KBS BLOG: Working for a Cause
June 30, 2011
Before coming to KBS, I worked for three different nonprofit organizations. During my somewhat lengthy career, I cannot even begin to list the number of times I yearned for some additional help in the absence of available staff or qualified volunteers. And I mean the “who can I turn to help get this (name your issue/project) out the door!” kind of additional help.
A grant proposal, marketing advice, a knowledgeable meeting facilitator, a public policy question or analysis need, sometimes even a short-term, albeit important, project would be put on my back burner for want of time or expertise. Although there is no shortage of providers, for profit and not, that proffer nonprofit organizational development services, I often found it a struggle to find outside help and expertise for program needs from people who really KNOW nonprofits.
KBS knows nonprofits. As individuals, everyone here on staff has worked and volunteered for nonprofits in numerous capacities wearing numerous hats including serving on boards of directors or as paid program managers, fund developers, even executive directors. As a company, it is a point of pride that we count nonprofits as some of our oldest clients, including NextEnergy, Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy, and Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities. Working with these clients strengthens our dedication to position our clients as critical players in Michigan’s long-term prosperity. Because of our work with them and our own experiences, we respect doing more with less and understand the fundamental philosophy of using scarce dollars to forward a cause, not line someone’s pockets.
At the nexus of our work—economy, environment, energy,—we care deeply about the success of the nonprofits we work with, not because it’s another job to log, but because their goals meet ours. We share a mission with our clients to advance new energy solutions, enhance natural resource conservation, and create economic opportunities for Michigan.
My life path has been dedicated to working with and for nonprofits and here at KBS, I get to be that “additional help” that we know is often sorely needed. I feel honored to support some very passionate people who are permanently protecting the natural, scenic, and working farms and forests essential to Michigan’s prosperity. My colleagues, likewise, are proud to be supporting clients with cutting edge energy conservation programs or economic entrepreneurship. Next time your nonprofit is looking for some extra help, we’d be honored to work with you, too.
We’re Hiring!
June 29, 2011
Kuntzsch Business Services, Inc. (KBS) is currently seeking to fill two open positions at our office in Grand Ledge, Michigan. We look forward to reviewing résumés from qualified applicants who share our enthusiasm for creating a better Michigan for us all. Please pass this along to others you believe may be interested.
Learn more about both open positions below.
Communications and Administrative Coordinator
KBS is seeking an experienced communications and administrative professional to support needs of KBS and multiple clients. The communications and administrative coordinator will be responsible for developing print and electronic communications, event planning, and providing administrative support. Download full position description here (PDF)
Position open until July 31, 2011. Qualified candidates should submit résumé and salary requirements to Rachel Kuntzsch via email rachel@kbsincorporated.com.
Grant Coordinator/Specialist
KBS is seeking an experienced grant coordinator to support the development of grant proposals for business, nonprofit, community, and university clients from state, federal, and foundation sources. The grant coordinator will also be responsible for managing grant-funded projects. Download full position description here (PDF)
Position open until July 31, 2011. Qualified candidates should submit résumé and salary requirements to Rachel Kuntzsch via email rachel@kbsincorporated.com.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: June 2011
June 20, 2011
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Smart Grid Capable Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
Available Funds: $3.4M for 3-5 awards
Deadline: July 18, 2011
The U.S. Department of Energy is requesting proposals for the development of smart grid-capable electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that will reduce the current costs of commercially available EVSE by 50% in three years.
SunShot Initiative: Rooftop Solar Challenge to Induce Market Transformation
Available Funds: $12.5M for a maximum of 25 awardees
Letter of Intent: July 29, 2011
Application due date: August 31, 2011
The U.S. Department of Energy is requesting proposals for projects that will improve market conditions for rooftop photovoltaic across the United States through streamlined and standardized permitting and interconnection processes. Projects should focus on permitting and interconnection processes, net metering and interconnection standards, financing options, and planning and zoning.
COMMUNITY and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community Economic Development Projects
Available Funds: $16M
Maximum Award: $800K
Deadline: July 11, 2011
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is providing grants to Community Development Corporations to create business and employment opportunities for needy families and to improve access to healthy, affordable food through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
University Center Economic Development Program Competition
Available Funds: $200K
Deadline: June 30, 2011
The U.S. Economic Development Administration is seeking applications that will create and nurture regional economic ecosystems through applied research and development, technology commercialization, and targeted activities that cultivate entrepreneurship.
