Grant Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Professional Development Opportunities
Technology
Resources for Arts Organizations
Resource Library

Grant Opportunities

Local Arts Programs Supported
National Endowment for the Arts: Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants
Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, primarily offers support to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. The program is focused on bringing the arts to those people whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. This program supports distinct projects that take place over limited periods of time and involve limited geographic areas. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. Eligible requests include: arts events, public art projects, civic design activities, and the improvement of cultural districts/cultural tourism. The application deadline is June 1, 2006. Visit the website listed above for more information.

Funding for Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation: Exhibition Award
The Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award provides support to innovation art exhibitions that put the works of contemporary art and/or architecture in a new or unconventional aesthetic, historical, cultural, and/or social framework. This award is intended to provide funding for exhibitions at the beginning stage of their development and to provide the curator with the support needed to fully explore the concept and realize the exhibition. Single-artist exhibitions and exhibitions of an artist collective will not be considered. Curators partnered with an established nonprofit exhibition space are encouraged to apply for the awards. Intent to Apply forms are due March 3, 2006. For more information visit the website listed above.

Support Focuses on Bettering Humanity
Educational Foundation of America
The mission of the Educational Foundation of America is to improve individual lives and their surroundings through education and awareness, in hopes of bettering humanity and the world we inhabit. The Foundation’s areas of interest include: the environment; the crisis of human overpopulation and reproductive freedom; Native Americans; arts; education; medicine; and human services. Letters of inquiry are accepted from nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.; however, the majority of grants are made to organizations on the East Coast and in California. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. For more information visit the website listed above.

US Bancorp Foundation
The US Bancorp Foundation seeks to build strong partnerships and lasting value in communities with a US Bank office. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that improve educational and economic opportunities of low- and moderate-level income individuals and families, and enhance the cultural and artistic life of communities. Priority areas include affordable housing, job creation, economic development, education and cultural enrichment. Application deadlines vary by region and funding category. Visit http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/about/community_relations/grant_guidelines.cfm for application guidelines and forms.

Volunteer Opportunities

Gallery Coordinator
Empire Arts Center
The Empire Arts Center is accepting applications for the volunteer position of Gallery Coordinator. Responsibilities include contacting and lining up artists to exhibit work, hanging artwork, and helping artists with the development of promotional materials such as wall cards and price listings.
To apply or to receive additional information, please contact Mark Landa, Executive Director, at (701) 746-5500 or mlanda@prodigy.net.

Professional Development Opportunities

Basic Fundraising
Saturday, March 18
8:30am – 12:00pm
The workshop will address all areas of fundraising, including special events, annual giving, and endowment development. Substantial handout materials will be provided.
Community Center, Pekin, ND
$30 per person, or $50 for both workshops
Presented by the Resource Center, funded by a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation

How to Be a Better Board
Saturday, March 18
1:00pm – 4:00pm
This workshop is intended for both new and experienced board members of all types of organizations. The workshop will offer tips and resources to help your board become more efficient and more effective.
Community Center, Pekin, ND
$30 per person, or $50 for both workshops
Presented by the Resource Center, funded by a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation

Prairie Arts Management Institute
Practical Arts Leadership Training
Professional Development and Pracitcal Training for staff of small and mid-sized community arts organizations
Master classes in Markeing, financial leadership and time management
June 6 - 9
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD
Register online at www.sdarts.org or by calling (605) 334-1392
$350 prior to April 30, 2006
$400 after May 1, 2006

Technology

www.techsoup.org
Techsoup.org believes that technology can enhance nonprofit work, making us more efficient and better able to serve our communities. Powered by CompuMentor, one of the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit technology assistance agencies, TechSoup.org offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support. In addition to online information and resources, they offer a product philanthropy service called TechSoup Stock. Here, nonprofits can access donated and discounted technology products, generously provided by corporate and nonprofit technology partners.

NetSquared
Developed by techsoup.org, netsquared is a project to help nonprofits use Web-based social tools -- like blogs, podcasts, and tagging -- to reach and mobilize their constituencies. The six-month-long project will culminate in a Conference and Gala in May 2006.

Resources for Arts Organizations

General
National Center for Charitable Statistics
The National Center for Charitable Statistics works to develop and disseminate high quality data on nonprofit organizations and their activities for use in research on the relationships between the nonprofit sector, government, the commercial sector, and the broader civil society.

Nonprofit Resource Center
The Nonprofit Resource Center provides a comprehensive list of links to websites of interest to nonprofits, including links to information about how to form, manage and maintain a nonprofit organization.

Society for Nonprofit Organizations
The Society for Nonprofit Organizations promotes a vigorous nonprofit sector through education, collaboration and research in order to advance healthy and participatory communities. The Society for Nonprofit Organizations works to encourage networking, alliances, collaborations, and sharing among nonprofit organizations and their leaders; promote excellence in leadership, management, and governance practices; conduct research to identify emerging trends, issues, and opportunities for nonprofit organizations; and facilitate wide-ranging education, training, and support services through its Learning Institute.

Board Development
Alliance for Nonprofit Management
The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is the professional association of individuals and organizations devoted to improving the management and governance capacity of nonprofits - to assist nonprofits in fulfilling their mission.

Board Source
BoardSource, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards, is the premier resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide. BoardSource provides resources to nonprofit leaders through workshops, training, and an extensive Web-based database; governance consultants who work directly with nonprofit leaders; a comprehensive selection of material on nonprofit governance; and a biennial conference.

Board Cafe
Board Café is the electronic newsletter for members of nonprofit boards of directors. Board Café offers ideas, information, opinion, news, and resources to help board members give and get the most out of board service.

Compass Point
CompassPoint Nonprofit Services works to increase the effectiveness and impact of people working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. CompassPoint's leadership and services are local, regional and national in scope, and support the growth of an effective nonprofit sector essential to healthy communities.

Complete Toolkit for Boards
A complete list of Board responsibilities and roles, staff responsibilities and roles, and advisory groups.

Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership
The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership (MCNL) works to enhance performance and effectiveness in the nonprofit sector through high quality community-oriented education, applied research, problem solving and service.

Capacity Building
Community Tool Box
Providing resources that offer practical guidance on promoting community health and development, including leadership, strategic planning, community assessment, grant writing, and evaluation.

Internet Nonprofit Center
A resource of FAQ, drawn from online discussions about nonprofits. Also included are resources for online fundraising.

Financial Management Training Center
Offering free web-based courses on financial management.

Nonprofit Best Practice Guide
Providing information to help manage nonprofit organizations efficiently and effectively, including articles, resources, and standards of practice.

Nonprofit Management Education Center
Providing resources and information on building and maintaining a nonprofit organization.

NPAction
Providing resources that support nonprofit advocacy activities by sharing best practices.

Online Compendium of Federal and State Regulations for U.S. Nonprofit Organizations
Providing information about laws and regulations that control nonprofit activities in lobbying, political activity, planned giving, financial accounting, postal discounts, etc.

Stimulating Organizational Growth
An on-line information service for arts organizations

Fund Development
Association of Fundraising Professionals
The Association of Fundraising Professionals works to advance philanthropy through education, training and advocacy.

The Grantsmanship Center
The Grantsmanship Center offers training opportunities in grantsmanship, enterprise development and fundraising, and providers publications at a low cost to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.

Foundation Center
The Foundation Center provides lists of and information about funders; allows for searches of grants and funding opportunities; and provides guidance and training for grantseekers.

Fundsnet Online Services
Fundsnet Online Services provides nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities with information on financial resources available on the Internet - including an extensive list of arts funders.