news + events
Health Kit update from the Conference Office
Thank you for your wonderful response to the request for the Health Kits - 3,000+. The Conference office will be renting a U-Haul truck to take the kits to Sager Brown. Kits need to be delivered to San Antonio by Monday or Tuesday of next week (2/8-2/9). If your church has assembled health kits, you may bring them to the district office by Friday morning, February 5 and Bobbi Kaye will take them to San Antonio. Please call 512/444-1983 before you come to make sure someone is here to receive them.
Imagine No Malaria
This is why we Imagine No Malaria:look at what is being accomplished and know that you are making a difference right now with your generous hearts and hands. God bless you for what you are doing, and lift a prayer for Western Pa and North Texas who begin in January.
Read : Malaria cases likely half in third of countries
Photos, videos needed for Cabinet Report
The Dean of the Cabinet, Terrence Hayes, is requesting pictures, videos of church life in the 4 focus areas that would be good for inclusion in the Cabinet Report to the Annual Conference in June. PLEASE E-MAIL PHOTOS, FOOTAGE, STILL PHOTOS WITH DESCRIPTIONS TO "LINDA CURL" VDSUMC@TISD.NET BY FEBURARY 11, 2010.
Free Workshop in Austin: Process of Community Problem Solving February 11, 2010, 9 am to noon
MFSA and Texas Impact Presentation on Texas Faith and Food - Thursday, February 11
The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) will collaborate with Texas Impact for a panel presentation, "Texas Faith and Food: How Congregations Can Help Get Healthy Food to Those Who Need it the Most" on February 11 at St. John's UMC. Did you know that Texas ranks first in food insecurity for children under the age of 18?
Learn about the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is an opportunity to provide nutritious meals to children during the summer. Join us to explore ways congregations can help increase support for summer feeding programs and address other community food security issues.
Speakers include: Rob Borowski, Texas Impact; Kathy Golson, Texas Department of Agriculture; Andrew Smiley, Sustainable Food Center; and Sonia White, Central Dallas Ministries.
Location: Saint John's UMC Fellowship Hall.
Date: Thursday, February 11.
Time: Gathering & Snacks 6:30, Program 7:00 pm.
Austin Community College -
Highland Business Center,
Room 301,
5930 Middle Fiskville Road,
(Austin, TX).
Community problem solving is a cyclical process. Often intermediaries join ongoing community problem solving efforts and need the ability to gauge what groups have already accomplished and best next steps toward shared community solutions. Workshop participants will look at cycles of community problem solving and develop an awareness of how to best engage in and support community problem solving processes.
Sponsored by the Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at
Austin Community College (ACC CCBNO).
To register: Contact Candyss Bryant,
(512) 223-7051,
e-mail: cbryant1@austincc.edu.
Note: This is not an MHM event; we are just passing along the information in case you are interested.
Small Church Leadership Institute
The Small Church Leadership Institute, March 8-12 at Mount Sequoyah Conference Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas equips pastors and laity with the knowledge and skills for leading their small attendance church into the future. Guest presenters will be Dr. Tim Reaves, Dr. Doug Anderson and Asa Whitaker. You will hear stories of small church transformations and ample time will be scheduled for fellowship and networking.
Cost before February 15: single occupancy $439, double occupancy $359.
Contact: Marilyn at 800-760-8126, programs@mountsequoyah.org. To register click here or go to www.mountsequoyah.org.
Spring Basic Lay Speaking Class at Buda UMC - April 24 and May 1
The District Lay Speaking Committee will be developing church leaders at a 2-day Basic Lay Speaking Class on consecutive Saturdays, April 24 and May 1. The cost is $40. Please call Tami Anderson at (512) 924-0316 or e-mail her at tamianderson2000@yahoo.com. You can also get a registration form at the following link: Basic Lay Speaking Registration Form.
Important Dates of Upcoming Events:
District Professionals:
Wednesday, February 24, Grace UMC
Thursday, April 29, site TBA
Austin District Conference and Board of Missions meeting - Sunday afternoon, May 16, Wesley UMC
BOBBI KAYE'S QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:
"The glory of God is every creature fully alive and, therefore, we live to give God glory by loving the world and everything in it."
Sallie McFague
Grant Opportunities
Nonprofit Tips and News
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants
Deadline: February 12, 2010 (or as soon as 1,500 applications are received)
The Lowe's Foundation is accepting applications for its Toolbox for Education Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to increase parent involvement and build strong community spirit and school traditions that improve educational opportunities for children. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded. Any individual nonprofit public K-12 school or parent group associated with a nonprofit public K-12 school is eligible to apply.
For more information: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
Literacy Program Grants
Deadline: February 25, 2010
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and libraries that offer literacy programs in communities served by Dollar General in 35 states. Currently the Foundation is accepting grant requests through the following programs: Adult Literacy Grants support nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance. Family Literacy Grants support family literacy service providers that combine parent and youth literacy instruction. Summer Reading Grants help nonprofit organizations and libraries with the implementation or expansion of summer reading programs for students who are new readers, below grade level readers, or readers with learning disabilities.
