Jan. 31, 2003 – The Health Department's Office of Minority Health is offering "Capacity Building Award" minigrants to community organizations helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The grants come from the federal HIV/AIDS Regional Resource Network.
Each grant is for $2,000, Gritell Thompson at the Office of Minority Health said, and "funds have been set aside for the territory."
The money can be used to pay for equipment or Internet access; develop, print or order materials for education and outreach, conference registration or travel; develop coalitions addressing HIV-related issues on a local level, or whatever else will help the agency provide services.
In order to be eligible for the funding, an agency must:
– Have been in existence for at least one year.
– Provide HIV/AIDS services to populations considered racial and ethnic minorities
– Have an operating budget under $750,000 per year.
– Have federal not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status.
– Not receive other funding from the Office of Minority Health.
For agencies needing help in writing grant proposals, the National Minority AIDS Council Technical Assistance and Training Division offers an online tutoring program. To register, go to the NMAC Web site and click on Technical Assistance-Grant Writing Tutorial.
The program includes a basic overview, case studies, samples, links to the federal government's standard HIV/AIDS grant form PHS5161, and a self-assessment to help you score your grant proposal before submission.
For more information on the minigrant program, call Thompson at 715-0963.

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