Recent Mott Foundation Grants -- Civil Society

Africa Grantmakers Network

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Kenya Community Development Foundation

Junction of Pamba and Chai Road, Pangani P.O. Box 10501 Nairobi 00100
Nairobi

Grant Amount: $50,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2012

The Kenya Community Development Foundation was founded in 1997 to support Kenyan communities to drive their own development priorities by linking them to resources and information. It promotes sustainable development approaches, including local resource mobilization and helping communities to utilize resources that they have rather than depend on external resources. The African Grantmakers Network, a project of the Kenya Community Development Foundation, is a continent-wide network of African grantmakers launched in 2009 to facilitate networking and mutual learning among established and emerging African philanthropic institutions. It focuses on elevating the role of wealthy Africans as key to realizing greater governance, development, and general welfare of Africa. This grant will support research activities on various forms of giving in Africa, mobilizing rich Africans to give to deserving causes, and holding a conference for African grantmakers in South Africa to share knowledge and experiences.

Geographic Focus: Africa / Africa (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / Special Initiatives International
Website: www.kcdf.or.ke
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights: Enhancing Participatory Development and Social Awareness Among Women and Youth at the Local Level

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: University of Fort Hare

Private Bag X1314 King William's Town Road Alice 5700
Alice Eastern Cape

Grant Amount: $100,000.00

Grant Period: 03-01-2012 to 02-28-2014

The UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights, based at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, was established through funding by UNESCO to advance human rights, respect for democratic values, peace, and social justice. Past support enabled the chair to train and support women and youth in the Nkonkobe region of the Eastern Cape province to meaningfully participate in local governance and decision-making processes that affect their lives. The training enabled these groups to explore emerging economic opportunities, especially through the municipal and other government processes and increased their chances to get employed. This grant will assist the UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights to continue to empower women and young people to enhance their skills so that they can become self-reliant and self-sufficient. It will also expand the project to other areas within the Nkonkobe region and will raise awareness on human rights and how people can engage as active citizens for their basic needs to be realized.

Geographic Focus: Africa / South Africa / Eastern Cape
Program: Civil Society / South Africa
Website: www.ufh.ac.za
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Nonprofit Listening Post Project

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Johns Hopkins University

     Charles and 34th Streets
     Baltimore MD
     21218-2680

Grant Amount: $40,000.00

Grant Period: 10-01-2011 to 09-30-2012

The Nonprofit Listening Post Project monitors in a systematic and timely way what is happening to nonprofit organizations in the United States. Key features include a network of over 1,150 grassroots nonprofits that serve as the project's "listening posts" on the major field-wide developments; regular surveying of these organizations using a rapid turnaround, web-based technology; roundtable discussions among the innovative executives identified through these surveys; case studies examining particularly interesting innovations in more depth; and regular, broadly distributed communiqués on survey and roundtable results. A grant increase will support the engagement of an outside consultant to help answer several important questions about the need for up-to-date data on key nonprofit trends and challenges and the value and effectiveness of the Nonprofit Listening Post Project in meeting this need. The project is conducted by the Center for Civil Society Studies at the Johns Hopkins University, one of America's premier research universities.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.jhu.edu
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Council of Michigan Foundations

     One S. Harbor Avenue, Suite 3
     Grand Haven MI
     49417-1385

Grant Amount: $25,000.00

Grant Period: 04-01-2011 to 03-31-2013

The Council of Michigan Foundations is a state-wide association of grantmakers that provides its members with educational programs, technical assistance, networking opportunities, advocacy with policymakers and regulators, and collaborative work with leading national and regional philanthropic associations. Recently, the council has been focusing on membership engagement and retention, new member recruitment, and organizational capacity through pursuing four main objectives: (a) advocacy on legislative goals; (b) operating a networked learning community; (c) supporting membership collaboration on critical issues; and (d) operating a model regional association. The council continues to host a number of initiatives including the Office of Foundation Liaison, the Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives, and the Michigan Land Use Funders Group. The council also organizes an annual conference. A grant increase will support a joint conference in the fall of 2012 for Michigan foundations and nonprofits, which will be co-organized by the council and the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / Michigan / Michigan (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.cmif.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Fund for Active Citizenship

Serdara Jola Piletica 18/I-1 81000 Podgorica
Podgorica

Grant Amount: $200,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2013

The program goal is to strengthen local-level democracy and civil society in Montenegro by supporting the development of an indigenous grantmaking organization. To this end, the Fund for Active Citizenship will increase its grantmaking aimed at encouraging civic activism and addressing the needs of vulnerable people. In addition, the fund will provide technical assistance and capacity development opportunities to its grantees and the nonprofit sector through workshops, documenting case studies and good practice in the field, and networking key actors. The fund will also raise awareness and promote cross-sector collaboration on issues of public participation in decision making and philanthropy development. During 2010-2011, the fund awarded more than 60 grants totaling in excess of €400,000, organized forums and training programs for its grantees, cooperated with national and local governments to improve distribution of public funds to nonprofits, and organized annual excellence in philanthropy prizes. The fund is based in Podgorica and works throughout Montenegro.

