Oakland Charters Together

Oakland Charters Together Newsletter

November 2001

Next Oakland Charter School Consortium Meeting is Thursday, November 29,2001 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the American Indian Public Charter School, 3637Magee Ave, Oakland

As part of its effort to support charter schools in Oakland, OCT will send a regular newsletter updating schools on grant and funding opportunities, technical and curricular resources, legislative updates, and other items of interest. If you would like to submit additional items for upcoming newsletters or have information to share please submit them to tillotson_law@hotmail.com or call me, Dirk, at 834-9455 xt. 210. Please excuse the duplications in some of the funding opportunities and it is advised that schools subscribe to the free newsletters that most of this information was gleaned from, techsoup, public education newsletter, e-school news, PNN online, the CANEC listserve, the BAYCES listserve, and the OUSD Friday e-mail. Minutes from our last meeting follow the newsletter.

1. Grants and Funding Summary Special Alerts

RFPs are out for the state California Public Charter Schools Grant Program, letters of intent to apply are due Dec 14th and are included in the RFP. The state awards approximately 50% of applications and the funding is substantial, up to 450K for three years for start ups. There are three categories start up, implementation, and dissemination, which are described in more detail in the RFP which should have been mailed to schools or is available online at www.cde.ca.gov.

$500 science mini grants are available from Philanthropic Ventures for anypublic school teacher. This is about the easiest and quickest money outthere. Just call 510-6451892 and they will give you the details.Turnaround is less than a week, and the application takes less than fifteenminutes-DONT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY

2. other fundraising resources culled from Public Education Newsletter,Eschool News and techsoup. Please check their websites for additionaluseful information or to subscribe to their newsletters.

(from Public Education Newsletter) "American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Foundation" The Foundation's Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships program rewards the work of outstanding women public school teachers by supporting their professional development and by funding projects designed to promote gender equity in classrooms and schools. This year Professional Development Fellowships will provide up to $5,000 to fund attendance at the five-day Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Institute and Forum on Educational Equity held in July 2002, in Washington DC; support additional professional development activities (e.g. workshops, courses, conferences); and provide seed money for planning a gender-equity, school-based program. Application deadline: January 10, 2002. http://www.aauw.org/3000/fdnfelgra/ertf.html

The Foundation's Community Action Grants provide up to $10,000 to support innovative school and/or community-based programs that promote education and equity for women and girls. Women of color and women from other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Application deadline: January 15, 2002. http://www.aauw.org/3000/fdnfelgra/cag.html

"Computers for Learning" The General Services Administration donates surplus federal computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofits, giving special consideration to those with the greatest need. Any public, private, or parochial school or home school serving pre-K through grade 12 students in the United States or its territories is eligible. Application deadline: ongoing. http://www.computers.fed.gov

"MarcoPolo Professional Development Grant Program" The MCI WorldCom Foundation provides states and school districts with on-site professional development for K-12 teacher trainers on how to incorporate Internet content into the classroom. The training sessions use print and online materials developed by the MarcoPolo Partnership - a consortium of leading educational organizations dedicated to creating high quality Internet content for the classroom. Professionally trained Internet education specialists lead the training sessions, and all attendees receive copies of the MarcoPolo Teacher Training Kit. Application deadline: ongoing. http://www.wcom.com/marcopolo/training/request.shtml

"Department of Education Forecast of Funding" This document lists virtually all programs and competitions under which the Department of Education has invited or expects to invite applications for new awards for FY 2002 and provides actual or estimated deadline dates for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are in the form of charts -- organized according to the Department's principal program offices -- and include programs and competitions the Department has previously announced, as well as those it plans to announce at a later date. Note: This document is advisory only and is not an official application notice of the Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCFO/grants/forecast.html

"Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowships" The US Department of Energy manages the fellow program for distinguished elementary and secondary school mathematics and science teachers. Einstein Fellows usually serve for ten months in professional staff positions in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, DOE, NASA, NSF, NIH, ED, NIST, or OSTP. Appointments usually begin in September and end in June. Application deadline: February 1, 2002. http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/scied/Einstein/about.htm

"The Gates Millennium Scholars"The Gates Millennium Scholars award program is aimed at increasing thenumber of low-income African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, AmericanIndian/Alaska Natives, and Hispanic Americans enrolling in and completingundergraduate and graduate degree programs. Application deadline: earlyFebruary.http://www.gmsp.org/main.cfm

