BIG READ
The South Carolina Arts Commission, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, announces the Big Read, a competition for grants, up to $20,000 each, to communities that choose a novel and
encourage everyone to read and discuss it.

The new national reading program has been developed in response to the 2004 federal report, "Reading at Risk," which found that less than half of the adult population reads literature (46.7 percent, down from 56.9 percent in a 1982 survey.) The reading program was developed to help reverse this trend by giving citizens in more than 100 communities in all 50 states an inviting opportunity to read and discuss modern American classics.

" This initiative gives South Carolina communities a real opportunity to rejuvenate literary reading in our state," said Suzette Surkamer, SC Arts Commission executive director. "We want all South Carolinians to enjoy the benefits that come from reading, including the enthusiasm that's generated by discussing classic novels with their friends, neighbors, or co-workers."

The NEA will award grants ranging from $10,000 and $20,000 to participating communities across the country. Numerous resources, including reader's guides, teacher's guides, banners, bookmarks, and more will also be provided. Fifty communities will be awarded grants in each of the two rounds programming: January-June 2007 (application due Sept. 12, 2006) and September-December 2007 (application due in April 2007).

Each community will be required to produce a comprehensive community-wide read that involves collaborations with libraries, schools, local governments and private companies. "Libraries-librarians-are sure to be at the center of these challenging and exciting collaboratives," said Sara June Goldstein, SC
Arts Commission literary arts program director. "They bring experience that encourages all of their residents to read; they provide books and inviting and accessible spaces, and they understand the significance of reading to educate our imaginations so that we can develop a shared vision for
stronger, more literate communities."

The SC Arts Commission announces the Big Read in partnership with the NEA, Arts Midwest and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provides leadership and funding for the nation's 17,500 museums and 122,000 libraries. For guidelines and information, visit www.neabigread.org. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696

Thinking of applying for an NEH grant?  Register now at Grants.gov
All institutions interested in applying for NEH grants—and thousands of other federal grants—may now do so through Grants.gov, a secure Internet site managed by the federal government.  But before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, your organization can apply for any government grant on the Grants.gov website.  More...
Grant application deadlines through Nov. 7, 2005

Foundation's Center's newsletter: http://www.fdncenter.org
Philanthropy News Digest http://www.fdncenter.org/newsletters
ArtsTalk message board http://www.members5.boardhost.com/ARTStalk

GRANT DEADLINES FOR SHUBERT FOUNDATION
The Shubert Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and advancing the live performing arts in the United States, with a particular emphasis on theatre and a secondary focus on dance. The Foundation provides general operating support to nonprofit, professional resident theatre and dance companies, as well as some arts-related organizations that help support their development. Nonprofit organizations throughout the country are eligible to apply. Applications from all non-theatre organizations are due October 15, while applications from theatre organizations must be submitted by December 1. Visit http://www.shubertfoundation.org/grantprograms/default.asp for more information.

"Mockingbird Foundation"
The Mockingbird Foundation (MFI) offers competitive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations in the area of music education for children. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that encourage and foster creative expression in any musical form (including composition, instrumentation, vocalization, or improvisation), but also recognizes broader and more basic needs within conventional instruction. MFI encourages applications associated with diverse or unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies. Grants range in size from $50 to $5,000. Application deadline: ongoing. http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html

"School Grants"
A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. http://www.schoolgrants.org

Alcoa Foundation
makes grants for education, health and human services, environment and ecology, civic and community improvements, and cultural endeavors in communities where it has a presence. There are no application deadlines. http://www.alcoa.com/site/community/foundation.asp

Educational Foundation of America
makes awards to eligible nonprofits primarily in the areas of the environment, the crisis of human overpopulation and reproductive freedom, Native Americans, arts, education, medicine, and human services. Criteria for funding include the organization's record of achievement, intended broad impact of the project, sound financial practices, increasing independence, and correspondence with the Foundation's objectives. Two page letters of inquiry are required before submitting, upon request, a full proposal. There are no deadlines for submission of letters of inquiry. http://www.efaw.org/lett.htm

Tiger Woods Foundation
focuses on awarding grants that create positive environments for underprivileged youths and emphasize the importance of parental involvement and responsibility in the lives of children. 501c(3) organizations with revenues over $100,000 are more likely to receive grants. http://www.sportsline.com/u/fans/celebrity/tiger/course/policyprocedure.html