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State and Regional Grants

currency-oldGranting agencies vary by state, but grant programs for preservation and conservation initiatives are frequently managed by the state library, archives, Department of Education, or Department of Cultural Resources. Regional organizations (such as local heritage networks) may also also provide this funding.

Connecticut State Library

231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
860-757-6500
866-886-4478 (toll-free)
www.cslib.org

Historic Documents Preservation Grant Program

Deadlines: April 30, 2015 (Cycle 1), September 30, 2015 (Cycle 2)

Grant amount: The amount of targeted grant money that a municipality may apply for depends upon its population from the most recent census figures. There are three tiers: small, medium and large. Currently, the amounts are $3,000, $4,000 and $6,500 respectively.
Match: none

Grants are available to Connecticut municipalities.  Every municipality in good standing that submits a properly completed application for an eligible project by the appropriate deadline is eligible to receive a Targeted Grant from the fund.

Funding priorities for FY 2015 include:

  • Assessment of current practices in the areas of preservation, records management, disaster preparedness, environmental control, or facilities design, with recommendations for improvements.
  • Increased organization and access to town records through improved physical order or indexing, updated records management software, or other information technology.
  • Improved records management and/or historic preservation practices within municipal departments.
  • Improved records storage, maintenance and security through the purchase of appropriate equipment.
  • Preservation of historic documents (original, non‐published records) through methods such as microfilming, reformatting, or conservation. 

For more information, contact:
Kathy Makover
Field Archivist
kathy.makover@ct.gov or (860) 566-1100 ext. 303

Maine Humanities Council

674 Brighton Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 773-5051
www.mainehumanities.org

The Maine Humanities Council is a statewide, private, nonprofit, organization whose mission is to engage the people of Maine with the power and pleasure of ideas. The Council’s programs, and the projects which it supports through grants, are intended to encourage a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, foster wisdom in an age of information, and provide context in a time of change.

MHC is particularly interested in supporting projects that are collaborative, that stimulate meaningful community dialogue, attract diverse audiences, are participatory and engaging, and invite discovery of the humanities in interesting and exciting ways. Projects in rural areas, and projects that reach intergenerational audiences are also of particular interest. Grants are awarded to not-for-profit organizations that serve a Maine audience.

Funding priorities change periodically, so potential applicants should consult the MHC website for current grant opportunities. 

For more information, contact:
Anne Schlitt or Lizz Sinclair
207-773-5051 or 1-866-ME-READER

Maine State Archives

84 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333
(207) 287-5790
http://www.state.me.us/sos/arc/mhrab/grants.html

Grants are often available for historical archival and museum collections and facilities projects. The exact nature of the grant programs changes frequently, so be sure to check the Archives’ website for updates before planning to apply.

Historical Records Collections Grant Program: Basic Projects

Submission Deadlines: October 1, 2014; February 1, 2015; May 1, 2015. There will be at least one additional deadline in 2015.
Grant amount: up to $1,000
Match: 1:1

The primary purpose of this program is to preserve Maine’s significant historical records (archives) and make them available to the public. Projects dealing with agricultural collections and Civil War collections are especially encouraged.

In general, the Maine Historical Records Advisory Board favors the following approaches: 

  • Basic preservation steps, not intensive item-level conservation work.
  • Describing your archival collection should be a logical process: A basic inventory of the entire collection, followed by a basic level of organization (description at the collection or series level; housed appropriately) before doing folder or item-level description. This program does not normally fund item-level description, except for photographs, which may be described individually at a basic level.
  • Preservation of original information over preservation of the object.
  • Cost effective approaches to the preservation of information.
  • Digitization can be an effective method for improving access to a collection, but for most media, it is not a preservation method. Any digitization projects should also insure that the originals are archivally housed and are monitored.

For more information, contact:
Janet Roberts
janet.roberts@maine.gov or (207) 287-5791

Historical Records Collections Grants: Major Projects
Deadline:  Oct. 1, 2015
Grant amount: $1,000–$2,500
Match: 1:1 

The primary purpose of this program is to preserve Maine’s significant historical records (archives) and make them available to the public. Projects dealing with agricultural collections and Civil War collections are especially encouraged.

