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REGIONAL, STATEWIDE, & NATIONAL

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

January

Science Kits for Public Libraries Logo

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.

MN Department of Administration Logo

January 16

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council) is pleased to announce the availability of a total of $20,000 in co-sponsorship funds to help with planning and carrying out Educational and Training Events or Conferences. We invite you to consider applying for these co-sponsorship funds.Purpose: Best practices information and leadership skills training.Dollar amount: Maximum is $2,000 to an organization or agency.Training date: Conferences or training must be completed on or before September 20, 2025.Applicants: An applicant is the agency or organization that plans, organizes, and carries out a conference. Eligible applicants include Minnesota not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, public entities, or Tribal Nations that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities.Covered topics of conferences or training: Training should assist people with developmental disabilities to increase their independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion (IPSII) in the community. Training may be planned as in-person, hybrid, or remote.Targeted audience: People with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as advocates, providers, or professionals. The conference/training can be marketed to a local community, region of the state, or statewide. Please note your target audience(s) and encourage attendance by persons from diverse and marginalized populations.Co-sponsorship funds: Funds can be used for presenter fees, scholarships, or reasonable accommodations.PLEASE NOTE: Due to the funds available and the number of applications that may be received, the amount awarded by the Council to successful applicants may be less than requested and not all eligible applications may be funded.
MN Department of Administration Logo

January 24 at 4:30 PM

Per Minnesota Session Laws - 2024, Regular Session, Chapter 106, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 4 the Minnesota Department of Administration requests proposals for veterans memorials and commemorations to be awarded for groups celebrating, recognizing, and honoring the sacrifices of those who served in the military, including memorials, commemorations, facilities, and park features. Applicants must propose projects that celebrate, recognize, and honor the sacrifices of those who served in the military. Projects can include memorials, commemorations, facilities, and park features. Projects must be located in Minnesota. 

February

American Association of School Librarians Logo

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.
American Association of School Librarians Logo

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.
American Library Association Logo

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.  
American Library Association Logo

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. 
National Trust for Historic Preservation Logo

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. 
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Logo

February 6

This grant program awards funding to organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following areas:
  • Adult Education Instruction
  • GED or high school equivalency preparation
  • English Language Acquisition
Maximum grant amount: $10,000
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Logo

February 6

This grant program supports the creation or expansion of summer reading programs. Local nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries are eligible to apply if their programs meet the following criteria:
  • Target Pre-K through 12th-grade students who are new readers
  • Target below grade level readers
  • Assist readers with learning disabilities
Maximum grant amount: $3,000
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Logo

February 6

Nonprofit organizations who support the whole family in literacy and are seeking funding are encouraged to apply if they provide all of the following:
  • Adult Education Instruction
  • Children’s Education
  • Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
Maximum grant amount: $10,000
National Endowment for the Humanities Logo

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. 
National Endowment for the Humanities Logo

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. 
National Endowment for the Humanities Logo

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.  
National Endowment for the Humanities Logo

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.  
National Endowment for the Arts Logo arts.gov

February 13

Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides expansive funding opportunities to strengthen the nation’s arts and culture ecosystem. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.  Applications are welcomed from organizations serving rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities of all sizes; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets. This grant funds art projects in the following disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Rochester Area Foundation Logo

Letter of Intent Opens: January 28

Letter of Intent Due: February 13

Better Communities Grants are Rochester Area Foundation’s competitive grant awards, providing unrestricted funding for the core mission of critical community organizations. The purpose of these grants is twofold. First, we seek to empower nonprofits to expand, improve or pursue their best ideas, and second, to build the capacity and infrastructure of organizations that are poised for growth. RAF recognizes that support for general operations is some of the hardest funding to secure. Yet the uninterrupted running of core organizational activities is essential to the success of thriving communities. 
United for Libraries: Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations; A division of the American Library Association

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. 

March

Society for Industrial Archeology Logo

March 1

The Society for Industrial Archeology offers Industrial Heritage Preservation Grants (DeLony Grants) from $1000 to $3000 for the study, documentation, recordation, and/or preservation of significant historic industrial sites, structures, and objects. Awards are made to nonprofit organizations and qualified individuals. Contributions of in-kind services, as well as cash resources from the sponsoring and cosponsoring agencies may qualify for matching purposes. Funds may be used for a range of projects including, but not limited to: increasing public awareness of preservation efforts, photography, videography, preparing inventories and developing measured drawings of extant significant industrial sites, structures, maritime facilities and industrial artifacts. 
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Logo

Grant Opens: March 6

Application Due: April 3

Schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations who help K-12 students that are below grade level or having trouble reading are eligible to apply. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:
  • Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
  • Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
  • Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

Rolling Basis

MN Humanities Center Logo

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.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Logo

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.
P Fund Foundation Logo

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. 
Mellon Foundation Logo

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
The Saint Paul Conservatory of Music Logo

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
National Trust for Historic Preservation Logo

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
The Pomeroy Foundation Logo

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.
Rural Technology Fund Logo

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.
National Park Service Logo

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

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.