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    <title>RIPPLE Shared Resources</title>
    <description>Rural life means hard work and community collaboration. Do you have
    leads on great programs or events? Want to get involved? Share or discover
    local Northwest opportunities that will help your community thrive!</description>
    <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources.rss</link>
    <item>
      <title>Understanding NonProfit Fundraising Rules </title>
      <description>On April 21, the World Forestry Center will host a seminar for non profit event planners. Presentations by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Sections and the Multnomah County Health Department will help attendees better understand the rules and regulations when planning a fundraiser.

Pre-registration required by April 16 and can be done by calling 503.488.2101 or emailing amorrison@worldforestry.org. For more information, visit www.worldforestry.org
</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-09 10:18:09 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/76</link>
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      <title>Final Call for Community Applications for RARE Program 2010-2011</title>
      <description>Final Call for Community Applications
2010-2011

Do you have community building, natural resource, or planning projects you need assistance with?

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) is an AmeriCorps program  in its 16th year.  Currently, we are supporting over thirty projects throughout rural Oregon.  What projects are RARE members 
helping with this year?

     * The City of Maupin is  writing a feasibility study for an emergency food pantry and developing the city's new website.
     * Lake County Development is drafting a county wide renewable energy marketing plan, completing a carbon footprint audit, and writing several grants.
     * Port Orford Ocean Resource Team is putting on a wildly successful water festival event, coordinating the marine reserve designation, and creating a plastics campaign to reduce plastic waste in Port Orford.
     *Please visit our website for a complete list of our current projects:  http://rare.uoregon.edu


The mission of RARE is to increase the capacity of rural communities, to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level participants who live and serve communities for 11 months. RARE members assist communities in the development and implementation of projects for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions.

Important Dates
 Pre-applications due to RARE office by 5:00 PM:  April 15

 RARE staff site visit to communities:  April 16 - May 7 

 Invitations to submit full application announced:  May 7 

 Full applications due to RARE office by 5:00 PM:  June 4 

 Community/member interviews:  July 12-16 

 Final placement decisions made:  July 30  

 Placement in RARE communities begins:  September 7

*Pre-applications due April 15, 2010
</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-04 13:55:12 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/75</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Hosting an AmeriCorps Program Info</title>
      <description>Interested in applying for an AmeriCorps Program Grant or a Planning Grant?
Technical assistance calls, which cover the steps of the application process, budgets, etc., are recommended for all those applying for AmeriCorps Program Grants and Planning Grants. 
 
Oregon Volunteers is accepting Concept Papers that address the availability of funding for the operation of a full AmeriCorps program (the equivalent of 10 or more full time positions), or a Planning Grant.

If you are thinking about applying for one of these grants, Oregon Volunteers is hosting technical assistance calls to help you navigate the process. Calls will be held on:

March 12, from 10:00-11:30;

March 15, from 1:00-2:30; and

March 22, from 3:00-4:30 

You must make a reservation 3 days in advance to participate in one of these calls.

To make a reservation to participate in a technical assistance call, please email Patricia Bollin at patricia@oregonvolunteers.org or call (503) 725-8334.

More information about the Notification of Funding Availability can be found here: http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=ac-sponsor

</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-04 13:33:41 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/74</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Database of State and Federal Incentives for Renewables &amp; Efficiency</title>
      <description>Comprehensive list of programs and funding opportunities by state renewable and efficiency projects. http://www.dsireusa.org/
</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-04 11:29:47 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/73</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Recovery Act Funding for Public Computing Centers - deadline approaching</title>
      <description>Recovery Act grant opportunity that can support public computing centers deadline is approaching soon.  $150 million in grants are to be awarded to eligible projects through the &quot;BTOP&quot; program (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) administered by the Department of Commerce's NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration).

Applications are due not later than March 15.