"ThinkQuest Junior" ThinkQuest Junior, sponsored by Advanced Network and Services, Inc., encourages teams of students in grades four through six to create educational Web sites on a variety of subjects. Check this Web site in October for updates on 2002 registration information. Application deadline: early February. http://www.thinkquest.org/tqjr/index.html

"Gateway Foundation Education Technology Program" Teach America, a Gateway Foundation program, seeks to provide teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to enhance student learning through the effective use of technology. Teach America will offer $7.6 million in online technology training to up to 75,000 teachers throughout a five-year period, potentially impacting the educational experience of up to 15 million students. Application deadline: ongoing. http://www.gateway.com/about/coinfo/teachamerica/index.shtml

ERROR MSG "Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation" The Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation is given each year to a nonprofit organization that has made a difference in the lives of the people it serves. A prize of $25,000 and a short video documentary of the winning project or program accompany the award. Applications must be submitted by the organization responsible for the program; third-party nominations will not be accepted. Eligible organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and the nominated program must have been launched no earlier than January 1, 1998. Application deadline: June 7, 2002. http://www.drucker.org/award/about.html

"Microsoft Technology Leadership Grants" Microsoft has announced it is taking applications for the next round of Technology Leadership Grants to be awarded in 2002. The competitive grants provide a major software donation to enhance a nonprofit's communication and organizational efficiency, use of the Internet, and to improve their ability to deliver services as well as better meet the needs of their communities. Eligible organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service and have staffed offices in at least three states in the United States. http://www.pnnonline.org/corporate_giving/microsoft110501.asp

"Ms. Foundation for Women Collaborative Fund for Youth-Led Social Change" The Ms. Foundation for Women invites applications for its Collaborative Fund for Youth-Led Social Change. The invitation is to community-based youth organizations with a vision and agenda for youth-led social change. The Fund will support and strengthen organizations that combine positive youth development and social change action with a gender-conscious approach. The Fund will provide grants of $35,000 per year to approximately 12 girl-only and mixed-gender youth organizations that work in specific geographic communities across the United States. Applicants should send a two-page letter and one-page Summary Sheet. Application deadline: November 30, 2001. http://www.ms.foundation.org/publications.html

"National Education Association Foundation Innovation Grants" This grant program is designed to help public education employees improve teaching and learning (including the use of technology). Public K-12 schoolteachers and support personnel are eligible to apply for the grant. Deadline: Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. Notification for applications postmarked by March 15, 2002, will be made by August 1, 2002. There will be 200 grants of $2,000 each. http://www.nfie.org

"2002 Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program" National Science Teachers Association and Sears, Roebuck and Company announce this program that challenges students to use creativity and imagination along with science, technology, and mechanical ability to invent or modify a tool. The award program is open to students in grades 2-8 who are residents of the United States and U.S. Territories. Two national finalists will receive a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (one winner grades 2-5; one winner grades 6-8); 10 national finalists will receive a $5,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (five winners in each grade category). Application deadline: March 14, 2002. http://www.nsta.org/programs/craftsman/

"MetLife Foundation Tri-Connecting Award" MetLife Foundation and Families and Work Institute announce and solicit applications for the MetLife Foundation Tri-Connecting Award. The award will honor initiatives across the United States that strengthen connections among students, teachers, and parents with their communities to promote student learning and success. Eight awards will include a grant of $2,500 to inspire continued action. Twenty-four finalists and eight winners will be announced in Spring 2002. Application deadline: December 7, 2001. http://www.familiesandwork.org/metlife

"Poverty & Race Research Action Council" The Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) announces another round of education reform grants in areas of social science research. PRACC is particularly interested in issues such as high classroom turnover/mobility and its disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and farm worker students. However, other issues will be considered as well. To apply, send PRRAC a proposal outlining the planned research and methodology, the advocacy work it is designed to support, a budget, timeline, and qualifications of the researchers. Maximum grant: $10,000. No application deadline. http://www.prrac.org/grants.htm

"BellSouth Foundation Opportunity Grants" The BellSouth Foundation awards Opportunity Grants once a year in late Winter/early Spring. Opportunity Grants are available for unsolicited proposals that may not fit within the parameters of a specific BellSouth Foundation initiative, but that appear likely to add value to the Foundation's work within that priority area. The BellSouth Foundation focuses its grants primarily toward education reform activities that will have an impact on a substantial number of students. Concepts due March 1, 2002. http://www.bellsouthfoundation.org/grants/og/index.html

