Please refer to the CCR Handbook or Frequently Asked Questions.
If your questions/concerns are still unanswered, please contact:
CCR Assistance Center
888-227-2423
269-961-5757
Thứ Ba, 30 tháng 12, 2008
CCR Registration
Are you having trouble getting to the CCR registration or update web pages? Do you need help registering?
Please refer to the CCR Handbook or Frequently Asked Questions.
If your questions/concerns are still unanswered, please contact:
Please refer to the CCR Handbook or Frequently Asked Questions.
If your questions/concerns are still unanswered, please contact:
Thứ Tư, 24 tháng 12, 2008
ALERT: Grants.gov Testing Environment (AT07)
The Grants.gov Testing Environment (AT07) will be unavailable December 29 and 30. The Testing Environment will be unavailable in preparation for Build 2008 – 03 which is scheduled to occur January 10, 2009.
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
Chủ Nhật, 21 tháng 12, 2008
Nonprofit Professionals Will Get Us Through This; That's You and Me
Have a Merry Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Happy Winter Solstice! We wish everyone best wishes in 2009!
It has been an exceptional year in many many ways. Without a doubt, 2008 has presented the most difficult economy for nonprofits to operate in, during my career. The downside, of course, is that many nonprofits across the United States, are being forced to reduce services, merge, or (sadly) close permanently. Nonprofits fill all kinds of voids such as complacency, indifference, lack of access, little research, poor or no funding, lack of public knowledge, lack of expertise, infringements on legal oversight, etc. Nonprofits are often a last hope for many. As nonprofit organizations, ours' is an extended hand and it is staggering to think that many of those hands will be removed from our communities. Amid most governments' budget cuts, reduced donating, financial instability, financial scandals, and an uncertain economic outlook - we're all sort of sitting up a little more straight in the chair, and gripping the sides of the seat.
The up side to this kind of adversity is that we're all going through this together. Adversity can unite and unify and has already begun to. In the face of a challenge Americans, historically, have risen to the struggle innovating, pulling together, and sticking in the fight. This economy has forced the very same amongst nonprofits, across the United States. Professional nonprofit affiliations are hosting all kinds of nonprofit forums to provide a public commons for us nonprofit professionals come together for an hour or two to discuss the financial issues we, individually, are facing at each of our organizations, and to then share or brainstorm solutions. Out of adversity comes exceptional leaps forward in theory, method, and best practices. Despite how concerned I am for this country's nonprofit sector, I look forward to learning about your innovation, new methods, and learning about what you 'invented' and shared, in effect, adding to our sector's best practices. Yes, I'm looking at you. Where else does this unification, brainstorming, trial and error, innovation, and discovery come from? I'm standing right next to you, on this front line, doing my work to move us all forward, too.
Despite these difficulties, we must keep the very inspiration, passion, or whatever the flame is, inside you, that brought you to the nonprofit sector alive in ourselves and one another. We've attempted to be there for you and your organization by providing our 'free consultations' series, these past months, on this blog. It isn't a time to horde knowledge or expertise. Our communities' weakest, most under-represented, or disenfranchised are at risk. If your local United Way or just some unofficial but sincere group of nonprofit leaders, in your community, is getting nonprofit representatives together to discuss the challenges of this economy - consider joining that talk. Be there for that brown bag lunch. Make time after work, that evening. Move that meeting, or whatever you need to do to be a part of the solution making. You may think that you have nothing new or innovative to contribute; but who knows, before they discover or innovate something new that they were about to? In a discussion with our professional colleagues, you'll likely learn something new that you and your organization could use in these tough times; and listening to others who also live and work in your community may stimulate ideas or resources that you just haven't thought of (yet), on your own. Despite a common misconception that we are all competing for the exact same single donation dollar; we can come together, as professionals in the same sector, to share. The truth is that donors give to different causes, in different geographic locations, for different reasons. We are not all competing for one donor's single dollar. Also, donors give to what they are passionate about and often that's more than one cause or issue. We are all developing donors interested in our organization's single cause and the work that our organization succeeds at. Be confident in your constituency's dedication and open up to the community, for the sake of each and all of our organizations' missions.
It's a difficult time, but we can be there for one another, even as professionals. Your organization, the organization down the street, and my organization benefits when you and I show up for the 'fight'. In 2009 keep your eyes on the horizon. Watch for the innovation and new professional nonprofit best practices that comes out of this tough economy.
It has been an exceptional year in many many ways. Without a doubt, 2008 has presented the most difficult economy for nonprofits to operate in, during my career. The downside, of course, is that many nonprofits across the United States, are being forced to reduce services, merge, or (sadly) close permanently. Nonprofits fill all kinds of voids such as complacency, indifference, lack of access, little research, poor or no funding, lack of public knowledge, lack of expertise, infringements on legal oversight, etc. Nonprofits are often a last hope for many. As nonprofit organizations, ours' is an extended hand and it is staggering to think that many of those hands will be removed from our communities. Amid most governments' budget cuts, reduced donating, financial instability, financial scandals, and an uncertain economic outlook - we're all sort of sitting up a little more straight in the chair, and gripping the sides of the seat.
The up side to this kind of adversity is that we're all going through this together. Adversity can unite and unify and has already begun to. In the face of a challenge Americans, historically, have risen to the struggle innovating, pulling together, and sticking in the fight. This economy has forced the very same amongst nonprofits, across the United States. Professional nonprofit affiliations are hosting all kinds of nonprofit forums to provide a public commons for us nonprofit professionals come together for an hour or two to discuss the financial issues we, individually, are facing at each of our organizations, and to then share or brainstorm solutions. Out of adversity comes exceptional leaps forward in theory, method, and best practices. Despite how concerned I am for this country's nonprofit sector, I look forward to learning about your innovation, new methods, and learning about what you 'invented' and shared, in effect, adding to our sector's best practices. Yes, I'm looking at you. Where else does this unification, brainstorming, trial and error, innovation, and discovery come from? I'm standing right next to you, on this front line, doing my work to move us all forward, too.