Eligible BTOP purposes include:
 
&#167; Acquiring broadband-related equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, and digital network technology for broadband services &#167; Installing or upgrading broadband facilities on a one-time, capital improvement, basis in order to increase broadband capacity; &#167; Constructing, acquiring, or leasing a new facility may be included as an eligible cost category provided that the Applicant explains why it is necessary to construct, acquire, or lease a new facility to facilitate public access to broadband services or expand computer center capacity.

More Info: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/info_lib.htm
</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-02 12:51:09 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/72</link>
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    <item>
      <title>$5 Million in Funding for Farmers Market Promotion Program</title>
      <description>This year FMPP will emphasize three priorities during the 2010 grant period: (1) focus on the recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets; (2) develop professional expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards and organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other direct marketing enterprises; and (3) improve food access in local, rural and underserved communities to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms. 
Information on how to apply for a grant will be published in the Mar. 1, 2010, issue of the Federal Register and posted on the AMS website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. Applications and proposals must be received by AMS no later than the close of business on April 15, 2010. Applications received after April 15, 2010, will not be considered. </description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-02 09:58:27 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/71</link>
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      <title>2010 Governor's Volunteer Awards</title>
      <description>Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Governor's Volunteer Awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication, commitment, and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout Oregon. This recognition inspires others to make a positive difference and strengthen Oregon communities.

Nominations are due on May 10. All awardees will be recognized at the annual Governor&#8217;s Volunteer Awards luncheon in Salem on October 22, 2010.

