Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Main Street Arkansas Update - April 28, 2008

INVOICES for GRANTS awarded this fiscal year DUE in office MAY 30 – no exceptions!

DESIGN section of upcoming 4-point APPROVED FOR BOTH LEARNING & HEALTH, SAFETY WELFARE 3.0 by the AIA – tell your architects

ER APPROVED FOR 3.5 LEARNING hours by AIA – tell your architects

MSA Grant applications (slipcover & DTR) due in our office may 23

4-Point Training – May 6-7, Municipal League, North Little Rock

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS

October 21-25 - National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference, Tulsa, OK

NEW – ARKANSAS’S 6TH ANNUAL GREEN BUILDING’S CONFERENCE – MAY 19-20, HOT SPRINGS www.sustainablearkansas.com



Main Street Arkansas Calendar April 28 – May 2, 2008

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MONDAY Caroline – ill
TUESDAY Susan, Blytheville (Bus Station Visit); Cary, Helena (board meeting)
WEDNESDAY Susan, Mark – Searcy (site visit)
THURSDAY Susan & Mark – Harrison, Window Display Workshop
FRIDAY Susan & Mark – Harrison, Window Display Workshop
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Steve Eastis, formerly of Main Street Upland, CA has accepted the position of executive director of Main Street Texarkana. He begins sometime in late May.

IN THIS ISSUE
HELENA/WEST HELENA MAYOR’S NEW BLOG
NON-PROFIT RESOURCE
EBAY GIVING/TECHQUITY PROGRAM
NICE ARTICLE ON PHILLIPS COUNTY
STATE’S FOUNDATIONS CUT BACK ON GIVING
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
WEBSITE INFORMATION
NONPROFIT REPORTS DUE TO STATE AUG 1
SoMa STORY
LAKEPORT DOCUMENTARY
GREEN MCMANSIONS?
THE MOUNT NEEDS $2 MILL.

Mayor James Valley of Helena/West Helena has entered the blogosphere. Read it here:
http://jfvalley.blogspot.com/

Blue Avocado is a new bite-sized magazine by and for people who work and volunteer in community nonprofits
http://www.blueavocado.org/

EBay Giving Works
http://givingworks.ebay.com/nonprofitFAQ/
eBay Giving Works is the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay. There are two main ways that your nonprofit organization can use eBay Giving Works to fundraise
http://pages.ebay.com/aboutebay/givingprograms.html
eBay Foundation's long-term goal is to help strengthen the livelihood of communities by supporting non-profit organizations committed to microenterprise development. The Foundation views microenterprise development as a successful poverty alleviation and human and economic development strategy. Funding is provided for several areas, including: technical assistance and training; credit and access to credit; access to markets; and economic literacy and asset development. Support is targeted for programs that cater to underserved or low-income populations.
More information on the eBay Techquity program here:
http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=128

Place-based Initiative Benefits Phillips County in the Arkansas Delta
http://www.stlouisfed.org/exploringinnovation/columns/steinberg.html



State’s Foundations Cut Back on Giving

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/223276



Support for Capital Projects Nationwide

Kresge Foundation: Capital Challenge Grant Program
The mission of the Kresge Foundation is to strengthen nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that advance the well-being of humanity. The Foundation’s six major areas of interest are health, environment, arts and culture, education, human services, and community development. Through the Capital Challenge Grant Program, the Foundation supports organizations’ immediate capital needs, such as building construction or renovation, the purchase of real estate, and the purchase of major equipment. Grants are awarded on a challenge basis, usually one-third to one-fifth of the amount an organization has to raise to complete its campaign goal. The Foundation accepts online letters of intent for this program throughout the year. Visit the website listed above to review the Capital Challenge Grant Program guidelines.



Web Watch Column in Main Street News

Be sure & check out the Web Watch column in the latest issue of Main Street News. There’s a nice piece on using Picasa (Google’s free Image Manager software) as a tool for Design Committees – see http://picasaweb.google.com/highlandtown and a nice mention of the Craigslist Foundation – see http://craigslistfoundation.org



Nonprofit Reports Due August 1

Act 569 of 2007 requires all non-profit corporations to file an annual report, including the name of the corporation, its jurisdiction and address to the Secretary of State. These are due by August 1. More information available via corporations@sos.arkansas.gov



Interesting Story on Homes near the SoMa area

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/223060



Lakeport Documentary funded by the AHPP to Air

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/223063

See it on AETN at 6: 30 p.m. May 1, May 14, and June 5; and 5 a.m. May 16 and May 19.



Can a McMansion Be Green?

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/22/green-giants/



The Mount, Edith Wharton’s House May Be Shut Down

http://www.slate.com/id/2189098/

- House museums, even those of widely respected (but dead) authors have a hard time keeping the doors open. Of course, they did acquire $3 million in debt.