Geographic Focus: Europe / Serbia and Montenegro / Montenegro
Program: Civil Society / Central/Eastern Europe and Asia
Website: www.faktcg.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

LearnPhilanthropy

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Council on Foundations

     2121 Crystal Drive, Suite 700
     Arlington VA
     22202-3706

Grant Amount: $50,000.00

Grant Period: 04-01-2012 to 03-31-2013

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.cof.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Membership and Administrative Support

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation

Résidence Palace, Block C, 6th Floor, Office 6521 Rue de la Loi 155 1040 Brussels
Brussels

Grant Amount: $28,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2012

This grant supports the membership and administrative costs of the Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation, a nonprofit membership association based in Brussels. Its goal is to strengthen philanthropic cooperation among foundations, associations, and other nongovernmental organizations in Europe. During the next year, the network will manage a range of initiatives in which major European foundations collaborate on issues of youth leadership, children and violence, integration and migration, dementia, religion and democracy, Roma education, and philanthropy development. During the grant period, the network will also launch a special project building a common vision for the future of Europe to mark the network's ten-year anniversary. During 2012, a staff of two will manage the network and organize regular meetings of the board and the general assembly. In 2011, the network managed a portfolio of ten projects with expenses totaling more than €4.5 million. The network currently has 13 members and engages many other foundations, public donors, and other types of philanthropic organizations in its projects.

Geographic Focus: Europe / Europe (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / Special Initiatives International
Website: www.nef-europe.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Community Development Foundation Western Cape

205 Vincent House, Wynberg Mews, Brodie Road, Wynberg Cape Town 7800
Cape Town Western Cape

Grant Amount: $120,000.00

Grant Period: 03-01-2012 to 02-28-2014

Geographic Focus: Africa / South Africa / Western Cape
Program: Civil Society / South Africa
Website: www.communityfoundationwesterncape.org.za
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Community School Development in Moldova

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Step by Step Moldova

Str. Puskin 16A - 3 Chisinau 2002
Chisinau

Grant Amount: $150,000.00

Grant Period: 04-01-2012 to 03-31-2014

Geographic Focus: Europe / Moldova
Program: Civil Society / Central/Eastern Europe and Asia
Website: www.issa.nl/network/moldova/moldova.html
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Association for Community Relations

Bd. 1 Decembrie 1918, Nr. 4, Ap. 7 Cluj Napoca 400699
Cluj-Napoca

Grant Amount: $120,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2013

The program goal is to promote and develop philanthropy in Romania. During the grant period, the Association for Community Relations will build the capacity of nonprofit organizations in Romania to raise local resources by providing training and technical assistance, improve the level and quality of corporate giving by providing consultancy to national and multinational businesses, strengthen philanthropy on the community level by supporting the initiation and development of community foundations, and improve the visibility of the philanthropic sector by carrying out research and disseminating information about successful practices. Activities will also build on existing efforts to develop philanthropy throughout Central and Eastern Europe. In 2010-2011, the grantee organized two conferences on corporate philanthropy, raised awareness about existing incentives for philanthropy for businesses and individuals, and facilitated the establishment of three new community foundations. Based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Association for Community Relations was established in 2001 with the mission to promote and develop philanthropy in Romania.

Geographic Focus: Europe / Romania
Program: Civil Society / Central/Eastern Europe and Asia
Website: www.arcromania.ro
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Eastern Cape NGO Coalition

7 Frere Road, Vincent Postnet 227, Private Bag X9063 East London 5200
East London Eastern Cape

Grant Amount: $150,000.00

Grant Period: 04-01-2012 to 03-31-2014

The Eastern Cape NGO Coalition is a provincial membership organization that works to support and promote the work of development organizations in the Eastern Cape province. It is one of the few remaining coalitions of nonprofit organizations in South Africa and has a membership of over 166 community-based, faith-based, and nongovernmental organizations. The coalition coordinates the work of its members to achieve maximum impact on social transformation and to continuously build synergies that will develop a strong sectoral or issue-based focus. Over the past two years, the coalition partnered with members working on agriculture, health, housing, human rights, and education programs to champion their causes. It also partnered with government on initiatives aimed at strengthening civil society in the province. This grant will support the Eastern Cape NGO Coalition to promote community-led development approaches, elevate its members' work on local philanthropy, build linkages between government and its members, and strengthen its institutional capacity.

Geographic Focus: Africa / South Africa / Eastern Cape
Program: Civil Society / South Africa
Website: www.ecngoc.co.za
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Building Civic Capacity by Nonprofit Service Organizations

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Demos: A Network for Ideas and Action

     220 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor
     New York NY
     10001-7708

Grant Amount: $100,000.00

Grant Period: 07-01-2012 to 06-30-2013

The Building Civic Capacity by Nonprofit Service Organizations project will teach United States nonprofits how to build civic capacity by partnering with the communities they serve and in which they work. To this end, the grantee will document current methods and develop state-of-the-art materials, tools, case examples, and training modules. The grantee will also create viable venues to distribute the information and tools to support organizations and communities that are embracing this approach. The project will be implemented by the Building Movement Project, an initiative that encourages nonprofit service providers to enhance civic engagement and social change, to promote the common good, and to address generational shifts in leadership. The Building Movement Project is managed by Demos: A Network for Ideas and Action, a national, nonpartisan, multi-issue think tank that combines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debate and catalyze change.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.demos.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Learning and Sharing Sessions