To learn more or to submit a nomination, visit the Oregon Volunteers web site at http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=GVA.</description>
      <pubDate>2010-03-02 09:23:58 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/70</link>
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      <title>2010 Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference</title>
      <description>The Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference, which will be held September 23-25 at the Salem Conference Center in Salem, Oregon, is the largest gathering in Oregon dedicated to the important issues of rural health care. Bringing together providers, administrators, patients, activists, policy makers and others who are concerned about health care in rural Oregon, it is an opportunity to help set the agenda. In collaboration with the Oregon Rural Health Association (ORHA), Oregon Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN), the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) strives to bring you the most innovative approaches to addressing today's needs. Visit OHSU's web site at http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/outreach/oregonruralhealth/about/conference/index.cfm for more information.</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-25 18:25:29 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/69</link>
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      <title>Wind Power for Communities: a Workshop for Residents of Rural Oregon</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development is presenting a workshop for rural landowners, public officials, and community members interested in learning more about wind energy development on April 6, 2010 from 8:30am-3:00pm at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles, Oregon. Workshop attendees will come away with the knowledge and tools they need to ensure wind developments, large and small, result in the greatest local benefit. The workshops will include an introduction to modern wind technology, the various scales of wind development, and state incentives and policies affecting wind energy projects. Afternoon break-out sessions with subject matter experts focused on small/community wind projects and landowner participation in large-scale wind projects will also be offered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All workshops are open to the public. Registration is $35.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Visit Northwest SEED at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.nwseed.org/Educational%20Resources/workshops/ORWind_Spring2010.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.nwseed.org/Educational%20Resources/workshops/ORWind_Spring2010.asp&lt;/a&gt; for more information and to register.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-18 22:54:02 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/67</link>
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    <item>
      <title>RARE community Applications</title>
      <description>&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span&gt;Do you have community building, natural resource, or planning projects that you do not have enough staff or resources to complete?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program might be your solution.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The mission of the RARE Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level participants who live and work in communities for 11 months. RARE participants assist communities in the development and implementation of projects for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The RARE program is now in its 16&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; year, has made more than 350 placements, and has worked in nearly every Oregon County.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table id=&quot;content_LETTER.BLOCK6&quot; class=&quot;MsoNormalTable&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot;&gt;
    &lt;tbody&gt;
        &lt;tr&gt;
            &lt;td&gt;
            &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span&gt;Pre-Applications are due on April 15, 2010.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
            &amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
            For more information about RARE, including the benefits and the costs of the program, please visit our web site at: &lt;a href=&quot;http://rare.uoregon.edu/&quot;&gt;http://rare.uoregon.edu/&lt;/a&gt;. Pre-applications are available on line as well. If you have any questions, please email us at: rare@uoregon.edu or call 541.346.0259.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
            &lt;/td&gt;
        &lt;/tr&gt;
    &lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-16 08:18:32 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/66</link>
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      <title>2010 Local Food Connection</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The 7th annual Food Connection which fosters collaboration between farmers, ranchers, chefs, retailers and processors committed to expanding and strengthening regional and sustainable agriculture, will be held on Monday, March 1, 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Main Auditorium, Medford Library, 205 S. Central Avenue, Medford, Oregon.   Thrive&amp;rsquo;s Local Food Connection focuses on creating and sustaining relationships between food producers and buyers. The gathering will offer participants an opportunity to learn, make connections, address challenges, and eat outstanding food.   Call 541-488-7272 for more information or visit the Buy Local-Buy Rogue web site at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.buylocalrogue.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;amp;view=article&amp;amp;id=116&amp;amp;Itemid=74&quot;&gt;http://www.buylocalrogue.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;amp;view=article&amp;amp;id=116&amp;amp;Itemid=74&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-10 10:35:48 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/65</link>
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      <title>Grants for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The U.S. agricultural population is poised to make a dramatic change - half of all current farmers are likely to retire in the next decade. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the average age of farm operators was 57 years. Farmers over the age 55 own more than half the farmland in the U.S. But the number of new farmers and ranchers over the age of 35 is increasing, as does the number of smaller farms and ranches nationwide. To address the needs of this changing generation, $17.2 million are available for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). A beginning farm is considered to be one that is operated by one or more operators who have 10 years or less of experience operating a farm or ranch. In 2007, approximately 21 percent of family farms met that definition. Go here for more info: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmerandrancher.cfm&quot;&gt;http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmerandrancher.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-09 14:35:57 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/64</link>
