Header: Grant Opportunities

December

December 1

The Frances Henne Research Grant annually provides $1,000 in seed money for small scale research or action research projects that respond to the YALSA Research Agenda. Applicants must be personal members of YALSA, although the research project may be undertaken by an individual, an institution, or by a group. The proposed research must be a response to the vision, mission, and research agenda of YALSA, and for the general area of library service to young adults.

Optional Draft: September 30

Final Deadline: December 4

This program provides grants to organizations to support collaborative teams who are editing, annotating, and translating foundational humanities texts that are vital to scholarship but are currently inaccessible or only available in inadequate editions or translations. Typically, the texts are significant literary, philosophical, and historical materials, but works in other humanities fields may also be the subject of an edition. The program supports continuous full-time or part-time activities during the period of performance of one to three years. At least two scholars must work collaboratively on the project. 

December 23

The PFund Foundation offers event sponsorships for events, gatherings, conferences, and convenings serving a primarily LGBTQ+ audience. Sponsorship amounts typically range from $500 - $1,000 and organizations are limited to receiving one sponsorship per calendar year. Applications are reviewed on the last Monday of each month. After grants are reviewed, payment processing takes about 4 weeks. Please make sure to apply at least 60-days before your event date. 

January

Information Session: December 4 at 1 PM

Deadline: January 3

Minnesota has been awarded $47.5 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Corona Virus Capitol Projects Fund. Grants will be used to fund Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects in areas that will benefit the most from support to address challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic through supports for education, work, and health focused on advancing family economic stability, connections and educational opportunity for our state’s children and youth. Funding is available to family resource centers, full-service community schools, libraries, childcare and early learning facilities, and community centers. Projects must be designed to enable work, education, and health monitoring jointly and directly, but these activities need not be the exclusive function or purpose of the Project.

Optional Draft Due: December 4

Final Deadline: January 8

The Public Humanities Projects program supports projects that bring the ideas of the humanities to life for general audiences through public programming.  Projects must engage humanities scholarship to analyze significant themes in disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, and art history. Awards support projects that are intended to reach broad and diverse public audiences in non-classroom settings in the United States. Projects should engage with ideas that are accessible to the general public and employ appealing interpretive formats. Public Humanities Projects supports projects in three categories (Exhibitions, Historic Places, and Humanities Discussions), and at two funding levels (Planning and Implementation). Proposed projects may include complementary components: for example, a museum exhibition might be accompanied by a website or mobile app. Projects may be international, national, regional, or local in focus and should reach a broad public audience.

Optional Draft Due: December 4

Final Deadline: January 8

The Media Projects program supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, documentary films, and documentary film series  that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and demonstrate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical. Media Projects offers two levels of funding: Development and Production.  

Optional Draft Due: November 13

Final Deadline: January 9

The Digital Humanities Advancement Grants program (DHAG) supports innovative, experimental, and/or computationally challenging digital projects, leading to work that can scale to enhance scholarly research, teaching, and public programming in the humanities. The DHAG program supports projects at different phases of their lifecycles that respond to one or more of these programmatic priorities: 
  • research and refinement of innovative, experimental, or computationally challenging methods and techniques 
  • enhancement or design of digital infrastructure that contributes to and supports the humanities, such as open-source code, tools, or platforms
  • evaluative studies that investigate the practices and the impact of digital scholarship on research, pedagogy, scholarly communication, and public engagement

January 9

Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized organizations preserve and manage humanities collections, ensuring their significance for a variety of users, including source communities, humanities researchers, students, and the public, by building their capacity to identify and address physical and intellectual preservation risks. These collections may include special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, decorative and fine art objects, textiles, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, furniture, historical objects, and digital materials.  

Option Draft Due: December 2

Final Deadline: January 10

The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress (LC) to create a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963, from all the states and U.S. jurisdictions. This searchable database will be permanently maintained at LC and will be freely accessible online (see the Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers website).  The accompanying US Newspaper Directory of bibliographic and holdings information on the website directs users to newspaper titles available in all types of formats.  During the course of its partnership with NEH, LC will also digitize and contribute to the NDNP database a significant number of newspaper pages drawn from its own collections. 

Optional Draft Due: December 5

Deadline: January 10

This grant offers three levels of funding. Planning (up to $50,000) provides funding for institutions of any size to develop and assess environmentally sustainable preventive care strategies in collection spaces. Implementation Level I (up to $100,000) provides funding for small to mid-sized institutions to implement environmentally sustainable preventive care projects that address specific, discrete preservation challenges that have been identified through an assessment. Implementation Level II (up to $350,000) provides funding for institutions of any size to implement environmentally sustainable preventive care projects that address large or multifaceted preservation challenges that have been identified through assessments and planning conducted by a multidisciplinary collaborative professional team appropriate to the goals of the project. 