Despite these difficulties, we must keep the very inspiration, passion, or whatever the flame is, inside you, that brought you to the nonprofit sector alive in ourselves and one another. We've attempted to be there for you and your organization by providing our 'free consultations' series, these past months, on this blog. It isn't a time to horde knowledge or expertise. Our communities' weakest, most under-represented, or disenfranchised are at risk. If your local United Way or just some unofficial but sincere group of nonprofit leaders, in your community, is getting nonprofit representatives together to discuss the challenges of this economy - consider joining that talk. Be there for that brown bag lunch. Make time after work, that evening. Move that meeting, or whatever you need to do to be a part of the solution making. You may think that you have nothing new or innovative to contribute; but who knows, before they discover or innovate something new that they were about to? In a discussion with our professional colleagues, you'll likely learn something new that you and your organization could use in these tough times; and listening to others who also live and work in your community may stimulate ideas or resources that you just haven't thought of (yet), on your own. Despite a common misconception that we are all competing for the exact same single donation dollar; we can come together, as professionals in the same sector, to share. The truth is that donors give to different causes, in different geographic locations, for different reasons. We are not all competing for one donor's single dollar. Also, donors give to what they are passionate about and often that's more than one cause or issue. We are all developing donors interested in our organization's single cause and the work that our organization succeeds at. Be confident in your constituency's dedication and open up to the community, for the sake of each and all of our organizations' missions.
It's a difficult time, but we can be there for one another, even as professionals. Your organization, the organization down the street, and my organization benefits when you and I show up for the 'fight'. In 2009 keep your eyes on the horizon. Watch for the innovation and new professional nonprofit best practices that comes out of this tough economy.
Jenny's Heroes Grants for Tangible, Lasting Community Projects In Smaller Communities
[Please help us. We at The Grant Plant, LLC want to understand what nonprofits need from the services that they hire, today, given the economy; so please take our short survey. We will use the results to retool how we work with organizations and also publish a white paper with the results. Click on: Nonprofit Needs Survey. We are grateful for your time. Thank you.]
From The Foundation Center...
Former Talk Show Host Jenny Jones Announces Continuation of Community Grant Program
Deadline: Open
Talk show host and philanthropist Jenny Jones has announced that she will donate an additional $1 million to continue her Jenny's Heroes ( http://www.jennysheroes.com/ ) community grant
program.
The Jenny's Heroes program awards grants to individuals who submit the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects.
Jenny's Heroes provides grants of up to $25,000 each to fund projects that promise long-term community benefits. Through the fifty grant recipients so far, funds have been used to provide
items and services such as library books, school computers, firefighting gear, nursing home upgrades, sports equipment, free dental services, wheelchairs, coats for children in domestic violence shelters, and a running track at a women's prison. The program's focus is primarily on smaller communities where fundraising can be difficult. For more information on Jenny's Heroes and grant guidelines, visit the program's Web site.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016232/jennysheroes
From The Foundation Center...
Former Talk Show Host Jenny Jones Announces Continuation of Community Grant Program
Deadline: Open
Talk show host and philanthropist Jenny Jones has announced that she will donate an additional $1 million to continue her Jenny's Heroes ( http://www.jennysheroes.com/ ) community grant
program.
The Jenny's Heroes program awards grants to individuals who submit the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects.
Jenny's Heroes provides grants of up to $25,000 each to fund projects that promise long-term community benefits. Through the fifty grant recipients so far, funds have been used to provide
items and services such as library books, school computers, firefighting gear, nursing home upgrades, sports equipment, free dental services, wheelchairs, coats for children in domestic violence shelters, and a running track at a women's prison. The program's focus is primarily on smaller communities where fundraising can be difficult. For more information on Jenny's Heroes and grant guidelines, visit the program's Web site.
RFP Link: http://fconline.
Thứ Năm, 18 tháng 12, 2008
E-mail Notification Reduction Strategy
=======================
January 8, 2009
UPDATE:
The Grants.gov PMO announced on September 4, 2008 its inclusion of an RSS feed on the Grants.gov website.
Its development and Inclusion of the RSS feed adds to the 255+ existing U.S. Government RSS feeds. The URL launch site for the U.S. Government feeds is: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries/RSS_Library.shtml
The present feed sorts grant opportunities by Agency and Category. In January 2009 the RSS will evolve by adding two additional feeds: new opportunities and existing opportunities that have been modified.
In the coming months the Grants.gov RSS will undergo further evolution and increased usability.
At the present time the RSS feed supplements, it cannot replace, the Grants.gov email notifications system.
=======================
On a nightly basis, Grants.gov transmits >650,000 emails updating potential applicants of grant opportunities and or modifications. The present burden consumes significant processing power on a system with finite capabilities. As a consequence, the applicant attempting to submit an application may find him/herself competing with the email burden for processing power.
Our strategy to alleviate the burden consists of 4 steps:
Implement and evolve a dynamic RSS feed that may, in some cases, obviate the need for email notification.
Because we know that many emails are sent to dead mailboxes, we will eventually require all present recipients to periodically re-enroll in the email notification system. This will clean up our present email listing inasmuch as non-existent email addresses will be culled from the list.
When re-enrolling, the term of the enrollment will be time limited (i.e., six months or annual). This will prevent the open-ended nature of the present system allowing for and institutionalizing a continuous self-scrubbing approach to business.
As the RSS feed matures, there will be a continuous campaign encouraging movement to RSS feeds vice emails.