"The Wireless Foundation" Faced with the challenge that 90 percent of all classrooms in the U.S. do not have a telephone, and that many schools are unable to install computer and phone lines due to aging buildings and the danger of asbestos, the Wireless Foundation created ClassLink. Through ClassLink, Nokia and CTIA wireless carriers donate wireless phones and airtime to schools in order to accelerate learning and prepare children's classrooms for the 21st century. Schools are selected to receive phones through an application process, which is reviewed by a panel of independent judges representing the wireless industry and academic institutions. http://www.wirelessfoundation.org/03class/index.htm

"How to Motivate Women Donors" Womens Philanthropy Institute explains the six Cs that motivate women to donate. http://www.women-philanthropy.org/resources2.htm

"eSchool News School Funding Center" Information on up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and technology funding. http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/funding/

"School Grants" A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. http://www.schoolgrants.org

reprinted from schoolgrants newsletter

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

SchoolGrants Mini-Grant Opportunity http://schoolgrants.org/welcome.htm

On October 15, 2001 SchoolGrants announced a mini-grant opportunity forthose who subscribe to the biweekly newsletter or who purchase the Let'sWrite a Grant CD. There are few limitations related to project description.Subscribers/purchasers have a variety of needs and SchoolGrants willconsider all proposals related to meeting those needs. Two awards will bemade: one for $1,000 and the other for $500. Deadline for receipt ofproposals is December 5, 2001. Awards will be made by December 31, 2001.

You can learn more about the biweekly newsletter at http://www.schoolgrants.org/newsletter2.htm. More information about the Let's Write a Grant CD is available at http://www.schoolgrants.org/WriteGrant.htm.

**** OFFICE XP PROFESSIONAL IS AVAILABLE TO NONPROFITS!

Office XP Professional is the latest version of Microsoft's office suite for the PC, which includes the most current applications, Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and Access. Office XP Professional replaces Office 2000 Professional, which is no longer available. Office XP individual licenses are also available. To order, go to: http://www.compumentor.org/software

MICROSOFT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP GRANTS Grant provides tools and resources to underserved communities: http://www.techsoup.org/btc.cfm?file=news_article.cfm?newsid=787

Milagro Foundation http://www.santana.com/milagro/

The Milagro Foundation, started in 1998 by Carlos and Deborah Santana,provides grants that support educational efforts to help children and youthlive healthy lives, literate lives and culturally-enriched lives. Milagroassists the most at-risk and vulnerable populations so they can acquire theskills needed to succeed in life. Milagro especially wishes to strengthenarts education to enhance the quality of young lives. Grants are made tocommunity-based, grass-roots 501(c)(3) nonprofits that work with childrenand youth in the areas of the arts, education, and health. Typical grantsare between $2,500 and $10,000. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at anytime.

cheap hotels in Kirchberg 2001 School/Business Partnership Award http://www.shrm.org/emaf/default.asp?page=emaf.htm

The Employment Management Association Foundation (EMAF) School/business Partnership Awards encourage and recognize collaborations between businesses and schools that strengthen the connection between academics and their workplace application. Awards are co-sponsored by the Wall Street Journal and focus on school-to-work readiness and transition programs in critical areas of employment need such as accounting/mathematics; health; chemical, biological and physical sciences including computer science and technology; language arts and communications; and foundation learning (K-6). Each school partner receives a $5,000 cash award and both the school and its business partner receives an etched crystal plaque. Partnerships must have been implemented on or before September 1, 2000 to be eligible for consideration in this competition. The deadline to apply is November 16, 2001. Winners will be notified by December 28, 2001.

NSTA Teacher Awards http://www.nsta.org/awardscomp/&program_type=teacher

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), in collaboration with a number of corporations, offers 12 different opportunities to award exceptional science teachers. The deadline to apply for these awards is November 15, 2001.

IDEAS FOR PLAYGROUND FUNDING: Please visit http://www.schoolgrants.org/Links/playground_funding.htm for information on potential sources of funding. If you know of other resources, please let us know!

