Promise Neighborhoods Planning Grants, letter of intent due May 21

Grant: Promise Neighborhoods - For community-based programs to prepare at-risk youth for college and careers.
Funder: U.S. Department of Education.
Eligibility: Nonprofits and Higher Education
Deadline: Letter of Intent due May 21, full proposal June 25
Amount: $10 million for 20 one-year planning grants ranging from $400,000 to $500,000
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-10492.htm

This highly anticipated new program comes from the US Dept of Education, and is based on the philosophies and program models of the Harlem Children's Zone. It is focused on neighborhoods with high poverty rates and low student achievement. The initiative would provide planning grants to non-profit & community-based organizations to develop comprehensive, neighborhood programs for children and youth, from birth through college. The emphasis is on building a complete continuum of cradle-through-college-to-career supports and services, with a strong school or schools at the center. Mentoring is specifically noted as one of the components eligible for Promise Neighborhoods awards within the application. Family and community supports must include programs to improve student health, safety, community, stability, family and community engagement and "student access to 21st century learning tools.