Even in tough budget times, it's nice to know there's money out there for creative endeavors. Oakland Neighborhood Services Coordinator Hoang Banh just released a new list of juicy funding opportunities that are sure to get your inspiration going.

Many of the projects are specific to Oakland and geared toward Oaklanders.

Grant amounts range from $200 to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the project. And there's more than money available. Looking for free ice cream? Dreyer's might be your dream come true.

Opportunities abound for everyone from teens to seniors, professional artists and craftsmen to neighborhood beautification groups.

Read on to learn more. 

Cultural Funding ($5,000 and up): Oakland's Cultural Funding Program supports Oakland-based art and cultural activities that reflect the diversity of the city for the citizens of and visitors to Oakland. The Cultural Funding Program focuses on three key areas: General Support, Neighborhood Arts and Arts Education. For more info, call 510-238-2103.
 
Dreyer’s Foundation: Small Grants & Product Donations (Up to $3,000): The Foundation makes small grants and donates ice cream products and gift certificates/auction items to bona fide nonprofit organizations for events. Proposals are reviewed monthly. Please send a one-page letter on organization stationery with the following information: tax exemption number; date of event; description of organization and purpose of event; specific item or product request. For product donation, please state the number of people to be served and specific product request (e.g., ice cream, yogurt, sherbet). Include the name, e-mail address and daytime telephone number of a contact person. Mail your request to Dreyer's Foundation, 5929 College Ave., Oakland, Calif., 94618. Requests must be submitted in writing at least eight weeks prior to the event. Due to the volume of requests, only hard copies in the mail are accepted. All requests received by the seventh day of the month, by 5 p.m., will be reviewed at the Foundation meeting on or about the third Friday of the month. For more information, call 510-450-4586 or visit the Web site.
 
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation (Up to $2,000): FOPR looks for projects to improve Oakland’s parks, facilities, community gardens or open spaces via recreation, beautification or education. Friends provides Fiscal Agent status for community groups and programs working within the Oakland Parks and Recreation Centers which meet our mission criteria of working to improve recreation, education and beautification efforts.  Groups can work with Friends to manage finances and accept tax-deductible donations for their projects. Whether it’s keeping the Oakland Municipal Band playing or helping a community beautify their neighborhood, Friends is here to help get things done. Call 510-465-1850 for more information.

Keep Oakland Beautiful ($200 to $500): The mission of Keep Oakland Beautiful is to create opportunities through education and community involvement for a beautiful, clean and green Oakland. Small Grants Program: Designed to foster local solutions and community improvement, grants in the amount of $200 - $500 will be distributed from funds raised by KOB. There are two funding cycles: summer and winter. Deadlines are Apr. 30 and Sept. 30. Call 510-434-5126 to learn more.

Marcus Foster Education Fund: The mission of the Marcus Foster Education Fund is to develop relationships and mobilize resources that create opportunities for all children in the Oakland public schools to achieve excellence. Established in 1973 by the Oakland Unified School District superintendent for whom the organization was later named, Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute (now named the Marcus Foster Education Fund) has worked for 35 years to carry out Dr. Foster's vision that urban education can be transformed only when the community actively participates. The Institute has a record of service to a multicultural community with a broad range of educational needs. Community outreach programs include: Fund for Teachers; College Scholarships; Move Further Student Grants; Family University; Oakland Technology Exchange-West; Fiscal Responsibility; and Distinguished Educator, Alumnus, and Partner Awards.

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation: PVF takes a different approach to philanthropy by trying “new approaches to creative grantmaking and to maximize the impact of the philanthropic dollar.”

Wa Sung Community Service Club: Charity Grants (Up to $1,000): The Wa Sung Charity Grants offers charitable donations to tax-exempt organizations that implement programs to help Asian youth find academic and vocational education and employment, improve Asian community relations and understanding and support Asian cultural and recreational activities.
 
Youth Uprising: Youth Grants for Youth Action ($300 to $5,000): Applicants must be under 21 years old, have a group of three or more people and be Oakland-based. Types of projects: Sports, art, business, environmental, educational and many more. For info, contact Peggy, Emmanuel or Jessica at 510-777-9909 or e-mail yg4ya@yahoo.com.

Neighborhood Project Initiative Program: This annual community grant program funds one-time, small-scale, community-initiated physical improvement projects that benefit the community and are located within a redevelopment area. The program supports existing blight reduction and beautification efforts and encourages community participation in the revitalization of the neighborhood. Grants are awarded annually.
 
Map of Redevelopment Areas
Roster of Redevelopment Areas
 
Coliseum area: $240,000 of Coliseum Area Redevelopment funds were allocated to this project for fiscal year 2006-07 and the same amount for 2007-08. For more information, contact Larry Gallegos, LGallegos@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-6174.
 
Broadway/MacArthur/San Pablo area: Up to $75,000 per project. For more information, contact Kathy Kleinbaum, KKleinbaum@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-7185.
 
Central City East: $5,000 to $10,000 per project. For more information, contact Hagerenesh Solomon, HSolomon@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-2055.
 
West Oakland: Up to $50,000 per project. For more information, contact Hui Chang Li, HLi@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-6239.

FIND MORE FUNDERS
www.foundationcenter.org
 
FIND MORE RESOURCES
Shining Stars – Youth Yellow Pages
 
Senior Access Guide for Empowerment

To recommend other grant sources, please contact Hoang Banh, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, at hbanh@oaklandnet.com or 238-6566. (List compiled by Neighborhood Services Division, updated March 9.)