Get a copy of KaBOOM's "Getting Started Kit" at http://www.kaboom.org/resources/gsk.asp. Your organization may benefit from the linkages KaBOOM works to create between communities, corporations and foundations that have an interest in strengthening neighborhoods and providing safe places for children to play.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES SchoolGrants receives many requests from schools needing to update their computers and other technology. For links to technology resources, including opportunities to acquire equipment, go to http://www.schoolgrants.org/Links/technology.htm

There is a comprehensive list of computer recyclers listed at http://pnnonline.org/technology/computerrecycle1.cfm and http://pnnonline.org/technology/computerrecycle2.cfm

Computing EDGE is a free public service of KidSource Online that helps match needy schools with excess, unused or obsolete computer equipment that has been donated by individuals or organizations. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/pages/Donation.html

Check out techsoup - the technology place for nonprofits - at http://www.techsoup.org/sub_npo_discounts.cfm. The site offers a plethora of technology information for nonprofits. The link given takes you to the source of special nonprofit discounts for a wide variety of software, hardware, and other useful technology resources.

SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM SCHOOLGRANTS.ORG

If you need a consultant to perform specialized grant opportunities searches, provide assistance with grant writing (from review and critique to full proposal development), or to teach your staff the art of grant writing through hands-on workshops, SchoolGrants.org is the place to turn! At the current time, all workshops are given on a consultant basis only. For more information, email me at moreinfo@schoolgrants.org.

BRING HOME THE BACON LISTSERV

The SchoolGrants "Bring Home the Bacon" listserv allows grant-writers an opportunity to collaborate and communicate with others in their community about grant-related subjects. If you would like to join the Bring Home the Bacon listserv, you may do so by sending a blank email to: BRINGHOMEBACON-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@netpals.lsoft.com

The volume of email on the listserv is sometimes heavy. A digest version is available for those who want to receive the day's posts consolidated into one nightly post. (Subscribe as shown above and send me a note requesting the digest version. Specify whether you want the text-based or HTML version.)

The semi-moderated listserv does not accept attachments so there is no threat of virus infection via posts to the list.

SCHOOLGRANTS DISCUSSION BOARD

For those in the SchoolGrants community that prefer Discussion Boards to listservs, join the discussions on the SchoolGrants Discussion Board at http://www.schoolgrants.org/discussion

SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE ATTENDANCE

SchoolGrants offers free access to a comprehensive database that contains information about more than 600,000 individual awards totaling more than $1.8 billion in available college funding opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Counselors, teachers, parents, and students will find it an invaluable, easy-to-use resource for finding scholarship and low-cost financial aid opportunities. Access this feature by going to http://www.schoolgrants.org/welcome.htm and clicking on "Scholarships and Financial Aid".

Reprinted from Netday newsletter

Bill and Melinda Foundation: Community Access to Technology The Community Access to Technology (CAT) grant program is designed to assist nonprofits (and other public entities) in Washington state in delivering access to information technologies to state residents. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/pacificnorthwestgiving/communityaccesstechnol ogy/default1.htm

3Com Urban Challenge 3Com's Urban Challenge program grants $100,000 in 3Com technology to U.S. cities to incorporate new uses for information technology into the fabric of their communities. http://www.3com.com/solutions/en_US/index1.html

TechFoundation Grant Program TechFoundation will provide grants to Nonprofit Technology Assistance Providers (NTAPs) and other related organizations to implement technology projects within their local communities, or for the benefit of nonprofits/NTAPs everywhere. These grants will be awarded on a national basis through a competitive proposal process. http://www.techfoundation.org/Pages/main.cfm?bandwidth=low

AmericaConnects: Community Technology Centers (CTCs) American Connects Consortium (ACC) is a network of partners, friends, and advisors that assists community technology centers nationwide in improving programs, supporting community development, and eliminating the digital divide. This is a great resource for existing grant award recipients and for those organizations in need of assistance with preparing a grant application. http://www.americaconnects.net/

Reprinted from Public Education Newsletter

GRANT AND FUNDING INFORMATION

"Toyota International Teacher Program" This program offers a fully funded study program in Japan. Fifty secondary school teachers from Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia--states where Toyota operates major facilities--will be selected to travel to Japan in June 2002 to learn first-hand about education, culture, environment and technology, and how these affect industry and society. Participants will visit several cities in Japan including Tokyo, Toyota City, and Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Eligible applicants: full-time secondary school teachers (grades 9-12) in the designated states and a minimum of three years teaching experience by June 2002. Applications are available now. Deadline: January 14, 2002. http://www.iie.org/pgms/toyota/

