Nature’s Path Gardens for Good Grant (Deadline: May 31)
With the mission to increase organic acreage nationwide and provide every American with access to high quality, healthy and organic food, Nature’s Path is launching the “Gardens for Good Grant” organic garden contest with the help of Organic Gardening magazine in which two communities will receive $25,000 value grant package toward starting organic gardens that includes: a $10,000 cash grant to be used to plant an organic garden; $5,000 worth of technical assistance from Organic Gardening magazine; and an organic breakfast fundraising event and garden dedication worth $10,000. This is a one question, 500 words or less, application process. In your essay, please clearly answer the following question: “Tell us about your program, who you serve, and how a garden grant will help you to serve more people.” www.justmeans.com/take-action/GardenGrantContest

100 Best Communities for Young People (Deadline: June 1)
America’s Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation are now seeking entries for the 2010 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. The Alliance and the ING Foundation seek to recognize 100 American cities and towns whose top priority is keeping children in school and helping end the nation’s dropout crisis through innovative programs that are addressing everyday challenges facing young people and creating better places for them to live and grow. Winning communities receive ational recognition and media exposure, financial and logistic support to celebrate selection at a local event, commemorative awards to be displayed in the community, exposure to Alliance partner resources and the insights of other winning communities through an innovative online space to exchange ideas, and invitations to exclusive online informational events featuring Alliance partners designed to strengthen local efforts. Interested communities can apply through June 1. www.americaspromise.org/100Best

Garden Crusader Awards (Deadline: June 1)
The annual Garden Crusader Awards program was established to honor individuals who improve the world through gardening and make a difference in their community. Youth are eligible to receive this award. Categories for 2010 are: Education, Feeding the Hungry, Urban Renewal and Restoration. There are five winners for each category: first, second, third, plus two honorable mentions and one grand prize winner, for a total of 21 winners overall. The grand prize winner receives $2,500 in cash + $2,500 gift certificate from Gardener’s Supply. First placers receive a $1,000 gift certificate; second placers receive a $750 gift certificate; third placers receive a $500 gift certificate; honorable mentions receive a $200 gift certificate. All prizes are awarded to the winner’s organization in his/her name. www.gardeners.com/gardening/content.asp?Copyid=5549 or http://press.gardeners.com/crusaderform.aspx

Graffiti Hurts Grants (Deadline: June 1)
For the fourth year, Keep America Beautiful presents the opportunity to apply for a grant to help reduce graffiti vandalism in cities across America. The Graffiti Hurts® National Grant Program aims to help communities kick-start or add on to a local graffiti prevention program. Grant funds may also be used for a one-time project that has the potential to help reduce graffiti vandalism in the community. Grants of $2,500 are offered in three categories – community under 75,000 population, community between 75,000 and 250,000 population, and community over 250,000 population. The funds must be used for projects that will be initiated in Fall 2010 and completed no later than December 31, 2011. Proposed projects can address graffiti prevention and education, eradication, or enforcement of local anti-graffiti laws. Nonprofits, neighborhood and community organizations, youth groups, government agencies, and others are all eligible to apply. Deadline is June 1, 2010. www.graffitihurts.org/grants.jsp

The Exquisite Prompt Challenge (Deadline: June 1)
The AdLit.org Exquisite Prompt challenge is an activity that gives K-12 students a chance each month to flex their writing muscles with writing prompts – and win fabulous prizes!  To be eligible for prizes, students will be asked to submit original writing of 350 words or less for each writing prompt. Illustrations may be submitted with entries. This month’s prompt for grades 9-12 is inspired by Lemony Snicket and A Series of Unfortunate Events. The prompt asks students to develop a project on behalf of a cause and write to a potential benefactor or foundation. In the nonprofit sector, this kind of business letter is often called a Letter of Inquiry. Prizes include being published on Reading Rockets and AdLit and receiving a selection of books, including titles autographed by the authors and illustrators. Winners are also are eligible for a classroom visit by one of the authors or illustrators via Skype! www.adlit.org/fun/writing_contests/exquisite_prompt_challenge

AmeriCorps Video and Photo Contest (Deadline: June 4)
CNCS is asking the public to help tell the AmeriCorps story and recruit the next class of AmeriCorps members by participating in the 2010 AmeriCorps Video and Photo contest that is part of AmeriCorps Week. The contest, which runs through June 4, asks participants to submit 60-second videos or still photos showing how AmeriCorps gets things done in local communities. This year’s contest is open to anyone — AmeriCorps members, alums, students, national service and nonprofit staff, educators, elected officials – anyone who wants to tell the AmeriCorps story. The contest offers bigger prizes and more chances to win, thanks to the generosity of this year’s prize sponsors: United HealthCare, Choice Hotels, National Geographic, Starbucks, and the NFL Players Association. Grand prize is a 4-day, 3-night all expenses paid trip for two to Washington DC, made possible by United HealthCare. Would-be film directors and shutterbugs should visit the contest website at www.americorpscontest.org