Capacity Building for Sustainable Communities
Available Funds: $5.65 million
Deadline: July 8, 2011
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities (HUD, DOT, and EPA) is assembling organizations that can provide capacity building support for communities engaged in planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, land cleanup and preparation for reuse, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments. Service providers will work directly with HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning and Community Challenge grant recipients.
Rural Cooperative Development Grants
Total Funding: $7.4M
Maximum Grant Size: $225,000
Deadline: July 22, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide grant funds for the establishment of Centers that can assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion, or operational improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-owned businesses.
Community Development Block Grant and Brownfield Development Training
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is hosting a series of training events on the Michigan Brownfield and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. CDBG provides grants to local units of government for economic development, downtown development, blight elimination and planning. The Brownfield Redevelopment Program helps redevelop properties that are contaminated, blighted or functionally obsolete.
NATURAL RESOURCES and ENVIRONMENT
Urban and Community Forestry, Brownfield Restoration and Emerald Ash Borer Habitat Restoration
Total Program Funding: $3.38M
Deadline: July 15, 2011 The U.S. Forest Service is seeking proposals for the following: Utilizing existing management plans and tree cover assessment tools to target tree planting activities to improve ecosystem and stream health and restore wildlife habit; forest habitat restoration in areas impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer; and reduction of toxic substances in brownfield sites by planting trees and vegetation
Payments for Ecosystem Services
Available Funds: $220,000
Deadline: July 15, 2011
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking proposals from municipalities and NGOs engaged in local-level initiatives that compensate private individuals and entities for exceptional land stewardship resulting in carbon storage, water, and/or biodiversity benefits.
AGRICULTURE
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE)
Available Funds: $13M
Deadline: July 14, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting applications from researchers, educators, nonprofits, and extension organizations for research and education, professional development, and testing of innovative farming practices. Projects should address crop and livestock production and marketing, stewardship of soil and other natural resources, economics and quality of life.
Farmers’ Market Promotion Program
Available Funds: $10M
Grant Range: $5-100K
Deadline: July 1, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Services will provide grant funds to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities such as farmers markets, roadside stands, community- supported agriculture (CSA) programs and agri-tourism.
KBS BLOG: Taking Pride in our Clients and their Success
June 16, 2011
When my sons brought home straight-A report cards this spring, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in their achievements (as I think most parents will confess they do from time to time). Certainly it is their success, not mine, but it’s nice to consider that perhaps I had a little something to do with it.
I can’t help but feel a similar sense of pride in our clients when a project we have helped them to develop is successful. This week we were thrilled to learn Michigan Biotechnology Institute (MBI), was awarded $4.3 MM from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the development of drop-in biofuels and bioproducts, a project in which KBS played an important role in helping MBI write the funded grant proposal.
This news comes on the heels of KBS’ busiest month since our establishment in 2004, due to a significant surge in this growing part of our business – grant proposal development. Since the beginning of this May, in just over 40 days, our relatively small team has worked on 14 different grant proposals totaling over $21MM in funding requests to state, federal, and philanthropic sources, representing more than $40MM in investments. This included projects ranging from the installation of off-grid street lighting to new technology development for reducing the cost of photovoltaics, from entrepreneurial service programs to conservation funding strategy development, and a whole host of others.
As we wait in anticipation for the outcome of these proposals, I’m reflecting on the whirlwind of the last few weeks. Along the way, more than one person asked us “How do you do it?” and after burning the midnight oil for more than a couple of nights, some asked “Why?”. Well, the ‘how’ has a lot to do with KBS having a great team of professionals who are excellent writers, know the subject matter, and have exceptional attention to detail.
But the ‘how’ is also integrally related to the ‘why’. Beyond a strong commitment to a job well done, we are a team of mission-driven individuals who consider it a privilege to work on projects that contribute to a greater good – be it efforts to diversify our economy, create clean energy solutions, conserve our natural resources, or make our communities better places to live.
At the end of the day, it is our clients’ successes we celebrate, but it’s nice to think that perhaps we had a little something to do with it.
