The goal of the NFL Grassroots Program is to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. Strong preference will be given to those proposals that (1) seek to upgrade existing facilities that are in poor condition or otherwise underutilized; (2) demonstrate active use of the fields; (3) attract matching funding that exceeds the minimum required match of 1:1; (4) involve local partnerships with non-profit community partners (i.e. Parks and Recreational Departments, YMCA branches) to promote youth and community programming on the fields; and (5) provide for continuing maintenance and field safety.

The Fund's goal is to empower women and change our world by providing individuals with cash awards that will allow them to pursue an idea or project that empowers or supports women of all ages. Applicants should propose projects that demonstrate a deep commitment to empowering women (of any age) and improving society, a solid and realistic plan and a clear explanation of how the award will actually empower women and change our world.

Educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff of these institutions must be willing to plan and execute a field trip that will provide a demonstrable learning experience for students. Target Field Trip Grant funds are best used for visits to art, science and cultural museums, community service or civic projects, career enrichment opportunities and other events or activities away from the school facility. Funds may be used to cover field trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, resource materials and supplies.

With generous support from the State Farm Companies Foundation, Youth Service America is offering its annual grants for youth-led community improvement projects. Grants support teachers and service-learning coordinators in engaging students to implement service-learning projects for Global Youth Service Day, April 24-26, 2009. Semester-long projects that are launched on Martin Luther King Day on January 19, 2009 and extend through Global Youth Service Day are encouraged.

The MacArthur Foundation, the University of California, Irvine, Duke University, and the virtual network HASTAC have announced a competition that focuses on participatory learning and awards innovators shaping the field of digital media and learning. This year's competition will include an online forum where applicants can post their ideas, solicit feedback, offer their services, and connect with other applicants and potential collaborators.

The awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Eligible applicants must have engaged in volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of application, and submit the application to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization.

The Foundation supports educators in developing environmental curricula that integrate field activities and classroom teaching and that incorporate basic ecological principles and problem solving. The foundation seeks proposals that facilitate learning and student empowerment, holistic environmental curricula and strive to synthesize multiple levels of learning (facts, concepts, principles), often including experiential integrated learning.

Participants must make concrete efforts towards reducing the environmental impact of their school during the eight week competition. All initiatives must be youth designed and led. A representative from each group must submit an online report of the school or club's actions to save energy, reduce waste and raise awareness during the competition. Winners receive cash awards and other prizes.

The Best Buy te@ch program rewards schools for successful interactive programs they have launched with available technology. Winning te@ch programs focus on kids using technology to learn a standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children aren't able to use hands-on.

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research. Through this competition, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school.

The grant program is designed to help young people learn how to grow plants hydroponically (without soil) and to explore related topics in botany and environmental science. The program will select thirty-six schools or organizations to receive hydroponic garden systems and indoor light systems as well as curricula and reference books.

The Foundation provides equipment and Quickball grants to organizations nation-wide that provide character development or athletic programs that help at-risk and disadvantaged youth take positive steps toward a successful lifestyle. Quickball is a national baseball enhancement program that allows children to learn the basics of baseball in a fun, fast-paced way. Grant awardees can use the funds to purchase equipment and operate programs.

The National Gardening Association (NGA) is accepting applications for its Healthy Sprouts Awards program to support awareness of nutrition and hunger through development of health-focused youth gardens. Winners receive certificates towards purchase of gardening materials, a free copy of NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, 25 packets of seeds, a literature package from NGA, and NGA Supporter benefits for one year. Eligible applicants include schools or organizations that plan to garden in 2008 with at least 15 children (ages 3-18) and can demonstrate that the garden program will teach about nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.

Schools, nature centers, and other nonprofit and not-for-profit places of learning (including houses of worship) with a site available for this stewardship project may apply for an SFE grant. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Creativity in design is encouraged but must show complete and thoughtful planning. The use of and teaching about native plants and the native plant community is mandatory and must be appropriate to the local ecoregion and site conditions (soil, water, sunlight).

For America to remain competitive in the global marketplace, the Foundation believes a stronger emphasis should be placed on exposing youth to experiences in education and career-related opportunities. By focusing on preparing students for the demands of today's global society, our goal is to be a major force in improving education. Proposals submitted to the Foundation for review for educational and cultural programs must address the priorities such as: expose students to career opportunities ; develop skills in new technologies; leverage teacher/administrator, parental, and community involvement, and more.

The Verizon Foundation aims to help people increase their literacy and educational achievement; avoid being an abuser or a victim of domestic violence; and achieve and sustain their health and safety. To achieve this goal, the Foundation funds programs in the following areas of interest: education, literacy, domestic violence prevention, healthcare and accessibility and Internet safety.

NGA awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of the following elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration; nutrition or plant-to-food connections; environmental awareness/education; entrepreneurship; and social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.

The Foundation is accepting applications for its Annual Program and Field grants. The focus of the grants for 2009 is on developing players, coaches, referees, and fields in economically disadvantaged urban areas that contain 50,000 people or more. Individuals or organizations are eligible to register for the Foundation's Annual Program and Field grants if funding is requested for a soccer-specific program or field project that benefits a not-for-profit purpose and meets the established focus for the 2009 grant cycle.