JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program

JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program

The JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant program provides financial support for the development of innovative and effective programs that can be replicated by community mediation centers nationwide and serve as a pathway to their sustainability and growth.

Each year, the Foundation and NAFCM will identify specific subject areas for grant funding from within the range of services offered by local and regional community mediation centers.  Subject areas will be determined based on current research and feedback from local and national leaders in the field that identify otherwise unresolved issues and unmet needs in the communities they serve.

Once a target subject area has been determined, a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) will be developed and posted on the NAFCM and JAMS Foundation websites and distributed through other appropriate venues. All community-based mediation programs and organizations are eligible to apply, but must be NAFCM members in order to receive grant funding. To register or for information regarding registration as a community mediation center, contact NAFCM at www.nafcm.org.

All grant inquires and proposals should be directed to NAFCM. Grant proposals submitted in response to an RFP will first be reviewed by NAFCM, with subsequent review and final approval by the JAMS Foundation Board based on recommendations from NAFCM and the Board’s own review of top-ranked proposals.

It is anticipated that for each designated subject area, 4-6 applicants will be selected to receive "mini-grants" of $12,000 to $15,000 per year for up to two years to support the development, refinement, or expansion of programming in that subject area.

Mini-grant recipients participate in working groups providing structured peer contact with other grant recipients for the duration of the grant period. Facilitated by NAFCM representatives, these working groups operate as a "learning community," providing participants with ongoing guidance and support, as well as opportunities to exchange information, explore challenges and promote best practices. Grantees are encouraged to develop programs that build on and incorporate shared lessons learned while remaining responsive to the unique needs of their own local communities.

Materials and resources developed through the Mini-Grant Program are made freely available to members of the community mediation field to ensure that insights gained through the program are shared as widely as possible.

Current Areas of Concentration

2018 Request for Proposals – Homelessness and Homeless Prevention

The 2018 Program focuses on community mediation services for individuals and families who are currently homeless or facing eviction.

Responses to the initial Solicitation of Interest much be received by Thursday, March 29, 2018.  To view the Solicitation of Interest, click here:

2017 Request for Proposals – Mediation in Aging and Elder Care

The 2017 Program focuses on the development and expansion of community-based programs addressing the needs of the elderly and the resolution of conflicts regarding elder care.

The following organizations were selected to receive grant funding in this area:

1. Community Justice Initiatives – Ontario, Canada – www.cjiwr.com
2. Community Mediation Center, Knoxville, TN – http://2mediate.org
3. Conflict Resolution Center, Minneapolis, MN – www.crcminnesota.org
4. Creative Mediation at Wilshire Community Services, San Luis Obispo, CA – www.creativemediation.net
5. Home Share Now, Barre, VT – www.homesharenow.org
6. Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services, Jackson, MI – https://www.facebook.com/SEdisputeresolution

To view the 2017 Request for Proposals, click here.

2016 Request for Proposals – Navigating Cultural Differences

The 2016 Program focuses on issues surrounding religious and cultural differences, providing community centers with new tools to help facilitate dialogue, mediate conflict, and encourage mutual understanding between individuals and groups from different backgrounds.

The following organizations were selected to receive grant funding in this area:

1. Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center – Las Vegas, NV - http://www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/services/neighborhood_justice_center/index.php
2. Mid Shore Community Mediation Center – Easton, MD –www.midshoremediation.org
3. New Bedford Face-to-Face Mediation Center – New Bedford, MA –http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/community-services
4. Orange County Human Relations – Santa Ana, CA –www.ochumanrelations.org
5. California Conference for Equality and Justice – Long Beach, CA –www.cacej.org

To view the 2016 Request for Proposals, click here.

2015 Request for Proposals – Community-Police Relations

The 2015 Program focuses on the development and refinement of Community Mediation Center services to improve relations and strengthen connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The following organizations were selected to receive grant funding in this area:

1. Community Mediation - Baltimore, MD - http://communitymediation.org
2. Dayton Mediation Center – Dayton, OH – http://daytonmediationcenter.org
3. Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center - Warrenton, VA – http://www.piedmontdisputeresolution.org
4. Community Mediation Services – New Orleans, LA – http://www.cmsnola.org

To view the 2015 Request for Proposals (RFPs), click here.

2014 Request for Proposals – Mediation Programs for Veterans and Active Military

This 2014 Program focused on the development of specialized mediation services and related programming for veterans, members of the active military and their families.

The following organizations were selected to receive grant funding in this area:

1. Arkansas Community Dispute Resolution Centers – Little Rock, AR - http://www.acdrc.net/
2. Center for Resolution and Justice – Buffalo, NY - www.cfsbny.org
3. Volunteers of America Northern New England, Community Mediation Program – Brunswick, ME - http://www.voanne.org/
4. Mandell Gisnet Center – Seaside, CA - http://mandellgisnetcenter.org/
5. Quabbin Mediation – Orange, MA - http://www.quabbinmediation.org/

To view the 2014 Request for Proposals, click here.

For additional information regarding the JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant program, contact:

D.G. Mawn, Mini-Grant Program Manager, NAFCM
E-mail: dgmawn@nafcm.org

Or

David Brandon, Managing Director, JAMS Foundation
E-mail: dbrandon@jamsadr.com