Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum Week
The American Alliance of Museums wants you to “Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum Week,” August 6-13, 2016. A great step-by-step How To Guide can be found here.
New Overtime Regulations
The US Department of Labor has announced new regulations governing when an employee is eligible for overtime compensation. Under the new rules-which go into effect on December 1, 2016-a full-time salaried employee earning less than $47,476 per year could now be eligible to receive overtime pay. The department estimates that 4.2 million workers will be affected by this change, and the nonprofit sector-including many museums and their workers-will also be affected. The National Council of Nonprofits has created an overview and the Department of Labor has created a guide explaining the new regulations.
National Council of Nonprofits Releases Report on New Overtime Rule
In a new report, The Nonprofit Overtime Implementation Conundrum, the National Council of Nonprofits presents the findings from a national survey of nonprofits with government grants and contracts regarding the challenges of compliance with the new overtime regulations. Read the Executive Summary, Full Survey Report. Also see the July 6 article on the report in Nonprofit Quarterly: Overtime Rules Require Government Overhaul of Contracts.
Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations
StEPs is AASLH's self-study standards program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in StEPS assess their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against nationally recognized standards. The program is divided into six sections that can be addressed in any order. In each section, organizations can identify their current practice as Basic, Good, or Better. Each level has its indicators, allowing organizations to set realistic goals and tackle challenges in small, manageable steps. Work in each section at your own pace using checklists, worksheets, sample documents, and the 24/7 online community. NEMA members that enroll in StEPs receive a free AASLH webinar registration. For complete details, click here.
2016 Accreditation Academy for Small Museums
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has announced that they will open the application process on July 1 for the 2017 class of the Small Museums Accreditation Academy. The Academy is a year-long readiness program that makes museum standards, assessment programs, and accreditation more accessible to America’s small museums. It is a guided online experience with live webinars and collaborative activities for museum staff and governing authority members. The program is aimed at museums that have five or fewer staff and have accreditation as a goal. At the end of the program, a museum will emerge with a stronger culture of excellence and will be poised to apply for accreditation. Click here for details.
National Medal for Museum and Library Service
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is now accepting nominations for the 2016. Museums and libraries that would like to be considered for the National Medal should complete the nomination form by October 3, 2016. The National Medal honors museums and libraries that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service and exceed the expected levels of community outreach. Public or private nonprofit museums, including art, history, science and technology, children’s, and natural history museums; historic houses, nature centers, zoos, and botanical gardens; and all types of nonprofit libraries, including public, school, academic, research, and archival, are eligible to receive this honor. The winners are honored at a National Medal award ceremony held in Washington, D.C. For more information and to access the nomination form, click here.
Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations grants
The National Endowment for the Humanities’ Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations grants provide support for organizations that produce public programs in the humanities, including exhibitions, interpretations of historic places, sites or regions, book/film discussion programs, living history presentations, and other face-to-face programs at public venues. Planning grants support the early stages of project development, and implementation grants support final scholarly research and consultation, design development, production, and installation of a project for presentation to the public. Next deadline is August 10, 2016. Click here for complete details.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Emergency Funds
Intervention funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is awarded in emergency situations when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure, such as when a fire or other natural disaster strikes. Funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Emergency grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, but unlike the majority of our grant funding, a cash match is not required for intervention projects. Contact us if you believe your project qualifies for this type of funding. Please note: emergency funding is very limited.
The GRAMMY Foundation® Grant Program
The GRAMMY Foundation® Grant Program, generously funded by The Recording Academy®, awards grants annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the recorded sound heritage of North America for future generations, and research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition. The Grant Program funds scientific research projects, ($20,000 maximum award) and archiving and preservation projects ($20,000 maximum award for preservation implementation, $5,000 maximum award for assistance, assessment and/or consultation); A letter of inquiry is required before submission of a full application. The deadline each year for submitting letters of inquiry is October 1. For more information on the GRAMMY Foundation, please click here.
National Trust Preservation Funds
Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Application deadline are October 1, 2016.
Archive Grants
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) of the National Archives supports projects that promote access to America’s historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture. Numerous grant opportunities are available to support preservation, access, digitization, and engagement with historical records. Application deadlines fall during the first full week of October. Complete details here.
National Digital Newspaper Program
The National Endowment for the Humanities' is soliciting proposals from institutions to participate in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP). NDNP is creating a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1836 and 1922, from all the states and U.S. territories. This searchable database will be permanently maintained at the Library of Congress (LC) and will be freely accessible via the Internet. (See the website, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.) An accompanying national 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. Previously funded projects will be eligible to receive supplements for continued work, but the program will give priority to new projects. In particular, the program will give priority to projects from states and territories that have not received NDNP funding. Deadline is January 12, 2017.
TD Charitable Foundation
TD Charitable Foundation grants will be awarded to area non-profit and public institutions to create meaningful change and improvement in the communities.
Google Ad Grants
Google Ad Grants offer eligible non-profit organizations up to $10,000 per month in in-kind AdWords™ advertising to promote their missions and initiatives on Google.com. You create advertisement and key word searches that relate your nonprofit, services, and organization as a whole, and when people use Google to search for related offerings online, your ad may appear next to the search results. When people click the ad, they will be directed to your website. For full program details, click here.
