WS Chronicle

Special to The Chronicle

Gov. Pat McCrory’s Martin Luther King Commission, part of the Human Relations Commission under the NC Department of Administration, is awarding a limited number of grants to promote an awareness and appreciation of the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 30.

The theme of the 2015-2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Grant Program is Content of Character, as described in a quote from Dr. King, “I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

The Commission will award a total of two or three grants ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 each to not-for-profit organizations, including, but not limited to: educational institutions, community-based organizations and churches that submit successful proposals to reach children under 14 years of age, instilling an awareness of the philosophy of Dr. King.   The overall goals of the program are to engage children in peer-to-peer educational activities that disseminate information about the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to capture the outcomes of such activities. The program anticipates that, through these activities, young children will understand the life and teachings of Dr. King.

Because the Commission is interested in reaching a geographically diverse group within a specific region, applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations within a region, such as local Human Relations Commissions, Economic Development Councils, Urban Leagues and community colleges to design and implement a multi-dimensional program that will maximize the number of children and families reached in their region.

Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: developing and delivering replicable school performances about the positive aspects of non-violent behavior; utilizing performances or other media to present the peer-to-peer counseling that is effective in reducing the long-range emotional and physical impacts of bullying, recommending guidance for handling situations where bullying exists; creating mentoring and tutorial programs to enhance learning for special needs children.

Applicants are encouraged to use the checklist included in the Request for Proposal to ensure that applications are complete.

For more information, please contact Patricia Tyson at 919-807-4425 or Emily Hunter at 919-807-4424.