For more information and/or application materials relating to announcements in this section, please contact Jim Dauer, Development and Alumni Affairs, 577-6468.

Brinker International

Brinker International operates Chili’s Grill & Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Corner Bakery and Cafe, and Rockfish Seafood Grill. The company believes in giving back to areas where it does business, so it concentrates its giving in communities where its restaurants are located.

Brinker International supports programs and initiatives that address children and families, the arts, civic development and university-related educational programs.

Funds: With a variety of local fund-raising activities and corporate giving programs, Brinker and its restaurants contribute more than $3 million annually to its corporate giving fund.

Eligibility: Organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Religious groups, individuals, United Way affiliates, political groups, conferences, research projects, travel expenses and capital campaigns will not be considered.

Contact:
Brinker International Charitable Committee
6820 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, TX 75240
Facsimile: (972) 770-5877
Internet: www.brinker.com/company/givingback.asp

Cooper Tire and Rubber Foundation

The Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. established the Cooper Tire and Rubber Foundation in 1953. The company-sponsored foundation’s fields of interest include museums, arts, elementary and secondary education, higher education, and youth-oriented programs.

During 2002, the foundation provided operating support in the $10,000-$20,000 range to universities and hospitals.

Deadline: None

Eligibility: Giving is on a national basis. Submissions should include a detailed description of the project and the amount of funding requested, along with a brief history of the organization and its mission.

Contact:
Send a letter of intent
c/o Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
Lima & Western Avenues
Findlay, OH 45840
Telephone: (419) 423-1321

The Humana Foundation, Inc.

“Detroit Benefits” is Humana-Michigan’s charitable giving program. A one-time, $100,000 grant will be awarded to a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is doing valuable work to benefit the people of Detroit. The winner will be announced at an awards celebration in Detroit in the Spring of 2006.

Program areas:
• Arts and Culture
• Community Development
• Education
• Health and Human Services

Criteria:
• Not-for-profit organizations that need help in reaching goals in the above categories (excluding political, social, religious, labor, fraternal or veteran’s organizations) may apply.
• Group must serve Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Livingston, and/or St. Clair counties.
• Recipients of the funded program must be from the Detroit metro area exclusively.
• No more than 15% of the award can be used to support administrative costs.
• Applicants must submit a grant application, including a written proposal.
• Finalists must make a formal presentation before a panel of judges, in addition to providing an audited financial statement for the organization.
•Special consideration will be given to projects that can be completed within a year and with the one-time grant and/or will be able to continue program activity without additional financial support.
•Proposed project should help transform the organization or take it to the next level of growth.

Deadline: December 1, 2005

Applications to:
Humana Inc.
Michigan Market Office
3150 Livernois
Suite 175
Troy, MI 48083

The Merck Institute of Aging & Health Inc.

The Merck Co., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of human and animal health products, established the foundation in 2000. The institute grants money to innovative projects that educate primary health care providers about the care of older adults in community practice; research and evaluative health services provided to older adults in the community; and develop and evaluate interventions that encourage health promotion and disease prevention in older persons. Areas of interest include geriatrics, aging, gerontology, health care, Latin America and Europe.

Deadline: None.

Funds: Grants can vary from $500 to $125,000.

Eligibility: Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, be an accredited school of medicine, nursing, osteopathy, pharmacy, or public health; a teaching hospital or institution affiliated with an accredited school of medicine; and encourage research in aging and health to improve the health and function of older adults.

Contact:
Julie Kennedy
Grants Manager
Merck Institute of Aging & Health
1100 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 350W
Washington, DC 20005
Internet: www.miahonline.org/aboutMIAH/grants.html.

Nationwide Foundation

Eligibility: Community-based nonprofits

Funding: About $11.8 million.

Priorities: Four interests drive its giving:
- Health & Human Services—improve the general public’s health understanding; promote healthcare delivery at reasonable costs, offer relief for the ill or disabled, and find jobs for the disadvantaged
- Education—support study of business, agriculture, insurance and economics
- Culture & the Arts—enrich visual and performing arts, art education among youth, and diversity, and
- Civic & Community—improve the legal system and government, revitalize neighborhoods, or address conservation.

Comments: This leading insurer doesn’t give to fundraising events, athletic events or teams, debt reduction, research, secondary schools, travel, endowments, hospitals, or religious or political causes.

Deadlines: September 1 for March 31 grants.

Contact:
Nationwide Foundation
1 Nationwide Plaza, 1-22-05
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 249-4310; (614) 249-0039
Web site: www.nationwide.com/about_us/community.index.htm