BWCs into officer practice by   implementing a first- time program or enhancing an existing BWC program that   includes the following elements:

• Implementation of a BWC program   developed in a planned and phased approach.

• Collaboration that leverages partnerships   with cross-agency criminal justice stakeholders including prosecutors and   advocacy organizations.

• Implementation of appropriate privacy   policies.

• Implementation of operational   procedures and tracking mechanisms.

• Training of officers, administrators,   and associated agencies requiring access to digital multimedia evidence (DME).

• Adoption of practices and deployment   of BWC programs appropriately addressing operational requirements.

Funding:   Estimated program funding is $20 million with $17 million in   competitive grants for the purchase of body-worn cameras, $2 million for   training and technical assistance and $1 million for the development of   evaluation tools to study best practices.  BJA expects to make up to 50   awards with the BWC Pilot Implementation Program solicitation.

Eligibility: Units of local   government and federally recognized Indian tribes that perform law   enforcement functions, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or any   department, agency, or instrumentality of the foregoing that performs   criminal justice functions

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 29, 2015

For more information: https://www.bja.gov/Funding/15BWCsol.pdf

Tribal Energy Development Capacity   Grants

The Assistant   Secretary-Indian Affairs for the Department of the Interior (Assistant   Secretary), through the Office of Indian Energy & Economic Development,   is soliciting grant proposals from Indian tribes to build tribal capacity for   energy resource development or management under the Department of the   Interior’s Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) grant program. Eligible tribes will conduct studies to assess, develop,   and obtain the managerial, organizational and technical capacity needed to   develop energy resources on Indian lands and properly accounting for energy   resource production and revenues.

Funding: Expected to provide 30 awards

Eligibility: Native American tribal   governments (Federally recognized)

Promise   Zones Benefits: There   are no Promise Zone specific benefits for this opportunity.

Deadline   for Applications: June 29, 2015

For more information: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=275611

Applicant Webinar:   Assets for Independence (AFI)

Thursday, May 14, 2015

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM   ET  

Register Here

Assets for Independence (AFI) is a federal funding program   that enables community-based nonprofits and government agencies to implement   asset building projects serving low-income individuals and their families.   AFI grantees enroll participants to save earned income in special-purpose,   matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). The   allowable asset purchases under AFI funds align with the employment and small   business goals of the Promise Zones program.  AFI applicants   collaborating with federal place-based initiative(s) and serving populations   located in those areas are eligible for bonus points in the AFI application   review. This webinar will introduce the 2015 AFI funding opportunity and   share the experiences of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, an AFI grantee and   Promise Zone designee.

Speakers:

  
• Emily Appel-Newby, AFI        Resource Center
  
• Dawn Hix, Choctaw        Nation of Oklahoma
  
• Robin Counce, Choctaw        Nation of Oklahoma
  
• Sara-Jane Smallwood,        Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Mayors' Challenge   for Safer People, Safer Streets

Friday,   May 22nd,

2:00   - 3:00 p.m. ET

Register   here.  

U.S. Secretary of Transportation   Anthony Foxx challenged mayors across the country to take a leadership   role in addressing pedestrian and bicycle safety. This webinar, sponsored by   America Walks, will feature three of the mayors who have responded to the   Challenge and provide information on how to get involved.

National   Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice

The National Initiative for Building   Community Trust and Justice is designed   to improve relationships and increase trust between minority communities and   the criminal justice system.  The site for the initiative offers   resources on the latest research, tools, guides, and best practices to   communities and law enforcement agencies interested in engaging in processes   to reduce implicit bias, enhance procedural justice, and promote   reconciliation.

CDC Local   School Wellness Policy Briefs

CDC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-supported Bridging the Gap (BTG) research program developed a series of briefs highlighting opportunities to support   wellness policies through evidence-based strategies. These briefs provide an   assessment of policies across school districts nationwide during the   2012-2013 school year, related to seven wellness policy components. They also   highlight areas of opportunity for state agencies, school districts, and   schools to strengthen wellness policy components.

CDC Winnable   Battles 2010-2015 Progress Report

The updated report from the Centers for Disease Control   and Prevention captures recent data contributions across each of CDC’s 7 winnable battles: Tobacco, Nutrition / Physical Activity /   Obesity, Food Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Motor Vehicle   Injuries, Teen Pregnancy, and HIV.  View the progress report here.

Education Week Research   Center: Early-Childhood Education in the U.S.: An Analysis

The Education Week Research Center analyzed American   Community Survey data to identify patterns in the school enrollment of young   children. Results indicate that preschool participation is heavily influenced   by a range of socioeconomic factors, including household income, parental   education levels, and race and ethnicity. The state where a child lives also   has an impact.  View the findings of this analysis here.  

White House Blog:   Accelerating Economic Mobility Through Promise Zones Partnerships

View the White House blog post on the Second Round Promise   Zones Announcement that also highlights early results from two of the First   Round Zones: Los Angeles and San Antonio:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/04/28/accelerating-economic-mobility-through-promise-zone-partnerships

CNCS Blog: Expanding   the Promise of Promise Zones

Wendy Spencer, the CEO of the Corporation for National and   Community Service (CNCS), wrote a blog post congratulating the Second Round   Promise Zone designees and showcasing the activities of AmeriCorps VISTA   members in three of the First Round Promise Zone communities:  Los   Angeles, Philadlephia, and Kentucky.  View the blog post here.