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      <title>Regional Oregon Heritage Round-Ups in April </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The round-ups emphasize heritage organizations and strengthening their community relationships, as well as tourism. The roundups will replace the Oregon Heritage Conference for 2010. The roundups will inform and inspire Oregonians involved in the state&amp;rsquo;s cultural heritage efforts. Attendees will include community leaders, staff and volunteers from historical societies, museums, historic cemeteries, ethnic organizations, schools, historic preservation commissions, humanities groups, the tourism industry, economic development, history buffs and professional historians, youth, and local, tribal, state and federal governments. The roundups are scheduled April 9 in Oregon City, April 22 in Jacksonville and April 29 in La Grande. The Oregon City round-up will also include the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards and Oregon Heritage Fellows presentations. &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml&quot;&gt;http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-02-02 13:25:15 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/63</link>
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      <title>RD-Oregon Seeks RBEG and RBOG Grant Proposals</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;USDA Rural Development-Oregon (RD-Oregon) is now seeking concept papers for grant programs that support economic development activities in rural Oregon.&lt;br /&gt;
You can find the concept paper format and further details on each of these program opportunities here:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbeg.htm&quot;&gt;RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant)&lt;/a&gt; for General, rural projects&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbeg.htm &quot;&gt;RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant)&lt;/a&gt; for Native-American, rural projects&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbog.htm&quot;&gt;RBOG (Rural Business Opportunity Grant)&lt;/a&gt; for General, rural projects&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbog.htm&quot;&gt;RBOG (Rural Business Opportunity Grant)&lt;/a&gt; for Native-American, rural projects&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Grants are made to nonprofits, public bodies, and tribes to support rural business development. The deadline for concept papers is March 5, 2010.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-29 09:53:21 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/61</link>
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      <title>Help Create the Philanthropists of the Future in Your Community</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;We will be hosting a meeting for people interested in becoming angel investors prior to each of our PubTalks on January 27th (La Grande) and January 28th (Enterprise).  Angel investors are people who have the ability to take some financial risk and who are interested in investing in local businesses.  Successful angel investor groups across the country are investing in new businesses, offering the cumulative knowledge of all of the investors to the new business owner, and offering a chance for a great return on investment to the investors!  We will be meeting with interested investors at 4:00pm on January 27th at the Mt. Emily Ale House in La Grande, and at 4:00pm on January 28th at Lear's in Enterprise.  If you would like more information, please contact us!  Call &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.neoedd.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;NEOEDD&lt;/a&gt; at 541-426-3598 or email Lisa Dawson at &lt;a href=&quot;http://lisadawson@neoedd.org&quot;&gt;lisadawson@neoedd.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-22 11:29:27 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/58</link>
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      <title>PubTalk: Starting 2010 Right!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;A new year of PubTalks is upon us and 2010 will be filled with exciting topics!  Join us in La Grande on January 27th and Enterprise on January 28th for Starting 2010 Right: New Taxes and Business Info.  A panel of attorneys and accountants will bring you up to date on new regulations that may affect you as a small business owner in 2010.  The panels will include Yvonne Roberts, of Seydel, Lewis, Poe, Moeller &amp;amp; Gunderson, LLC, David Baum, with Baum, Smith, and Eyre (both in La Grande), and Richard Hobbs, Attorney at Law, and Cathy Johnson, of Silver Creek Financial Services in Enterprise.  The panelists will give short presentations and will be available for Q&amp;amp;A.  We will also have pitches from local business owners &amp;ndash; come and learn about new businesses in your region!  We will also be hosting a meeting for people interested in becoming angel investors prior to each PubTalk, starting at 4:00pm. Contact NEOEDD for more info at (541) 426-3598.    The PubTalk in La Grande will start at 6:00pm, Wednesday, January 27th at the Mt. Emily Ale House.  In Enterprise, the PubTalk will be at Lear&amp;rsquo;s, also starting at 6:00pm on Thursday, January 28th.  Tickets are $5.  We hope to see you there!  Come Eat, Drink, and Network!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-22 11:27:52 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/57</link>
