April 2008 – Volume VI, Number 4
Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek

• Special Alert for Sesquicentennial
• Funding
• Meetings/Trainings
• Opportunities
• Miscellaneous

Special Alert! -- MINNESOTA STATEHOOD EVENTS

We take this opportunity to invite each of you to attend the upcoming Minnesota Statehood events, May 11-18 and throughout the summer all the way through Minnesota’s State Fair.  And if you would like to volunteer to help at the events or sing in the all volunteer, all-Minnesota Sesquicentennial Chorus, go to www.mn150years.org to sign up!  We can use your help and you get a really cool t-shirt!
Sunday, May 11: Statehood Day and Kickoff to Statehood Week observances. Wagon Train arrives at the State Capitol at 3:30, ceremony to follow, then bus convoy leaves for Capitals for a Day tour.
Mon – Fri May 12-16: We honor 5 communities as Sesquicentennial Capitals for a Day, representing the 5 natural areas of Minnesota: May 12 – Bemidji (Coniferous Forest); May 13 – Thief River Falls (Tallgrass Aspen Parklands); May 14 – Detroit Lakes (Deciduous Woods); May 15 – New Ulm (Prairie); May 16 – Winona (Driftless Area).
Saturday, May 17: Join us from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the State Capitol grounds for exhibits and entertainment to commemorate Minnesota Statehood. At 12:30 join us on the State Capitol Mall to watch a 26-plane flyover with vintage aircraft from World War II on up.  At 1 p.m., come to the Minnesota Stage on the Capitol Mall for the First Day Issue ceremony for Minnesota’s Statehood Commemorative Postage Stamp.
Sunday, May 18: Grounds open at 4 p.m. at the Capitol for more exhibits and entertainment.  Then stay for the Official Statehood Commemoration Ceremony, beginning with an 18:58 hours (6:58 p.m.) Minnesota Guard flyover, All-State Sesquicentennial Chorus, Governor Tim Pawlenty and other state officials and special guests, concluding with fireworks over the Capitol at 8:45 p.m.
Then mark your calendars for August 21 – Sept 1 Minnesota State Fair and the Sesquicentennial Chautauqua.

Take the Sesquicentennial Pledge to connect with other Minnesotans in learning about our past and present day, and engage in planning for Minnesota’s future well-being.  All at www.mn150years.org !

FUNDING

--USDA Rural Development Section 9006 Clean Energy Grants & Loan Guarantees.  Farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses nationwide can apply for a pool of $36 million this year to install energy efficiency upgrades and new renewable energy systems. Funding proposals to these annual funds, provided annually under the Farm Bill, are due  June 16, 2008.  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn/rbs.htm
http://www.farmenergy.org

-- The Department of Housing and Urban Development has published the general section of its upcoming SuperNofa. This allows prospective applicants to become familiar with the general section, which constitutes part of almost every individual program application. Grants.gov also provides an email notification service to notify grant seekers when application packages and instruction materials are published. To see the general section, go to http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa08/gensec.pdf and to sign up for email notifications, go to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription.jsp.   

--The Internal Revenue Service has grants available to nonprofits, public agencies and some businesses providing information and resources to establish Low Income Taxpayer Clinics. Maximum grant size is $100,000 and the deadline is April 24. For more information, visit http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-5944.htm

--Community Growth Options - 1000 Friends of Minnesota has begun a six-year project to build capacity for ongoing planning and implementation in ten growing communities. Proposals for assistance with financial and community planning, ordinance development and implementation are being accepted through May 15, 2008 from growing cities and townships with an estimated population between 600-12,000 located in the following counties: Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, Carver, Scott, Anoka, Isanti, Chisago, Sherburne, Wright, and Goodhue.  For more information go to:  http://www.1000fom.org/CommunityGrowthOptions.htm

--Target Corporation’s Local Store Grants provide funding support to "Target" communities in the areas of arts, reading programs and family violence prevention. T o be eligible, organizations must be located in communities where Target does business. The average grant is between $1,000 and $3,000. The deadline is May 31. For communities offering unique opportunities outside the scope of the program's focus areas, Target provides each store limited funds for Target GiftCard donations. GiftCard donations are available March through December. Visit: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15012103/target  for more information.

--The Reader's Digest Foundation has announced that it will donate a total of $1 million to nonprofit organizations through a new initiative called "Make it Matter." Grants will be inspired by individuals who are taking action and giving back to their communities in significant ways. Deadlines are rolling. For more information, visit http://www.rd.com/foundation/

--Looking For Help in Writing Grants and Finding New Funders?  The Foundation Center’s website provides access to free resources in its 5 regional library/learning centers and its network of more than 340 Cooperating Collections. An online librarian is also available to answer your questions instantly via live chatroom.  This vast database of U.S. grantmakers and their grants is supported by more than 600 foundations. Click here to visit their website for instructions on funding research, help with grant proposal writing, tools for locating prospective funders.