Michigan Biotechnology Institute Awarded up to $4.3 MM from DOE
June 15, 2011
We are thrilled to announce that our client, Michigan Biotechnology Institute (MBI), was recently awarded up to $4.3 MM from the Department of Energy to support the development of drop-in biofuels and bioproducts. Michigan Biotechnology Institute’s project will focus on improvements to a pretreatment process, which provides a stable, conversion-ready intermediate of consistent quality at a cost and in a format compatible with long-term storage and ease of transfer between multiple modes of transportation. KBS was an integral part of the proposal development team, assisting MBI with translational writing to help tell the story of MBI’s innovative project concept.
As part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to cut foreign oil imports, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced up to $36 million to fund six small-scale projects in California, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin, that will advance the technology improvements and process integration needed to produce drop-in advanced biofuels and other valuable bio-based chemicals. The projects aim to improve the economics and efficiency of biological and chemical processes that convert non-food biomass feedstocks into replacements for petroleum-based feedstocks, products, and fuels. These selections further the Obama Administration’s strategy for accelerating research and development that will lead the way toward affordable, clean alternatives to fossil fuels and diversify our nation’s energy portfolio.
“Projects such as these are helping us to diversify our energy portfolio and decrease our dependence on foreign oil,” said Secretary Chu. “Together with our partners, the Department is working hard to expand the clean energy economy, creating jobs in America and providing sustainable replacements for the fuels and products now provided primarily by petroleum.”
The funding announced today will help diversify DOE’s Biomass Program portfolio to include a breadth of fuels and chemicals beyond cellulosic ethanol and ensure that the Department’s research and development on biofuels remains integrated and strategic.
Read full article “Department of Energy Announces up to $36 Million to Support the Development of Drop-In Biofuels and Bioproducts”
KBS BLOG: Going the Distance, Together
June 7, 2011
Last Saturday, I spent Memorial Day weekend doing something very different than my usual of eating barbeque and drinking beer with family and friends. I still made time for my usual, but only after running the Bayshore Half Marathon as a member of Team in Training, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s endurance fundraising effort.
While I have never been a runner, what truly pushed me over the edge into distance running was a cause. I ran with LLS’ Team in Training to show solidarity with patients and their families enduring and fighting blood related cancers – with each person crossing the finish line, they raised funds toward victory over these diseases.
Come race day I thought I knew what to expect, but something surprised me throughout those 13.1 miles. I had not anticipated how valuable it would be to have the Team in Training network cheering me along and giving me others to cheer along as well. Each time I saw a purple jersey I got a supportive “Go team!” and gave the cheer right back. I saw other runners who had no network and had to slog through those many miles without the moral support of a team.
In these days since the race I’ve kept that realization front of mind, that even in a solo activity like running, a support network can be the difference between failure and success. Coming off the long Memorial Day weekend commemorating those who have served this nation in war, and the Team in Training effort honoring those who are fighting for the cause of beating cancer, I’ve taken this realization back to work with me. I am reminded that the strength of my team at KBS is in our support of each other, of our clients, and of the networks we’re a part of toward a common cause of a better Michigan.
Recent weeks and months at KBS of supporting clients’ grant proposal development needs has been a marathon in itself, or a relay race of sorts. The team here at KBS has worked together and with our clients to reach the finish line to raise funds for key projects for Michigan. Each of these proposals offers project ideas that can help bring our state to economic recovery and are strengthened by networks to get important work done, rather than going it alone.
At KBS we work to help clients complete successful proposals one at a time, as well as help them with strategy to build networks for future projects and partnerships, recognizing that moving Michigan forward is an endurance race that includes successes at each mile. We want to improve the speed at which each mile is covered to get to that economic recovery finish line faster than we, or our clients, could do alone. Tools like our Insider Bulletin are offered to keep our network informed of funding opportunities and to cheer on our clients who have had projects funded.
While I’ve covered my endurance experience, the whole KBS team knows what it means to go the distance. Whether it’s running half marathons, completing triathlons, hiking for miles on end in Yellowstone, or cross country skiing miles through the snow, the KBS team knows what it takes to finish well. We plan to keep running for Michigan’s economy and environment. Are you ready to join in?