Monday, July 2, 2012

Main Street Arkansas Update - July 2, 2012




Main Street Arkansas Calendar – July 2 – 6, 2012 
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MONDAY                            
TUESDAY                          
WEDNESDAY                   office closed in observance of Independence Day
THURSDAY                       Mark & Sam – out                                 
FRIDAY                                Mark & Sam – out
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IN THIS ISSUE:
AR Biz City of Distinction Awards Due August 6
SoMa Biz in Running for Prize
Main Street El Dorado Press
NPR Cities
How to Market Your Biz at Festivals
AR Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants
3 More Grant Opportunities
Software/Hardware Opportunity


Reminder – AR Biz City of Distinction Awards due August 6

SoMa Biz in Running for Prize
Chase Bank and Living Social are providing grants for up to $250,000.  In order to be eligible, we need to get at least 250 votes. 

Please vote for the Empress B&B at https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com.  

Main Street El Dorado Issues Mini-Grants

NPR Cities
NPR is asking the audience input for the NPR Cities Project, where Americans across the country share more about the heart of their city. Learn how to contribute pictures and sound at npr.org/nprcities. You can also follow the project on Twitter @nprcities.

How To Market Your Biz at Festivals

Arkansas Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants
Through ARCF signature Giving Tree Grant Program, ARCF supports a broad range of projects with the potential for statewide impact and programs serving immediate local needs. Each of their 27 local offices and our central office in Little Rock offers Giving Tree grants at least once a year. Typically, these grants are available for a wide variety of charitable causes;. Check with the local office to which you’re applying for information about the current grantmaking focus.
How to Apply: Download and complete the application form at www.arcf.org between July 10 and August 15, 2012. Applications must be submitted to arcfgrants@arcf.org by 11:59 p.m. on August 15. If you need assistance, contact Chris Love, Arkansas Community Foundation’s program director, at clove@arcf.org or 501-372-1116.

Playground Equipment Grant Opportunity
The Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! are offering grants to qualifying United States-based organizations for the purchase of playground equipment that will be built using the KaBOOM! community-build model.
The program will provide grantees with a $15,000 grant to be applied toward their equipment purchase from a KaBOOM! preferred vendor; access to planning tools on the Our Dream Playground Web site; the opportunity to receive one-on-one planning support from KaBOOM! alumni; and post-build access to the KaBOOM! alumni network. Grantees will plan their project and share best practices and challenges through the Our Dream Playground Web site.
The program is open to U.S.-based municipalities, neighborhood associations, schools, day care centers, and nonprofit organizations without a playground or with existing equipment that is unsafe for children to use.

Tourism Cares Grant Opportunity
Through its Worldwide Grant Program, Tourism Cares works to make a difference at tourism-related sites of cultural, historical, and natural significance.
Nonprofit, tax-exempt public charities are invited to submit letters of inquiry online for projects to conserve, preserve, or restore a site, and/or educate visitors. Funding requests may include brick-and-mortar capital improvement projects or educational programs that enhance interpretation of the site.

NEA Design Art Works Grant Program

Here's a quick rundown on what you should know if your organization plans to apply for the August 9, 2012 deadline. Grant guidelines, additional details, and application materials are all available on www.arts.gov.

         Grant guidelines: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/DesignAW.html

         Eligible applicants: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities with 3 years of programming history. http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP13/Eligibility.html

         Eligible design project activities: It's a long list! Everything from competitions to design commissions; design research to community workshops; exhibitions to design festivals; education to technology products that advance the field of design; and much more. Review the guidelines for a more comprehensive list.  Note: Construction costs are NOT eligible. However, NEA can support earlier phases in the project, including predevelopment and design fees.

Get Donated Software and Refurbished Hardware
TechSoup
TechSoup helps nonprofits like yours get the technology products and resources you need to operate at your full potential. With the help of our more than 40 donor partners like Microsoft and Adobe, we offer over 400 products, plus free tech learning resources including articles, blogs, webinars, community discussions, and forums led by expert hosts. Check your nonprofit’s eligibility for our donation programs and get started.