WV HUB

Grants Promote Young Social Entrepreneurs: Do Something Awards Program
Deadline: March 1, 2012

Do Something is a national nonprofit organization that inspires young people to believe that change is possible, and trains, funds, and mobilizes them to be leaders who measurably strengthen their communities. The Do Something Award identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have a significant social impact. Five nominees will receive a $10,000 community grant, participation in the Do Something Awards TV show, media coverage, and continued support from DoSomething.org. Of those five winners, one will be selected to win the Grand Prize and will receive a total of $100,000 towards his or her cause or organization. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. Visit the Do Something website for application information.

January Workshops from the WV Women's Business Center

Fundamentals of Starting a Business

Discover how to obtain a business license, choose a business location, plan and finance your business. This workshop is specifically designed for those who are thinking of starting a business or have had a business for one year or less. It will provide essential information for what an entrepreneur needs to know to successfully start a business.

Tuesday, January 17th ~ 5:30pm - 8:30pm, Beckley
Thursday, January 19th ~ 9am - 12pm, Princeton
Monday, January 30th ~ 1pm - 4pm, Beckley

Sustainable Growth

Need to Take a Serious Look at Your Business? Where is it now? Where is it going? Register today for our newest and most comprehensive workshop on Sustainable Growth for your business. This workshop is for existing and mature businesses. It provides essential information for what a business owner needs to know to build, expand or refresh a business. Including Business Plan Development, Marketing, Management Review and Contingency and Financial Planning.

Thursday, January 19th ~ 1pm - 4pm, Princeton
Thursday, January 26th ~ 5:30pm - 8:30pm, Beckley

Email Marketing

Low-cost marketing at the press of a send button! Discover safe, legal, easy to use ways to reach your customers about sales, new products, or specific items they asked about. Hands-on class utilizing Constant Contact.

Thursday, January 19th ~ 10am - 2pm, Beckley

Customer Service Survey

Deliver quality customer service in person, online and on the phone. In this session, you will discover actions you can take back to the business site and implement immediately. Continental breakfast will be provided.

Friday January 20th ~ 7:45am - 8:45 am, Beckley

Email Etiquette Tips and Tricks

Nothing is more irritating than trying to read an email from someone who does not know the rules of email. Make sure you know your email etiquette. Register for this free webinar and learn the four most important email etiquette tips.

Wednesday, January 26th ~ 10am - 11am, Webinar

To register or for more information, visit the Women's Business Center website or contact Laura at (304) 253-3145 or (800) 766-4556.

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program
Deadline: January 18, 2012

Department of Housing and Urban Development;s (HUD) Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program provides support for efforts to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing. Priority will be given to efforts that reduce significant health and safety hazards in the home through hazard evaluation and control work done in conjunction with lead hazard control activities. Learn more here.

Norman Foundation Social Justice Grants
Deadline: Rolling

The Norman Foundation supports efforts throughout the United States that strengthen the ability of communities to determine their own economic, environmental, and social well-being, and that help people control those forces that affect their lives. These efforts may promote economic justice and development through community organizing, coalition building, and policy reform efforts; work to prevent the disposal of toxics in communities and to link environmental issues with economic and social justice; or connect community-based economic and environmental justice organizing to national and international reform efforts.

Programs that promote systemic change and can serve as a model for other organizations and communities are encouraged. In addition, priority is given to organizations with annual budgets of under $1 million. Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the guidelines and application instructions.

Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
Deadline: Rolling

Grants supports programs throughout the United States that foster the growth and development of the denomination and that increase the involvement of Unitarian Universalists in social action. *The Veatch Program also supports non-denominational nonprofit organizations nationwide that are committed to social change and whose goals reflect the principles of Unitarian Universalism. Grant categories include civil rights and sustainable communities, capacity building for social justice, economic equity and fairness, and making democracy work. In addition, the New York Metro Region program provides funds for advancing economic and social equity in New York City and Long Island. Letters of inquiry may be submitted throughout the year. Visit the Veatch Program’s website for guidelines on developing a two-page letter of inquiry.

Better World Books/National Center for Family Literacy Libraries and Families Award
Deadline: February 6, 2012

The Better World Books/National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) Libraries and Families Award recognizes innovative library-based literacy programs for families. Library programs throughout the country with a strong intergenerational approach to helping parents and children learn together are encouraged to apply. Programs that serve communities and families with high literacy and socioeconomic needs are of special interest. Both previously existing and new programs are eligible for the award. Three libraries will win a $10,000 grant and a trip to NCFL's annual conference. Visit the NCFL website to submit an online application.

Upcoming Hi-Y Events

• Annual Building Leaders for Tomorrow Conference – November 18-20, 2011 at Jackson’s Mill
• 8th Grade Youth & Government Seminars – February 2012, Charleston, WV
• High School HI-Y Model United Nations – March 9-11, 2012, Mineral Wells, WV
• Junior High HI-Y Model United Nations – March 23-26, 2012, TBA
• High School HI-Y Youth in Government – April 20-22, 2012, Charleston, WV

Visit www.hi-y.org for more information.

Opportunity for Farmers to Market to Schools' Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

For farmers interested in new sales opportunities, now is a good time to consider marketing fresh produce to school systems.

This week, the WV Food & Farm Coalition helped release a bulletin providing information on how the new Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program funding makes it easier for some West Virginia schools to “buy local,” and on how farmers and farmer organizations can explore marketing to a school near them. The bulletin was produced as a partnership between the Food & Farm Coalition, the West Virginia Department of Education - Office of Child Nutrition, The West Virginia University Extension Service Small Farm Center, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the Center for Economic Options.

Find a PDF version of the bulletin here, or read the full text here.