Preservation

Funding Resources for Preservation

Overview

This leaflet lists public and private funding agencies and corporate sponsors that support preservation projects.

Document

When planning to submit an application, be aware that each agency and foundation has its own deadlines, application forms, eligibility criteria, and evaluation mechanisms. Contact members of the agency or foundation early in the planning process; in most cases, they will critique your idea and comment on a draft application. Federal and state grants tend to be highly competitive and difficult to get for some institutions. Often a library will find that the best sources of funding for small projects are local organizations, local businesses, and community groups. Many local businesses and retail establishments have a charitable division that may be interested in funding preservation related projects.

PUBLIC FUNDING AGENCIES

Heritage Preservation
1012 14th St. NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 233-0800
Fax: (202) 233-0807
info@heritagepreservation.org

Heritage Preservation's Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) provides a general conservation assessment for small and mid-sized museums. The assessment is conducted by a conservation professional and includes an overview of the collections, environmental conditions, and historic buildings. The assessment report assists museums in educating staff and board members on conservation practices, creating long-range and emergency plans, and raising funds to improve the care of their collections. CAP is supported through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
1800 M Street, NW
9^th Floor
Washington, DC 20035-5802
Phone: (202) 653-IMLS (Office of Museum Programs)
Phone: (202) 653-4600 (Office of Library Programs)

IMLS is an independent agency created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 (P.L.104-208). The Institute provides distinct programs of support for libraries and museums, and also encourages partnership between museums and libraries.

The Office of Library Services provides grants to states directly or through sub-grants. National Leadership Grants for Libraries fund education and training, research and demonstration projects, preservation and digitization of library materials, and model programs of collaboration between libraries and museums.

The Office Museum Services offers support for museums in the following areas: general operating support, assessments, conservation projects, Museum Leadership Initiatives, and Professional Services Program. Museum/library partners can apply under the Museum Leadership Initiative, which provides awards for museums that collaborate with other community organizations.

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)
NCPTT
645 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Phone: (318) 356-7444
Fax: (318) 356-9119

The Preservation Technology and Training Grants Program awards grants for training, technology, and basic research in historic preservation, conservation, and allied fields.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: (202) 682-5400
webmgr@arts.gov

The National Endowment for the Arts offers grant opportunties to conserve and preserve the country's cultural heritage through the Access to Artistic Access grants for projects that work with film, music, radio, television, museum objects, visual arts, theater, dance, and historic preservation.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: (202) NEH-1121
info@neh.gov

The National Endowment for the Humanities provides grants to institutions and individuals that support the study of history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities.

The Division of Preservation and Access supports projects that create, preserve, and increase the availability of resources important for research, education, and public programming in the humanities. Projects supported include preservation and access to humanities collections, stabilization of collections, education and training, research and demonstration projects, and research tools and reference works.

Preservation Assistance Grants offer funding of up to $6000 to support general preservation assessment and consultations, attendance at preservation workshops and training, and the purchase of preservation supplies, equipment, and storage furniture.

Challenge Grants provide funds on matching basis for large-scale projects such as building renovation or installation of heating/air-conditioning systems.

National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF)
870 Market St., Suite 1113
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 392-7291
Fax: (415) 392-7293
info@filmpreservation.org

The National Film Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization created by Congress in 1996 as a new way to fund the preservation of American films. The Foundation raises money for non-profit and public archives to preserve and make available endangered films. Two types of grants are available. Preservation Basic Grants support laboratory preservation work on endangered films. The Partnership Grants distribute preservation services donated to the NFPF by the laboratories and post production houses that work in partnership with the archival community.

National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
National Archives and Records Administration
700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 106
Washington, DC 20408-0001
Phone: (202) 357-5010
Fax: (202) 357-5914
nhprc@nara.gov

The NHPRC is the grant-making agency of the National Archives. It provides funding to help identify, preserve, and provide public access to records, photographs, and other materials that document American history. State and local archives, colleges and universities, libraries, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. use the funds to preserve endangered historical documents by supporting preservation planning, training, and documenting resources.

National Science Foundation (NSF)
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: (703) 292-5111

Occasionally the NSF funds large-scale research-based digital library projects that are geared toward academic libraries. Check their website periodically for news about funding priorities.

PRIVATE FUNDING AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

American Association of Museums
Museum Assessment Program
1575 Eye St. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 289-1818
Fax: (202) 289-6578

With funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) allows museums to review their current status, reassess their programs and operations, and make decisions about resource allocation. The Museum Assessment Program consists of four assessments: Institutional Assessment; Collections Management Assessment; Public Dimension Assessment; and Governance Assessment. Each assessment includes the completion of a self-study, an on-site visit by a museum professional, and a confidential report of recommendations. All types of museums, collecting and non-collecting, may participate.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
140 E. 62^nd Street
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 838-8400

This private foundation has funded projects for museums and art conservation research and training and the digitization of library and archival materials.

