In this newsletter:

• Information on Emergency Broadband
  
• Member Events
• COVID Resources
• Capacity Building Opportunities
• Funding Opportunities
• Shout Outs
• Coming Up at NPW
• Articles of Interest

EMERGENCY BROADBAND

May 19: Emergency Broadband Benefit - Webinar for Client Facing Organizations and Workers
Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, a temporary federal program through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) geared toward connecting more households to the internet at a time when we rely on digital connectivity more than ever before. In hopes of connecting as many households as possible to this program, a social toolkit was created to help spread the word about the EBB program on social media platforms. Toolkit - Spanish version.

Altice USA Launches the FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit Program for Optimum Customers

Altice USA, the provider of Optimum and Suddenlink internet, television, and phone service, announced that as part of its continued efforts to keep communities connected and make broadband more accessible, the company has launched the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will provide eligible Optimum and Suddenlink residential customers with a credit towards their internet service payments. Optimum and Suddenlink residential customers who meet the eligibility criteria based on the FCC’s rules will receive a monthly credit of up to $50 towards their internet service and associated internet equipment rental charges. For more on the program, visit https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. 

MEMBER EVENTS

May 18 & June 16: DEI Webinar Series for Hudson Valley Nonprofits

May 18: Pillars of a Meaningful Life: Community Conversation with Emily Esfahani Smith by MHA Westchester

May 19 & 26, June 2 & 9: Westchester County's Salute to Seniors

May 19: How Can Nonprofits Access ARPA State and Local Recovery Funding?

May 20: State of the County

June 1-3: Beyond 2020: The Next Normal - COVID-19 & Youth

June 25: Know Your Rights Forum

Through August 1: ArtsWestchester Together apART: Creating During COVID

COVID RESOURCES

Governor Cuomo Announces New York State To Adopt New CDC Guidance On Mask Use And Social Distancing For Fully Vaccinated Individuals
On Monday, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning Wednesday, May 19th, 2021, New York State will adopt the CDC’s "Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People" for most business and public settings. Consistent with the CDC guidance, Pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings will continue to follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated. Please find the announcement from the Governor’s Office here.

Information on: Easing of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions

CAPACITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES

FREE Clean Energy Training & Job Placement Support
The next cohort of the Willdan Clean Energy Academy has been announced. Classes will be held Monday, June 7th through Monday, June 21st, 11:30am - 6:30pm daily, for 2 consecutive weeks, 100% Virtual. The 60 hours of free training will cover building Thermal Systems in depth with five key areas of focus. Interested candidates should fill out the Application Form here. This training is completely free to all participants. No prior experience needed. Program Flyer. This information is provided by NPW member Soulful Synergy.

Westchester County Office of Economic Development - Launch1000 Seeking Applicants for May Cohort
Launch1000 is an online, self-paced program teaching you to evaluate your idea, test it with potential customers, and see if it seems likely to succeed. Your results will depend on your own motivation and your own hard work. Applications are currently being accepted and the next Launchers will be formed in mid-May. Click here to learn more and apply. 

914 Inc. Today Media and the Westchester County Office of Economic Development - SKILLS Workforce Development Guide
Reserve your ad in the inaugural issue of SKILLS, a comprehensive guide to workforce development in Westchester County for employers, career changers and students. NPW Members receive a 25% discount. Learn more here. 

Hudson Valley Credit Union Women in Business Conference - Speaking Opportunities
The Hudson Valley Credit Union is planning their 4th Annual Women in Business Conference, which will be virtual this year during 5 sessions in October. The event will bring together dynamic speakers on individual topics or as panel discussions for both female entrepreneurs and business leaders. Please see this brief RFP if you have an interest in being part of the conference. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Governor Cuomo Announces $750M in State Economic Development Resources

Last week, Governor Cuomo launched Round XI of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, officially kicking off a new decade of economic development in a post-pandemic recovery. The 2021 funding round includes more than $750 million in state economic development resources. The Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) is now open, enabling businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and the public to begin applying for assistance from dozens of state programs for job-creation and community development projects. The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM to discuss this year's CFA process. To register for the meeting, click here.

