I would like to create my own distance learning course. Are there any funding sources that might support this type of initiative?
There are number of private foundations, corporations, and government sources that may help fund a distance learning course. The following is a selection of possible funding sources:
Foundations
The Annenberg Foundation – http://www.annenberg.org
The Foundation’s primary grant-making interests are in education,
culture, the arts, and community and civic life. It provides funding for
programs likely to produce beneficial change on a large scale.
Carnegie Corporation of New York – http://www.carnegie.org
Grants have been awarded to schools, medical associations, media groups,
and social service agencies working towards children’s health and
educational needs. The Corporation supports improving services to and
the achievement of at-risk youth; reports and their dissemination; media
productions and educational outreach materials; and education models for
minority students and their parents.
Ford Foundation – http://www.fordfound.org
Ford focuses on three areas: education, media arts and culture; asset
building and community development; and peace and social justice. Within
these program areas, many projects have received funding to purchase and
use computers and telecommunications networks to disseminate information
to their constituencies.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation – http://www.wkkf.org
The Foundation programs center on health, education, and agriculture.
The goal of health programming is to improve the health of people in communities
through increased access to integrated, comprehensive health care systems
that are organized around public health, prevention, and primary health
care, and that are guided, managed, and staffed by a broad range of appropriately
prepared personnel.
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur – http://www.macfound.org
The Program on Human and Community Development supports the development
of healthy individuals and effective communities. Grantmaking strategies
focus on neighborhood development, regional policy, improving public education,
early education and care, juvenile justice, mental health policy, and
selected research topics related to program interests.
Pew Charitable Trusts – http://www.pewtrusts.com
The Health and Human Services (HHS) program is designed to respond to
rapidly changing conditions in the health and human services policy environment,
both nationally and locally. The national program strives to promote policies
and activities that address compelling public issues. The national program
also plans to focus on the problem of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The
local program supports increased opportunities for disadvantaged individuals
and families so that they may improve their ability to function and achieve
self-sufficiency. It also helps local nonprofit organizations strengthen
their overall capacity to deliver needed services.
Telecommunications Corporations
AT&T Foundation – http://www.att.com/foundation/
The AT&T Foundation invests globally in undertakings that address
a range of public concerns. Their focus of support is in the following
areas—education, civic and community service, arts and culture, and
employee involvement.
Sprint Foundation – http://www.sprint.com/community/sprint_foundation/
The Foundation’s support of youth organizations is targeted to drug
and alcohol education, minority youth endeavors, broad-scale community
youth activities focused on building leadership and social skills, and
to programs that promote business and economic education for youth.
Federal Government
Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) – http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
U.S. Department of Commerce; National Telecommunications & Information
Administration (NTIA)
TOP grants support state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit health
care providers and public health institutions; educational institutions,
museums, libraries, public safety providers, nonprofit community-based
organizations, and other nonprofits.
For more information on how to obtain funding for distance learning projects, try The Distance Learning Funding Sourcebook by Arlene Krebs.
To learn more about different funding sources, go to the FAQ-Which foundations can provide financial support for substance abuse prevention programs in my communities and where can I get information on these funding opportunities? http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/resources/faq/faq7.cfm or the FAQ What federal and state government agencies might provide financial support to my community for substance abuse prevention programs, and where can I get information on these funding opportunities? http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/resources/faq/faq5.cfm.
To learn more about distance learning courses see the FAQ- I am interested in participating in an online course. What is distance learning and what are its advantages? http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/resources/faq/faq31.cfm or the FAQ-What is the difference between web-based learning and distance learning? How do I choose a legitimate web-based or distance learning course? http://www.captus.samhsa.gov/northeast/resources/faq/faq37.cfm
Please contact the Northeast CAPT at capt@edc.org for more information.