Monday, April 21, 2008

THIS THURSDAY - April 24 – PRESERVATION CRUSTACEANS – ANNUAL CRAWSFISH BOIL TO BENEFIT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF ARKANSAS – NLR 6:00 PM

DEADLINE FRIDAY - The Alliance is also accepting nominations to Arkansas’s Most Endangered Places list. Nominations are due April 25. More information here:
http://www.preservearkansas.org/index.php?page=most-endangered-places

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS
October 21-25 - National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference, Tulsa, OK

Main Street Arkansas Calendar April 21-25, 2008
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MONDAY Susan & Mark – Rogers (window display work); Greg – Heber Springs
TUESDAY Susan & Mark - Rogers
WEDNESDAY Heritage Month Kick-Off 6p Old State House
THURSDAY
FRIDAY Cary – annual leave
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The Main Street West Memphis job is posted here:

http://www.mainstreet.org/content.aspx?page=342§ion=13&UCName=DetailsJobListing&JobID=468&referrer=SummaryJobListings

Harrison’s Hotel Seville Redevelopment
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/221404/

IN THIS ISSUE:
7 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
3 AWARD OPPORTUNITIES
NATIONAL TRUST CONFERENCE IN TULSA DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
AR VOLUNTEERISM CONFERENCE SET FOR MAY 1-2
STATE BY STATE INCOME ANALYSIS
CREATIVE INDUSTRY RANKINGS BY STATE USING DUN & BRADSTREET



Access to $70 Million in Product Donations

Gifts In Kind International
Gifts In Kind International is a national clearinghouse that connects nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. to a wide range of product donations, allowing organizations to stretch their program dollars and empower the people they serve. Through this one-time offer to GrantStation Insider readers, Gifts In Kind International will waive membership fees for six months, providing organizations access to over $70 million in product donations, from toys and personal care items to clothing, appliances, and home improvement products. This offer is valid for new Gifts In Kind International members only. Nonprofit organizations can register for this special offer through May 31, 2008, at the Gifts In Kind website.

Funds for Youth Art Programs
National Endowment for the Arts: Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing leadership in arts education by inspiring all young Americans through rich arts experiences. The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grant program offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects may take place in school-based or community-based settings and should focus on children and youth in the general age range of 5 through 18 years. The application deadline is June 9, 2008. Online applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Detailed program and application information is available on the website listed above.

Emergency Support for Social Change Projects
Funding Exchange: Emergency Fund for Seizing Strategic Opportunities
The Funding Exchange is a national membership organization of publicly supported, community-based foundations that address the root causes of social problems. Through the Funding Exchange’s Emergency Fund for Seizing Strategic Opportunities, grants of up to $5,000 are provided to support specific social justice projects, events, or initiatives. The Fund makes grants in response to political crises or opportunities, when a small amount of money can make a difference in educating or mobilizing for social change under time-sensitive circumstances. Applications may be submitted throughout the year. Application guidelines are available on the Funding Exchange website listed above.

Preservation and Access Education and Training Grants

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=41224

These grants support national or regional (multi-state) education and training programs on the care and management of, and the creation of intellectual access to, library, archival, and material culture collections. Eligible projects include: the development and presentation of courses or programs on the care and management of collections for staff in cultural organizations who are responsible for the day-to-day care of collections; the development and presentation of courses or programs that focus on the skills and knowledge required to provide or enhance intellectual access to humanities collections; graduate programs in preservation and conservation; and preservation field services that serve a multi-state region and provide surveys, consultations, workshops, reference services, and informational materials to the staff of institutions responsible for the care of humanities collections.

Archer Daniels Midland Company Announces Call for Community Grant Applications

Deadline: June 30, 2008

Continuing its commitment to strengthening American agricultural communities, Archer Daniels Midland Company ( http://admworld.com/ ) is accepting applications for its 2008 Community Partnership Grant Program. The program will award up to four grants of $10,000 each for community-improvement projects in cities and towns where ADM operates (I could not locate exact ADM locations in Arkansas on their website, so I pass this along assuming you’ll know if they’re in your community or not).

The program will award grants to qualified tax-exempt, nonprofit, educational, or community organizations in ADM communities. In order to be eligible to receive a grant, applicants must apply on behalf of a public charity under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not a private foundation under section 509(a).

Complete program information, including submission guidelines and an application, is available at the ADM Web site.

Conservation Fund Accepting Applications for Kodak American Greenways Awards Program

Deadline: June 15, 2008

The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership project of the Eastman Kodak Company ( http://www.kodak.com/ ), the Conservation Fund ( http://www.conservationfund.org/ ), and the National Geographic Society (http://nationalgeographic.com/ ), provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America.