In general, the Maine Historical Records Advisory Board favors the following approaches:

  • Basic preservation steps, not intensive item-level conservation work.
  • Describing your archival collection should be a logical process: A basic inventory of the entire collection, followed by a basic level of organization (description at the collection or series level; housed appropriately) before doing folder or item-level description. This program does not normally fund item-level description, except for photographs, which may be described individually at a basic level.
  • Preservation of original information over preservation of the object.
  • Cost effective approaches to the preservation of information.
  • Digitization can be an effective method for improving access to a collection, but for most media, it is not a preservation method. Any digitization projects should also insure that the originals are archivally housed and are monitored.

For more information, contact:
Janet Roberts
janet.roberts@maine.gov or (207) 287-5791

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC)

98 North Washington Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02214
http://mblc.state.ma.us/

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. Authorized to administer the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States Program, the MBLC uses LSTA funding to support statewide initiatives that enhance the services local libraries can supply, and a competitive grant program that provides local libraries the financial resources to develop programs and innovative ideas. 

LEARN MORE about MBLC LSTA Grants.

Preservation activities supported include needs assessments, digitization, conservation treatment, rehousing, and purchase of storage furniture. Eligibility has been extended to include all types of libraries that belong to regional networks.

Preservation Assessment Grants

Deadline:   A Letter of Intent must be submitted to the MBLC by December 9, 2014
                  [MBLC LSTA Grant Application Calendar]
Grant amount: $4,200
Grant period: 1 year

The MBLC provides grants of $4,200 to fund preservation needs assessments.  A five-year Preservation Long Range Plan based on assessment recommendations is required as an outcome of this grant.  The Plan and a copy of the assessment report must be filed with the MBLC at the completion of the project. Prior to applying, applicants must submit a Letter of Intent form with the “Preservation Survey” option checked off.

For more information, contact:
Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
Preservation Specialist
gregor.trinkaus-randall@state.ma.us or (800) 952-7403 ext. 236

Preservation of Library and Archival Materials Grants

Deadline:   A Letter of Intent must be submitted to the MBLC by December 9, 2014
                  [See: MBLC LSTA Grant Application Calendar]
Grant amount: $5,000 to $30,000
Match: Applicants must provide at least one fifth of the total project costs.

This program will support the preservation of library and/or archival research materials with significant research value, including informational materials in print, non-print, manuscript, or other format or medium.  Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, preservation microfilming of eligible materials according to ANSI standards; hybrid approaches of preservation microfilming and digitization of the film for access or digitization and creation of preservation microfilm for the scans; conservation work and digitization of the materials for access; preservation of photographic formats and the creation of prints and negatives as part of this process; the binding, matting, boxing, or other protective enclosures for preserved materials; the repair or rebinding of discrete collections of eligible materials; major conservation treatment by a qualified conservator or conservation treatment facility; and special shelving or storage furniture for special format materials or for materials that will receive conservation treatment as part of a funded project and subsequently require special storage.  The completion of a preservation needs assessment and a Preservation Long Range Plan is required to be eligible for this program.  Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent form with the “Preservation of Library and Archival Materials” option checked off.

For more information, contact:
Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
Preservation Specialist
gregor.trinkaus-randall@state.ma.us or (800) 952-7403 ext. 236

Digitizing Historical Resources Grants

Deadline:   A Letter of Intent must be submitted to the MBLC by December 9, 2014
                  [See: MBLC LSTA Grant Application Calendar]
Grant amount: $5,000 to $30,000
Match: Applicants must provide at least one fifth of the total project costs.

This digital imaging program will support Massachusetts’ libraries in making our national memory available to all.  Any digitization project funded through this LSTA program will be expected to follow all appropriate and applicable standard guidelines and “best practices” throughout the project and beyond.  The institution must also commit to maintaining the igital files and making them available to reserachers for the forseeable future both in-house and online.  The completion of a preservation needs assessment and a Preservation Long Range Plan is required to be eligible for this program.  Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent form with the “Digitizing Historical Resources” option checked off.