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      <title>Workforce Grants for Cities and Counties</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The US Commerce Department (Economic Development Administration) is offering grants to city and county governments through its Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. $37 million will be made available for 30 awards. The deadline is April 20. Applications will be evaluated on the following six criteria: 1. Supporting small and medium-sized communities (20%), defined as communities with a population of 100,000 or less. 2. Assisting the most severely impacted communities (20%) in terms of the number of workers in the community that are impacted in connection with TAA certifications. 3. Delivering a high return on investment (20%) in terms of creating and saving jobs, leveraging public-private partnerships, and utilizing best practices in project management. 4. Supporting Regionalism, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (20%) by strengthening regional cluster strategies and fostering technology commercialization. 5. Supporting Global Trade/Competitiveness (15%) by supporting &amp;ldquo;high growth/high potential companies&amp;rdquo; and advancing business clusters with significant export potential. 6. Growing the &amp;ldquo;Green Economy&amp;rdquo; (5%) by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, &amp;ldquo;greening&amp;rdquo; existing processes or functions, and through &amp;ldquo;green building&amp;rdquo; (for example, a structure certified under the U.S. Green Building Council&amp;rsquo;s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. For more information, visit EDA's web site at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/CommunityTAA.xml, or read the Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity pdf: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.eda.gov/xp/EDAPublic/PDF/CommunityTAAFFOFINAL2.pdf&quot;&gt;http://www.eda.gov/xp/EDAPublic/PDF/CommunityTAAFFOFINAL2.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-21 22:38:54 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/56</link>
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      <title>Cultural Partners Call for Poet Laureate Nominations in Oregon</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;In 2005, Governor Kulongoski, Oregon's five statewide cultural partners serving heritage, the humanities and the arts, and the Oregon Cultural Trust joined forces to reinstate Oregon's poet laureate position, which had been vacant since 1989. As a result, in 2006, Lawson Fusao Inada was appointed Oregon&amp;rsquo;s fifth poet laureate. He will complete his second term in early 2010. Recognizing that a poet laureate provides a bold and articulate voice for culture across the state and contributes thoughtful eloquence to our public life, Oregon seeks nominations for its next poet laureate. The role of poet laureate is to foster the art of poetry, encourage literacy and learning, address central issues relating to humanities and heritage, and reflect appropriately on public life in Oregon. The poet laureate will provide at least six and up to 20 public readings in settings across the state to educate community, business, and state leaders about the value and importance of poetry and creative expression. Additionally, the poet laureate will undertake a significant cultural project or projects throughout his or her term, sharing poetry with people or to a region of the state that might otherwise have little opportunity to experience it. Nominations for the poet laureate are sought from Oregonians, including poets and writers, as well as educational and cultural leaders. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations will be accepted until February 15, 2010, and may be submitted by: Email: cultural.trust@state.or.us Subject: Poet Laureate Nomination Fax: (503) 986-0260 Oregon&amp;rsquo;s Cultural Partners have assembled a selection committee to review and rank the nominations. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the Governor for review. After the Governor names a laureate, the Poet Laureate will serve for a term of two years beginning as soon as March 2010. More details: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.culturaltrust.org&quot;&gt;www.culturaltrust.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-19 14:50:40 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/55</link>
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      <title>Oregon Arts Commission Tourism Grant Program</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Oregon Arts Commission Announces Deadline for Next Round of Arts &amp;amp; Cultural Tourism Grant Program Applications due January 31, 2010. The Oregon Arts Commission announces that applications for its Arts &amp;amp; Cultural Tourism Grant program will be accepted from Oregon arts organizations and units of local governments through January 31, 2010. The Oregon Arts Commission established the Cultural Tourism Grants to support projects and partnerships that advance arts-based cultural tourism activities. The program, part of the Commission&amp;rsquo;s Creative Oregon Initiative, fosters stronger links between the arts, culture, the tourism industry and local economic development. The program supports activities undertaken by arts or tourism groups &amp;ndash; and especially projects in which both collaborate &amp;ndash; designed to increase tourism motivated entirely or in part by the arts-related offerings of a community or region. By attracting Oregonians and non-residents, Commission-funded projects increase the economic benefit of cultural tourism to communities, regions and the entire state. Proposed projects may enhance an existing cultural tourism project or fund a new initiative. Grants in 2009 supported a variety of projects. Applicants for Cultural Tourism grants must have IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status and corporate nonprofit status in the state of Oregon; or be a unit of local government. Up to $10,000 in matching grant funds may be requested. The guidelines and applications for the Cultural Tourism grants are available online through the grants section of the Arts Commission&amp;rsquo;s website: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregonartscommission.org&quot;&gt;www.oregonartscommission.org&lt;/a&gt;. Additional information is available by calling the Arts Commission at (503) 986-0082.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-19 12:55:16 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/54</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Broadband Opportunities for Rural Oregon</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Two big opportunities for rural Oregon were just jointly unveiled by USDA and the Department of Commerce. January 15 marks the opening of Round 2 for applicants seeking funding for rural broadband projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. $4.8 billion is to be awarded. For details, go to Broadband USA, the portal to apply for broadband funding under the Recovery Act at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.broadbandusa.gov/&quot;&gt;http://www.broadbandusa.gov/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-19 11:16:59 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/53</link>
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    <item>