The Grants.gov e-mail notification system may not entirely disappear to the degree the PMO desires, but any significant reduction will save monies during a time of limited funding. Moreover, as Grants.gov moves to a cloud computing environment, an arena based on transactional costs, the fewer e-mails sent the lower the costs for the grantor agencies.
January 8, 2009
UPDATE:
The Grants.gov PMO announced on September 4, 2008 its inclusion of an RSS feed on the Grants.gov website.
Its development and Inclusion of the RSS feed adds to the 255+ existing U.S. Government RSS feeds. The URL launch site for the U.S. Government feeds is: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries/RSS_Library.shtml
The present feed sorts grant opportunities by Agency and Category. In January 2009 the RSS will evolve by adding two additional feeds: new opportunities and existing opportunities that have been modified.
In the coming months the Grants.gov RSS will undergo further evolution and increased usability.
At the present time the RSS feed supplements, it cannot replace, the Grants.gov email notifications system.
=======================
On a nightly basis, Grants.gov transmits >650,000 emails updating potential applicants of grant opportunities and or modifications. The present burden consumes significant processing power on a system with finite capabilities. As a consequence, the applicant attempting to submit an application may find him/herself competing with the email burden for processing power.
Our strategy to alleviate the burden consists of 4 steps:
Implement and evolve a dynamic RSS feed that may, in some cases, obviate the need for email notification.
Because we know that many emails are sent to dead mailboxes, we will eventually require all present recipients to periodically re-enroll in the email notification system. This will clean up our present email listing inasmuch as non-existent email addresses will be culled from the list.
When re-enrolling, the term of the enrollment will be time limited (i.e., six months or annual). This will prevent the open-ended nature of the present system allowing for and institutionalizing a continuous self-scrubbing approach to business.
As the RSS feed matures, there will be a continuous campaign encouraging movement to RSS feeds vice emails.
The Grants.gov e-mail notification system may not entirely disappear to the degree the PMO desires, but any significant reduction will save monies during a time of limited funding. Moreover, as Grants.gov moves to a cloud computing environment, an arena based on transactional costs, the fewer e-mails sent the lower the costs for the grantor agencies.
Testing Environment (AT07)
The following testing environment (AT07) updates occurred December 12, 2008:
Upgraded to Weblogic 10.0
Upgraded to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgraded to Java 1.5 Environment
Unfortunately, since these updates were installed we have been experiencing intermittent issues with AT07 being unavailable. We realize this is causing problems within the test environment. But at this time we do not know the root cause of the issue.
The above issue is, as of this date, priority 2 of 4 requiring resolution.
If you have any questions please contact the Grants.gov PMO staff.
Upgraded to Weblogic 10.0
Upgraded to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgraded to Java 1.5 Environment
Unfortunately, since these updates were installed we have been experiencing intermittent issues with AT07 being unavailable. We realize this is causing problems within the test environment. But at this time we do not know the root cause of the issue.
The above issue is, as of this date, priority 2 of 4 requiring resolution.
If you have any questions please contact the Grants.gov PMO staff.
ALERT: Applicant E-mail Notifications
Grants.gov has received notice that several applicants have received conflicting e-mail notifications after a submission. The following scenario has manifested itself more than once:
1. Applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Receipt e-mail
2. The applicant then receives a Grants.gov Rejection Notice for Application with a list of errors
3. This is followed by a Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt for Application e-mail
In all cases, applicants are receiving the third validation e-mail without correcting any errors listed in the second Rejection Notice e-mail. Because the Grants.gov system is automatically re-processing the applications, those without errors are being successfully validated, hence the applicant receiving the third Validation Receipt e-mail.
The applications that are re-processed and successfully received into the Grants.gov system are being forwarded to the agencies for retrieval. Nevertheless, if the above occurs with your application, we are asking that you engage the Contact Center, secure a case number, follow-up to ensure your application has been received. The Contact Center is aware of the above scenario and issue and will provide you with all the support possible.
As to what is the cause of this issue is undetermined as the moment. We are currently researching this issue. We will provide you with more information once we determine the root cause.
The above issue is, as of this date, priority 1 of 4 requiring resolution.
1. Applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Receipt e-mail
2. The applicant then receives a Grants.gov Rejection Notice for Application with a list of errors
3. This is followed by a Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt for Application e-mail
In all cases, applicants are receiving the third validation e-mail without correcting any errors listed in the second Rejection Notice e-mail. Because the Grants.gov system is automatically re-processing the applications, those without errors are being successfully validated, hence the applicant receiving the third Validation Receipt e-mail.
The applications that are re-processed and successfully received into the Grants.gov system are being forwarded to the agencies for retrieval. Nevertheless, if the above occurs with your application, we are asking that you engage the Contact Center, secure a case number, follow-up to ensure your application has been received. The Contact Center is aware of the above scenario and issue and will provide you with all the support possible.
As to what is the cause of this issue is undetermined as the moment. We are currently researching this issue. We will provide you with more information once we determine the root cause.
The above issue is, as of this date, priority 1 of 4 requiring resolution.
Thứ Ba, 16 tháng 12, 2008
AT07 Testing Guidelines
The following are are established guidelines for testing on AT07:
Monday - Friday
-Agency only testing from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
-Applicant only testing from 4:01 p.m. - 8:59 a.m. ET
All other hours are open to both communities. We would request that you adhere to these time lines for the foreseeable future. Once the load on the system subsides, we will notify you of a change to these guidelines. Please do not perform any "load testing" since this will take down the testing site since it cannot handle such testing. We appreciate your consideration to the above testing time lines since all parties should benefit from adherence to these times.
Monday - Friday
-Agency only testing from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
-Applicant only testing from 4:01 p.m. - 8:59 a.m. ET
All other hours are open to both communities. We would request that you adhere to these time lines for the foreseeable future. Once the load on the system subsides, we will notify you of a change to these guidelines. Please do not perform any "load testing" since this will take down the testing site since it cannot handle such testing. We appreciate your consideration to the above testing time lines since all parties should benefit from adherence to these times.
