Applications are accepted throughout the year with rolling deadlines. Grants are awarded for one year at a time, and no organization can receive a grant more than two years in a row.

U.S.-based municipalities, neighborhood associations, schools, day care centers, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Programs of greatest interest offer direct services to disadvantaged children and youth, such as:

• Academic enrichment and support
• College access and tuition assistance
• Mentoring and youth leadership
• Arts outreach integrated with school curriculum
• Career development and job skills training
• Recreational activities and camps incorporating youth development objectives

If your organization and program are consistent with the guidelines submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) online at any time; selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

• Community-based projects: Deadline March 8, 2012. Includes activities and training in the arts that occur outside of the school system. While not formally linked to schools or their instructional programs, projects must be based on a curriculum that aligns with either national or state arts education standards and include assessment of participant learning.


• School-based projects: Deadline August 9, 2012. Must be directly connected to the school curriculum and instructional program. Activities may take place in or outside of the school building at any time of the day, including after-school and summer enrichment programs formally connected to school curricula. Projects must be based on a curriculum that aligns with either national or state arts education standards and include assessment of participant learning.

In addition, the NEA is particularly interested in projects that:

• Incorporate the use of digital learning in the arts or media literacy in the arts.
• Use arts learning to build creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaborative skills.
• Highlight the role arts learning plays in supporting livable communities for children and youth.

Note that all grants require a non-federal match of at least 1 to 1.

GRO1000 Grassroots Grants are designed to help foster community spirit and public service. Awards are available to 501(c)(3) non-profits to bring edible gardens, flower gardens and public green spaces to local neighborhoods throughout the U.S.

• Adult Education Instruction
• Children's Education
• Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
• Parenting Classes

All applicants must be located in and provide direct services in a state in which Dollar General operates and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store.

All applicants must be located in and provide direct services in a state in which Dollar General operates and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store.

• Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
• Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
• Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

All applicants must be located in and provide direct services in a state in which Dollar General operates and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store.

The best entries will describe a systemic or disruptive innovation with the potential to ensure that children master empathy, enabling them to be effective citizens, leaders and trailblazers. Ideas may be at any stage in development, but programs that indicate growth beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated impact and sustainability are preferred.