5/12 deadline: Brooklyn Nonprofits Can Apply for $100,000 Spark Prize

Brooklyn Community Foundation to Award $600,000 to Outstanding Local Organizations

Eligible organizations are invited to apply online at www.SparkPrize.org starting Monday, April 10^th through Friday, May 12^th.

Five Brooklyn-based organizations will receive the “no strings attached” $100,000 Spark Prize, chosen through a competitive selection process by a committee of distinguished Brooklyn civic, business, and neighborhood leaders. Applicants will be narrowed to 20 finalists in October, and the five award recipients will be announced in January 2018. Spark Prize Committee members will be announced in May following the close of the online application.

The Spark Prize recognizes nonprofits with a deep history of service to Brooklyn’s communities as well as strong organizational values, and a dynamic vision for the future of their work in Brooklyn and beyond. The Prize also supports Brooklyn Community Foundation’s vision for a fair and just Brooklyn by lifting up organizations working to advance equity and racial justice.

Brooklyn Community Foundation created the Spark Prize to bolster the borough’s nonprofit sector and spotlight exceptional organizations that have made a lasting impact in its communities. Brooklyn is home to over 2,000 nonprofits, yet they collectively receive less than 5% of funds distributed by New York City foundations, according to a Foundation Center report.

In addition to the five $100,000 Spark Prize recipients, the Foundation will donate up to $5,000 in matching funds to each of the 20 finalists through the Brooklyn Gives campaign on Giving Tuesday—the national day of giving observed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Last year’s finalists collectively raised over $270,000 with the added support of Brooklyn Industries and other local businesses.

The Spark Prize is presented in partnership with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

 

How to apply: Any Brooklyn nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget over $350,000 and a minimum of five years in operation is invited to apply for the Spark Prize starting Monday, April 10 through Friday, May 12, 2017 at www.SparkPrize.org. Organizations who applied for the Spark Prize last year are encouraged to apply again, including finalists—last year’s winners are not eligible to apply. Organizations do not need to be previous grantees of the Foundation to be eligible. Detailed application criteria and guidelines are available at www.SparkPrize.org/How-to-Apply.

Application Clinics for interested nonprofits will be held at Brooklyn Community Foundation’s offices at 1000 Dean Street in Crown Heights on Monday, April 10^th from 10-11:30AM and on Thursday, April 20^th from 2-3:30PM. Organizations are asked to RSVP in advance at www.SparkPrize.org/How-to-Apply.

This Week: Women’s History Month Celebration

January/February Events: Small Business Competition

The competition provides classes and business counseling to help you write your business plan

All who are interested must attend an information session to apply. Dates and locations are listed on the back

Please register for one date only at bklynlib.org/business or call 718.623.7000 (option 4).

Pou konkou a, y ap oganize klas ak bay konsey pou ede w ekri yon plan pou biznis ou.

Tout moun ki enterese ap gen pou yo vini nan yon seyans enfomasyon pou yo fe aplikasyon. Dat you ak kote yo ekri sou lot bo a

Tanpri, enskri pou yon dat sélman nan adrås

February/Fevriye 16

6 – 7:30 pm

Central Library Flatbush Library Balcony Conference Room 22 Linden Bivd

This competition is brought to you by Brooklyn Public

Library’s Business &

	Career Center and New York City Department or Small Business Services

January/Janvye 30 6-7:30 Central Library Balcony Conference Room “10 Grand Army Plaza

February/Fevriye 8 Canarsie Library 1580 Rockaway Parkway 18 2 – 3:30 pm Central Cibrary Info Commons Lab 10 Grand Army Plaza, February/Fevriye 22  6 – 7:30 pm Canarsie Library 1580 Rockway Parkway

February/Fevriye 28

11/29 Event: 5 Videos Every Business Needs to Generate Leads and Sales

Interested in video marketing? Join us on Tuesday, November 29 at 6PM as the Young BK Professionals’ Tech Subcommittee launches #TechTuesdays at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Learn how to create the five types of videos that will create the perfect sales funnel for a business on a minimal budget. (RSVP)

Our guest speaker, Jimmy Newson, is a digital content creator and internet marketer with 24 years of experience in the entertainment, marketing, and digital media arena. He has worked with local and national brands including NARAS, (Grammys), People Magazine, Gibson Guitar, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, UMASS, St. Mary’s Foundation for Kids, and much more. His areas of expertise include video production, digital content creation, internet marketing and crowdfunding. For more information on Jimmy, visit www.JimmyNewson.com.

Join the conversation using #bkyptech and #techtuesdays.

RSVP today!

11/15 Event: MWLBE Outreach Event

6/23 Event: Get Money for Your Business

2016 FAB FULTON EVENTS: KIDS, MUSIC + MORE!

A full schedule of FABFulton performances and events is listed below. The complete lineup can also be found on our website www.faballiance.org, as well as in our 2016 Events Guide, soon available in shops, restaurants and businesses along Fulton Street.

 

********************************************

FABFRIDAY KIDS’ CONCERTS

FRIDAYS 10 – 11AM

Putnam Triangle

Ages: 12 mos. – 5 years

Start your day with a little wiggle and musical fun! FABFRIDAY KIDS’ CONCERTS feature lively performances by some of the best family-oriented local talent. Kids sing along, dance, play musical instruments, and enjoy being outdoors.