New Funding Opportunity from The Youth Grantmaking Board
The main objective of this program is to assist organizations that help address major needs in the community of Port Chester. Any organization serving Port Chester residents is welcome to apply for a grant. The YGB will award $10,000 in grants this cycle. Grant awards will range from $1,500 to $9,500 in addition to mini grants for individuals up to $500. The funding priorities this year are food security and literacy/education, though proposals for any project that meets the needs of Port Chester residents are welcome. Apply here by June 21st at 5pm!

Community Capital & Westchester County Grant Program

This opportunity, which provides grants up to $10,000, is for eligible small businesses located in lower-income areas across the county that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Grants can only be used to reimburse eligible business expenses as of September 1, 2020. The program is subject to the limits, rules, and regulations, and uses set forth by the HUD CDBG-CV, even if not explicitly listed. Take the Eligibility Quiz Now to see if your small business qualifies. 

Grants Available for Accessibility Modifications to Your Home
Westchester Residential Opportunities is making free grants available under our Funding for Accessibility Modifications Program. This grant program is designed to make housing more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities, to promote independent living. Download a written description of the program and eligibility requirements here. 

Elias Activist Fellowship Program
The goal of the program is to strengthen and build social justice movements by developing activists’ skills and capacities in the Hudson Valley. The Foundation hopes to identify and support the work of people from the grassroots (local movement building) and/or frontline communities (those hardest hit by injustice and inequality). Elias Foundation is now accepting applications for its Activist Fellowship Program. Learn more and apply here.

New Fund to Empower Youth & Invest in BIPOC Communities 
The Foot Locker Foundation, the charitable arm of the shoe company, is working together with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to launch a $3 million program that will fund nonprofit serving youth in communities of color in New York City and other cities. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation will issue a request for proposals on May 1.

Mother Cabrini: Applications Open for Statewide Grants Program

With so many across New York State impacted by the social determinants of health and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to improve the health and well-being of those in need are more urgent than ever. Mother Cabrini's online grants portal is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry for eligible applicants through June 4.

NYSHealth Funding Opportunity Now Open: “Advancing Healthy Food, Healthy Lives”
The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support policies and programs that connect New Yorkers with the food they need to thrive. Awards of up to $300,000 will be granted to organizations for New York-targeted projects. Applicants must first complete an online inquiry form, with a deadline of June 9, 2021. Selected organizations will be invited to submit full proposals, with a deadline of August 25, 2021. Read details on the RFP and apply.

The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is accepting grant proposals from nonprofits of up to $5,000 to nonprofits to directly help the underprivileged or ALICE populations, those who are employed but are living paycheck-to-paycheck, who are displaced or actively impacted COVID-19. COVID-19 Recovery Grant Opportunity.

Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund is available to support Essential Workers and First Responders. The program is designed to reimburse out-of-pocket childcare, transportation, lodging and other qualifying expenses that enabled workers to perform their duties. Apply online here. 

SHOUT OUTS

NPW Disabilities Roundtable Planning Committee:

• Susan W. Fox, President & CEO, Westchester Institute for Human Development
• Kathleen Macia-Torres, Executive Director, Sparc, Inc.
• Marjorie Madfis, President, Yes, She Can Inc.
• Nancy Miller, Executive Director/CEO, VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Maria Samuels, Executive Director, Westchester Disabled On the Move

Thank you for your support and guidance in planning the first NPW Disabilities Roundtable meeting on May 14th. The roundtable will continue to meet and address needs identified by the participants.

COMING UP AT NPW

May 20: Addressing Trauma and Vicarious Trauma

June 3: Today’s Cybersecurity Landscape – Protecting Your Nonprofit

June 8: Compassionate Leadership

June 10: Re-emerge and Reimagine Virtual Networking

ARTICLE OF INTEREST

How COVID-19 could transform non-profit organizations - The Conversation

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