Grants may be used for activities such as mapping, ecological assessments, surveying, conferences, and design activities; developing brochures, interpretative displays, audio-visual productions, or public opinion surveys; and hiring consultants, incorporating land trusts, building infrastructure (e.g., a foot bridge or bike path), or other creative projects. In general, grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical assistance, legal, and other costs.

Grant recipients are selected according to criteria that include the importance of the project to local greenway development efforts; demonstrated community support for the project; extent to which the grant will result in matching funds or other support from public or private sources; the likelihood of tangible results; and capacity of the organization to complete the project.

Awards will primarily go to local, regional, or statewide non- profit organizations. Although public agencies may also apply, community organizations will receive preference.

Most grants will range from $500 to $1,000 each; the maximum individual grant award is $2,500.

Visit the Conservation Fund Web site for complete program information

SAVE OUR HISTORY GRANTS
The History Channel awards grants of up to $10,000 to fund partnerships between history organizations and schools or youth groups on projects that teach students about their local history and actively engage them in its preservation. Applications are due on Friday, June 6.
Click here for more information: www.saveourhistory.com

Nominations Invited for Garden Crusader Awards
Good information for many of your Master Gardner partners
Deadline: June 15, 2008

The Garden Crusader Awards were created by Gardener's Supply (http://www.gardeners.com/ ) to honor individuals who are improving the world through gardening. Garden Crusaders are men and women who are planting trees and flowers, growing food, creating new green spaces, and teaching their friends and neighbors about the rewards of gardening.

The awards honor individuals in the United States who are improving their communities through gardening. Nominations of organizations will not be accepted. However, many organizations apply and choose one person to represent the group, with the entire group sharing the prize. There is no age requirement. Nominees may be volunteers or may be paid for their garden work. Self-nominations are accepted.

Award categories for 2008 are Education; Feeding the Hungry; Urban Renewal; and Restoration. There are five winners for each category: first, second, third, plus two honorable mentions and one grand-prize winner, for a total of twenty-one winners over- all. The grand-prize winner will receive $2,500 in cash and a $2,500 gift certificate from Gardener's Supply. First-place winners will receive a $1,000 gift certificate each; second- place winners a $750 gift certificate; third-place winners a $500 gift certificate; and honorable mentions a $200 gift certificate. All prizes will be awarded to the winner's organization in his/her name.

Visit the program's Web site for complete guidelines and nomination forms.

Inc. 5,000 Awards - Successful Entrepreneurs Must Apply by April 30th
AEO is partnering with Inc. in its search for America's fastest growing companies....the Inc. 5,000 Awards. This annual list is sponsored by Inc. magazine and Inc.com.
To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by the first week of 2004, and able to show four full calendar years of sales as of December 31, 2007. Revenue in 2004 must have been at least $200,000, and revenue in 2007 must be at least $2 million.
The deadline is April 30th and there is no application fee. If one of your current or former clients meets this criteria, encourage him or her to apply. Visit http://www.inc.com/inc5000apply/ for more information.
Enterprise Community Partners Accepting Applications for Jim and Patty Rouse Award

Deadline: April 18, 2008

Established in 2002 to honor Enterprise Community Partners'
( http://www.enterprisecommunity.org ) founders, the Jim and Patty Rouse Award celebrates the important work being done by community-based and regional nonprofit organizations and eligible Tribal entities that engage in affordable housing development and comprehensive community revitalization.

An award of $10,000 (in unrestricted funds) will be presented to a member of the Enterprise Network ( http://enterprisecommunity.org/ ) who develops and provides quality affordable housing and has a strong record of strategic planning and community building and excellent resident and community services. The winner also receives publicity via a press release and case study, and a free registration to the Enterprise Community Conference this November in Baltimore, Maryland.

Applying organizations must be a member of the Enterprise Network, must be financially sound, and must have a proven track record of housing development and other community services.

Visit the Enterprise Community Partners Web site for application guidelines and information on joining the Enterprise Network.

National Preservation Conference: Diversity Scholarship Program
The goal of the Diversity Scholarship Program is to increase the diversity of participants at the annual National Preservation Conference and in the preservation movement. The program provides financial assistance to approximately 60 community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to attend the National Preservation Conference. Through interactive sessions, presentations, informal gatherings, and tours in Tulsa and its surrounding areas, participants will learn the necessary tools to strengthen their commitment to and effectiveness in preserving historic places and revitalizing communities. The deadline for Diversity Scholarships is May 31, 2008. For applications please visit http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/scholarships/diversity/

The Summit 2008:
Where Volunteer, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leaders Meet

The 33rd Annual Conference, The Summit 2008 will be Thursday and Friday May 1 & 2, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock. The Summit, sponsored by the Arkansas Community Foundation and the Arkansas Department of Human Services- Division of Volunteerism, brings leaders in philanthropy, the nonprofit and volunteer sectors together for learning and networking over two days. This year's keynote speaker will be Kyle Caldwell, President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), our fellow nonprofit association!
Click here for registration, and to review the full agenda. See you there!

