I need to know what foundations, companies, or organizations will
assist with the funding of a community development project in Belize,
Central America.  The project teaches, through training courses, metal
working in jewelry and ceramic production (craft specilization) based
on ancient Maya designs.  This project is a viable economic benefit to
the residents of a small rural village that has the potential for
long-term income from tourism.

I am aware of the Inter-American Foundation, the Ford Foundation and
Ecologic but I would like more sources to apply to.

Thank you!!  The price for this question is a bit low but we operate
on a shoestring budget!

Hi there!

A terrific resource for finding funding is GrantSelect.  GrantSelect
offers several grant databases and boasts more than 10,000 total
funding opportunities.

Subscription to a single database (Community development for you) is
$350/year, or $500/year with e-mail alerts.  BUT! - they also offer a
7 day free trial!  You can gather a lot of funding information in 7
days.

GrantSelect
http://www.grantselect.com/

A fellow Researcher has also pointed out this nifty organiztion
(thanks to chromedome-ga!):

"The Sarona Global Investment Fund is a social investment fund with an
aggressive focus on ventures that strengthen the economic prospects of
the poor in low income countries"

Sarona Global Investment Fund
http://www.saronafund.com/index.html

Have you considered Rotary International?  They sponsor a variety of
community projects worldwide:

Rotary International
http://www.rotary.org/programs/index.html

The Trickle Up Program specializes in seed money for sustainable
economic activity all over the world:

The Trickle Up Program
http://www.trickleup.org/

Ashoka specializes in "social entrepreneurship":

Ashoka
http://www.ashoka.org/home/index.cfm

The Monsanto Fund sponsors international projects.  Contact them to
see if your project qualifies:

The Monsanto Fund
http://www.monsantofund.org/

You can also try the Foundation Center's Foundation Finder for funding
for your project (you'll need to give specifics):

Foundation Center
http://www.fdncenter.org/


The W.K. Kellogg Foundation offers community development grants for
various project throught Latin America as well.  Be certain to review
the "Grantseekers" section:

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation
http://www.wkkf.org/

You can also peruse the list of organizations affiliated with
International Service Agencies - the list is long, and not all
agencies listed can help your particular project, but it's a good
jumping off point in the search for funding:

ISA Member Links
http://www.charity.org/isa_links.htm



I hope these are a good start for you!  I wish you the best of luck in
your project!

missy-ga

Search terms used included: [ "community development" funding
foundations ]

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 15 Jul 2002 21:35 PDT

Hi how,

I'm leaving this here for you because I know the system will send you
mail if I do:

I was poking about at my local library's site today, and learned that
most, if not all, public libraries offer access to Grant Select to all
holders of valid library cards.  I saw this and thought immediately of
you!

If you don't have a library card, get one, and see if your local (US)
library offers such access - no need to rush through a 7 day trial
that way!

--Missy

I was laying in my bed thinking I wonder if I could have asked for
Missy-ga to answer my question!  Thanks so much, it saves me so much
searching time and now I can just start writing!  If you are ever in
Belize check out the Maya site of Lamanai, thats where we'll be!! 
Thanks again.