The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

October 1, 2005

Welcome to this List Serv sponsored by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Rural Funding Coordination Project.  These messages provide information about current government and private grants, conference and training opportunities, publications, and potential funding sources, with an emphasis on rural Alaska.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) provides a variety of grant programs to Alaskan organizations and government entities that provide safe, quality, and affordable housing.  GOAL (Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living) provides grants, federal tax credits, and zero-interest federal loans to developers and project sponsors who build affordable rental housing for low-to-moderate income families and seniors.  Grant Match Program is designed to increase the amount of housing funds that flow into the state and to foster the growth of public/private partnerships.  Homeless Assistance Grant Program helps community-based organizations address situations involving homeless persons or persons in imminent danger of becoming homeless.  Deadlines vary according to the program.  For more information, call 907-338-6100 or visit www.ahfc.state.ak.us.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting proposals for its Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).  This program provides funding to qualified intermediary organizations that offer financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.  Approximately $6 million is available. The deadline is November 3.  For more information, contact William Kenney at 202-720-1506 or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is accepting proposals for its State and Regional Primary Care Associations.  The program supports the capacity of State and Regional Primary Care Associates (PCAs) to expand access to primary or preventive care.  Approximately $29 million is available for about 55 grants.  The deadline is November 1.  For more information, contact Cicely Nelson at 301-594-4300 or visit https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/FundingOpp.asp.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is soliciting applications for its Family Professional Partnerships Program.  The goal of the program is to provide grants to improve access to health care for children and families with special needs.  Approximately $600,000 is available for about 6 grants. The deadline is November 2.  For more information, call 877-464-4772 or visit www.dhhs.gov.

The American Dental Association Foundation is accepting applications for grants of up to $25,000 each to support projects that help strengthen the dental-education system.  A total of $150,000 is available.  The deadline is November 1.  For more information, contact Lisa Barron at 312-440-2547 or visit www.adafoundation.org.

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation provides grants to programs that focus on education, advocacy, and the arts which are led by or support adults with disabilities.  Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.  The deadline is November 1.  For more information, contact Deborah Lewis at 626-398-8840 or visit www.ela.org/grants/grants.html.

The Usibelli Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Fairbanks and the Tanana Valley that focus on civic affairs, health and social services, the arts, education, and youth services.  Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000.  The deadline is December 1.  For more information, call 907-452-2625 or visit www.usibelli.com/foundation.html.

Bookkeeping for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide to Nonprofit Accounting, written by accountants who specialize in nonprofit finances, introduces bookkeepers, managers, and board members to the tools they need to create and maintain accurate financial records.  It covers the basics of recording all kinds of financial transactions, and discusses how transactions can be used to monitor an organization's financial situation.  The cost is $30.  For more information, call 800-956-7739 or visit www.josseybass.com.

The Foraker Group is dedicated to assisting nonprofits strengthen their organizations in a variety of ways, including board and staff trainings.  Below is a list of the upcoming trainings:

October 4 - 4:00 to 6:00, Effective Board Communication, Anchorage

October 6 - 1:00 to 5:00, The Rules of Advocacy, Anchorage

October 7 - 9:00 to 11:00, Budgeting for Nonprofits, Fairbanks

October 7 - 12:00 to 2:00, Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements, Fairbanks

October 7 - 4:00 to 6:00, Nonprofit Board Financial Oversight, Fairbanks

October 12 - 10:00 to 2:00, Nonprofit Business Planning, Cordova

October 12 - 2:30 to 4:30, Board Roles and Responsibilities, Cordova

October 14 - 7:30 to 4:30 Proposal Writing, Ketchikan

October 17 - 12:00 to 2:00, Building Relationships for Sustainable Income, Anchorage

October 17 - 9:00 to 11:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Planning and Recruiting, Kenai

October17 - 12:00 to 2:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Management and Recognition, Kenai

October 18 - 11:00 to 1:00, Basics of Raising Money, Kodiak

October 18 - 3:00 to 5:00, Building Relationships for Sustainable Income, Kodiak

October 19 - 9:00 to 11:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Planning and Recruiting, Fairbanks

October 19 - 12:00 to 2:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Management and Recognition, Fairbanks

October 20 - 11:00 to 1:00, Evaluating Executive Performance, Anchorage

October 21 - 11:30 to 1:30, Board Roles and Responsibilities, Palmer

October 21 - 3:00 to 5:00, High Performing Boards, Palmer

October 21 - 6:00 to 8:00, Effective Board Leadership, Palmer

October 24 - 12:00 to 2:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Planning and Recruiting, Anchorage

October 24 - 1:00 to 5:00, Writing a Fund Development Plan, Sitka

October 25 - 11:00 to 1:00, Basics of Raising Money, Juneau

October 25 - 2:00 to 4:00, Building Relationships for Sustainable Income, Juneau

October 25 - 5:00 to 7:00, Making the "Ask" and Stewardship, Juneau

October 26 - 12:00 to 2:00, Volunteers and Special Events: Management and Recognition, Anchorage

October 31 - 8:30 to 5:00, Proposal Writing, Kenai

In addition to community trainings, Foraker offers specialized trainings to organizations.  For more information, contact Laurie Wolf at 907-743-1206 or visit www.forakergroup.org.

The beneficiaries of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority include those Alaskans experiencing mental illness; developmental disabilities; chronic alcoholism; Alzheimer's disease or related disorders.  You can learn more about the Trust at www.mhtrust.org.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is accepting proposals for its Small Projects Funding program.  The program is designed to create new services of direct benefit to Trust beneficiaries.  These services are not normally funded by another part of government.  They can be innovative, new program ideas, or substantially improve and supplement existing activities.  They can also significantly increase the quality of ongoing projects.  Each small project is limited to a maximum of $10,000.  The intent is to spend one-half of the Small Projects Fund ($250,000 yearly) on projects that serve beneficiaries in rural areas.  The deadlines are June 1, October 1, and February 1.  For more information, call 907-269-7960 or visit www.mhtrust.org.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority funds The Foraker Group to offer free technical assistance to those organizations that provide services for Trust beneficiaries in rural areas.  For more information, contact Thea Agnew at 907-222-5424 or thea@agnewbeck.com.