UPDATE: Grants.gov Testing Environment Available
The Grants.gov testing environment (AT07) is available.
Thứ Hai, 15 tháng 12, 2008
ALERT: Grants.gov Testing Environment (AT07) Not Available
The Grants.gov testing environment (AT07) is currently not available. Once we bring it back online we will notify you.
UPDATE: Grants.gov Production Test
The preliminary results from the production “stress test” over the weekend are positive. The system processed 10,000 applications over a 24 hour period. Our team is compiling a report on the test.
Please keep in mind, the next step to enhance system capacity will occur as part of Build 2008 – 03 on January 10, 2009. This build reconfigures the LDAP, increasing the number of concurrent users up to 2,000.
Once the January 10, 2009 build is complete submission processing times should improve. Grants.gov is in the processing of quantifying existing processing speeds to identify the improvement once the build is complete.
Please keep in mind, the next step to enhance system capacity will occur as part of Build 2008 – 03 on January 10, 2009. This build reconfigures the LDAP, increasing the number of concurrent users up to 2,000.
Once the January 10, 2009 build is complete submission processing times should improve. Grants.gov is in the processing of quantifying existing processing speeds to identify the improvement once the build is complete.
Chủ Nhật, 14 tháng 12, 2008
Basic Grant Writing 101 Information and Other Ideas To Survive This Tough Economy, Nonprofits...
In this post we are going to sort of provide a Top 10 List of the most recent critical posts that were written to help nonprofits during this exceptional economy. One of my greatest nonprofit employers just closed this week, having merged with a similar nonprofit in Seattle. While the decision was made in a tough economy and as an option to continue to support their mission; it is an example of what real nonprofits (of all sizes and fundraising abilities) are facing today. We are very sensitive to these times and are eager to help...
For help getting educated in best practices, nonprofit professionalism, standards, etc. see:
The Foundation Center Now Offers Free Website That Teaches How To Do Grant Writing
Places, Resources, And Ways To Learn Everything From Fundraising to Other Nonprofit Operations (Some Are Free)
Some Free Resources
We Need Money For Our 501(c)(3) What Is the Grant Seeking Process?
Our most recent posts, designed as free consultations to help out in these tough times, were:
A Few Excellent Suggestions For Nonprofits To Survive These Uncertain Economic Times;
What Can We Nonprofits Do In This Uncertain Economy?;
Write An Annual Appeal Letter To Raise Relatively Quick Funds;
Getting Major Donors To Donate Large Regular Donations Can Stabilize Cash Flow;
Another Free Nonprofit Fundraising Consultation To Help During These Tough Economic Times;
Top Ten Ways To Take That Nonprofit's Fundraising To The Next Level; and
Free Nonprofit Fundraising, Software, And Outreach Options.
For help getting educated in best practices, nonprofit professionalism, standards, etc. see:
The Foundation Center Now Offers Free Website That Teaches How To Do Grant Writing
Places, Resources, And Ways To Learn Everything From Fundraising to Other Nonprofit Operations (Some Are Free)
Some Free Resources
We Need Money For Our 501(c)(3) What Is the Grant Seeking Process?
Our most recent posts, designed as free consultations to help out in these tough times, were:
A Few Excellent Suggestions For Nonprofits To Survive These Uncertain Economic Times;
What Can We Nonprofits Do In This Uncertain Economy?;
Write An Annual Appeal Letter To Raise Relatively Quick Funds;
Getting Major Donors To Donate Large Regular Donations Can Stabilize Cash Flow;
Another Free Nonprofit Fundraising Consultation To Help During These Tough Economic Times;
Top Ten Ways To Take That Nonprofit's Fundraising To The Next Level; and
Free Nonprofit Fundraising, Software, And Outreach Options.
Grants for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students for '09 - '10 Undergraduate or Graduate School Year
[Please help us. We at The Grant Plant, LLC want to understand what nonprofits need from the services that they hire, today, given the economy; so please take our short survey. We will use the results to retool how we work with organizations and also publish a white paper with the results. Click on: Nonprofit Needs Survey. We are grateful for your time. Thank you.]
From The Foundation Center...
Point Foundation Offers Higher Education Scholarships for Gay
and Lesbian Students
Deadline: February 9, 2009
The Point Foundation ( http://pointfoundation.org/ ), a scholar-
ship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-
gender students of merit, has announced the opening of its 2009
application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate
or graduate programs for the 2009-10 school year are eligible to
apply for the multiyear scholarships.
The scholarship program's selection criteria include academic
excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and finan-
cial need. Particular attention is paid to students who have
lost the financial and social support of their families and/or
communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation,
gender identity, or gender expression.
On average, a Point Scholarship awards $13,200 in direct finan-
cial support, in addition to leadership training and mentoring.
The average amount of annual support devoted to each scholar is
between $26,000 and $31,000. In return, Point Scholars agree to
maintain a high level of academic performance and to give back
to the LGBT community through the completion of an individual
community service project each year. In addition, scholars are
matched with mentors from the professional world who lend their
expertise and career guidance and serve as role models.
For further information and application guidelines, visit the
Point Foundation Web site.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016126/pointfdn
From The Foundation Center...
Point Foundation Offers Higher Education Scholarships for Gay
and Lesbian Students
Deadline: February 9, 2009
The Point Foundation ( http://pointfoundation.org/ ), a scholar-
ship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-
gender students of merit, has announced the opening of its 2009
application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate
or graduate programs for the 2009-10 school year are eligible to
apply for the multiyear scholarships.
The scholarship program's selection criteria include academic
excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and finan-
cial need. Particular attention is paid to students who have
lost the financial and social support of their families and/or
communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation,
gender identity, or gender expression.