MEETINGS /TRAININGS

--Build your federal budget advocacy skills with Follow the Federal Dollars - Northfield – April 30th.  Advocates, community leaders, front-line staff and members of the public will all benefit from understanding how the federal budget process works - and how to participate in that process on behalf of the programs they care about and the people they serve. In this workshop, you will gain an understanding of:

• Key federal budget terms and concepts, and the basics of the federal budget
• The timeline for the federal budget process
• How the President's Budget is developed
• How the Congressional Budget is developed and how it is enforced
• Opportunities for input and advocacy in the federal budget process using some current federal issues as examples

This workshop is led by Steve Francisco, Federal Policy Director for the Minnesota Budget Project - an initiative of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.  $35 for MN Council of Nonprofits / $50 for nonmembers.  Need a scholarships? Learn how to apply for this event.   Register online

--Grantwriting Clinics will be traveling around the state in 2008. This fast-paced, interactive clinic empowers grantwriting practitioners to explore their personal successes and challenges, gain new perspective on proposal development, clarify understanding of each section of a grant proposal, critique actual proposals submitted by clinic participants, and develop a better understanding of building a persuasive case.
May 8, St. Paul
May 28, Duluth
June 24, St. Paul
November 6, St. Paul
For more information and to register go to:  www.mncn.org/    

-- Procure Contracts for Your Business with Government Agencies and Other Prime Contractors – the 2008 Government Procurement Fair will be held Tuesday, April 29:  8:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN.  Cost: FREE (registration required).  Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend the 2008 Government Procurement Fair.  Coupling education with marketing strategies, this even twill provide small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 50 Federal, State, and local departments, commercial/prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations; access available technical assistance; and learn about upcoming contracts.  Small business will also have the opportunity to be matched with a government or corporate buyer interested in their particular product/service.  Online registration for a 10-minute appointment at www.minnesotafeb.org

--A training event for nonprofit organizations in southwest Minnesota. The April 29th workshop is titled "Great Boards for Nonprofit Organizations" and will be held at the Bremer Bank in Willmar, MN.  It's a competitive application process and only 17 organizations with teams of two will be accepted.  For more information contactLois C. Schmidt at 507-537-0273 (phone) or lcschmidt@bremer.com

 --“Putting High Tech to Work for YOU!”  A business and workforce development conference will be held April 29-30 at Grand Casino Hinckley.   For more in formation contact Pam Wegner at  320.384.4645 or by email: pwegner@grcasinos.com

--2008 Nonprofit Leadership Summit - The Future of Leadership will take place on Monday and Tuesday, June 9 and 10, in Minneapolis. Register by Wednesday, April 30 and save! Receive the early bird rate - $145 for MCN members and $195 for nonmembers - through Wednesday, April 30.   For more information contact Stephanie Haddad, Program Director at 651- 642-1904 or in Greater MN: 1-800-289-1904.

--6th Annual Symposium on Small Towns - "The Power of Small:  Building Solutions for Energy Self-Reliance" will be held June 3 – 4 in Morris.  There are many self-reliant approached to small-scale food, fuel, and power systems for schools and local governments.  This years Symposium will focus on social, economic, environmental, and political factors that surround the building of these systems.
Representatives from P-12 schools, higher education, and local units of government are the primary audience for this Symposium.  Sign up now for early registration at www.centerforsmalltowns.org  or call (320) 589-6451.

--This year’s Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Conference is June 23-24 in Duluth. Information is online or contact the Rural Health Resource Center at (218) 727-9390, ext 233 or email rhrc@ruralcenter.org.

OPPORTUNITIES

-- Paid Summer Internships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students.  The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to work as Minnesota Sesquicentennial Interns, starting immediately and working through to Fall 2008.  Interns will work under the supervision of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial staff; work will be wide-ranging, from office support to planning events and administering aspects of the grant program, working with organizations and communities throughout Minnesota. Some work may also be in the field, throughout Minnesota, so students outside the Twin Cities metro area should also apply. The Sesquicentennial office is in the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Contact Jane Leonard, Sesquicentennial Executive Director, with any questions and/or send your letter of interest and resume to jane@mn150years.org -- You can learn more about the Sesquicentennial at their website.

--Members are being sought for the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention and the Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health. Information is on the Minnesota Secretary of State Web site.

--Each year the Minnesota Rural Health Conference honors one outstanding individual and one team in the field of rural health. Nominations are due May 2! Information is online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/conf/2008/award.html

MISCELLANEOUS

-- Matthew Chase, executive director of the National Association of Development Organizations has written an op-ed, “Rural Development Left Behind in New Farm Bill Framework.” He argues the necessity of spending for rural infrastructure in order to continue to compete in the global marketplace. Go to: http://www.nado.org/legaffair/rdop.pdf

-- The Northwest Area Foundation has several free resources …

NWAF Indicators Website -This website provides access to the most recent indicators on local population characteristics, economic well-being, health, and more. The geographical areas covered include states and counties, along with select communities, reservations and tribes in the eight-state NWAF region. Click here to go to the Indicators website.

