Deadline: Rolling Monthly Awards Through May 2007

Hamburger Helper, a General Mills food brand, is looking to lend a "helping hand" to neighborhoods across the United States with its "My Hometown Helper" grant program. $15,000 a month will be awarded now through June.

Individuals from communities and organizations across America can visit the program's Web site to submit a written essay describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would help improve their community project. Examples of possible community projects include: lights or bleachers for baseball, soccer, or football fields; repairs to a band shell; computers for the local school or library; playground equipment for a park; holiday decorations for Main Street; money for choir, band, or science trips; new uniforms for Little League teams; clean-up projects; and training for volunteer firefighters.

Applicants can request a one-time award of between $500 and $15,000 during any single month. All requests for funding must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school. The program will award "helping hand" grants each month from online applications received through May 2007. Applications will be evaluated monthly.

Funds will be awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on and support within the community.

(ACT Comments): This program has a small-town feel, but applications are encouraged from all sizes of communities. The grant range suggests that you may apply for as much as $15,000, but it appears that smaller requests would be more competitive. Applications from a local neighborhood association, youth league, school, or other community-based, all volunteer entity would be a good fit for this program. Your organization may wish to apply directly or to pass it along to neighborhood partners so that they may apply.

For more information on the program and complete guidelines, visit My Hometown Helper.