Investing in Innovation

The Investing in Innovation Fund, established under section 14007 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provides funding to support (1) local educational agencies (LEAs), and (2) nonprofit organizations in partnership with (a) one or more LEAs or (b) a consortium of schools. The purpose of this program is to provide competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement and attainment in order to expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative practices that are demonstrated to have an impact on improving student achievement or student growth (as defined in this notice), closing achievement gaps, decreasing dropout rates, increasing high school graduation rates, or increasing college enrollment and completion rates.

Date due: Pre-applications are due April 9, 2012

For more information, click here.

Oregon Parks Foundation Grants

The Oregon Parks Foundation Fund, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the state that address outdoor recreational issues. Grants are provided to community, district, county, and regional level organizations for the acquisition, preservation, and improvement of land and other property for public parks and recreational areas. Community outdoor recreation and education programs are also supported.

Amount: $1,500 - $5,000

Date due: April 15, 2012

For more information, click here.

Target Early Childhood & Arts & Culture

The Target Local Store Grants support nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company's stores are located. (There are currently stores in every state with the exception of Vermont.) Arts, Culture + Design in Schools grants support programs that enhance students’ classroom curriculum by bringing the arts and cultural experiences to schools, such as in-school performances, artist in residency programs, and workshops in schools. Early Childhood Reading grants support programs that foster a love of reading and encourage young children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families.

Amount: $2,000

Date due: April 1, 2012

For more information, click here.

Motorola Mobility Empowerment Grants

The Motorola Mobility Foundation's Empowerment Grants program supports the development of digital, social, and mobile technology applications that will make a positive change in nonprofit organizations, communities, and schools by broadening a stakeholder group, enhancing the skills of constituents, and encouraging the development of new innovations. Funded programs must serve communities in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, or Texas or be an online or national program. Applicants must demonstrate the ways that digital technology can be used to further the following funding priorities: education, health and wellness, arts and culture, or community.

Amount: $25,000

Date due: March 23, 2012

For more information, click here.

Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program supports overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for groups of teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Short-term projects may include seminars, curriculum development, or group research or study. Long-term projects support advanced overseas intensive language projects, which give advanced language students the opportunity to study languages overseas.

Amount: $125,000

Date due: April 23, 2012

For more information, click here.

Motorola Solutions Innovation Generation (STEM)

The Motorola Solutions Foundation's Innovation Generation program is designed to inspire students to learn about science and generate interest in science-related careers.

Innovation Generation funding equips students with the skills essential to both their lives today and their future success. By making the complex concepts behind math and science real and relevant, students look at their world differently through strengthened problem-solving skills. The Motorola Solutions Foundation accomplishes this through grant-making, engaging employee volunteers, building networks among science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders and conducting research.

Amount: $60,000 (local); $250,000 (national)

Date due: March 23, 2012

For more information, click here.