On average, a Point Scholarship awards $13,200 in direct finan-
cial support, in addition to leadership training and mentoring.
The average amount of annual support devoted to each scholar is
between $26,000 and $31,000. In return, Point Scholars agree to
maintain a high level of academic performance and to give back
to the LGBT community through the completion of an individual
community service project each year. In addition, scholars are
matched with mentors from the professional world who lend their
expertise and career guidance and serve as role models.
For further information and application guidelines, visit the
Point Foundation Web site.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.
Thứ Sáu, 12 tháng 12, 2008
Weekend Production "Stress" Test
We are conducting a stress test on the production environment December 13 beginning at 1:00 a.m. EST – concluding December 14 11:30 a.m. EST. There are no closings either day. We are conducting the test to baseline performance on four additional T-1000 servers we have placed into production.
This test will be “live” in the production environment but we do not anticipate any system slowness. Please keep in mind we need to complete Build 2008 – 03 on January 10 to increase the number of concurrent users up to 2,000 to fully increase system capacity.
This test will be “live” in the production environment but we do not anticipate any system slowness. Please keep in mind we need to complete Build 2008 – 03 on January 10 to increase the number of concurrent users up to 2,000 to fully increase system capacity.
AT07 is unavailable today.
The Grants.gov testing environment (AT07) will be unavailable all day December 12, 2008. We are executing the following to the testing environment:
Upgrading to Weblogic 10.0
Upgrading to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgrading to Java 1.5 Environment
These upgrades are in essence to fine tune the testing environment to maximize performance. AT07 will be back online December 13, 2008.
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
Upgrading to Weblogic 10.0
Upgrading to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgrading to Java 1.5 Environment
These upgrades are in essence to fine tune the testing environment to maximize performance. AT07 will be back online December 13, 2008.
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
Thứ Năm, 11 tháng 12, 2008
UPDATE: RSS Feed & Login
The RSS feed is now active. The issue was that one of the opportunities had a special character which was causing the parsing to fail. This has been corrected.
Grantor and applicant login is taking a substantial amount of time to access the system as a result of heavy load. There are currently 900 plus users logged into Grants.gov.
For applicants; if your closing is not today and you are trying to submit you may want to try and submit off hours or another day, dependent on your closing date.
If you are experiencing problems submitting and you miss a closing deadline today, December 11, 2008 you should contact the Grants.gov Contact Center to create a customer service ticket. You then need to contact the Agency PoC listed on the grant opportunity to let the Agency know why you missed the deadline.
Due to the system slowness the Contact Center is experiencing extended wait times for callers.
We apologize for this inconvenience.
Grantor and applicant login is taking a substantial amount of time to access the system as a result of heavy load. There are currently 900 plus users logged into Grants.gov.
For applicants; if your closing is not today and you are trying to submit you may want to try and submit off hours or another day, dependent on your closing date.
If you are experiencing problems submitting and you miss a closing deadline today, December 11, 2008 you should contact the Grants.gov Contact Center to create a customer service ticket. You then need to contact the Agency PoC listed on the grant opportunity to let the Agency know why you missed the deadline.
Due to the system slowness the Contact Center is experiencing extended wait times for callers.
We apologize for this inconvenience.
ALERT: Applicant Login
We are experiencing intermittent issues with the applicant login but have not received any reports as of yet on applicants being unable to submit, more information to follow.
ALERT: Grants.gov Grantor Login Issue
Grants.gov is receiving reports of intermittent Grantor login issues. We are researching the reports and will provide you with more notice once determined.
We have received no reports of applicant login issues.
We have received no reports of applicant login issues.
ALERT: RSS Feed via Grants.gov Site Not Available
The Grants.gov RSS Feed accessed via the Grants.gov site, New Modified/Opportunities for both Agencies and Category is not functioning. We will provide you with notice once they are back online.
Thứ Ba, 9 tháng 12, 2008
Who “Uses” a Blog?
A (rhetorical?) question was posed regarding the blog…”who else uses a blog for communication purposes”…the following is provided FYI
Who “uses” a blog?
1. Health & Human Services Secretary + three other blogs*
2. U.S. Coast Guard – two blogs
3. Department of Defense*
4. National Endowment for the Arts*
5. Director of the CDC Injury Center + one other*
6. Congressional Budget Office Director
7. US Army Corps of Engineer’s Chief of Engineers and Commanding General
8. US State Department*
9. Department of Energy*
10. Department of Transportation + two blogs*
11. Smithsonian
12. US Government Printing Office
13. Environmental Protection Agency*
14. Homeland Security Secretary*
15. Department of Agriculture*
16. Library of Congress
17. U.S. Military Health System
18. Millennium Challenge Corporation
19. NASA Goddard CIO*
20. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Resource Center's HIV Capacity Building Team*
22. National Aeronautics & Space Administration*
21. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
22. National Museum of the Air Force
23. National Park Foundation
24. Navy Department Chief Information Officer
25. Peace Corps*
26. Office of National Drug Control Policy
27. Smithsonian Institution
28. The U.S. Fire Administration
29. Commander of the Walter Reed Health Care System
The agencies with an asterisk/bolded/red are members of the GEB.
The list is located here: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/News/blog.shtml
Who “uses” a blog?
