Martin O'Malley
Governor
Anthony G. Brown
Lt. Governor
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Governor's Grants Office News
December 2008
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Greetings!
Governor O'Malley recently launched www.problemsolver.maryland.gov, a new state webpage that provides access to state and federal resources during these challenging economic times.
Problem Solver has been a great tool for us already in the Grants Office. Sometimes constituents ask for a grant when the help they really need is through a government program. Now assistance throughout Maryland state government can be found through this one gateway.
Take a test drive at www.problemsolver.maryland.gov to find information on a wide range of services and programs. It's a great new vehicle for helping to navigate through state government, either for yourself or someone you are helping. The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT), in addition to having the best acronym in government, is currently working with us on putting together a searchable database of current State grants notices. If you have an interest in working on this project, please contact our office.
Eric Brenner
Director
Governor's Grants Office
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UPCOMING GGO EVENTS
Free Training for Registered Non Profits "Prospect Research: Individual Donors" on Monday, December 15, 2008. It's not too late to register...
The Governor's Grants Office has partnered with the Maryland Judiciary's Division of Research and Development to present a training by popular grants researcher Andrea Snyder of the
Enoch Pratt Library Grants Division. Building on her recent presentation at the September 8 Annual Conference, Andrea will lead a session in Annapolis that concentrates on strategies to identify individual donors.
We have a limited amount of spaces left. To ensure your seat, Sign up now!
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Save the date of March 21, 2009 for a great training for State and local Governments
and Non Profit Organizations. GGO Deputy Merril Oliver is working with Towson University
to create a session called "Leveraging Resources for Creative Funding Streams."
Price of admission will include parking, continental breakfast and networking luncheon at
Towson University. More information will be available in our next newsletter and an invitation
will be sent to you after the details are complete.
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| Just a reminder...
We post new training materials on our homepage in the What's New box. You can view and dowload last month's Subrecipient Monitoring and Management training materials, including instructor Chris Lipsey's Powerpoint presentation and Handbook,
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Governor O'Malley Introduces GreenPrint Initiative, Announces Rural Legacy Grants
More than 150 conservation leaders and elected officials, including U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, joined Governor Martin O'Malley on Dec. 3, 2008, for historic announcements that included a proposal to acquire 9,242 acres of some of the most ecologically and historically significant forest, farm and shorelines in the State through Program Open Space, as well as the 2009 Rural Legacy grants.
Governor O'Malley introduced his GreenPrint initiative, an interactive mapping tool designed to help the State, local governments, conservation organizations, and individual citizens guide land conservation and growth.
"We stand together at our own cutting edge of history," said Governor O'Malley. "Using the latest technology and harnessing the achievable hope of our great State's potential for a more sustainable, healthy environment and economy, we've designed GreenPrint to help escalate smart growth and maximize our resources."
"GreenPrint will revolutionize the way we make our land use decisions by allowing us to work together as One Maryland, using our resources more efficiently and assessing our landscape on parcel, block, neighborhood, watershed and ecosystem levels," continued the Governor. "Accessible by every citizen, GreenPrint will help Marylanders take control of planning their communities' and our State's future."
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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO HELP MARYLAND'S SMALL BUSINESSES EXPAND GLOBALLY
Governor Martin O'Malley recently announced that the State has awarded $85,000 in matching grants to 17 Maryland companies to help them market their products and services in overseas markets. The grants, made through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development's Export MD program, are awarded to small businesses to help offset the cost of international marketing initiatives, including trade show fees, travel expenses, brochures and website development. In Fiscal Year 2008, the Export MD program awarded a record number of grants totaling $105,000 and the demand for the program is continuing to grow.
"In today's global economy, Maryland companies are increasingly looking beyond our borders to meet the growing demands of tomorrow," said Governor O'Malley. "By helping to identify export-friendly markets and minimizing the cost and risk of market entry, this program is a powerful tool for Maryland's small businesses."
In 2007, Maryland exports climbed to a record high of $8.9 billion, an almost 18 percent increase over $7.6 billion in 2006.
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The National Grants Partnership Presents its Presidential Transition Report
The National Grants Partnership, (NGP), a coalition of government and non-government parties with an interest in improving the federal grants process, has been working for the past few years on ways to streamline, simplify, and improve grant-making and management processes. The group believes that improving the coordination and transparency of all aspects of grant application, award, and management will benefit everyone.
Cornelia Chebinou, Co-Chair of the National Grants Partnership (NGP), and Eric Brenner, Transition Report Coordinator for the NGP, coordinated and submitted the NGP's transition report to present to President-Elect Obama.
The recommendations in the report are related to recent legislative activity "The Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act" and the "Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA)", co-sponsored by then-Senator Obama, and all strategies are the result of numerous discussions with a broad range of participants across the nation.
For the full Presidential Transition Report, click here.  |
Good Government, Batman!