January 10

These grants primarily fund projects that can be completed within 12 months. Small grants award notifications are sent eight weeks after the application deadline. While there is no pre-application process for small grants, Grants Office staff are available to discuss your project as you prepare your application. If not funded, you will receive feedback on your application so that you can strengthen it and re-apply in another cycle. Structured grants, a simplified small grant option, are tailored to specific types of projects, such as developing a disaster plan for a small repository, acquiring microfilm, or conducting a museum self-assessment. All structured grants are small grants, and follow the small grants process listed above; however, the applicant must simply use the appropriate short form structured grant application rather than the standard Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grants application form. MNHS small grants are awarded quarterly, and applications are due on the second Friday of January, April, July, and October. 

January 12

These grants support two categorical projects that encourage public awareness on the rise and importance of graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium. The objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries is to facilitate library-generated programs and services that will promote graphic novels to library patrons and to the local community. Applicants must be a member of ALA.

January 16

Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) program that raises funds for public libraries to make science kits as easy to check out as a book! The grant provides funding to establish a circulating science kit collections program. Libraries should expect to use their own funds to maintain the circulating science kits for a number of years.  Libraries that already have a circulating science kit collection are not eligible. The grant may fund any or all STEM subject areas. Breadth is encouraged but some electrical, electronics, and/or computer kits should be included.

February

February 1 (3:30 PM)

The AASL Innovative Reading Grant awards $2,500 to support the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for K-9th learners which motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers. Applicants must be a personal member of AASL

February 1 (3:30 PM)

The ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant is given to school library associations that are AASL Chapters for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local levels. Possibilities include programs that:
  • Involve new members;
  • Train on-going leaders;
  • Prepare school librarians to be building or district level leaders;
  • Encourage collaboration among organizations.
New ideas and approaches to leadership are encouraged. Applicants must be a current AASL Chapter.

February 3

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community. For the 2023-2024 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on community empowerment. This is the process of facilitating a populace to build capacity and collaborate to make important decisions about their communities.  

February 3

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort. For the 2023–2024 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant to support programming related to civic education. Some example proposals could include: 1) a program focused on voting (i.e. a book discussion on the history of voting, a program to register voters, an event teaching patrons about voting rights, etc.); 2) a program teaching media and/or information literacy skills to build an informed general public; or 3) a program relaying avenues for community advocacy, such as how to run for local office.  All library types — including public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. 

Application released 6-8 weeks before deadline

Deadline: February 3?

Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for preservation projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. A small grant at the right time can go a long way and is often the catalyst that inspires a community to take action on a preservation project. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000. 

Optional Draft Due: January 6

Deadline: February 12

This grant program situates the study of topics and themes in the humanities within sites, areas, or regions of historic and cultural significance to expand participants’ knowledge of and approaches to teaching diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives in the United States and its jurisdictions.   Landmarks supports a series of one-week residential, virtual, and combined format workshops across the nation to enhance and strengthen how K-12 educators incorporate place-based teaching and learning in the humanities. 

Optional Draft Due: January 6

Deadline: February 12

This grant program situates the study of topics and themes in the humanities within sites, areas, or regions of historic and cultural significance to expand participants’ knowledge of and approaches to teaching diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives in the United States and its jurisdictions.   Landmarks supports a series of one-week residential, virtual, and combined format workshops across the nation to enhance and strengthen how higher education faculty and humanities professionals incorporate place-based teaching and learning in the humanities. 

Application Opens: February 3

Application Closes: February 17

This program will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to support libraries in need. Specifically, grant funds will assist Friends of Library groups with priority projects. Additionally, in-kind book donation grants of $500 will be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles. To be eligible for a cash or in-kind grant, Friends groups must be in support of a rural/small U.S. library. Grants will be administered by United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, whose mission is to support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries. Grant funding is provided by Penguin Random House. In addition to a grant of $500 or $1,000, or a book donation grant, recipients will also receive complimentary eLearning from United for Libraries, including a year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars which present in-depth training to library Trustees/Board Members, Friends, Foundations, advocates, and those who work with them, and training on how to leverage the grant funds to build support for the library and the Friends group. 