1. Health & Human Services Secretary + three other blogs*
2. U.S. Coast Guard – two blogs
3. Department of Defense*
4. National Endowment for the Arts*
5. Director of the CDC Injury Center + one other*
6. Congressional Budget Office Director
7. US Army Corps of Engineer’s Chief of Engineers and Commanding General
8. US State Department*
9. Department of Energy*
10. Department of Transportation + two blogs*
11. Smithsonian
12. US Government Printing Office
13. Environmental Protection Agency*
14. Homeland Security Secretary*
15. Department of Agriculture*
16. Library of Congress
17. U.S. Military Health System
18. Millennium Challenge Corporation
19. NASA Goddard CIO*
20. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Resource Center's HIV Capacity Building Team*
22. National Aeronautics & Space Administration*
21. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
22. National Museum of the Air Force
23. National Park Foundation
24. Navy Department Chief Information Officer
25. Peace Corps*
26. Office of National Drug Control Policy
27. Smithsonian Institution
28. The U.S. Fire Administration
29. Commander of the Walter Reed Health Care System
The agencies with an asterisk/bolded/red are members of the GEB.
The list is located here: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/News/blog.shtml
Thứ Hai, 8 tháng 12, 2008
Grants.Gov Testing Environment (AT07) Dec 12 Unavailable
The Grants.gov testing environment (AT07) will be unavailable all day December 12, 2008. We are executing the following to the testing environment:
Upgrading to Weblogic 10.0
Upgrading to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgrading to Java 1.5 Environment
These upgrades are in essence to fine tune the testing environment to maximize performance. AT07 will be back online December 13, 2008.
Upgrading to Weblogic 10.0
Upgrading to Adobe lifecycle 8.2 update 1
Upgrading to Java 1.5 Environment
These upgrades are in essence to fine tune the testing environment to maximize performance. AT07 will be back online December 13, 2008.
UPDATE: Grants.gov E-mail Notifications
There is no issue with the Grants.gov e-mail notifications. To process applications that receive the “broken pipe” error message Grants.gov automatically re-processes the applications. When the applications are re-processed applicants receive the Grants.gov Rejection Notice for Application with a list of errors.
Upon successful re-processing of the application the applicant then receives the Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt and their application is in the Grants.gov system for Agency retrieval.
Upon successful re-processing of the application the applicant then receives the Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt and their application is in the Grants.gov system for Agency retrieval.
Chủ Nhật, 7 tháng 12, 2008
Learn From Others' Mistakes To Improve Your Nonprofit
Allegations that the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angles, California has operated at a deficit for 75% of the time, during the last eight years swarmed the philanthropy media, at the end of last week. From time to time I share these kinds of news stories with our readers because they are excellent cautionary tales that should be taken by donors and those working for nonprofits, alike, as examples of what not to do and also what not to invest in.
The museum's endowment has reportedly shrunk from almost $50 million, in 1999, to about $6 million, today. The California attorney general's office is now, due to these potential legal discrepancies, auditing the Museum of Contemporary Art. In question is whether laws that protect donors' restricted donations were broken (such that the donors' wishes for their contribution's use were not followed; which is illegal. All restricted donations must be spent according to the donor's wishes or kindly returned to them). [Soaring In Art, Museum Trips Over Finances by Edward Wyatt and Jori Finkel, December 4, 2008]
According to Charity Navigator, a well known and trusted website providing information on nonprofits to inform anyone about any nonprofit's finances and spending, among other individual organizational traits. While Charity Navigator gives the Museum of Contemporary Art a four star rating, overall, it's highest rating; and while Charity Navigator can only report (and measure a nonprpofit) on what any given nonprofit reports about its operations and accounting, publicly; it does list that based on the (public IRS tax record) Fiscal Year End 2006/2007 Income Statement: 75.4% of every dollar raised is spent on its programs (art); $24.1 million in revenue and $21.1 in expenses, resulting in a $3 million deficit; but their assets are valued at $37.4. So, you can see that the value, spending (it is not unusual for a nonprofit to run at a deficit, assuming it is running legally, is planning for the deficit and can pay that out in the coming new fiscal year), and expenses are not terribly out of line; nor very telling about the organization (a good lesson for all of us who donate to organizations - look under the hood and kick the tires). If we look at Museum of Contemporary Arts' history on Charity Navigator, we see that their net assets (either entirely or at least partly comprised of the organization's endowment) has waned and then decreased from 2005 through 2007 (as reported). Charity Navigator needs to be including this tracking in its estimations of nonprofit organizations! Something else that is interesting is liabilities over these three years increased, while the organization's "working capital" stayed the same. This, too, can indicate that the organization is not operating with easy cash flow. But, we are just reading a report...
The museum's patrons, donors, local artists, and former board members are publicly requesting that the Director, Jeremy Strick and the board both resign. They will also settle for just the board or Strick leaving, too, reportedly.
Reportedly, the museum's leadership believe this will all be behind them by the end of the year. There have been rumors of a potential merger with the Los Angeles County Museum; but the Museum of Contemporary Art's official position is that it will remain its own organization, individually. The philanthropist Eli Broad offered a $30 million contribution, in November, if the museum could raise matching donations. Unfortunately, as of December 4, there were no known takers.
It is very important that any and all nonprofits, from the smallest newest start up organization, to the largest most prolific nonprofits operate as professional places of business. Where is it written that if an organization isn't a for-profit business; standards, professionalism, best practices, real world successful experience, skills, and knowledge are not necessary? The best intentions launch most nonprofits, yet at least half of the work will be raising money, which is really raising buy in and investors. No nonprofit wants a donation from a donor, once. The aim is to raise donors who give to your organization over and over again. Without a well functioning, legal, successful, efficient organization, though; who will want to invest in your organization? Know what the organization is legally responsible to do and report. Be certain that board members know their job descriptions and roles, their legally bound fiscal, policy setting, and oversight responsibilities. Know how to run an excellent nonprofit and how to fundraise well; and if you don't today, that's fine. Learn, then! The lesson in these unfortunate nonprofit news stories is that no matter how much money an organization raises, the size of its building, how old the agency is, or what it used to be; if a nonprofit does not run professionally, today, it may be listing to one side for a legal, financial, oversight or other failure. Donors and the community beware!