Maryland state government has decreased its Single Audit findings for federal grants from 44 in 2005 to 17 in 2008, a 62% reduction. Those GGO free training courses are paying off! And we have seen a significant rise in state government employee participation at our trainings lately. Keep up the good work!
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Learn how Volunteer Maryland, an AmeriCorps program of the Governor's office, can help your organization
Volunteer Maryland can help you with program development, community outreach, and resource management. Founded in 1992, Volunteer Maryland works with nonprofit agencies to provide human and environmental services across the state.
Save The Date!
Frederick-January 8 1:00 pm-2:30 pm C. Burr Artz Public Library Meeting Room 110 East Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701 Easton-January 9 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Talbot County Public Library Easton Branch 100 West Dover Street Easton, Maryland 21601 La Plata-January 12 1:00 pm-2:30 pm La Plata Public Library 2 Garrett Avenue La Plata, MD 20646 Baltimore-January 28 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Enoch Pratt Free Library Orleans Street Branch 1303 Orleans Street Baltimore, MD 21231 Salisbury-January 29 1:00 pm-2:30 pm American Red Cross Lower Shore Chapter 1505 Emerson Avenue Salisbury, MD 21801 To register please contact Patrice Beverly at 410-767-6231 or pbeverly@volunteermaryland.org.
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Local Governments can now apply for an ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant
 Public libraries can play a dynamic role in communities. Once an institution devoted to book circulation, today's libraries provide citizens and businesses with Internet connectivity, career development, childhood literacy, immigration assistance, and other important services. Many libraries across the country are struggling with this larger role in meeting their community's needs.
Local governments can now apply for an International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Public Library Innovation Grant. With the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ICMA will provide $500,000 in grants to cities, towns, and counties that are committed to using their public library as a vital tool in addressing community priorities and issues in a unique, non-traditional manner. Individual grants will range from $20,000 to $60,000 and be 18 months in length.
All Innovation Grants will be anchored by a partnership between the office of the chief administrative officer (city, county, and town manager) and the public library. A series of leadership workshops and project coaching will support grantees in solidifying the manager/librarian partnership, ensuring the short-term success of the project, and developing the capacity to support the long-term use of libraries to meet community goals.
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The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has launched an innovative small grants program just for Maryland!
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation understands the difficulties many nonprofit organizations face in applying for philanthropic grants - complex application forms, confusing procedures, long delays waiting for a response, and so forth. The Maryland Small Grants Program was started for nonprofits seeking general operating grants of up to $50,000 a year for two years. All that's required is a simple, five-page proposal, and The Weinberg Foundation will quickly review and respond.
To participate in The Maryland Small Grants Program, an applicant must:
~Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status
~Be headquartered in the State of Maryland or provide direct services primarily to residents of the State of Maryland
~Meet The Weinberg Foundation's mission of providing direct services to poor and vulnerable populations
~Request funds only for general operating support or program support; capital grants are not eligible
~For both challenge grants and non-challenge grants, the maximum award available under the Maryland Small Grants Program is $50,000 per year for each of two years (for a maximum of $100,000). Grant requests must not represent more than 25% of an organization's total annual operating budget.
~Have annual operating budgets below $5 million
Go to the website for more information about how to apply for a Weinberg Foundation Maryland Small Grant:
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9 Tips for Stronger Proposals, from The Grantsmanship Center
As we gear up to make New Year's Resolutions, perhaps some tips to avoid common grant proposal mistakes in the future will help!
A grant proposal should deliver a clear and persuasive message to the grantmaker. "Avoiding Common Grant Proposal Mistakes" (Local/State Funding Report, September 22, 2008) gives advice on how to achieve this:
1. Use clear and precise language. Forget the boilerplate verbiage. Write for the particular funding opportunity you seek.
2. Make your points precisely and back them with evidence.
3. Do not cobble your proposal together from bits and pieces of previous proposals.
4. Do not parrot language from the RFP or the grantmaker's web site.
5. Write simply and keep to the point.
6. Use technical terms, acronyms, and other jargon sparingly.
7. Provide all the documentation the grantmaker requests.
8. Communicate directly with the grantmaker if you have questions.
9. Organize your proposal into clearly marked sections and subsections.
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 Notice of Available State Grants:
Maryland Department of Human Resources:
The Maryland Department of Human Resources administers the state energy assistance programs to help low-income Maryland citizens pay their heating bills, minimize heating crises and make energy costs more affordable. Recently, this fund has expanded to help Marylanders cope with escalating costs of energy. For the application, visit the Maryland Energy Assistance Program website.
offers COMMUNITY LEGACY (CL) grants for local economic development activities that stimulate reinvestment and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Maryland. Projects must be aimed at strengthening communities through activities such as business retention and attraction, encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization. First time applicants must complete a training course. www.dhcd.state.md.us The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), is an active grant maker helping bring new technologies to market. TEDCO has several grant programs going at any given time. www.TEDCO.org
"While other industries have suffered, the nonprofit arts world continues to build in strength while it encourages the growth of innumerable small businesses on its periphery, thereby creating more jobs."