"Pew Funds Available for Civic Engagement Project" The Pew Charitable Trusts recently made a grant to Providence College to create a network of public high schools with the aim of advancing youth civic engagement. The project will involve establishing 200-250 participating high schools in 10 sites (either single school districts or consortia of districts). In each site, a small group of students, with the assistance of teachers and administrators, will conduct "civic audits" of their schools, assessing what their schools do well to provide opportunities for them to engage in the public life of their communities, and what areas could be improved. The RFP will be developed by early November 2001, and applications will be due February 15, 2002. Sites will be selected in early March, and schools will begin projects in September 2002. The "applicant" can be a school district, a consortium of districts, a non-profit organization, a Local Education Fund, or an institution of higher education working in conjunction with school district(s). Each site chosen to participate will receive up to $100,000 to fund the hiring of a site coordinator and related expenses necessary to carry out the grant's objectives. In addition, the lead teacher in each participating school will receive a small stipend for his/her participation and training. For more information, contact: Eric Goldman, Field Director National High School Civic Engagement Initiative 703-243-7740 egoldman@postoffice.providence.edu

"Fisher School Leadership Program" The Fisher School Leadership Program gives educators the opportunity to develop the leadership skills they need to start and manage their own exemplary schools. The training includes a summer institute, school residencies and a 6-month planning period before opening your school. Coursework and learning objectives focus on staffing, budget & finance, academic leadership, systemic operations and public speaking. There is a $45,000 stipend and healthcare benefits for the year. Application deadline: December 3, 2001. http://www.kipp.org/

"eSchool News School Funding Center" Information on up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and technology funding. http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/funding/

"Philanthropy News Digest-K-12 Funding Opportunities" K-12 Funding opportunities with links to grantseeking for teachers, learning technology, and more. http://fdncenter.org/pnd/20000328/funding.html

"Information on U.S. Department of Education Initiatives" Among a wealth of other information, the ED site provides comprehensive information on applying for grants and listings of current funding opportunities. http://www.ed.gov/funding.html

"School Grants" A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. http://www.schoolgrants.org

reprinted from Public Education Newsletter

Target Accepting Applications for All-Around Scholarships Program

Target Corporation's All-Around Scholarships for Students provide funding to well-rounded high school seniors and college students who are committed to community service and education. Target will award four $10,000 and over 2,100 $1,000 scholarships for higher education (two per Target store). Awards are offered for institution costs and fees for full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate educational programs.

Eligible students include high school seniors, high school graduates, and current college students who are legal U.S. residents (age 24 and under). In >addition, applicants must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of >study no later than the fall term of 2002-2003 school year at an accredited two-or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the U.S. (The program is not currently offered in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or outside the United States.)

The Target All-Around Scholarships program is managed entirely by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA). CSFA will screen all applications and make final selection of awards based on the following criteria: number of community volunteer service hours; applicant's list of volunteer leadership awards and honors; appraisal form completed by volunteer supervisor or leader; applicant's short essay on volunteer service; and grade point average (GPA) of C/2.0 level or higher. Preference in the selection of recipients will be given to students who reside in a community where a Target store is located.

Complete guidelines and application forms are available online.

Contact:>Tel: (800) 537-4180 (ask for the Target All-Around Scholarship program manager)

RFP Link:

http://www.target.com/target_group/community/community_scholarships.jhtml

GRANT AND FUNDING INFORMATION

"Toshiba America Foundation" The Toshiba America Foundation provides cash grants to classroom teachers to assist them in making improvements in the teaching of science and mathematics. Grants are available for teachers in grades K-6 and for grades 7-12. Small grant proposals less than $5,000 are reviewed every month except March and September. Proposals larger than $5,000 are reviewed in March and September each year. http://www.toshiba.com/about/taf.html

"The Educational Foundation of America" The Educational Foundation of America makes awards to eligible nonprofits primarily in the areas of the environment, the crisis of human overpopulation and reproductive freedom, Native Americans, arts, education, medicine, and human services. No application deadline. http://www.efaw.org/lett.htm

Coca-Cola Foundation Grants The Coca-Cola Foundation has three focus areas for its philanthropic giving, one of which is support of innovative classroom teaching and learning in K-12 schools. In total, the foundation has contributed more than $100 million to education since 1990. The foundation looks favorably upon programs that are small and well targeted, i.e., those that help elementary and secondary students with a particular issue, such as civil rights or the environment. Funds also can be applied toward tuition for training that will result in new instructional techniques in the classroom. Public and private schools serving children of all ages may apply for these grants. Although the monetary size of awards varies, a quick review of successful applicants from the past few years indicates that grants of $5,000 to $25,000 are typical.

