We would also like to welcome our new editor, Alex Garcia, and look forward to a new year of success for grant seekers and grant makers. Email him at alexgarcia@floridafunding.com with any suggestions and feedback!

Welcome to 2005!

Florida Funding Staff

*Please note the time for purchasing The Complete Guide to Florida Foundations 2005 at the discounted pre-sale price is ending soon! The book will be published and distributed at the end of the month so get your copy today.*

Remember, The Complete Guide to Florida Foundations  is the ONLY complete listing of ALL the private Florida foundations, an invaluable resource for anyone interested in getting grants.

See below for further information.

In this update:

I. News

-Gambian Rat Invades Grassy Key, Poses Ecological Threat

-New Tax Rules May Change Car Donations in 2005

-Tsunami Relief: Take an Active Role

New Feature: Want to discuss a story featured in news or find out more information? Email our editor to discuss a story, request more information, or give an opinion. You may be featured in our new "Editorial" section where our readers will discuss their funding concerns.

II. Pre-Orders Available for The Complete Guide to Florida Foundations, 18th Edition, 2005

III. Hot Grants: January 2005, Part II

NEWS

Rat Problem Presents Florida Keys' with Possible Ecological Disaster

We're being invaded. By aliens.

No this is not a trailer for the upcoming War of the Worlds. Gambian rats are the newest members of invasive exotics that have made the Florida Keys their home. The African Gambian pouch rat can grow over eight pounds and as large as raccoons.

Their large size makes natural predators an unlikely solution. The rats are too large for birds of prey, and cats have been witnessed observing the rats without engaging them.

The potential problems are numerous. The pouch rat--which gets its name from the pouches in its cheek--is an omnivore, eating anything from fruit to cat or dog food. Eating fruit could damage the Keys' ecosystem as it would prevent the plants from spreading appropriately.

Since it eats anything the rat will compete for food with Florida natives, including endangered species like the silver rice rat. Biologists are also worried it may carry diseases and eat bird eggs.

Though so far only officially spotted in Grassy Key, their have been unconfirmed reports of the species in Key Largo, and this has people worried the Florida Everglades may be the ultimate destination.

"There's no telling what would happen if they made it to the mainland," biologist Randy Grau is quoted as saying.

Though several biologists and conservationists have called for the rat to be eradicated, no government agencies have discussed funding the project.

New Tax Code May Slow Car Donations in New Year 

A small but noticeable gain in donations to charities that raise money by selling vehicles received as donations was seen prior to January 1st.

The reason?

A change in effect for 2005 limits the deductions taxpayers can take for such donations, causing some foundations to worry that donations may cease altogether.

Some people have interpreted the new rule as end to the vehicle-donation deduction, though this is not the case stress charity leaders.

"We want people to continue to donate next year," says Jim Hartman, director of the vehicle donation program at Volunteers of America. "We want everybody to know that we'll be open for business Jan. 2 , and that the donations are still very much in need."

The changes that take place in 2005 state that a taxpayer can only deduct the amount that a given charity receives when it sells the vehicle. In prior years a taxpayer could have deducted the "fair market value" for their donations.

The change will result in taxpayers claiming only a fraction of the fair market value, since charities often sell vehicles through wholesalers or auction lots that buy cars below market value.

Donations to Asia Increasing, though Aid Arriving Slowly

Despite an initially frugal $15 million pledge to aid survivors of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunamis, the US has increased aid to over $350 million.

A delegation consisting of former Presidents Clinton and Bush will travel the country seeking to raise more money, though current President Bush has yet to make a visit to the disaster areas.

Over 140,000 people lost their lives in last week's calamity and millions remain homeless. Though aid is beginning to flow to the affected regions, relief is slow in the coming.

Lack of infrastructure, caused largely by the disaster itself, has delayed more effective efforts to distribute food, shelter, water and other necessities.

Florida Funding encourages you to donate funds and contact your local and state congressman to find other ways to aid in the relief effort. Let your congressman or woman know that you are concerned and hope the state and federal governments will reflect this concern.

Lobby your senators to request that President Bush cancel his inauguration "party" and instead donate the funds to the relief fund. In times like these, lavish celebrations seem wasteful and in line with the inaccurate view many across the world hold in regards to the US' wasteful habits.

 

 

II. PRE-ORDER THE COMPLETE GUIDE NOW...COMING JANUARY 2005!

	ART & CULTURE~ENVIRONMENT~HEALTH CARE~RELIGION~EDUCATION~SCHLARSHIPS
			The COMPLETE GUIDE to Florida Foundations 2005 18th Edition ~ 2005 COMING JANUARY `05 PRE-ORDER NOW, save 10%! Orders filled in order of receipt. $81 Pre-order Special, $90 Regular Price + S&H, Visa, Mastercard & AMX. Call 305-251-2203 to order.
					~More than 3,900 Florida Foundations ~More than $950 Million in grant awards ~Detailed Profiles and Indexes ~Improved Search ~An essential tool for grant seekers since 1986 ~Latest edition coming January'05!
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III. Hot Grants: January 2005, Part II

Applications are being accepted for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation’s Frontiers for Veterinary Medicine Fellowships.

Fellowships of up to $7,000 each will support veterinary students pursuing summer projects or research that promotes the humane treatment of animals.

Focus primarily on issues relating to children and families, civic participation, cultural life, educational and economic opportunities for all residents, and housing and community development.

The foundation encourages interested organizations that are tax exempt to send a one to two page letter of inquiry before submitting a proposal.

This program promotes professional development for arts organizations within five funding categories: Mini-Grants, Staff Exchange Grants, Consultant Grants, In-Service Training Grants and Special Grants.

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS: Yes. A dollar-for-dollar match (50% of the total project cost). Of the match, 50% may be documented in-kind contributions.