FCRA PROJECT: PEACE CORPS PARTNERSHIP GRANT-2015!

Deadline: on going!

The PaperSeed Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening educational opportunities for children and young people in underserved and resource-lacking communities around the world. We envision a world where all children have the opportunity to obtain a good education and believe that local leaders know best how to improve their own communities. The foundation is eager to partner with strong local leaders and Peace Corps Volunteers that have well defined goal-orientated projects.

The PaperSeed Foundation makes small grants that support:

1. Deeper Learning for All: providing computers and books for libraries, creating school tutoring centers, funding for essential teacher training, life skills education, and specifically developed programs to keep girls in school, such as scholarships, reproductive health education and/or providing sanitary napkins.

2. Creative Learning: starting or expanding programs in music, arts and sports.

3. Cultural Awareness: ensuring the young people are aware of their own cultural heritage, and that of others.

4. Environmental Education: starting or expanding programs that inform future generations of the importance of the environment.

5. Sound Structures: construction of classrooms, computer labs, libraries, school sanitary facilities, hand-washing stations and kitchens; solidifying existing structures with reinforced windows, ceilings and cement floors.

The Foundation works with local leaders and Peace Corps Volunteers to bridge existing resource gaps in order to enhance children’s lives. We take all precautions to avoid replicating existing projects or programs. We stand behind sustainable results that can be measured and evaluated for evidence of their efficacy and require commitment to monitoring and evaluation from all local partners.

We require community buy-in, which means the community must participate in all steps of the process and contribute 20 to 30 percent of a project’s total cost. We understand that communities with the most need are underserved and lack resources, and contributions are not limited to money. Community contributions can be in the form of manual labor, materials or other creative ideas the community comes up with. These contributions guarantee community commitment in the near and long term.