      <title>RCAC's 2010 Rural Volunteer Award Nominations</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Rural Community Assistance Corporation is seeking nominations for the 2010 Rural Volunteer Award. This award honors volunteers who have made a significant improvement in the quality of life for rural communities. The 2010 honoree will receive an award, a reception held in his/her community, and $4,000 to donate to a charitable organization in her/his community. RCAC hopes to encourage further rural volunteer activities by acknowledging the accomplishments of a select few. If you know individuals who have these special qualities, and would like to see their hard work recognized, please complete the 2010 Yoneo Ono Award Nomination form by April 12, 2010. The service must have occurred within rural communities of RCAC&amp;rsquo;s region, including California, Oregon, and Washington. Visit RCAC's web site at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rcac.org/doc.aspx?520&quot;&gt;http://www.rcac.org/doc.aspx?520&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-10 21:58:11 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/48</link>
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      <title>Corvallis Branch President, NAACP </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Partnership support&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-09 12:58:57 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/47</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Oregon Microenterpise Network seeking applications for VISTA Hosts</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Oregon Microenterpise Network (OMEN) is seeking applications to become a VISTA host site from organizations that are working with microenterprise development, financial literacy and asset building. Approved sites will recruit a full-time VISTA volunteer who will serve at their site from August 20th, 2010 to August 19th, 2011. Applications must be received at the OMEN office by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 19th, 2010. More info: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregon-microbiz.org/assetbuildingcorps.cfm&quot;&gt;http://www.oregon-microbiz.org/assetbuildingcorps.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2010-01-05 11:06:47 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/44</link>
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      <title>The SOLV Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The first Beach Cleanup in the nation was held in Oregon in 1984. Since then, annual beach cleanups have spread to every state in the Union, all US territories and more than 100 countries around the world. Join SOLV on March 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at any one of over 40 beach sites to clear the entire Oregon coast of debris. Visit SOLV's web site at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.solv.org/programs/spring_beach_cleanup.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.solv.org/programs/spring_beach_cleanup.asp&lt;/a&gt; to get involved.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-28 19:24:13 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/43</link>
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      <title>Northwest Area Foundation Releases New Study on How Americans Are Coping With Economic Challenges</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Northwest Area Foundation developed these resources to help communities in their work to reduce poverty and build sustainable prosperity. The &amp;ldquo;toolbox&amp;rdquo; includes links to practical guides, case studies, public policy papers, interactive tools, and more. You can download directly to your computer, work online, or order hardcopies at no cost.&lt;br /&gt;
The 2009 &amp;quot;Struggling to Make Ends Meet&amp;quot; national poll includes National findings, plus results for Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.&lt;br /&gt;
This poll of 4,000 asks how Americans see the struggle within their households and communities, what they're doing in response, and what they expect their elected officials to do to reduce the number of people struggling to make ends meet. The findings reveal families have been hard hit, have made sacrifices, taken action and expect officials to do more to help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://toolbox.nwaf.org/&quot;&gt;You can download the data, summaries, and a Toolkit for Action that will help you apply these findings to your work with community, policymakers, and the media.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-28 14:30:55 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/41</link>
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      <title>Federal Programs for Rural Oregonians</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;USDA Rural Development is the mission area of USDA focused on the needs of rural America. With seven offices and nearly 70 employees across Oregon, they deliver an array of federal programs (loan guarantees, direct loans, and grants) for rural Oregonians to fund affordable homeownership and rental housing, community infrastructure, business and economic development, and &amp;quot;green&amp;quot; energy projects. Visit USDA Rural Development's web site for more information: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/OR/&quot;&gt;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/OR/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-26 18:33:19 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/39</link>
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      <title>Oregon Humanities Responsive Grants</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Responsive Program Grant (formerly Opportunity Grant) requests for up to $1,000 are accepted year-round to fund public humanities programs addressing pressing issues or events that the applicant organization is uniquely suited to help the public understand. Visit the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregonhumanities.org/programs/section/grants/responsive-program-grants-now-available/&quot;&gt;Oregon Humanities website&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregonhumanities.org/programs/section/grants/responsive-program-grants-now-available/&quot;&gt;http://www.oregonhumanities.org/programs/section/grants/responsive-program-grants-now-available/&lt;/a&gt;) for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-21 11:17:48 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/35</link>
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      <title>Annual BALLE Business Conference</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, or BALLE, is North America's fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks representing over 21,000 independent business members across the U.S. and Canada. In these uncertain economic times, BALLE is convening the community of business owners and innovation leaders who are proving that things can and should be different! Our economy ought to be by the people and for the people. The BALLE conference will demonstrate how the new economy is being shaped at the grassroots level in local communities around North America. Visit BALLE's web site at &lt;a href=&quot;http://livingeconomies.org/conference/2010-conference&quot;&gt;http://livingeconomies.org/conference/2010-conference&lt;/a&gt; for more information on the May 21-23, 2010 conference.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-21 09:21:45 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/34</link>