May 13 – The Good Ms Padgett

June 10 –  Papa Kei

July 8 – Moozika

FABFRIDAY KIDS’ AFTERNOONS

FRIDAYS 4 – 6PM

Ages: 4 – 12 years

 

An awesome afternoon of free kidstuff: hands-on art workshops conducted by local professional artists, urban croquet, jump rope, sidewalk chalk drawing, checkers, demonstrations, hula hooping, storytelling and a pop-up library! Plus, special interactive performances with instructors from Mark Morris Dance Center, Cumbe Dance, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Brooklyn Music School, Berean Community Drumline, and more.   

May 6 – Fowler Square

May 20 – Putnam Triangle

June 3 – Cuyler Gore Park

June 17 – Putnam Triangle

 

FAB SPRING WEEKEND

May 21 – 22

17th Annual SONYA ArtWalk

The ”open house”-style event that connects local studios, galleries, and artists with neighborhood businesses and art lovers will kick off each day in both Putnam Triangle and Fowler Square. The two plazas will serve as information hubs, providing maps, artist details, and ongoing interactive art-making projects.

 

Plus…

 

May 21

4th Annual Chess Exhibition

In partnership with Oxford Gambit and Kingsmen Chess Clubs

Putnam Triangle

10AM – 2PM

Fourteen-year-old local chess prodigy Omar Cunningham will take on 15 challengers simultaneously! The top adult and junior games will receive a trophy; check-in and registration begin at 10:30.

 

Community Celebration

FAB Alliance, in partnership with SmokeJoint

Fowler Square

11AM – 4PM

Live band, DJ, arts & crafts activities, face-painting, games, activities, free food sampling, line dancing, and more!

 

A FABulous SUMMER

 

JUNE 4

9th Annual Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Drive

Hosted by Omega Psi Phi, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

11AM – 5PM

Join the fraternity’s local Alpha Upsilon chapter for a fun day of community outreach and education, as they welcome blood donors to help fight sickle cell disease.

 

JUNE 15

Fort Greene Council Seniors and Children Community Day

Presented by Fort Greene Council, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

9AM – 5PM

A day of sun and fun in the community. Young and old alike are invited!

 

JUNE 18

16th Annual Fort Greene Juneteenth Arts Festival

Cuyler-Gore Park

12 NOON – 6PM

A signature event of The Cooperative Culture Collective of Brooklyn, the Juneteenth Arts Festival is a family-oriented day of history, culture and “edu-tainment!” This year’s celebration is a tribute to the life and music of the late Maurice White, of Earth, Wind and Fire.

 

JUNE 29

Jazz966 at The Plaza presents Ray Abrams Big Band

Presented by Fort Greene Council, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

6 – 8PM

In partnership with Jazz966, we invite you to come out and grab a seat for an evening of live jazz sounds by the legendary 18-piece Ray Abrams Big Band, led by Don Echoles Conway.

 

Craft Fair & Sidewalk Sale

Presented by Fort Greene Council, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

10AM – 4PM

Twice a month in May, June and July: arts & crafts on display, jewelry, health and beauty products, baked goods, and community information, plus free performances and line dancing. Follow FAB’s social media for updates.

 

WEDNESDAYS

JULY and AUGUST

Uni Project Pop-Ups

Putnam Triangle

3 – 6PM

A FAB favorite, the non-profit Uni Project brings learning opportunities to public spaces. The mobile unit pops up with reading, drawing and other hands-on activities that allow youngsters to embrace the act of learning, almost anywhere!

 

JULY 27

“Chili-Off”

Presented by Fort Greene Council, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

9AM – 5PM

Chili cook-off contest, featuring FGC’s popular cooks.

 

JULY 13

Intergenerational Day of Drumming & Dance

Presented by Fort Greene Council, Inc.

Putnam Triangle

A celebration of the drum and its cultural significance. Experience an entire day of fun workshops, hands-on interactive demonstrations, and lively performances. There’s something for everyone!

 

10 – 11AM

Kids’ Drumming Class

 

2 – 4PM

The Blenman Steel Sounds

and

Line Dancing

 

6 – 8PM

Nubian Messengers

Hands-on workshop and performance.

 

FAB FLICKS

Presented in Partnership with BAM Cinématek

PUTNAM TRIANGLE (Fulton and Grand)

FIVE THURSDAYS in JUNE

8 PM (movies start at dusk)

 

June 2

Mahogany

Directed by: Berry Gordy (1975) 109 min

with Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, and Anthony Perkins

 

June 9

Cleopatra Jones

Directed by: Jack Starrett (1973) 89 min

with Tamara Dobson, Shelley Winters, and Bernie Casey

June 16

Claudine

Directed by: John Berry (1973) 92 min

with Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

 

June 23

Friday Foster

Directed by: Arthur Marks (1975) 90 min

with Pam Grier, Yaphet Kotto, and Eartha Kitt

 

Plus…

 

June 30

Shining Star: A Tribute to Maurice White

Earth, Wind and Fire Live on “Soul!” (1973) 33 min

Earth, Wind and Fire in Concert, directed by Michael Schultz (1981) 60 min