We have helped some of the nation’s largest institutions pursue funding for collections storage. If you are thinking about writing a grant for museum storage, contact us to schedule a free on-site visit. We can also assist with budget and layout options , as well as recommendations for elevations of equipment. Our museum storage specialists will review your proposed plan and help with recommendations for equipment and space utilization.
There are many grants available to aid museums in their mission to serve as cultural and intellectual centers. Below are a few grant providers and museum grants specific to addressing collection storage needs.
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission has been to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovations that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.
Museums for America
Awards: $5,000-$250,000
Grant Period: Up to three years
Overview
The Museums for America program supports programs that strengthen the ability of an individual museum to serve its public. Museums for America provides a category for Collections Stewardship to support the management, care and conservations of museum collections.
Considerations
Applications requesting amounts greater than $25,000 must provide matching funds from a non-federal source.
Collections Assessment for Preservation Program (CAP)
Awards: $3,500-$3,900 (based on size of institution budget)
CAP is designed to help small and mid-sized museums receive prioritized recommendations for improving care of their collections. A CAP assessment can help by :
- Identifying short and long-term priorities for conservation
- Facilitating the development of a long-range preservation plan
- Serving as a fundraising tool for future collections projects
Considerations
CAP is not a grant, it is an allocation given to help institutions with the cost of an assessment of their collections needs including buildings, building systems and policies and procedures relating to collections care.
The National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. NEH serves and strengthens our republic by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans.
Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
Award: Up to $6,000
Overview
Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant.
Consideration
Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants with experience related to the collections and activities of the project focus. The program averages 75 project awards annually and has a funding ratio of 32 percent.
Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
Award: Planning grant – up to $40,000
Implementation grant – up to $350,000
Overview
The Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections program supports sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the life of collections and support an institution’s ability to anticipate and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
Consideration
Preventive conservation includes managing relative humidity, temperature, light, and pollutants in collections spaces. As well as, providing protective storage and systems for collections to safeguard from theft, fire, floods, and other disasters.
The program averages 16 awards annually and has a funding ratio of 23 percent.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
Collections in support of Biological Research
Award: $4.5M, 15-20 awards anticipated annually
Overview
The Collections in Support of Biological Research Program provides for enhancements that improve existing collections, improve the accessibility of digitized specimen data, and develop better methods for specimen collection management. Requests should demonstrate a clear and urgent need to secure the collection, and the proposed activities to address that need.
Considerations
Institutions facing a time-sensitive emergency related to a natural history collection may submit for a Rapid Response Research proposal for up to $200,000 and one year in duration.