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Foundation-Administered Project

     503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200
     Flint MI
     48502-1851

Grant Amount: $57,853.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2012

Geographic Focus: Africa / South Africa / South Africa (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / South Africa
Website: www.mott.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

PolicyWorks for Philanthropy

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

     2121 Crystal Drive, Suite 700
     Arlington VA
     22202-3706

Grant Amount: $80,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2013

PolicyWorks for Philanthropy is an initiative led by a consortium of six regional associations of grantmakers and managed by the Council of Michigan Foundations. The program's goal is to build the capacity of regional associations' staff and boards to engage policymakers in support of a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector. Since its launch in 2009, the initiative has raised awareness about the importance of engaging policymakers and begun to build the capacity of 20 regional associations of grantmakers to do so effectively. In 2011, grant funds will support the implementation of activities that will strengthen the capacity and catalyze increased action by at least 22 regional associations nationwide on public policies of interest to their members. The Council of Michigan Foundations is a membership association of grantmakers with the mission to enhance, improve, and increase philanthropy in Michigan.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.givingforum.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Populari

Zagrebacka 55/5 71000 Sarajevo
Sarajevo

Grant Amount: $60,000.00

Grant Period: 07-01-2012 to 06-30-2014

The project goal is to improve the quality and effectiveness of policy development and implementation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. To this end, the Centre for Socio-Economic Studies "Populari," a think tank established in late 2007, promotes informed debate on social, economic, and political developments through a variety of activities, research, and analytical reports. During the grant period, the center will carry out field-based studies and assessments and stimulate discussion of policy issues through seminars, public presentations, and bilateral meetings. The center will focus on monitoring and promoting European Union integration and accession; the effectiveness of state and local governance; and innovative, local-level social enterprise initiatives. In 2010-2012, the center conducted field-based research on the challenges Bosnia will face as it progresses in the European Union accession process, governmental transparency and efficiency in delivering essential public services, and the status of state-owned property. The center is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Geographic Focus: Europe / Bosnia and Herzegovina
Program: Civil Society / Central/Eastern Europe and Asia
Website: www.populari.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Office of Foundation Liaison

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: State of Michigan

     300 S. Capitol Avenue
     Lansing MI
     48933-2002

Grant Amount: $130,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2012

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / Michigan / Michigan (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.michigan.gov
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

NCCS Community Platform

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Urban Institute

     2100 M Street NW
     Washington DC
     20037-1264

Grant Amount: $100,000.00

Grant Period: 06-01-2012 to 05-31-2014

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.urbaninstitute.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

     1725 DeSales Street NW, Suite 404
     Washington DC
     20036-4406

Grant Amount: $50,000.00

Grant Period: 07-01-2012 to 06-30-2014

This grant provides general purposes support to Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, a project of the Tides Center. Grantmakers for Effective Organizations provides a forum for foundation professionals to share research and other related outcomes of their work to enhance organizational effectiveness among nonprofits. The organization has brought together funders, practitioners, and other groups to increase the understanding of organizational effectiveness and its value in strengthening nonprofits. This grant assists Grantmakers for Effective Organizations in its transition to become an independent nonprofit organization, and builds on its commitment to encourage dialogue among funders committed to organizational effectiveness.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.geofunders.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

General Purposes

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: Association of Small Foundations

     1720 N Street NW
     Washington DC
     20036-2907

Grant Amount: $100,000.00

Grant Period: 01-01-2012 to 12-31-2013

This grant provides general purposes support to the Association of Small Foundations, a national membership organization for trustee-operated foundations with few or no staff. As the number of new foundations grows, the Association of Small Foundations plays an increasingly important role in pulling trustees of new foundations into a supportive network where they can receive high-quality information on managing and administering their foundations. In just three years, the association has developed the largest foundation membership of any single organization in the country, with over 2,200 members.

Geographic Focus: North America / United States / United States (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / United States
Website: www.smallfoundations.org
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851

Technical Support and Dialogue Platform

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Grantee: SGS Consulting

     13 Sunninghill Brooke Estate 24 Nanyuki Road Sunninghill, Johannesburg 2157
     Johannesburg Guateng
     2157

Grant Amount: $197,147.00

Grant Period: 02-01-2012 to 01-31-2013

SGS Consulting is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has been in operation for over 10 years. It has provided consultation services to a wide range of organizations, including various United Nations agencies, regional economic commissions across Africa, civil society organizations, and bilateral and multilateral agencies. SGS Consulting's assignments have focused on HIV/AIDS, development planning, strategy development, and capacity development. With Mott support, SGS Consulting will provide organizational development and other technical assistance to civil society organizations that work within the themes of building philanthropy and providing access to justice for poor people.

Geographic Focus: Africa / South Africa / South Africa (At Large)
Program: Civil Society / South Africa
Website:
Grantor: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200 Flint, Michigan 48502-1851