The following list of government entities, private foundations, corporations, and organizations can serve as a guide for locating funding resources. Please be advised that in addition to providing information about their own funding opportunities, a portion of some agencies' websites and mailing lists serve as clearinghouses for a wide variety of funding resources.
Corporation for National and Community Service
http://www.nationalservice.gov
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides grants to national and local nonprofits, schools, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and other groups committed to strengthening their communities through volunteering.
Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for thousands of federal grants. The site also provides resources to guide applicants through the entire search and application process.
New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Grants Management
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/grants/
The NJDOE Office of Grants Management's website serves as a database and resource for New Jersey grant seekers. The website provides multiple databases of NJDOE grants, including discretionary and entitlement grants.
Ed.gov assists students, teachers, parents, and administrators in finding, applying for, and forecasting United States Department of Education grants.
United States Department of Education, Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center
http://www.cetac.org/
The Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center Online Resource Center features publications important to the fields of character education and civic engagement. The website also provides links to federal grant opportunities.
United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs: National Criminal Justice Reference Service
http://www.ncjrs.gov/fedgrant.html
The National Criminal Justice Reference Service provides an on-line database of funding and grants available from the Office of Justice Programs. The website is updated regularly and enables site visitors to track forthcoming funding opportunities.
Lion's Club International Foundation
Core 4 Grant Initiative
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_grants_core4.shtml
The Lion's Club International Foundation (LCIF) grant initiative, Core 4, is designed to fund large-scale projects that target urgent needs under the core service commitments of Lionism -- preserving eyesight, combating disability, promoting health, and serving youth. This grant funding is available for Lions Multiple Districts and Lions sub-districts. Core 4 grants may only be requested for specific priority projects adopted by the LCIF Trustees. Current priority projects include Serving Youth (expansion of the Lions-Quest program). Core 4 grant projects are available for up to US$200,000 on a three-to-one basis, which means Lions applying for a grant need only raise 25 percent locally. (The limit for Lions-Quest grants is US$100,000 for multiple districts and the limit for Habitat grants is US$50,000.) However, priority is given to projects in which the LCIF Core 4 grant is used to leverage significant funds from the local Lions and their project partners. These projects are generally restricted to projects organized at the multiple district and subdistrict levels. Two guiding principles of the program are to identify projects in which many clubs can participate and benefit a large number of communities served by clubs in a district. For additional information, contact the LCIF Grant Programs Department at Lions Clubs International Headquarters, 300 W 22nd St., Oak Brook Il 60523-8842, or e-mail lcif@lionsclubs.org.
Somerset County United Way Mini-Grants
P.E.A.C.E. GRANT PROGRAM - Partnering Education and Community Enrichment
http://www.somersetonline.org/scuw/geninfo/minigrants.htm
Somerset County United Way has established annual grant opportunities to support programs in Somerset County schools and youth serving, community-based organizations and governmental entities in Somerset County. Grant amounts vary and will be given to eligible organizations. In 2005-2006, $47,497 was distributed in grants of up to $1,000 to support community and school-based programs serving youth. The P.E.A.C.E. (Partnering Education and Community Enrichment) Mini-Grant allows schools to apply for up to $1,000 worth of funding to implement a project that incorporates New Jersey Cross-Content Workplace Readiness Standards, Six Pillars of Character education and a community service project.
Private Foundations
The A.L. Mailman Family Foundation offers grants in the following areas: early care and education; family support and parent education; and moral education and social responsibility. The latter area of focus seeks initiatives that tap children's potential as moral philosophers, nurturers, community builders, and active, questioning participants in the world around them.
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
http://www.grdodge.org/
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation's giving in the field of education focuses on professional development for educators and the continuous improvement of public education for grades pre-kindergarten through 12th. The Foundation supports customized schools and program options that address the varied talents, interests, and needs of educators, children, and families in New Jersey.
Corporations
ExxonMobil
As Exxon and Mobil retailers, On the Run store support local schools, through grants from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program. Under the program, a storeowner identifies a neighborhood school that could best benefit from assistance. In 2004, retailers chose 4,000 schools to receive $500 grants. Funds helped schools buy new books and innovative computer software, reading, math, and technology programs. Applications will be available through Exxon and Mobil gas stations in February of 2007. A representative of the school should contact the owner/operator of the station. The station nominates the school to receive the grant. If a particular station owner/operator is unaware of the grant, ask them to contact their local sales representative. Applications are due in May of 2007, and reviewed during the summer. Schools will be notified by letter if they are grant recipients in August or September of 2007. Schools will receive a check in October of 2007.
PSEG: Our Community
http://www.pseg.com/community/request_faqs.jsp
In addition to providing resources for students and teachers, PSEG offers funding to educators and students. PSEG offers an Educational Matching Gift Program and supports many existing non-profit organizations serving the youth of New Jersey.
Wachovia
http://www.wachovia.com/inside/page/0,,139_413_418,00.html
One of the Wachovia community involvement goals is to improve education. Wachovia funds six programs to help improve educational opportunities for children and adults.
Other Resources/Grant Databases
Character Development Group: Kar' ik ter Newsletter
http://www.charactereducation.com
The Character Development Group's free, monthly e-mail newsletter "Kar' ik ter" is available on-line at the above website (Registration and login required). Site visitors can click on the "Kar' ik ter Newsletter" link to review archived newsletters or sign up to receive the newsletter directly via e-mail. Make sure to review the "While You're Up, Get Me a Grant" section of the newsletter to learn more about character education grant opportunities.
Committee for Children
http://www.cfchildren.org/support/funding/
The Committee for Children dedicates a portion of their website to funding resources for educators. By visiting the above website, educators can learn more about available grants, eligibility requirements, and funding allocations. Site visitors can also select the "Other Funding-Related Resources" link to learn more about locating and applying for funding.
The George Lucas Educational Foundation is a nonprofit operating foundation and is not a grant-making organization. Visitors seeking grants or grant information are directed to a resource list including sections on web sites with grant information, periodicals with grant information, corporate and foundation grants, government grants, and technology donation programs.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring
Strategies for Funding
http://www.communityofcaring.org/events/strategies.html
The Foundation Center
http://fdncenter.org/
The Foundation Center functions as an on-line database of funding sources. Visitors to the site can search for funders by a variety of criteria (including demographic information and keywords). The Foundation Center also has a research collection, which allows site visitors to gain knowledge about pursuing funding sources.
http://www.grantsalert.com/
GrantsAlert.com provides information on education funding opportunities that will help teachers and schools. Teachers, schools, and related organizations are provided with free access to up-to-date announcements of corporate, foundation, state, and federal education funding opportunities. The Grant Writers' Directory can assist schools that have neither the staff nor the experience required to write successful proposals.
Teaching to Change Lives
http://www.teachingtochangelives.com/grants/character_ed.html
The Teaching to Change Lives website dedicates a portion of its website to character education funding sources. The above website is a direct link to the Teaching to Change Lives' on-line listing of grants and foundation funds directly specified for character education.