Deadline: December 1 http://www.coca-cola.com

* Dell Learn and Earn program * Is your district looking for technology training solutions to help keep "at-risk" middle school students in school and focused on their grades? For more information visit http://lists.eschoolnews.com/cgi-bin/nph-t.pl?U=26&M=727599&MS=82871

* 3Com Urban Challenge * Does your school want the technological access it needs to cross the Digital Divide? A $100K grant through 3Com Urban Challenge's program can help. Visit http://lists.eschoolnews.com/cgi-bin/nph-t.pl?U=24&M=727599&MS=82871

"The 2002 Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards" Skipping Stones is an international, nonprofit, advertisement-free magazine for today's youth. The magazine has announced that the Eighth Annual Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards for 2002 will have technology, multicultural awareness and nature appreciation themes. Skipping Stones encourages students ages 7 to 17 to enter the Awards program. Entries are due by January 20, 2002. http://www.efn.org/~skipping/youthhonor.htm

"National Ad Slam Contest" Commercial Alert has announced its National Ad Slam Contest, which is a nationwide contest to throw advertisers out of schools during the 2001-2002 school year. Commercial Alert will award a $5,000 prize to the school that makes the best and most creative effort to remove advertising and commercialism from school premises. Other prizes will be given for creativity, media coverage, and teamwork. http://www.commercialalert.org/adslam/index.html

"Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship Program" Discover Card, in cooperation with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), established the Tribute Award Scholarship Program to applaud exemplary accomplishments and to support continued education and training for high school juniors. Nine scholarships are being offered in each state and the District of Columbia, plus nine national awards--over 460 scholarships in all. Application deadline: January 11, 2002. http://www.discovercard.com/discover/data/about/philanthropy/tribute.shtml

Barrick Goldstrike Exemplary Elementary Earth Science Teaching Award

Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc., in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), offers awards to full-time elementary science teachers (grades K-6) who have demonstrated exemplary earth science teaching practices in one or more of the following areas: innovative design and use of hands-on earth science materials; creative design and implementation of earth science lesson plans or curriculum; or fostering student, school, and school-community instructional programs in elementary earth science. Winners will receive a desktop or laptop computer system, $2,500 for the purchase of earth science materials and/or equipment for the awardee's school, an all-expenses-paid trip to NSTA's national convention, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Nevada Mining Association's Minerals Expo. For more information, contact (703) 243-7100.

Deadline: November 15 http://www.nsta.org/programs/barrick.shtml

Charity focus' webpage links to the following resources

ERROR MSG Technical Assistance Providers: non-web related help Nonprofit Matrix: collection of Internet stuff for NPOs. Internet resources for nonprofits (and more) My Help Desk: answers about techy tools Accepting online donations Web Tips: tips about NPO web development Getting Started on the Internet Benton's Best Practices ToolKit Ecommerce Partners: how to pick 'em Convert Files: from one format to another, over the web

Other Resources

alberghi aeroportuali Besenova Start a Nonprofit: one-step answer page from about.com Volunteer: guides and directories (also international hubs) Donate and/or request technical equipment. internet-fundraising: strategies for nonprofits Hire consultants: you name the price Computers: organizations that recycle computers Email Manifesto: how to use email for your nonprofit Grants: huge list of foundations (also corporate list) Popular Webhosts: list compiled by CNET Tech Centers: community oriented tech centers Toolkit For Giving: ways to give, how to give and more Auctions: Bizzarros also does some pro-bono work

Commonly Used Resources

helping.org: online giving portal Nonprofit FAQ: general nonprofit resources Volunteer Match: they match nonprofits and volunteers Philanthropy Journal: leading technology publication for nonprofits CompuMentor: Discounted computer software for nonprofits GuideStar - donor's guide to over 650,000 NPOs Nonprofit Genie: name says it all Idealist - Action Without Borders Foundation Center: help for grantmakers

CharityFocus, Inc. Tel 1.888.FOCUS-45 Fax 1.603.506.8384 (2874) helpers@charityfocus.org

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Reading and writing, arithmetic and grammar do not constitute education, any more than a knife, fork and spoon constitute a dinner." -John Lubbock (astronomer/mathematician)

CANEC Listserv Announcement

The Charter Friends National Network announces publication of a new technical assistance guide How Community-Based Organizations Can Start Charter Schools."