For more information, contact:
Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
Preservation Specialist
gregor.trinkaus-randall@state.ma.us or (800) 952-7403 ext. 236

Massachusetts Community Preservation Coalition, Community Preservation Act (CPA)

10 Milk Street, Suite 810
Boston, MA   02108
http://www.communitypreservation.org
Phone: (617) 367-8998

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is the result of nearly two decades of hard work devoted to passing legislation that would give all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns a tool to preserve their most unique natural, community, and built features in the face of rapid growth and development. CPA allows communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for open space protection, historic preservation, affordable housing and outdoor recreation. Community preservation monies are raised locally through the imposition of a surcharge of not more than 3% of the tax levy against real property, and municipalities must adopt CPA by ballot referendum. View a map of all CPA communities, or learn more about CPA adoption.

The CPA statute also creates a statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund, administered by the Department of Revenue (DOR), which provides distributions each year to communities that have adopted CPA. These annual disbursements serve as an incentive for communities to pass CPA. Learn more about the distribution amounts received to date by CPA communities.

CPA funding can be used for the conservation and preservation of documents and artifacts as "Historic Resources." Learn more about funding conservation treatment through CPA funding.

New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources - New Hampshire State Library

20 Park Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2392
http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/moose/index.html

Conservation License Plate Grant Program ( Mooseplate Grants)

Deadlines: March 16, 2015 (Letters of Intent - required)
                  April 24, 2015 Application deadline
Grant amount: up to $10,000
Match: none

The Conservation License Plate Program is a state of New Hampshire funding source available to non-profit institutions to implement and to conduct preservation and conservation activities on publicly owned artifacts, paper based collections, microfilm, photographs and manuscripts that contribute to New Hampshire’s historic and cultural heritage. Funding is made possible through the sale of Moose License Plates.

Eligible activities include preservation and/or conservation; consultant services and/or needs assessments; and digitization of conserved documents to facilitate increased access.

Application instructions

For more information, contact:
Janet Eklund
Adminsitrator of Library Operations
janet.eklund@dcr.nh.gov or (603) 271-2393

Greater Hudson Heritage Network

2199 Saw Mill River Road
Elmsford, NY  10523
(914) 592-6726
www.greaterhudson.org

Conservation Treatment Grant Program

Deadline: March 2, 2015
Grant amount: up to $7,500
Grant period: 1 year
Match: none

The Conservation Treatment Grant Program, administered by the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (Greater Hudson), in association with the Museum Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), provides support for treatment procedures to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, historical and cultural organizations in New York State. The work must be performed by, or under direct supervision of, a professional conservator.

For more information, contact:
Priscilla Brendler
director@greaterhudson.org or (914) 414-6726

New York State Library

Division of Library Development
New York State Library
10-C-47 Cultural Education Center
Albany, New York 12230
www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev

The New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials Discretionary Grant Program

Deadline: January 30, 2015

The Conservation/Preservation Program provides State funding for libraries and other organizations engaged in efforts to preserve deteriorating library research materials. The program was established as part of the landmark 1984 library legislation and was expanded in 1986 and 1990.  It is administered by the New York State Library's Division of Library Development.

The purposes of the Conservation/Preservation program are to encourage the proper care and accessibility of research materials, to promote the use and development of guidelines and technical standards for conservation/preservation work, and to support the growth of local and cooperative activities within the context of emerging national preservation programs.

For more information, contact:
Barbara Lilley
blilley@mail.nysed.gov (518) 486-4864

Rhode Island Foundation

One Union Station
Providence, RI  02903
(401) 274-4564
www.rifoundation.org

Joseph O’Neill Ott Fund

Deadline: February
Grant amount: $250 to $600

In a bequest to The Rhode Island Foundation in 1994, Joseph O'Neill Ott, a leader in the preservation and antiquities community in the state, established a permanent endowment dedicated to document preservation. He requested that the income generated be used to preserve historical manuscripts, documents, and municipal records dating from the 19th century and earlier for the smaller cities and towns in Rhode Island.

