Grants - Top Picks of the Week

Updated 9/8/10

The Hallmark Corporate Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the retail and greeting card company. Its mission is to help create communities where all children have the chance to grow up as healthy, productive, and caring persons; vibrant arts and cultural experiences enrich the lives of all citizens; there’s a strong infrastructure of basic institutions and service, especially for persons in need; and all citizens feel a responsibility to serve their community. The Foundation supports organizations based in and serving the following communities: Kansas City metropolitan area; Center, TX; Columbus, GA; Enfield, CT; Lawrence, KS; Leavenworth, KS; Liberty, MO; Metamora, IL; and Topeka, KS. Applications are accepted year round. For more information, visit click here.

John Hancock has a strong commitment to provide the greatest level of support for Boston youth and families who are most in need. The company makes program grants and does not typically fund general operating support, capital campaigns, building renovations or endowments. Grant proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly by a committee. For more information, click here.

The Robin Hood Foundation funds and provides technical and management assistance to organizations serving poor New Yorkers. Robin Hood makes grants to organizations exclusively in the five boroughs of New York City whose work falls within the following four issue areas: early childhood, education, jobs and economic security, and survival. The Foundation has a continuing commitment to community-based programs and strong leaders in the city's poorest neighborhoods. It seeks to fund programs that provide comprehensive and intensive services, and work with people over long periods of time with measurable results. Applications are accepted year-round. For more information, click here.

The Women's Impact Fund in Charlotte, North Carolina, is accepting Letters of Inquiry for its 2010-11 grantmaking cycle. The fund intends to award five high-impact grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg County. One grant will be awarded in each of the following focus areas: arts & culture, education, environment, health, and human services. The deadline for proposals is Nov. 1. For more information, click here.