For help getting educated in best practices, nonprofit professionalism, standards, etc. see:
Places, Resources, And Ways To Learn Everything From Fundraising to Other Nonprofit Operations (Some Are Free)
Some Free Resources
We Need Money For Our 501(c)(3) What Is the Grant Seeking Process?
The museum's endowment has reportedly shrunk from almost $50 million, in 1999, to about $6 million, today. The California attorney general's office is now, due to these potential legal discrepancies, auditing the Museum of Contemporary Art. In question is whether laws that protect donors' restricted donations were broken (such that the donors' wishes for their contribution's use were not followed; which is illegal. All restricted donations must be spent according to the donor's wishes or kindly returned to them). [Soaring In Art, Museum Trips Over Finances by Edward Wyatt and Jori Finkel, December 4, 2008]
According to Charity Navigator, a well known and trusted website providing information on nonprofits to inform anyone about any nonprofit's finances and spending, among other individual organizational traits. While Charity Navigator gives the Museum of Contemporary Art a four star rating, overall, it's highest rating; and while Charity Navigator can only report (and measure a nonprpofit) on what any given nonprofit reports about its operations and accounting, publicly; it does list that based on the (public IRS tax record) Fiscal Year End 2006/2007 Income Statement: 75.4% of every dollar raised is spent on its programs (art); $24.1 million in revenue and $21.1 in expenses, resulting in a $3 million deficit; but their assets are valued at $37.4. So, you can see that the value, spending (it is not unusual for a nonprofit to run at a deficit, assuming it is running legally, is planning for the deficit and can pay that out in the coming new fiscal year), and expenses are not terribly out of line; nor very telling about the organization (a good lesson for all of us who donate to organizations - look under the hood and kick the tires). If we look at Museum of Contemporary Arts' history on Charity Navigator, we see that their net assets (either entirely or at least partly comprised of the organization's endowment) has waned and then decreased from 2005 through 2007 (as reported). Charity Navigator needs to be including this tracking in its estimations of nonprofit organizations! Something else that is interesting is liabilities over these three years increased, while the organization's "working capital" stayed the same. This, too, can indicate that the organization is not operating with easy cash flow. But, we are just reading a report...
The museum's patrons, donors, local artists, and former board members are publicly requesting that the Director, Jeremy Strick and the board both resign. They will also settle for just the board or Strick leaving, too, reportedly.
Reportedly, the museum's leadership believe this will all be behind them by the end of the year. There have been rumors of a potential merger with the Los Angeles County Museum; but the Museum of Contemporary Art's official position is that it will remain its own organization, individually. The philanthropist Eli Broad offered a $30 million contribution, in November, if the museum could raise matching donations. Unfortunately, as of December 4, there were no known takers.
It is very important that any and all nonprofits, from the smallest newest start up organization, to the largest most prolific nonprofits operate as professional places of business. Where is it written that if an organization isn't a for-profit business; standards, professionalism, best practices, real world successful experience, skills, and knowledge are not necessary? The best intentions launch most nonprofits, yet at least half of the work will be raising money, which is really raising buy in and investors. No nonprofit wants a donation from a donor, once. The aim is to raise donors who give to your organization over and over again. Without a well functioning, legal, successful, efficient organization, though; who will want to invest in your organization? Know what the organization is legally responsible to do and report. Be certain that board members know their job descriptions and roles, their legally bound fiscal, policy setting, and oversight responsibilities. Know how to run an excellent nonprofit and how to fundraise well; and if you don't today, that's fine. Learn, then! The lesson in these unfortunate nonprofit news stories is that no matter how much money an organization raises, the size of its building, how old the agency is, or what it used to be; if a nonprofit does not run professionally, today, it may be listing to one side for a legal, financial, oversight or other failure. Donors and the community beware!
For help getting educated in best practices, nonprofit professionalism, standards, etc. see:
Places, Resources, And Ways To Learn Everything From Fundraising to Other Nonprofit Operations (Some Are Free)
Some Free Resources
We Need Money For Our 501(c)(3) What Is the Grant Seeking Process?
Grants For Exceptional Out of School and After School Programs
[Please help us. We, at The Grant Plant, LLC, want to understand what nonprofits need from services that they hire, today, given the economy; so please take our short survey. We will use the results to retool how we work with organizations and also publish a white paper with the results. Click on: Nonprofit Needs Survey. We are grateful for your time. Thank you.]
From The Foundation Center:
Coming Up Taller Awards Program Invites Nominations of Arts Programs for Under Served Children and Youth
Deadline: January 30, 2009
The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
( http://www.pcah.gov/ ) invites nominations for the 2009
Coming Up Taller Awards ( http://www.cominguptaller.org/ ).
In partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library
Services ( http://www.imls.gov/ ), the National Endowment for the
Arts ( http://www.arts.gov/ ), and the National Endowment for
the Humanities ( http://www.neh.gov/ ), PCAH is embarking on
the twelfth year of the awards, which recognize the accomplishments
of exceptional arts and humanities after school and out-of-school
programs. Programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing
arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community
service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government
entities are encouraged to participate.
To be eligible, nominated programs must operate as a program for
children and youth outside the school day. However, preschool,
after school, weekend, and/or summer programs may have a
school-based component or use school space. Programs must concentrate
on children and youth who live in family and community circum-
stances that limit their opportunities, and must involve
those children and youth as active participants in the arts or
humanities experience. (Cultural programs in which children
function only as an audience are not eligible.) Programs must
provide participants with regularly scheduled sessions on an
ongoing basis; one-time or occasional programs will not be
considered.
Programs must have been operational since January 2005 and
must be administered by a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization, unit of state or local government, or federally
recognized tribal community or tribe.
Coming Up Taller finalists each receive $10,000, an
individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the Coming Up
Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference.
