Transportation as Liberation
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Scholarship Opportunity – UW Minority Business Executive Program
Multnomah County, in partnership with Mackenzie, will sponsor a deserving COBID Certified Firm to the University of Washington, Foster School of Business, Minority Business Executive Program (MBEP).
The Minority Business Executive Program is a one-week residential program that takes place annually on campus at the University of Washington. The intensive curriculum grows business leaders from companies owned by individuals who are people of color, women, veteran, disabled, LGBTQ and other minority groups, helping them to position their companies for today’s global economy.
Participants learn to utilize financial tools to make better business decisions, develop strategic plans for growth and sustainability, identify new technologies to scale operations, learn how to market their products and services more effectively, explore strategies to access global markets, and develop their leadership acumen. They return (MBEP) to their business with enhanced knowledge, a renewed personal energy, and an invaluable network of fellow diverse business leaders. The dates for this year’s MBEP will be September 15 – 20, 2019 on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
To qualify for the scholarship, a business owner must be COBID Certified, in business at least 3 years, be able to stay for the entire week long program, and submit their application by April 15, 2019.
For more information about the MBEP Program, please visit https://foster.uw.edu/
USDA Seeks Applications to Spur Economic Development in Rural Communities
The deadline to apply is June 5 (online applications) and June 10 (paper applications)The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to support economic development in rural communities. The grants are being made available through USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Program in order to strengthen the rural economy. The grants are not provided directly to businesses or individuals. Instead, qualified intermediary organizations receiving RCDI grants will provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility, or economic development projects. USDA also encourages applications that will support efforts to combat substance use disorders, including opioid misuse, in high-risk rural communities by strengthening their capacity to address prevention, treatment, and/or recovery needs. Grant amounts will range from $50,000 to $250,000. Nonprofits, low-income rural communities, and federally-recognized tribes are eligible to apply. Applicants must have capacity-building experience for these types of projects, and they must provide matching funds at least equal to the RCDI grant. Grants are awarded through a competitive process. Electronic applications must be submitted to grants.gov by 9:00 p.m. PST on June 5, 2019. Paper applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. PST on June 10, 2019. In Oregon, applications should be submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office:
For more information, including details on how to apply, see page 11493 of the March 27, 2019, Federal Register. |
For more information…Questions related to USDA Community Programs in Oregon may be directed to a local Community Programs Specialist. For projects outside of Oregon…Those with project proposals outside of Oregon should contact USDA Rural Development in the corresponding state. |
USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Support Household Water Well Systems
The deadline to apply is May 27, 2019The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is seeking applications for grants to support household water well systems in rural areas. USDA’s Household Water Well System Grants are not provided directly to individuals. Instead, qualified private nonprofits will use the grants to establish lending programs to help homeowners finance the construction or repair of individually-owned household water well systems. The revolving loan fund may provide loans of up to $11,000 per household at a one percent fixed interest rate over 20 years. The wells installed or repaired with this financing must serve existing homes in a rural area with a population of 50,000 or less. Applicants must have expertise in household water well systems and lending activities, and they must provide matching funds of 10 percent. The deadline to apply is May 27, 2019. Applications may be submitted online through grants.gov or mailed to the following address: U.S. Department of Agriculture For additional information, including details on how to apply, see the Funding Opportunity Announcement RDRUS-19-01-HWWS. |
For more information…Questions related to USDA’s Household Water Well Grant Program in Oregon may be directed to Ella Nichols, (503) 414-3354. |
USDA is Seeking Applications for Technology Grants to Expand Access to Healthcare and Education in Rural Areas
The deadline to apply is May 15, 2019The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to use broadband technology to improve access to healthcare and educational services in rural communities. Rural Development will award grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. The grants can be used to finance telecommunication equipment, computer networks, and advanced technologies to support job training, academic instruction, or access to specialized medical care in rural areas. Most state and local government entities, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, or a consorita of these are eligible to apply. Proposals for projects whose primary purpose is either to provide opioid use disorder treatment and counseling services or to offer access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses will receive up to 10 priority points. The application deadline is May 15, 2019. Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each application must provide evidence of consultation with the Rural Development State Director. When requesting evidence of consultation, applicants should provide an executive summary of the project, as well as the proposed grant and match amounts. Applicants in Oregon should contact the state office as early as possible in the application process at erin.mcduff@or.usda.gov or at the following address: USDA Rural Development Prior to applying, applicants are encouraged to review the 2019 Traditional Application Guide. For additional details about the program and how to apply, see Funding Opportunity Announcement No. RUS-19-02-DLT. |
For more information…Questions related to the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program in Oregon, Washington, and Idahomay be directed to Joe Bradley, (208) 401-8090. For projects outside of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho…Those with project proposals outside of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho should contact the General Field Representative serving their state. |
Request for Proposals: 2019-2020 AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership
The Mercy Corps Northwest VISTA Program is currently recruiting organizations that are interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA member for the service year of August 2019- August 2020. VISTA members build the capacity of organizations, delivering new innovations to end poverty in Oregon. We hope to recruit between seven and nine organizations for this cohort.