Grants support direct conservation efforts for paper-based documents, photographs, and other two-dimensional historical evidence (excluding artwork). This can include conservation, preservation (including the purchase of containers or housing for documents), or to defray the costs associated with the acquisition of documents. Proposals that demonstrate concern about long-term storage issues or have planned document storage will be looked upon most favorably. All historical and preservation societies from the smaller cities and towns of Rhode Island are eligible to apply for an Ott grant.

For more information, contact:
Libby Monahan
Funds Administrator
(401) 427-4017

Ohio Historical Society

Columbus, OH
(614) 297-2300
http://www.ohiohistory.org/

The Ohio History Fund
The Ohio Historical Society manages The History Fund which was created to support the preservation and sharing of Ohio’s heritage by funding local, regional, and statewide projects, programs, and events related to the broad sweep of the state’s history and pre-history. The History Fund is made possible by the voluntary contributions of individual Ohioans, who donate a portion of their Ohio income tax refund or donate directly to OHS. The number and size of grants will vary according to the amount donated.

History Fund grants support projects in three categories: Organizational Development, Programs & Collections, and Bricks & Mortar. Conservation for collections is eligible under the “Strengthen Ohio History” goal, which includes illumination, conservation, or perpetuation of Ohio’s history, including historical persons, places, things, or events.

COMPLETE INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Historic New England

Otis House
141 Cambridge Street
Boston, Mass. 02114-2702
Phone: 617-227-3956
www.historicnewengland.org

Community Preservation Grants
Deadline: July 2015 - The online application for 2015 grants will be available in June.

Each year, Historic New England offers $1,000 Community Preservation Grants to small and mid-size heritage organizations in all six New England states. These grants support projects that raise the visibility of historic preservation and further Historic New England’s Everyone’s History initiative to present diverse stories of life in our region.

COMPLETE INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

COUNCIL ON LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESOURCES (CLIR)

1707 L Street NW Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036  
www.clir.org

Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives:
Enabling New Scholarship through Increasing Access to Unique Materials

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) funds to create a national competition in 2015 to digitize and provide access to collections of rare or unique content in cultural heritage institutions. Successor to CLIR’s Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives program, which awarded its final round of grants in December 2014, the Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives program will enhance the emerging global digital research environment in ways that support new kinds of scholarship for the long term. Its aim is to ensure that the full wealth of resources held by institutions of cultural heritage becomes integrated with the open Web.

Deadline:
Initial proposal:  April 30, 2015
(The application process has two phases. The initial proposal round is open, and anyone interested in applying for a grant through this program must submit an initial proposal by 5:00 pm Eastern time on April 30, 2015. The final proposal round is by invitation only. Only those applicants whose initial proposals have been approved by the program's review panel will be able to submit a final proposal.)

Grant Amounts:  Maximum allowable request for 2015: single-institution projects: $250,000 / collaborative projects: $500,000  (Minimum allowable request for 2015: $50,000)

What formats are eligible?
The range of media that can be termed special collections or archives is not restricted. Increasingly, valuable collections are composed of many formats, from paper, moving images on film or video, all types of sound recordings, ephemera, specimens, electronic files or data sets, works of art, to myriad types of artifacts. 

What qualifies as a hidden collection?
For the purposes of this program, applicants must convincingly argue that their collections are "hidden" in the sense that they cannot be exploited for important scholarly work until they are fully digitized, discoverable and accessible.

Complete information and guidelines

NOTE:
LIVE INFORMATION SESSION FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS
Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern time: CLIR will host a question-and-answer session for prospective applicants at http://clir.adobeconnect.com/hiddencollectionsq-a/.

Interested parties are encouraged to send questions to hiddencollections@clir.org prior to the webinar. (Participation is entirely optional and no registration is required; the webinar can accommodate up to 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The meeting room will open at 1:45 pm.)

QUESTIONS?

For questions which are not answered in the application guidelines, contact CLIR program staff at hiddencollections@clir.org. During the application period, CLIR accepts inquiries by e-mail only; no phone calls, please.