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      <title>2009 Native EITC Outreach Tools</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Each year in Native communities, millions of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) dollars go unclaimed. If your family earned less than $43,279 in 2009, you may qualify for the EITC when you file your tax return. Visit&amp;nbsp;&lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.oweesta.org/eitc&quot;&gt;OWEESTA&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;for information regarding an initiative designed by the Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC), with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This&amp;nbsp;initiative provides tools to Native communities to launch local campaigns to increase access to Earned Income Tax Credits and to link them with financial education and other asset building efforts including Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-18 12:17:53 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/33</link>
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      <title>Energy Grant Awards</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;USDA Rural Development is providing $62.5 million in loans and grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under USDA&amp;rsquo;s energy grant program called Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), an important initiative to help rebuild and revitalize rural America. REAP&amp;nbsp;provides matching grants to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for the purchase and installation of renewable energy generation systems or energy efficiency improvements. Grants are awarded via a national competition based on merit. Applications are now being accepted for FY2010 at the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/reap.htm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Oregon Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)&lt;/a&gt; website (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/reap.htm&quot;&gt;http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/reap.htm&lt;/a&gt;).&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-16 18:30:22 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/32</link>
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      <title>The Navigator: Guide to Saving Resources for Rural Landowners</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://fcasolutions.org/TheNavigator&quot;&gt;The Navigator&lt;/a&gt; is Rural Oregon's guide to saving money by saving resources. &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.fcasolutions.org/pageview.aspx?id=15853&quot;&gt;Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA)&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;created this tool for understanding the tax credits and incentives that will help Oregon residents, small businesses, and farms quickly reference the incentive programs available for energy and water savings.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-16 18:16:04 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/31</link>
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      <title>Deadlines for Museum Grant Applications</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Oregon museums that meet certain qualifications are eligible to apply for Oregon Museum Grants. The grants support Oregon museums in projects for the collection and management of heritage collections, for heritage-related tourism, and heritage education and interpretations. Applications will be accepted until May 17. &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/museum.shtml&quot;&gt;Visit Oregon Parks and Recreation Department of Heritage Programs&amp;nbsp;for an application and&amp;nbsp;instructions.&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;For more information, contact Heritage Commission coordinator Kyle Jansson at 503-986-0673 or &lt;a href=&quot;mailto: heritage.info@state.or.us&quot;&gt;heritage.info@state.or.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;span id=&quot;eeEncEmail_biGZ52RvK9&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;mailto:heritage.info@state.or.us&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-16 17:57:35 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/30</link>
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      <title>Oregon Schools Heating Initiative</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Toward Energy Efficient Municipalities (TEEM) is proposing a woody biomass thermal heating initiative to install state-of-the-art wood pellet thermal heating systems at all Oregon schools currently heating with oil or propane furnaces. The benefits include utilizing a renewable energy source; Woody Biomass (WB) is sustainable and CO&amp;sup2;-neutral and is less expensive, which would result in schools&amp;rsquo; heating budgets to be cut in half.&lt;br /&gt;
This initiative would benefit Oregon by improving forest and community safety and creating local jobs. TEEM would serve as the project management firm and would aggregate a minimum of 12 schools into the initiative with staggered deployments.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img width=&quot;560&quot; vspace=&quot;8&quot; height=&quot;725&quot; src=&quot;/uploads/Image/OR_Schools_WBTHI_Overview.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-16 17:09:58 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/28</link>
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      <title>Assistance for Entrepreneurs in Siskiyou County</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;The Jefferson Economic Development Institute provides Entrepreneurial Training, Individualized Technical Assistance, Capital Access, Savings Programs, and&amp;nbsp; free Tax Preparation for businesses in the Mt. Shasta area.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Visit the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.e-jedi.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Jefferson Economic Development Institute website&lt;/a&gt; to find out how to take advantage of their services.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>2009-12-16 10:35:08 -0800</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.ripplenw.org/resources/24</link>
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