Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: foundation question

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

on 7/25/2002 2:11 AM, Ragland, Jenifer at Jenifer.Ragland [at] latimes.com 
wrote:

> It occurred to me: are there any charitable
> foundations that give out grants to help people start cohousing communities?

To get grant monies (normally) you have to have a program or project to
benefit the larger community -- providing affordable housing, a
demonstration environmental project, a new technology -- something unique or
highly helpful to _someone else_.

Applying for grants is very time consuming and not always worth it. Be very
sure that a grant application is appropriate and can be funded (according to
the rules of the grant) before you waste your time. Foundations are
established to further a pet cause. It works best if you look at foundations
and see what they are interested in and see if you can make it work for you.
ALWAYS CALL them to find out what they are really interested in funding.
Sometimes if your project sounds interesting they will help you develop it.

Think about your project in pieces and see if you can get some of it funded.
Some ideas just to give you an idea --

Landscaping -- is there a foundation interested in xeriscape or native
plants that might fund design or planting.

Playground -- is there a foundation or an agency that would be interested in
promoting a new design or material or access. A playground designed for
handicapped children, blind children, etc. A playground available to a local
community funded day care center 3 hours a day.

Affordable housing -- a unique design or a unique partnership.

Outdoor Lighting -- a demonstration project for a new kind of lighting --
particularly one that includes some public space or neighborhood amenities.

Apprenticeships -- is there a foundation that is interested in skills
training for youth that will pay for a project of laying a walkway if you
take on several neighborhood youths who need job training and experience.

Think creatively. Read foundation materials to see what they _care_ about.
Don't forget government agencies.

The developer for Takoma Village got a $36,000 grant from HUD to investigate
green materials for use in our project. Basically a feasibility study that
was then available to HUD.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org


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