Some of the grant and funding news below is courtesy of the Afterschool Advocate - A media outreach newsletter published by the Afterschool Alliance.

AWARDS FOR YOUTH ENGAGED IN SERVICE PROJECTS
If you have great kids involved in a successful service-learning project, this is great opportunity for you! Every year The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors ten young leaders who have led, developed, and implemented significant service projects in the previous year while demonstrating a positive spirit and high moral purpose. Each winner will receive $2,000 to be applied to their service projects or higher education. Kids ages 8 to 18 may be nominated by unrelated adults. The deadline is April 30th. For more information click here.

GRANTS FOR MINORITY COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The United Methodist Church is sponsoring the Minority Group Self Determination Fund which provides grants to projects that are initiated and administered by minorities and that support the empowerment of racial and ethnic minorities within or outside the church. Community and ecumenical groups, including afterschool programs, with predominantly minority memberships, may apply. The deadline is May 1st. Click here for more information.

STAPLES FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING
The Staples Foundation for Learning strongly supports local groups with programs and services that positively impact their communities every day. Their mission is to provide funding to programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. For more information on receiving funding, click here.

LEARNING IN THE ARTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth category 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 apply national or state arts education standards. Grants between $5,000 and $150,000 are awarded. The application deadline is June 11, 2007. Click here for more information.

TIGER TEAMS WITH TARGET TO “START SOMETHING”
Golf legend-in-the-making Tiger Woods and Target are continuing their “Start Something” program in 2007.  Launched in 2000 and restructured in 2003, the program offers afterschool programs and others a multi-part curriculum to help children identify and achieve personal goals, develop character, and learn the habit of service to others.  

After completing the curriculum – with leadership from afterschool providers or other educators, or on their own with downloadable materials – students are eligible to apply for scholarship grants of up to $5,000 to help them further their goals.

In Los Angeles, middle-schooler Jesus Barajas completed the Start Something program with guidance from the After-School All-Stars program, then applied for and received a $4,200 scholarship for a trip to England to attend a performing arts camp this summer.  He was one of five students from the Los Angeles After-School All-Stars program to receive Start Something grants for 2006.

The Start Something website offers downloadable versions of the curriculum for students and educators, as well as grant application materials.