FLAGS - Family Literacy Alliance of Greater Syracuse

Cultivating a Culture of Literacy
The Sacramento Bee
As educators across the country lament the disappearance of creative instruction in the face of increasingly rigorous testing, the staff of Florin High School has adhered resolutely to a simple program they say nurtures their students' minds and imaginations. They not only let their students read whatever they want, they insist upon it.

A New Read on Teen Literacy
U.S. News and World Report
As President Bush and education policymakers turn their attention to fixing America's underachieving high schools, more districts nationwide will need to address one fundamental – but largely unheralded – cause of student failure: A huge number of teens simply can't make much sense of their textbooks.

From the Post-Standard -

Lacking Literacy
So why does federal budget cut from literacy programs?
By Robert Wedgeworth, ProLiteracy Worldwide

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

GTECH Provides Computer Labs for After-School Programs
The GTECH After School Advantage Program provides state-of-the-art computer labs to nonprofit organizations in inner-city communities where GTECH's offices are located. GTECH donates up to $15,000 of computers, on-line technology, computer software, and volunteer hours to after-school programs targeting minority and at-risk children aged 5 to 15. Nonprofit community agencies with existing after-school programs in need of a computer lab in jurisdictions in which GTECH does business are eligible to apply. Eligible states include … New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Visit the above website for more information.

Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation Children's Initiative – Deadline April 1
The Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation Children's Initiative provides funding for local programs that strengthen the social, physical, intellectual, and emotional functioning of young children in significant and measurable ways. The Initiative will consider programs that serve children from the pre-natal stage to six years of age; deliver services to children in non-office or non-traditional settings; and involve parents or guardians in the planning, delivery or evaluation of the program. All proposals must demonstrate that the project meets all three of the above elements. Nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting letters of intent is April 1, 2005. Visit the above website for more information.

The Mattel Children's Foundation Relaunches to Provide Support To Communities
The Mattel Children's Foundation’s new Domestic Grants Program seeks applications from organizations that serve children in communities within the U.S. that address a locally defined need. Priority is given to programs that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities: health, education and girl's empowerment. Pilot projects and new organizations may be considered but programs with at least two years experience are preferred. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 for one year. Preference is given to organizations that have an annual operating budget of less than $1,000,000 and are not associated with a national organization. Deadline is April 8, 2005. For more information and application guidelines, please visit the link above or contact the Mattel Children's Foundation directly at (310) 252-2908.

The Milagro Foundation Seeks To Support Youth in Areas of Arts and Education
Started by Deborah and Carlos Santana, The Milagro Foundation supports underrepresented and underprivileged children and youth in the areas of the arts, education and health. The Milagro Foundation seeks grant applications from community-based, grassroots organizations that work with children and youth, especially those at risk due to such factors as poor health, illiteracy, or insufficient educational and cultural opportunities. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000. The Foundation accepts request for funding throughout the year. For more information and application guidelines, please visit the link above.

Amazon.com Launches Nonprofit Innovation Award Program
Amazon.com has announced the creation of the Amazon.com Nonprofit Innovation Award program, a nationwide search to discover and reward nonprofit organizations whose innovative approaches and breakthrough solutions most effectively improve their communities or the world at large.
The program will honor one U.S. nonprofit organization whose innovative approach to philanthropy has achieved maximum impact. Complete program details and applications are available at the Amazon.com Web site through the link above.

NOTE: If you have difficulty accessing any of these items, please contact nvolk@unitedway-cny.org.