The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is currently accepting unsolicited proposals. The foundation's primary goal is to support and initiate programs that directly serve the needs of children living in urban poverty. Priority is given to initiatives addressing childrens health, education, and microfinance, as well as India and Central Texas initiatives that specifically address the needs of children. All grant requests should be submitted online form.

HOPE VI Main Street Program: HUD's HOPE VI Main Street program provides grants to small communities to assist in the rejuvenation of an historic or traditional central business district or Main Street area by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The objectives of the program are to redevelop Main Street areas, preserve historic or traditional architecture or design features in Main Street areas, enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas; and provide affordable housing in Main Street areas. Expected number of awards: 4. Estimated total program funding: $4,000,000. Award ceiling: $1,000,000. Deadline: March 3, 2010. (More information)

Second Chance Act Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations: The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance announced that it is seeking applications for funding for mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations under the Second Chance Act. This program furthers the departments mission by providing services and programs to facilitate inmates successful reintegration into society. Deadline: March 18, 2010. (Full announcement)

Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants: The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention are accepting applications for FY 2010 Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants. The purpose of this program is to establish and strengthen collaboration to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Drug-Free Communities grant funds are intended to support eligible community-based coalitions focused on addressing youth substance use. Anticipated total available funding: $18.75 million. Anticipated number of awards: 150 grants. Anticipated award amount: up to $125,000 per year. Length of project period: up to 5 years. Deadline: March 19, 2010. (Full announcement)

The Department of Education's Migrant Education College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides nonprofit organizations with funding and academic assistance for the children of migrant and seasonal workers to complete their first year of college: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education: College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Grants will be made between $180,000 and $425,000. Funding is also available to help the children of migrant workers attain their high school equivalency: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education: High School Equivalency Program (HEP). Applications for both education grants are due February 16.

The Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program, a demonstration program that supports community-based efforts to increase environmental awareness and reduce risks associated with pollution and toxic environments. Grants will range from $100,000 to $150,000. Applications are due March 9, 2010. (More information)

Economic Development Assistance Program Funding from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the Public Works and Economic Development Act. Deadline: September 30, 2010. Applications are now being accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received. (More information)

HUD Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing. Approximately 25,000 apartment units will become more energy-efficient as the result of approximately $250 million in grants and loans made available through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. HUD will offer up to $15,000 per residential unit to reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality. Eligible applicants must already be HUD-assisted, through either Section 8 project-based rental assistance or Section 202 (elderly) and Section 811 (disabled) programs. See HUD's Recovery Act website.

The Department of Education's $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) was created as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand innovative programs and boost achievement in schools. Individual school districts or groups of districts can apply independently or in conjunction with entrepreneurial nonprofits, universities and companies. Funds are available for promising new ideas as well as proven programs to boost achievement and student proficiency, increase graduation rates or improve teacher quality within school districts. (CFDA) Numbers: 84.396A, 84.396B and 84.396C. (More information)

The Assisted Housing Stability and Energy and Green Retrofit grants program through HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation provides funding for affordable housing owners to maintain, preserve and retrofit properties to ensure energy efficiency and safety. Funding Opportunity number: HUD-RA-01. (More information)

Enterprise Green Communities offers grant opportunities to help cover the costs of planning and implementing green components of affordable housing developments, as well as tracking their costs and benefits. It offers up to $75,000 in planning and construction grants, up to $5,000 to coordinate green design charrettes, and up to $5,000 for post-construction sustainability training.

The Kessler Foundation announced guidelines for the 2010 cycle of its Signature Employment Grant program, which seeks to find ways to increase training, education, and employment opportunities that help people with disabilities lead independent lives. The multi-year grant program supports large initiatives that serve residents of New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Projects must be collaborative, have multiple funding sources, and serve a large geographic area. Grants are for $100,000 to $250,000 each per year, for maximum project funding of $500,000.

Powered by Service provides $500 grants to seed youth-led service projects. The organizations goal is to get young people involved in addressing the most pressing problems facing their communities. It is currently accepting grant applications from youth in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Los Angeles and New York City and plan to add more jurisdictions soon. Applicants working with HandsOn Network and City Year are also eligible for grants.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will invest $70 million over the next seven years to community foundations serving cities and towns where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. The new Community Foundation Initiative will deepen Knight Foundation's focus on fostering informed, engaged communities.

The German Marshall Fund is accepting application from government and nonprofit leaders to spend two to six months in Europe researching innovative approaches to urban/regional challenges as part of its Comparative Domestic Policy program. Applications are due March 15 and should focus on issues related to urban sustainability, education and workforce development, affordable housing/cost of living and combating social exclusion.

The Joyce Foundation works in the Great Lakes region to promote policies that improve economic outcomes for low-income working adults by enabling them to improve their skills and fill the job needs of employers in the region. The foundation also works to close the achievement gap by improving the quality of teachers in schools that serve low-income and minority children, expanding early childhood education, and promoting innovations such as charter schools and small schools. The foundation accepts applications throughout the year.

The new Goldman Sachs Small Businesses Initiative marks a $500 million commitment to promote small business and job development for 10,000 small businesses nationwide over a period of 5 years. The Goldman Sachs Group will provide business owners with access to business education, mentors and capital to promote growth.

The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation and the Lowe's Heroes program provide funding and support for community initiatives that support the basic needs of a community, particularly in communities where Lowe's employees live.

The Kroger Foundation makes grants of up to $50,000 to support grassroots organizations, hunger-relief and primary and secondary education. The foundation supports nationwide efforts by nonprofits to meet their grant-making goals.

The Nathan Cummings Foundation makes grants to benefit a series of service topics including health and collaborative initiatives for social and economic justice. The foundation tries to promote the voices of underrepresented communities through art and social justice. Applicants should send a letter of inquiry.

The Goldman Sachs Foundation makes grants to help boost secondary education and nurture achievement in promising youths to develop future leaders.

The Wal-Mart Foundation awards grants of $250,000 or more to nonprofits for local and regional initiatives across the country. The foundation has four main focus areas: education, workforce development and economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The PMI Foundation fosters projects for sustainable homeownership and affordable housing, as well as those that improve the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods. The foundation makes grants to nonprofits to further these goals. Applicants are requested to submit a short summary of their grant request as well as other documentation.

ACCION USA is a micro-finance organization that provides small business loans and financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs who do not qualify for loans from traditional lending institutions. These affordable loans help borrowers build credit and start or grow a small business.