Our RFP is now open for proposals (attached). We anticipate closing our RFP on Monday, April 15th and recruiting VISTA members from mid-May through mid-July. However, organizations are encouraged to apply early, as we will accept sites and recruit members for accepted sites’ positions on a rolling basis. You will find all application materials and instructions attached. Organizations are strongly encouraged to contact me prior to submitting a full application to discuss the potential project and determine its suitability.
We’re able to support projects that are focused on Economic Opportunity including:
- Housing access & affordable housing, job skills training, microenterprise, IDA programs, financial literacy, and other community development initiatives.
Projects must meet the following criteria, at minimum:
- Must be focused exclusively on low-income populations
- Must be indirect service only (focused on capacity building rather than meeting immediate needs)
- Must develop or expand programs or initiatives
Organizations must, at minimum:
- Hold 501(c)(3) status, or be a tribal or governmental entity, or be a non-profit educational institution.
- Provide office space and supplies, supervision, and staff support for the member.
- Assign a dedicated supervisor able to provide at least five hours of mentorship and guidance to the member per week. Organizations must have staff capacity of at least 1 FTE, though we prefer at least 3 FTE.
- Meet a cash match of between $7,000 and $9,000. This amount will vary depending on the number of sites who join.
- Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and retaining the member.
- Maintain full compliance with federal polices (training and support will be provided to supervisors on these matters).
If you have any interest in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA member at your organization or questions about the process, please reach out. I’m happy to answer all questions and talk through project ideas. More information on our program can be found here:http://www.mercycorpsnw.org/community/vista/.
OCF Scholarships for Native American Students
The Oregon Community Foundation annually awards over $9.9 million in scholarships to Oregon students through our statewide scholarship program. Two of these scholarship programs are targeted specifically to Native American students.
VERL AND DOROTHY MILLER NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible students include Native American residents of Oregon attending or planning to attend an accredited school in Oregon to study a career and technical (CTE) field (i.e., dental hygienist, nursing assistant, x-ray technician, etc.). The awards are for $3,000 / year and are renewable for up to four years but students need to reapply each year.
HOWARD VOLLUM AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligible students include Native American residents of Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties seeking post-secondary education or training in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at an accredited school in the United States. The awards are for $3,000 / year and are renewable for up to four years but students need to reapply each year.
Criteria for both scholarships
* Participation in school or community activities
* Personal accomplishments or achievements
* Preference given to students who have a demonstrated commitment to and involvement in the Native American community
* Open to students with a Certification of tribal enrollment or descendants of enrolled members
How to Apply: Applications and instructions are available on OCF’s website at http://www.oregoncf.org/receive/scholarships/scholarship-opportunities
Deadline: Scholarship applications are due March 1, 2019 for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Questions: Call OCF scholarship staff, Oleya Pearsall, at 503.227.6846 or email opearsall@oregoncf.org.
For additional scholarship opportunities, please check http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/.
Increase Project – Open Info Session
Accelerate your business!
Get the executive education, management know-how, and business support system you need to grow your established small business through this intensive, cohort-based program. No previous degree required, just the willingness to work on your business, not just in it!
Now accepting applications at http://increaseproject.interise.org/
Increase Project – Open Info Session
Monday March 4, 10am-2pm (drop by any time)
Portland Mercado – main room
7238 SE Foster Rd.
Program Start Dates: May & Sept 2019
(updated flier attached)
Ideal Candidates – Increase Project
- business is at least 51% owned by a person of color
- 2+ years in business
- $100k+ annual business revenue (up to $2.5 Million)
- 1+ employees
- Established bookkeeping system with standard reports
- Owner is ready to grow their own skills in order to grow their business
2019 Coaching UNconference in Portland
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USDA Announces Community Connect Grant Program. Deadline: April 15, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced it is accepting FY 2019 applications for the Community Connect Grant Program. The Community Connect program helps rural communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses.
The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety and community development. Funds can be used for:
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service;
- The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the critical community facilities for 2 years;
- Less than 10% of the grant amount or up to $150,000 may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.
Matching funds of at least 15% from non-federal sources are required and can be used for operating costs.
For More Information:
Applicants are also advised to use the Application Guide that is available online at https://www.rd.usda.gov/