For more information and to apply online: http://www.dgliteracy.com/grant-program/
Communities Creating Healthy Environments: Improving Access to Healthy Foods and Safe Places to Play in Communities of Color
Deadline: February 25, 2010
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announces funds to support programs that aim to prevent childhood obesity by increasing access to healthy foods and safe places to play in communities of color. Nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations are eligible. $2,500,000 is available to fund 10 awards, ranging up to $250,000. A match is required.
Pre-Application Web Conference: February 6, 2010 (11 a.m. ET).
Information: Ditra Edwards at (202) 234-5921 or cche@thepraxisproject.org; or go to:http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20961.
Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grants - HRSA
Deadline: March 15, 2010
The purpose of the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant (SHCPQI) is to assist rural providers with the implementation of quality improvement strategies, while improving patient care and chronic disease outcomes.
For more information: https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/FundingOppDetails.asp?FundingCycleId=54C135B6-2D9A-4F47-8E4A-38539020DD12&ViewMode=EU&GoBack=&PrintMode=&OnlineAvailabilityFlag=&pageNumber=&version=&NC=&Popup=
Drug Free Communities Grants- SAMHSA
Deadline: March 19, 2010
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. This grant is offered on behalf of the Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). DFC is accepting applications for this grant in order to reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by: 1) Addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse, and 2) Promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. Please note that for the purpose of this grant, substances include, but are not limited to, narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco, where their use is prohibited by Federal, State, or local law. Substances may also include the non-medical use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines.
For more information: http://samhsa.gov/Grants/2010/SP-10-005.aspx
VA Grant/Per Diem, 2010 Capital Grant
Deadline: March 31, 2010
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announces funds to support community agencies providing services to homeless Veterans. The purpose is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and/or supportive services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination. City or township governments, county governments, state governments, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities are eligible. $24,000,000 is available to fund 40 awards. A match is required.
Information: Chelsea Watson at (877) 332-0334 or chelsea.watson@va.gov; or go to: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3.
VA Grant/Per Diem, 2010 Per Diem Only
Deadline: March 31, 2010.
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announces funds to support community agencies providing services to homeless Veterans. The purpose is to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and/or supportive services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination. City or township governments, county governments, state governments, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities are eligible
Information: Chelsea Watson at (877) 332-0334 or chelsea.watson@va.gov; or go to: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3.
Nonprofit Tips and News
Half-Teaspoon Less Salt Daily Could Save Lives and $24 Billion/Year
Consuming just half a teaspoon less salt each day may save as many as 92,000 US deaths and as much as $24 billion in medical costs a year, a study found. A 3-gram daily salt reduction per person would lower annual cases of heart disease and stroke by about one-third, according to an analysis published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Source: Bloomberg News, January 22, 2010.
See article in Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/01/22/half_a_teaspoon_less_salt_daily_may_save_lives/
Obesity Now Poses As Great a Threat to Health as Smoking
As the U.S. population becomes increasingly obese while smoking rates continue to decline, the morbidity-mortality curves for smoking and obesity in the U.S. have crossed as the latter has become an equal, if not greater health threat in comparison to smoking, according to findings published in the February 2010 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Data is from the 1993-2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Source: ASPH Friday Letter, January 22, 2010. http://fridayletter.asph.org/article_view.cfm?FLE_Index=11824&FL_Index=1605
Include Local Businesses in Your Fundraising Plan
Although most local businesses have giving programs, nonprofits sometimes overlook these resources. "Nonprofits need to be knowledgeable about what type of corporate giving is available locally, and continuously pursue it," says Ray Sweeney in "Nonprofits Benefit from Local Biz Outreach" (Federal & Foundation Assistance Monitor, December 14, 2009). He recommends maintaining and continuously updating a list of local businesses and their grant programs, because these funders are the most likely to respond quickly to requests. Learn about their giving programs through Internet searches or direct inquiry. Once you know how they want to be approached, follow their directions. To build and strengthen your organization's ties with a company, you might also provide volunteer opportunities for its employees.
Source: The Grantsmanship Center Newsletter, Centered, January 2010. http://www.tgci.com/newsletter/
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Grants Unit
4507 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
Anne Connor, CFRE, Grants & Research Manager; (210) 949-1823; aconnor@mhm.org
Chivariak ("Variak") Khus, Grants & Research Associate; (210) 253-3212; vkhus@mhm.org
Katrin Ludwig, Grants Associate; (210) 546-0988; kludwig@mhm.org
MHM Switchboard: (210) 692-0234
Toll-Free: 800-959-6673
Call or e-mail for help seeking grants! We assist United Methodist Churches in our service area as well as selected nonprofit agencies.
