Department of Health and Human Services‘ Discretionary Grant Funds for Projects to Establish Individual Development Account Programs for Refugees provide support for projects that establish, support, and manage Individual Development Accounts (matched savings accounts) for eligible low-income refugees to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency through meeting savings goals to acquire an asset, including a home, a small business, a vehicle, professional recertification, and post secondary education. Proposed projects should be designed to meet the following objectives: encourage regular saving habits among refugees; promote their participation in the financial institutions of this country; promote refugee acquisition of assets to build individual, family, and community resources; increase refugee knowledge of financial and monetary topics; assist refugees in advancing their education; increase homeownership among refugees; and assist refugees in gaining access to capital. The application deadline is June 18, 2012.

The Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Program provides support for the implementation of Promise Neighborhood plans in targeted geographic areas with a demonstrated need, including rural and tribal communities. Proposed activities should include a sound strategy for creating a continuum of solutions and demonstrate the capacity to implement the plan. Special consideration may be given to implementation activities that address the following priorities: comprehensive local early learning networks, quality internet connectivity, arts and humanities, and quality affordable housing. Proposed implementation activities focused on family engagement in learning through adult education are also reviewed. The letter of intent deadline is June 8, 2012. The application deadline is July 27, 2012.

The mission of the PacificSource Charitable Foundation is to provide funds to nonprofit organizations in Idaho and Oregon working to improve health status and meet healthcare needs in the communities the company serves in Idaho and Oregon. Priority is given to organizations that address the healthcare needs of children and youth. Eligible applicants include the following: school-based health centers, community-sponsored clinics and health centers, rural health clinics, behavioral and oral health programs, and local health departments. Grants generally range between $10,000 and $50,000. The next application deadline is June 30, 2012. Visit the company’s website to download the Proposal Application Packet.

The Finish Line Youth Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of youth in the communities where company employees and customers live by supporting programs that focus on youth development and an active lifestyle [their site lists a store in Portland's Lloyd Center]. The Foundation primarily offers grants to nonprofit organizations that provide community-based access to athletics and other active lifestyle activities for youth under the age of 18. An additional focus is on camps that give kids the chance to be active, with emphasis on those that provide services to disadvantaged or special needs children. Requests are reviewed quarterly; the remaining deadlines for 2012 are June 30, September 30, and December 31. Visit the company’s website to take the online Eligibility Quiz.

Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good initiative supports grassroots organizations throughout the country working to do good in their communities. In 2012, the program will provide five grants of $20,000 and one grant of $50,000 to nonprofit organizations in order to help them enhance their community projects. Eligible projects must have a positive impact on the community in one of the following areas: Environmental Goodness, Healthy Goodness, or Human Goodness. A review panel of leaders from around the country selects up to 51 finalists. Information on these finalists will then be posted on the Tom’s of Maine website in September so that the public can vote for which six projects should be awarded funding. The deadline for submitting online applications is 8pm ET June 12, 2012. Visit the company’s website to learn more about this program and submit an online application.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides support for efforts to end homelessness among veterans. Proposed efforts should address one of the following priorities: promote increased housing stabilization by utilizing the “Transition in Place” housing model; provide transitional housing and services for homeless veterans in certain rural areas; provide transitional housing and services on Indian tribal property; and create transitional housing and services that are sensitive to the needs of justice-involved homeless veterans (i.e., veterans who are not incarcerated but are involved in the criminal justice system). The application deadline is May 30, 2012.

HUD’s inviting public housing authorities, tribes and tribally-designated housing authorities that currently administer a Family Self Sufficiency Program for their residents to apply, by May 30^th, for $15 million in new FSS funds.  . The program provides them with resources to “enable participating families to increase earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency.”  HUD expects some 240 programs across the country to be funded.  For more, visit click here.

The Oregon Brownfields Awards recognize individuals and groups who worked together to solve the critical environmental challenge of transforming brownfields sites into productive reuses. Oregon DEQ & Business Oregon invite community groups, organizations, city/county officials, and individuals working to revitalize contaminated properties to submit project nominations. Deadline May 11. [Download Nomination Form]

The GTECH After School Advantage Program equips nonprofit community organizations and public schools with state-of-the-art, Internet-ready computer centers. These computer centers are designed to provide inner-city at risk children aged 5 to 15 with a meaningful, fun, learning experience during the critical after school hours in a safe environment. GTECH will donate up to $15,000 in computers, online technology, computer software, and volunteer hours to each after school program in inner-city communities where the company’s offices are located, including cities in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Requests may be submitted at any time. Visit the GTECH website to review the proposal guidelines.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation is dedicated to advancing literacy and fostering a love of reading among underserved and at-risk children and youth. The Foundation provides grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries throughout the country for the purchase of books published for young people preschool through grade 8. The focus of the grant program is on libraries that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. Public libraries, school libraries, and non-traditional libraries operated by nonprofit organizations that have been in operation at least three years are eligible to apply. The application deadline is June 15, 2012. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about the grant program and the application process.