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC)
1156 15^th Street, NW
Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005-1714
Phone: (202) 452-9545
Fax: (202) 452-9328
info@conservation-us.org

FAIC offers grants to conservators in support of continuing education or training. The Carolyn Horton Fund is reserved for assistance to current members of the AIC Book and Paper Specialty Group. The FAIC Education Fund supports professional development including seminars, courses, or other educational endeavors by AIC members. Proposed education and training projects are not restricted to the development of conservation treatment skills.

The Getty Grant Program
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1679
Phone: (310) 440-73200
info@getty.edu

The Getty provides support in three areas: research, conservation, and education and professional development. Non-profit organizations with ongoing exhibit programs are eligible for grants for surveys and treatment.

The Grammy Foundation Grant Program
3402 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 392-3777
Fax: (310) 392-2188
grammyfoundation@grammy.com

The Grammy Foundation is the granting foundation for the recording industry. The grant program awards funds to nonprofit organizations and individuals in support of a range of projects related to the recording arts, including the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. Grants are awarded annually in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. 
 

AWARDS

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
1156 15^th Street, NW
Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005-1714
Phone: (202)-452-9545

American Library Association
Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 280-5038
Toll free: (800)-545-2433
Fax: (312) 280-5033

Annually, ALCTS presents The Paul Banks and Carolyn Harris Preservation Award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the profession of library and archives preservation. The award consists of a $1500 grant and a citation.

 

STATE FUNDING AGENCIES IN THE LYRASIS AREA

Each state has a Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) that implements the goals of the NHPRC through fostering collaboration and re-granting NHPRC funds intended to strengthen the nation's archival infrastructure. Preservation projects are commonly funded. Typically, the SHRAB's are administrated through the state archives. Find your state and more information at: http://www.statearchivists.org/shrabs.htm

STATE HUMANITIES COUNCILS

The 56 humanities councils located in U.S. states and territories support local humanities programs and events. The state humanities councils are funded in part by the federal government through NEH. They also receive funding from private donations, foundations, corporations, and, in some cases, state government.

RESOURCES

Organizations

Heritage Preservation
1012 14^th Street, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 233-0800

Heritage Preservation publishes several works on fund-raising, including Capitalize on Collections Care to Increase Support. Several publications are available online: Collections Care: Catalyst for Funds and To Market, To Market: Developing Public Support for Conservation Through Marketing.

The Foundation Center
79 Fifth Avenue/16^th Street
New York, NY 10003-3076
Phone: (212) 620-4230

The Foundation Center provides extensive resources on foundations and corporate giving at various resource centers around the US. The Center publishes numerous directories and reference books for research: The Foundation Directory, Foundation 1000, Guide to U.S. Foundations, Grant Guides, National Guide to Funding in Arts & Culture, Foundation Grants Index, Directory of Corporate Giving, Corporate Foundation Profiles, and Corporate Giving Watch. The Foundation Center also has an extensive online library that includes a full-text version of User-Friendly Guide to Funding Research and Resources and Philanthropy News Digest.

The Grantsmanship Center (TGCI)
P.O. Box 17220
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 482-9860

This center provides training and information on fundraising and produces a wide range of publications, including Program Planning and Proposal Writing, the Whole Nonprofit Catalog, and The Grantsmanship Center Magazine. The Grantsmanship Center Magazine is distributed free of charge to staff of nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Association of Fund Raising Professionals (NSFRE)
4300 Wilson Blvd
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: (703) 684-0410

NSFRE provides educational programs and information about philanthropy through its fund-raising resource center. The resource center contains books, periodicals, speeches, and audio/visual materials. Access to the Resource Center is available for members and nonmembers. NSFRE also publishes a quarterly journal, Advancing Philanthropy.

Print Publications

• American Association of Museums. Fine Art of Federal Grantsmanship for Museums: Resource Report 7. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums, 1988.
• Dove, Kent E. Conducting a Successful Capital Campaign: A Comprehensive Fundraising Guide for Nonprofit Organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1988.
• Greenfield, James M. Nonprofit Handbook: Fund Raising. 2^nd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1997.
• Hoffman, Marilyn. "Writing Realistic Grant Budgets." Museum News 58 (January/February 1980): 38-53.
• Hopkins, Karen Brooks, and Carolyn Stolper Friedman. Successful Fundraising for Arts and Cultural Organizations. 2^nd ed. Phoenix: The Oryx Press, 1997.
• Mundel, Jerry. "So You Wanna Be a Proposal Writer!" Grantsmanship Center News 11, no. 4 (1983): 52-53.
• National Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Property. Capitalize on Collections Care to Increase Support. Washington DC: Heritage Foundation, 1997.
• Nichols, Susan K. Fund Raising: A Basic Reader. Resource Report 1. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums, 1987.
• Sommerville, Bill. "Where Proposals Fail." Grantmanship Center News 10, no.1 (1982): 24-25.
• Steele, Victoria, and Stephen D. Elder. Becoming a Fundraiser: The Principles and Practice of Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association, 1992.
• Sternberg, Hilary. "Internet Resources for Grants and Foundations." College & Research Libraries News 58 (May 1997): 314-317.

Attachment

FUNDING