ACET, Inc. Blog

At ACET we like to keep up-to-date on grant opportunities and we recently came across one of particular interest for education professionals. As you may know, Target commits 5% of its income to the communities in which Target stores are located and funds programs such as “Meals for Minds,” a program that helps feed K-12 students in need, and school library makeovers to help schools improve their library facilities and collections.

Recently, Philanthropy News Digest included an announcement stating that Target will be offering Field Trip Grants this year. Target is offering 5,000 Field Trip Grants of $700 each to schools for the 2010-2011 school year for the purpose of executing a field trip that will provide a “demonstrable learning experience” (http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=306900023) for students. In particular, the goal of the Field Trip Grants is to connect the classroom curriculum with students’ experiences out of school.

To be eligible for the grant, one must be an education professional who is at least 18 years of age and employed by an accredited non-profit public, private, or charter school. Applications are due by September 30^th, 2010. Selection is managed entirely by Scholarship America.

For further details, an online application, and an idea generator see the following link: http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031880

Joseph

An article from the Philanthropy News Digest recently highlighted a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT project. Recent studies have found that there is a correlation between students who are proficient in reading by the end of the third grade and a “child’s success in school, life-long earning potential, and ability to contribute to the nation’s economy.”

The article specifically highlights the data regarding disparities in reading proficiency rates in low-income families for varying ethnic groups. The report states that “two-thirds of fourth-graders overall and four out of five fourth-graders from low-income families are not proficient in reading…disparities in reading achievement persist across economic, racial, and ethnic groups.” The article goes on to discuss thoughts and recommendations on the report.

Click here to read the article and full report: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=295200017

Cassie

According to a Philanthropy News Digest article, some Minnesota grantmakers appear to be less pessimistic about funding in 2010.

Based on a survey administered by the Minnesota Council on Foundations, overall giving by Minnesota funders is expected to decline by about 1% in 2010. And while 30% of funders anticipate distributing fewer funds this year another 25% of funders expect to give more in 2010 than they did in 2009.

To learn more about the survey results, click here:  Minnesota Grantmakers Less Pessimistic About 2010, Report Finds