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region's arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world. The Foundation serves the states and jurisdictions of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. Since its founding in 1979, the Foundation has been committed to serving artists, organizations engaged in cultural pursuits, audience members, and community residents through its programs.
ArtsCONNECT, like other Foundation grants programs, has evolved over time to respond to the changing landscape in the arts environment.
Application deadline: March 30, 2009
Grant Notification: Approximately June 15, 2009
Project Period: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
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GET YOUR PLUNGE ON TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS!
 Sign up now for the 13th Annual Polar Bear Plunge!
It's official...the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge is THE event of winter!
The MSP Polar Bear Plunge benefits Special Olympics Maryland and the 10,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who experience the life-changing benefits of participating in the organization's year-round training and competition programs - all at no cost to themselves or their families.
Plungapalooza '09 featuring the MSP Polar Bear Plunge XIII is sure to be the coolest one yet. This year's festival includes multiple Plunges, the crowning of Miss Polar Bear Plunge, and the chance to get your Plunge on with some of Special Olympic Maryland's biggest fans including Ravens QB Joe Flacco, OT Adam Terry, NT Haloti Ngata, Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan, retired DE Michael McCrary, Orioles Hall of Famer BJ Surhoff and more. Be there for Plungapalooza on Saturday, January 24...one day you just might be telling your grandchildren about it!
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| JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
Director of Financial Aid
Baltimore City Community College
The Director of Financial Aid primarily administers federal, state, institutional and other financial aid programs at Baltimore City Community College. This position is responsible
for the overall direction, coordination, and operations of the Student Financial Aid Office, as well as maintaining institutional compliance with all federal and state regulations pertaining to financial aid. Go to the website for more information.
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University Relations University of Maryland, College Park
Responsible for writing proposals to both private and public grant-making organizations
for unrestricted and restricted grant support. This is a newly-created position within the University Central Development Office. The grant writer will work on proposals and fund-raising materials for some of the most strategic University projects that will include the Assistant Vice President and Vice President. Salary is highly competitive and commensurate with experience.
For best consideration, applications should be received by January 5, 2009. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. For more information about the University of Maryland, please visit www.maryland.edu. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leadership Interns and Sponsors needed for
2009 Nonprofit Leadership Internship Program
Darryl Jones, Sr., the new Chief Executive Officer of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (MANO) invites non profits to apply by January 12th to place a Leadership Intern at your organization this summer!
In partnership with The Shriver Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, MANO has created the 2009 Maryland Nonprofit Leadership Program. This innovative program combines a 10-week nonprofit internship placement with nonprofit management coursework for 35 high-achieving graduate and undergraduate students in the state of Maryland. Students will have the opportunity to engage in paid, full-time summer work and attend professional development seminars focused on the leadership and management of nonprofit organizations. The program is an expansion of the Governor's Summer Internship Program, which is specifically supported by the Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Summer Internship Program.
The program is looking for sponsoring agencies. There is no direct financial cost to non profits for participating in this program other than the time and commitment of providing an enriching experience for these up-and-coming leaders.
Dowload the Intern Request Form to establish your organization as a potential sponsoring agency. Your completed 2009 Intern Request Forms must be submitted no later than January 12, 2009 by e-mail to:
Ms. Christine Routzahn The Shriver Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore County routzahn@umbc.edu
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Major Gift and Endowment Officer
Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital
Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital serves the Washington metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia and areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. The Major Gift and Endowment Officer is responsible for the
generation of gifts from individuals and organizations in support of major gifts projects and building the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital's (GSCNC) endowment fund. Go to the website for more information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grant Writer
International Social Service Organization
Columbia, Maryland
People & Systems is assisting an international social service organization with their search for a Grant Writer/Wordsmith. The position requires 3-plus years of grant writing experience with a keen attention to detail and exemplary writing skills. Ability to read and write Spanish or Portuguese and experience in soliciting government grants, USAID and USDA are desired but NOT a requirement. Candidates without grant writing experience WILL NOT be considered.
After an initial screening, you may be given full disclosure about the organization, allowing you to decide whether or not you wish to proceed. All applications are 100% CONFIDENTIAL. Send a resume and cover letter to:
People & Systems Solutions
E-mail: GRANT@peopleANDsystems.com
Job Type: Grantwriting
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations
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Grants Coordinator
Annapolis Police Department The Grants Coordinator researches grant programs, writes funding applications, and coordinates and leads the activities of a grant program.Coordinator will be the central repository for all Annapolis Police Department grants.
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Grants Writer
Maryland Courts
We understand that on or around December 15, the Maryland Judiciary will be re-posting a grants position to their jobs page at www.mdcourts.gov.
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