The emergence of the public charter school movement has contributed new energy and vitality to the emphasis on school-community collaboration. A growing number of charter schools are being designed, launched and operated by community-based nonprofit organizations. Starting charter schools enables nonprofits to:

- Design schools from scratch, free of some of the barriers that historically have impeded school-community collaboration.

- Create a "one stop shop" service experience by closely linking educational programming into the array of services already being offered to better meet the interconnected needs of children and families.

- Imbed collaboration into the very structure of the charter schools they are helping to create.

The new guide How Community-Based Organizations Can Start Charter Schools addresses a priority technical assistance need - creating and sustaining a healthy relationship between a new charter school and a founding nonprofit, leading to the creation and operation of a highly successful school. The guide draws on the latest thinking about building effective partnerships and alliances. It also relies heavily on interviews with the leaders of 15 charter schools founded by pre-existing nonprofits, the leaders of several state charter school support organizations, and representatives of some of the national nonprofits that are actively supporting charter school start-ups by their local affiliates.

THE NEW GUIDE INCLUDES A NUMBER OF USEFUL FEATURES

- Examples of CBO-linked charter schools from around the country; - Pre-planning activities; - How to structure the charter school planning process; - Types of relationships that CBOs and charter schools are forming; - Characteristics of successful partnerships and proven strategies for overcoming turf issues and other barriers to effective collaboration between CBOs and charter schools; and, - Organizations, publications, Web sites and other resources for nonprofits interested in launching charter schools.

Individual copies of the guide may be ordered at no charge from:

Charter Friends National Network 1295 Bandana Boulevard, Suite 165 St. Paul MN 55108 info@charterfriends.org

The full guide and supplementing documents for How Community-Based Organizations Can Start Charter Schools are now online and can be accessed at: http://www.uscharterschools.org/gb/community/

-- If you would like to be removed from this list, you may reply to this message or send e-mail to VargasCANEC@aol.com --

V. EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SITE OF THE WEEK

* "NASA Connect" helps kids learn practical applications of science * http://connect.larc.nasa.gov

NASA Connect is a free, annual series of integrated math, science, and technology instructional distance learning programs for students in grades 5-8. Each program has three components: (1) a 30-minute television broadcast, which can be viewed live or taped for later use; (2) an interactive web activity, which gives educators an opportunity to use technology in the classroom setting; and (3) a lesson guide describing a hands-on activity. These three components are designed as an integrated instructional package. Teachers who register on the NASA Connect web site will receive, via eMail, the date of upcoming shows, a show summary, and a PDF version of the lesson guide. The lessons seek to establish a connection between the math, science, and technology concepts taught in the classroom and those used every day by NASA researchers. The 2001-2002 series uses proportional reasoning as the "integrative thread" that connects the topics of each program.

MINUTES 10/18/01

The Oakland Charter Schools Consortium met 10/18/01 at American Indian Charter School.

Grant. Lance, Dirk, and Edmundo Norte announced receiving the federal grant for one year. It will deal with 3 areas: governance (Dirk), business (Carole Quan), and curriculum and instruction (Edmundo Norte). They will survey each existing and in-the-pipeline and report back to the consortium on proposed services.

ERROR MSG Business. We talked about how to get business services. Francisco (Oakland Charter School) said 8% is about average to pay a fiscal agent. Susan (Growing Children) said Aspire provides all business services to its 6 schools, but also controls the curriculum. We could have a coop model or a mini-district model.

SB740. Jenna (Lighthouse) told us about SB740, which will give $750 per child per year towards rent if youre serving poor kids. She said she would send out the info, and she did.

CANEC. Julie (CANEC) introduced Mardi Hinton, who is the CANEC Region 2 coordinator. They are having a networking event on 11/2. They are also planning a coop purchasing program, a health plan, and an insurance pool under the Joint Powers Authority.

State grants. CANEC has posted the info on the state grants. The RFP comes out 11/1 and there are workshops all over the state the next week. Our closest is in Milpitas on 11/6 at the Embassy Suites, 901 East Calaveras, from 10-4:00. Theres also one in Sacramento on ????? at ????? same time.

Next meeting will be Thursday, Nov 29, 4-6:00, same place (thanks, Ben).

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