GRANTS, AWARDS, CONTESTS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

YOUTH FOR JUSTICE: The National Crime Prevention Council, a National & Global Youth Service Day National Partner, will award 100 grants of up to $500 through its Teens, Crime, and the Community initiative. The grants will support service-learning projects planned and implemented by youth who identify needs and create projects to address or prevent crime, violence, and drug abuse in their schools and communities. These grants are intended to encourage and promote crime prevention, community service, and civic responsibility. Application deadline is April 1st. Visit http://www.nationaltcc.org/files/cp_grant_2006_ap.pdf for more information.

TCC CRIME PREVENTION GRANTS: Service-learning, an integral part of Community Works and Youth Safety Corps programs, gives youth an opportunity to address a community problem by applying what they have learned in the classroom about crime prevention, the law, and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The National Crime Prevention Council will accept applications to support the efforts of youth throughout the country who identify needs and create projects to address and prevent youth violence in their schools and communities. One hundred grants of up to $500 will be awarded.

CRIME PREVENTION GRANT AWARD BASICS:

1. Youth ages 11-18 are eligible to apply for a TCC service-learning grant.
2. Projects must be youth-led and have a crime or violence prevention focus. Grant funds must be used to pay for expenses directly related to a specific crime prevention service project.
3. Grant applications will be reviewed by a committee of youth and adults. Only complete applications will be considered.
4. Youth groups will have two opportunities to submit their grant applications: April 1, 2006 and June 1, 2006. Grants will be awarded within two weeks of each application deadline.

Nature of Learning Start-Up Grants Available for Environmental Education Programs
Deadline: April 17, 2006
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ( http://www.nfwf.org/ ), in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System ( http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ ) and other program partners, invites applications from organizations interested in initiating the Nature of Learning Program in their communities. The Nature of Learning, a community-based environmental education initiative, seeks to use National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues; encourage an inter-disciplinary approach to learning that seeks to enhance student academic achievement; utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real-world issues; and involve a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to support start-up expenses associated with new programs. In addition, grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded to provide continued support to existing Nature of Learning Programs. Schools or nonprofit organizations, including "Friends" groups, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon Chapters, are eligible to apply for funding. Programs must involve a partnership among a local school(s), community group (e.g., Refuge Support Group), and National Wildlife Refuge.

Programs must be designed to meet all the key elements of the Nature of Learning framework (i.e., partnerships, integrated learning, and professional development) over time. Moreover, programs must promote an understanding of local conservation issues, improve scientific literacy, and conform to appropriate academic standards of learning. Programs are expected to include an outdoor classroom experience for students and teachers at a National Wild-life Refuge and must also include a community stewardship project. Visit the NFWF Web site, for complete program information and application procedures.
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000594/nfwf/tnol

FOR ONE NIGHT": The For One Night" National Essay Contest is sponsored by Lifetime Television and Youth Service America. For more information, Claire's Stores has developed signs promoting the film 'For One Night' and the related essay contest, which are now being displayed in domestic Claire's stores. The contest is open to all high school students who are legal residents of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Subject to official rules available at: www.LifetimeTV.com/essaycontest.com. Or write: Lifetime Public Affairs, c/o "For One Night" Essay Contest, 309 W. 49th St., 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019. Essays must be postmarked by March 17, 2006.

GLORIA BARRON PRIZE: The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. For more information and to nominate, visit http://www.barronprize.org/ The deadline for nominations is April 30th, 2006.

PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL EXCHANGE: Global Connections, a virtual exchange program, is working with Youth Service America to offer a unique program for National and Global Youth Service Day. Using virtual means this program hopes to connect youth to engage in dialogue around community service. Youth will act as mentors and resources for each other as they plan and engage in N&GYSD projects for 2006. Ten U.S. youth will be paired with ten youth from abroad. YSA is looking for 10 U.S. youth for participation in this program who meet the following requirements:

• Youth between the ages of 18-25.
• Willing to commit the time to engage in dialogue over the internet each week.
• Capable of participating in a virtual exchange through email, internet, blogs, instant messenger, etc.
• Planning and participating in a 2006 N&GYSD project.
• Must know how to plan a service project, mobilize and engage volunteers; engage the media and elected officials fundraise for a service project, etc.
• Effectively communicates and can serve as an excellent resource for other youth.

If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this global exchange please send a brief bio (include age and location), contact information (include name and email), and a statement of intent demonstrating that you meet the above requirements and would like to participate in this program. Email submissions to myoung@ysa.org. If you need further information please contact YSA's Outreach Department at myoung@ysa.org or 202-296-2992 ext. 17.