Optional Draft Due: January 6

Deadline: February 12

Landmarks of American History and Culture programs for higher education, advanced graduate students, and humanities professionals situate the study of topics and themes in the humanities within sites, areas, or regions of historic and cultural significance to expand participants’ knowledge of and approaches to teaching diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives in the United States and its jurisdictions.  

Optional Draft Due: January 6

Deadline: February 12

Landmarks of American History and Culture programs for K-12 educators situate the study of topics and themes in the humanities within sites, areas, or regions of historic and cultural significance to expand participants’ knowledge of and approaches to teaching diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives in the United States and its jurisdictions.  

Rolling Basis

Rolling Deadline through May 31, 2025

This grant provides funding for cultural organizations to host community events, music & jazz festivals, and cultural festivals for art installations, music, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events. Applicants must demonstrate one of the following:
  • Preserve and honor the cultural heritage of Minnesota
  • Provide education and student outreach on cultural diversity
  • Support the development of culturally diverse humanities programming, including arts programming, by individuals and organizations, or
  • Empower communities in building identity and culture, including preserving and honoring communities whose Indigenous cultures are endangered or disappearing.

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas, including libraries and museums. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. 

The mission of the Jan Stauber Grants is to provide needed financial assistance to persons and organizations developing literacy programs and other educational experiences that will introduce young people to Sherlock Holmes. Applications can be submitted at any time, and libraries can be awarded up to $1,000 for a project.

Letter of inquiry required - invitation to submit a proposal may follow

Mellon makes grants to support communities through the power of the arts and humanities, supporting ideas and organizations that contribute to a more connected, creative, and just society through four core grantmaking areas and signature Presidential Initiatives. The four core areas are1. Arts and Culture: Art and artists are essential to human connection2. Higher Learning: Knowledge is produced everywhere3. Humanities in Place: How and where we tell our stories matters4. Public Knowledge: Knowledge should be accessible to allMellon only accepts proposals by invitation. If you are interested in funding from Mellon, you can submit a letter of inquiry, which may be followed by an invitation to submit a proposal

Funded by the Minnesota Department of Health and carried out by the St. Paul Conservatory of Music, this program aims to improve student social-emotional health, enhance musical arts awareness, improve engagement in school, and increase community vitality through music.  Students involved in the program will have an opportunity to engage in artistically excellent individual and group music instruction from St. Paul Conservatory of Music faculty

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund helps to build the capacity of existing preservation organizations and encourages collaboration among these organizations by providing grants for mentoring and other peer-to-peer and direct organizational development and learning opportunities. The purpose of these grants is to support the leadership and effectiveness of staff and board members of preservation organizations to fulfill their mission and to create a stronger, more effective preservation movement. By linking organizations with specific skills/programs to those seeking to develop similar abilities, the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund promotes individualized mentoring and the sharing of expertise. Valuable lessons can be learned from someone who has successfully navigated the same situation that an organization currently faces. Grants from the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund support travel costs and mentor honoraria with a maximum reimbursement of $2,500. Only Organizational Level Forum members or Main Street America members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation are eligible to apply for funding from the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund grant program. To learn more about Forum and join today, visit our website. 

Currently not accepting applications, grant portal will reopen in early 2025

The Pomeroy Foundation is interested in a wide range of initiatives that help communities across the country celebrate their history and cultural heritage. Requests for Special Interest Grants can include professional development for small history organizations, technology upgrades for small history organizations, celebrations of significant national milestones in American history, digitization of materials that stabilize collections and increase public access, and more.

The Rural Technology Fund provides grants for Rural Technology Education projects and Assistive Technology projects. If you are interested in applying for funding to support your project, please review the grant types at the link below and be sure you submit to the correct application. Applications are reviewed and grants are awarded every 30-60 days, and there are no specific deadlines for applying. Grant are  available to school and organizations operating in the United States.

This grant program is divided into two parts
  • One for preservation projects (for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places for national significance or designated a National Historic Landmark. The property may be listed on either individually or as contributing to a nationally significant district). These awards are managed by the National Park Service.
  • One for projects involving collections (including artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art). These awards are managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Rolling Deadline: Currently Closed

Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs. Organizations that have been designated as having tax exempt status according to the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries, can apply. Believe in Reading will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, or Braille related projects for the blind or visually impaired. Because addressing literacy is not a short-term process, Believe in Reading’s grants are renewable for up to a maximum of three years, but a first year award does not guarantee any subsequent awards. At this time, the maximum grant amount is $10,000, however the vast majority of grants awarded are for $3,000 or less. First time applicants will not be funded for more than $3,000.