Visit the Coming Up Taller Web site for complete program
guidelines.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016065/cominguptaller
From The Foundation Center:
Coming Up Taller Awards Program Invites Nominations of Arts Programs for Under Served Children and Youth
Deadline: January 30, 2009
The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
( http://www.pcah.gov/ ) invites nominations for the 2009
Coming Up Taller Awards ( http://www.cominguptaller.org/ ).
In partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library
Services ( http://www.imls.gov/ ), the National Endowment for the
Arts ( http://www.arts.gov/ ), and the National Endowment for
the Humanities ( http://www.neh.gov/ ), PCAH is embarking on
the twelfth year of the awards, which recognize the accomplishments
of exceptional arts and humanities after school and out-of-school
programs. Programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing
arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community
service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government
entities are encouraged to participate.
To be eligible, nominated programs must operate as a program for
children and youth outside the school day. However, preschool,
after school, weekend, and/or summer programs may have a
school-based component or use school space. Programs must concentrate
on children and youth who live in family and community circum-
stances that limit their opportunities, and must involve
those children and youth as active participants in the arts or
humanities experience. (Cultural programs in which children
function only as an audience are not eligible.) Programs must
provide participants with regularly scheduled sessions on an
ongoing basis; one-time or occasional programs will not be
considered.
Programs must have been operational since January 2005 and
must be administered by a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3)
organization, unit of state or local government, or federally
recognized tribal community or tribe.
Coming Up Taller finalists each receive $10,000, an
individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the Coming Up
Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference.
Visit the Coming Up Taller Web site for complete program
guidelines.
RFP Link: http://fconline.
Thứ Sáu, 5 tháng 12, 2008
ALERT: Grants.gov e-mail Notifications
Grants.gov is currently experiencing an intermittent issue with the e-mail notifications applicants receive after submission. We have received notice that a few applicants have gotten conflicting e-mail notifications.
1. Applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Receipt e-mail
2. Next the applicant receives; Grants.gov Rejection Notice for Application with a list of errors
3. Next the applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt for Application e-mail
The applicant has received the third validation e-mail without correcting any errors listed in the Rejection Notice e-mail. The Grants.gov system is re-processing the applications at which time they are being successfully validated, hence the applicant receiving the Validation Receipt e-mail.
The applications are processed and successfully received in the Grants.gov system.
We have only received a few of these instances and are currently researching the issue. The Contact Center is on alert for such contacts. We will provide you with more information once we determine the root cause.
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
1. Applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Receipt e-mail
2. Next the applicant receives; Grants.gov Rejection Notice for Application with a list of errors
3. Next the applicant receives the Grants.gov Submission Validation Receipt for Application e-mail
The applicant has received the third validation e-mail without correcting any errors listed in the Rejection Notice e-mail. The Grants.gov system is re-processing the applications at which time they are being successfully validated, hence the applicant receiving the Validation Receipt e-mail.
The applications are processed and successfully received in the Grants.gov system.
We have only received a few of these instances and are currently researching the issue. The Contact Center is on alert for such contacts. We will provide you with more information once we determine the root cause.
Regards,
Grants.gov PMO
Rationale for Migrating Grants.gov to Cloud Computing Technology
Please note the PMO has posted its justification for migrating to a cloud computing environment. The document is filed in the reference library. For your convenience the justificaton document can be accessed here.
Transition Reminder
Grants.gov, in agreement with agencies, originally set a target date of December 31, 2008 for agencies to no longer post PureEdge opportunities. This target date is still in place. The functionality for agencies to create PureEdge opportunities will be disabled in the system January 10, 2009 as part of Build 2008 – 03. After January 10, 2009 agencies will no longer have the functionality to create PureEdge opportunities.
Any PureEdge opportunities that may be created prior to January 10, 2009 must have a closing date no later than January 31, 2009. A PureEdge opportunity with a closing date of January 31, 2009 can have a 20 day grace period through February 20, 2009. Beginning February 21, 2009 Grants.gov will no longer accept PureEdge submissions.
Any PureEdge opportunities that may be created prior to January 10, 2009 must have a closing date no later than January 31, 2009. A PureEdge opportunity with a closing date of January 31, 2009 can have a 20 day grace period through February 20, 2009. Beginning February 21, 2009 Grants.gov will no longer accept PureEdge submissions.
Grants.gov Website versus Blog
For the foreseeable future, please stay attuned to the Grants.gov BLOG http://grants-gov.blogspot.com/ vice Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/ for the latest up-to-date reference and system information.
The FIND http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp and APPLY http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp sections of the website are current and usable. However, reference and system information will be posted on the blog.
The website is presently undergoing a transition.
The FIND http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp and APPLY http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp sections of the website are current and usable. However, reference and system information will be posted on the blog.
The website is presently undergoing a transition.
Thứ Ba, 2 tháng 12, 2008
Multiple Versions of Adobe Reader Work With Grants.Gov – PART II
After careful reconsideration of the posting below, coupled with inputs from the public, the PMO would like to restate its standing on which Adobe version ought to be used.
While the PMO will continue to support each of the four versions below, the PMO is STRONGLY RECOMMENDING use of:
Adobe Reader 8.1.3 – this version fixes broken pipe thereby allowing for submission outside the browser.
Adobe Reader 9.0 – this version contains the broken pipe issue, which will not be fixed until 9.1 is released.
We have received sufficient user inputs to believe that use of 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 should be minimized.
While the PMO will continue to support each of the four versions below, the PMO is STRONGLY RECOMMENDING use of:
Adobe Reader 8.1.3 – this version fixes broken pipe thereby allowing for submission outside the browser.
Adobe Reader 9.0 – this version contains the broken pipe issue, which will not be fixed until 9.1 is released.
We have received sufficient user inputs to believe that use of 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 should be minimized.
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