Pulling apart: A state-by-state analysis of income trends
http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/studies_pulling_apart_2008
Arkansas’s analysis can be found here:
http://www.epi.org/studies/pulling08/4-9-08sfp-fact-ar.pdf
I’m forced to wonder the effect that five of the richest people in the world living here has on the findings?

Arkansas Ranks 35th in Creative Industries based upon American for the Arts report, using Dun & Bradstreet data

http://www.artsusa.org/information_services/research/services/creative_industries/default.asp

Friday, April 4, 2008

Main Street Arkansas Update - April 7-11, 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE:

April 24 – PRESERVATION CRUSTACEANS – ANNUAL CRAWSFISH BOIL TO BENEFIT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF ARKANSAS – NLR 6:30 PM

NEW – MAY 6-7, 4-POINT TRAINING IN NLR

ALL RELATIVELY NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SHOULD PLAN TO ATTEND. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND BOARD & COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IF ONLY TO ONE SECTION. AGENDA ATTACHED.

The Alliance is also accepting nominations to Arkansas’s Most Endangered Places list. Nominations are due April 25. More information here:
http://www.preservearkansas.org/index.php?page=most-endangered-places

OCTOBER 6-8, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS
October 21-25 - National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference, Tulsa, OK

I’ll be on annual leave all week, but back in time to go to the SoMa event late Friday.

Main Street Arkansas Calendar April 11-16
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MONDAY Caroline & Mark – Texarkana (HR work)
TUESDAY Caroline in Texarkana (maybe) - Susan & Mark – Heber Springs Window Display Workshop
WEDNESDAY Greg – Legislative Review
THURSDAY
FRIDAY Cary, Greg & Susan – South Main P.M.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Various Main Street Press
DPZ Comes to AR
ADA & Arkansas Buildings
Arkansas DeltaMade Press (RHDI project)
Good Morning America features recipe from the Arkansas Delta
Preserve America Grant
PPS April Fools
IDA Awards Call
LR Mayor Announces Tourism Committee
Conference Announcement
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Good Main Street Harrison Press:
http://www.harrisondailytimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19446965&BRD=1815&PAG=461&dept_id=516928&rfi=6
- MSH is following Main Street Argenta’s lead here. Nice cooperation.
More Harrison Press (Hotel Seville)
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/221404/

Good Main Street Rogers Press:
http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/60261/

Good Main Street Batesville Press:
http://www.guardonline.com/?q=node/44748

DPZ comes to Arkansas
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=103718.26766.115862

ADA and Arkansas Buildings
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=103714.13541.115858&view=all

DeltaMade Market Place a Big Success
http://clintonschoolblog.com/cblog/?p=436
http://www.arkansas.com/blog/
http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=2076#Arkansas

Alton Brown on Good Morning America sharing recipes from Nana Deane's Pecan-Coconut Pie in Burton, AR (Arkansas Delta)
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Recipes/Story?id=4539079&page=1

Preserve America Grant Opportunity:
The Preserve America matching-grant program provides funding to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning. Eligible applicants include Designated Preserve America Communities and Neighborhoods, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments in the process of applying for Preserve America Community Designation.
Applications are due June 30, 2008.
Guidelines and applications are available on our website, at: www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/PreserveAmerica/index.htm

The Preserve America Communities in Arkansas are:
Blytheville
Dumas
El Dorado
Eureka Springs
Fort Smith
Helena
Little Rock
Osceola
Van Buren

I say again: Obtaining PA status is fairly easy. And once you obtain it, there’s grant money available. Ask Osceola, which has a $100,000 PA grant.

April Fool’s From the Project for Public Spaces
http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/april2008/

IDA Call for Achievement Awards
http://www.ida-downtown.org/eweb/docs/awards08/Call%20For%20Entries%20-%20Announcement.pdf

LR Mayor Mark Stodola Convenes Tourism Committee
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=104155.54928.116284
LR & NLR were named one of the Nation’s Distinctive Dozen Destinations in 2007. Mark is a former MSA & HPAA board member.

Community Conference Showcases Connections to Global Economy May 1 in LR

The annual Breakthrough Solutions Conference will take place May 1 in Little Rock with the theme "It's All Connected - Linking Your Local Economy to Global Opportunities". This conference will focus on successes - how communities and businesses are taking advantage of opportunities in this new era, by working together, by being innovative, and by using broadband connectivity to connect to the world. Keynote speaker Jane Smith Patterson, Executive Director of e-NC in North Carolina, will address “Building a 21st Century Economy in Rural Arkansas”. We will gain insights about how your community or region can move forward in this era. The conference will be held at the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center, I-630 and University Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration information is available at http://www.vworks.org/conference.