MLK Day Grants and Partnership Opportunities are Available
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has provided grants to Campus Compact, Cesar Chavez Foundation, HOPE worldwide, Points of Light, Service for Peace, and Youth Service America to plan and carry out projects that bring Americans together to serve in their communities in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These MLK Day grantees are making available sub-grant funds to organizations that plan service activities for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Below is information on the available MLK Day grants including who can apply, the topical focus of each Request for Proposal (RFP) and the deadline date. For more information on each RFP, please click the grantee’s name below.
Campus Compact
Target audience/who can apply:
- All students, faculty, and staff at institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must co-apply with at least two community partners and partner with a minimum of seven community agencies.
- Preference will be given to:
- Applicants that demonstrate the capacity to collaboratively address specific community-identified needs,
- Communities that have never hosted an MLK Day of Service,
- Those that integrate MLK Day of Service projects into a Semester of Service:
- Fall semester – begins on the 9/11 Day of Service and culminates on the MLK Day of Service
- Spring semester – begins on the MLK Day of Service and concludes on Global Youth Service Day
RFP focus area(s):
The focus areas for the 2014 Campus Compact MLK Collegiate Challenge are:
- Economic Opportunity
- Education
- Healthy Futures
- Natural and Other Disasters/Disaster Preparedness & Awareness
Due: Sept. 1, 2013
Cesar Chavez Foundation
Target audience/who can apply:
- 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations
RFP focus area(s):
- The RFP will emphasize education projects, with an emphasis on projects in rural areas, and extra points awarded for involving military families.
Due: August 28, 2013
HOPE worldwide
Target audience/who can apply:
At-risk neighborhoods and statistically at-risk populations for home fires as determined by local fire departments, local data, or US Census data. Applicants may include, but are not limited to:
- HOPE worldwide chapters
- American Red Cross chapters or other local affiliates of disaster preparedness and/or response organizations
- AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs
- Local emergency management agencies or fire departments
- Institutions of higher education
RFP focus area(s):
- Disaster Preparedness (specifically fire prevention activities)
Due: October 1, 2013
Points of Light
Target audience/who can apply:
Communities from across the country that are committed to:
- Using the power of the MLK Day of Service to bring on-board new and diverse volunteers committed to year-round engagement
- Building the capacity of their local nonprofit network to engage more volunteers effectively
- Training and placing volunteer leaders
- Honoring, engaging, and supporting veterans and military families
The Request for Proposals process will be open to the 250 HandsOn Network affiliates and out-of-network nonprofits.
RFP focus area(s):
- Economic Opportunity
- financial literacy
- housing
- employment
- Veterans and active duty military members
Due: August 23, 2013
Youth Service America
Target audience/who can apply:
- Volunteer centers
- Nonprofits and community organizations
- K-12 schools / school districts
- Colleges and universities
- Youth development organizations
- Organizations working with veterans and military families
RFP focus area(s):
- Engaging 3,000 volunteers; including at least 1,000 youth volunteers, ages 5-25, and their families
- Partnering with organizations, including:
- schools
- youth development organizations
- local businesses
- veteran and military family organizations
- Veterans and military families
- Education (reading, tutoring, mentoring)
Due: September 30, 2013
Service for Peace
Service for Peace has closed its grant competition, but there are still opportunities to partner for the 2014 MLK Day of Service.
Service for Peace has a comprehensive plan for MLK Day 2014 that aims to achieve the following:
- Implementation of MLK projects and the 40 Days of Peace in at least 10 states engaging larger numbers of volunteers and partners than past years;
- Recruitment of veterans, military families & students to service;
- Improvement of the lives of disadvantaged youth & military families;
- Strengthening of communities engaged in service through “Communities of Peace”;
- Growing the impact of the MLK Day connected to Dr. King’s teachings.
For more information, please contact Service for Peace at Info@ServiceforPeace.org.
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