NWAF Solutions Depot - The Solutions Depot is a free online resource offering how-to guides, case studies, Web-based calculators and analyzers, reports and studies, and links to organizations and communities. Click here to access the Solutions Depot website.

NWAF Wage & Benefits Metric - This online tool was designed to help users evaluate the quality of jobs that a new or existing business brings to a community, making previously hard-to-calculate information available with just a few keystrokes. Click here to go to the Wage & Benefits Metric website.***

--The Community Investment Network has just launched its comprehensive new “Small Business / Entrepreneurship” Section.  The section was created for small business to place “under one roof” information and access to the multitude of programs and services provided by the various levels of government, foundations, not-for-profits, the private sector, NCRC member organizations, and others -- all designed to assist the small business owner and his/her advocates.
The new section of CIN includes a news component with small business articles updated regularly. The section’s direct URL is www.cinsmallbusiness.com . Here are direct links to the various parts of the section where information is well organized and clearly presented:
Small Business / Entrepreneurship

• Introduction
• Federal Programs
• State Programs
• Community Level Programs/NCRC Member Programs
• Private Sector Programs – Corporate Support
• Banking Connections
• Franchise Opportunities
• Small Business Resources
• Commentary & Advice

For more information about the CIN, see http://www.communityinvestmentnetwork.org

--HousingPolicy.org is a new online guide to state and local housing policy developed and maintained by the Center for Housing Policy, the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference. The website contains easily-accessible information on a broad range of state and local policy tools that can be used to increase the availability of homes for working families, and guidance on how to put those tools together to develop a comprehensive and effective housing strategy.  Other features include a searchable Gallery of Affordable Homes, which showcases attractive developments from communities across the country, and a podcast series that will highlight hot topics and new innovation in affordable housing policy.

--The U.S. Census Bureau’s new Census Atlas of the United States has a wealth of information about how the nation’s population and housing characteristics have changed over the years. The atlas, with more than 700 full-color maps, is the first general population and housing statistical atlas published by the Census Bureau since 1925. The atlas presents data from 1790 through 2000. It is arranged by topic and grouped into three general themes — who we are, where we come from and what we do. Most maps feature county-level detail for the United States and Puerto Rico. Census Atlas of the United States is available at: http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/censusatlas/ . A print copy of the Census Atlas can be purchased from the Government Printing Office online bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/census-atlas.jsp .

--The eXtension Web-based portal was officially launched on February 21, 2008, at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C.  A sizeable number of eXtension Communities of Practice unveiled their websites to the public, including the Entrepreneurs and Their Communities team. The public is invited to join the Entrepreneurs and Their Communities CoP by visiting: https://people.extension.org/account/signup . Signing up is a great way to become part of a talented team of land-grant faculty who want to be an active part of strengthening the entrepreneurship-related work of the land-grant system.

--Why Some Rural Communities Prosper While Others Do Not examines rural prosperity, something often overlooked and unknown. In fact, more than 300 rural counties and 200 mixed rural counties are more prosperous than the nation as a whole. Each has lower unemployment rates, lower poverty rates, lower school dropout rates, and better housing conditions than the nation. This research seeks to understand why. The diverse theories considered focus on location, the economy, urban-rural linkages, highways and airports, human and social capital, diversity and homogeneity, knowledge and creativity, and climate and topography. Read the paper at: http://www.ace.uiuc.edu/Reap/IssermanFeserWarren_070523_RuralProsperity.pdf .

--Rural Youth are More Likely to be Idle - Approximately 10 percent of young adults (aged 18-24) today are idle, that is, they are not in postsecondary school, the workforce, or the armed Forces.Among high school dropouts the shares are even higher, at 30 percent. http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?RefID=101925       

--Diversity Coalition in Rural Minnesota Communities - Diversity coalitions as organizations that are open to community members and that have programs that aim to improve relations between U.S. and foreign-born residents.   http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?RefID=101928

--Hired Farmworkers a Major Input for Some US Farm Sectors.  As the total U.S. agricultural labor force has declined over the past century, hired farmworkers have become a larger proportion of all farmworkers and are especially important in the production of fruit, tree nuts, vegetables, and horticultural crops. Hired farmworkers earn lower incomes and face harsher working conditions compared with all other U.S. wage and salary workers. Because an estimated half of hired farmworkers lack legal status to work in the U.S., legislative reforms of immigration policies could have an impact on the sectors employing them. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April08/Features/HiredFarm.htm 

Minnesota Rural Partners is a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

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