Angel Projects
The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) offers grants of up to $1,000 toward the development and implementation of Angels Projects not associated with AIC’s Annual Meeting. Funds are to help defray organizational costs, necessary materials and supplies and other expenses such as marketing and publicity. Angels Projects pair conservators with collections that need care. A successful Angels Project includes local and regional publicity on the need for collections care and preservation. The next deadline for the receipt of applications is September 15, 2016. Click here for more information.
Terra Foundation
Recognizing the importance of experiencing original works of art firsthand, the Terra Foundation supports exhibitions that increase the understanding and appreciation of historical American art (circa 1500–1980). Spring 2017 Awards. Letter of Inquiry: August 1, 2016; Proposal: October 14, 2016. Click here for details.
The Edwin S. Webster Foundation
The Edwin S. Webster Foundation will consider requests for capital programs, special projects or operating income. They support organizations with an emphasis on hospitals, medical research, education, youth agencies, cultural activities, and programs addressing the needs of minorities. Before submitting a request, please contact foundation administrator Michelle Jenney at: mjenney@gmafoundations.com. The deadline is November 1.
New England States Touring Grants
The New England Foundation for the Arts NEST (New England States Touring) funds presentations of New England-based performing artists from outside of a presenter’s state. To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must: be a nonprofit organization, school, or government entity (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations.); be based in New England; have a DUNS number. Applicants must be able to provide, if requested, documentation of their compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Applications must be submitted a minimum of three months in advance of the proposed project. Next deadline is September 1, 2016.
Maine Humanities Council
Maine Humanities Council offers mini grants (up to $1,000; next deadline October 15), which support a wide variety of public humanities projects, such as exhibits, lecture and film series, reading and discussion programs, symposia, cultural celebrations, etc. They also offer major grants (up to $7,500; optional draft application due December 1, 2016) to support a variety of larger humanities projects such as exhibits, conferences, films, and other initiatives. More information click here.
Discussion Grants
Mass Humanities has six discussion grant options, ranging from open in format and content as long as the project includes facilitated discussion (Open Discussion); to discussion series (Reading & Discussion, Common Good Reads, Literature & Medicine); to the Family Adventures in Reading program with syllabi and set budgets that simplify planning; to the small Civil Rights Discussion grant for the shared reading of a civil rights text. Some grant opportunities, including Common Good Reads, Literature & Medicine, and the Civil Rights Discussion grant, include access to resources developed by Mass Humanities to help with discussion and content. The next Inquiry Form deadline is September 15, 2016. Click here for details.
Project Grants
Mass Humanities Project Grants support public programming in the humanities including: humanities based civic conversations; oral history projects; public lecture, conference and panel discussion; walking tours; reading and discussion programs; audio projects; film and discussion programs; film pre-production and distribution; museum exhibitions and related programming, web sites, theatrical productions with post- or pre-performance discussion; and content-based professional development workshops for teachers. The standard Project Grant award is up to $5,000. The next Inquiry Form deadline is September 22, 2016. For complete information click here.
Fall ArtWeek Boston
Fall ArtWeek Boston is a collection of curated events and experiences throughout the city that highlights the quality and diversity of arts, culture, and creative community in Boston. ArtWeek strives to give a taste of the arts in Boston to arts amateurs and connoisseurs alike. Successful ArtWeek events are offerings that are NOT typically available to the general public (i.e. a performance ticket, museum admission, or gallery opening); however, they can easily link and leverage current arts offerings or they can be “creative teasers” for future shows/exhibits. They can also be unique to ArtWeek or they may be special VIP access events (limited to board members, donors, and/or other affiliates) that are temporarily made available to the general public during ArtWeek. All events should be experiential, creative, and compelling. Submissions are open to nonprofit 501(c) 3 organizations, artists, and businesses, but all events will require some type of partnership between an arts/cultural/entertainment entity and a neighborhood organization or business. The final deadline to be included is August 12, 2016.
Community Grants Program
The NH Charitable Foundation's Community Grants Program is a broad, competitive program that responds to community needs within New Hampshire and our broader communities. It is designed to strategically advance an organization by providing operating support, funding for innovation to increase impact, reduce costs, and/or increase efficiency, and support for capacity-building activities or moment-in-time projects. Grants of more than $5,000 and up to $20,000 (in regions) or $25,000 (statewide organizations). Deadline: August 12, 2016.
New Hampshire Community Project Grants
New Hampshire Humanities Council is awarding two types of Community Project Grants in 2016. Quick Grants offer up to $1,000 to support simple, single-event or short-series projects, and are available in as little as six weeks from submission deadline. The next Quick Grant application deadline is September 1, 2016. Quarterly Grants of up to $10,000 enable organizations to design and carry out larger projects that attract diverse audiences, engage minds, and stimulate meaningful community dialogue. The next mandatory letter of interest for a Quarterly Grant is October 1.
Rhode Island Mini Grant Program
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities' Mini Grant Program for requests up to $2,000 invites individual researchers, nonprofit organizations, and schools to apply for funding in support of public humanities projects. The next Mini Grant Deadlines is August 1, 2016.
Arts Access Grants and Investments in Arts and Culture
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts’ Arts Access Grants (AAG) provide small grants (maximum of $2,500) to new ventures, occasional arts programs, or arts and cultural organizations. The Arts Access Grant provides program support to organizations across Rhode Island. Organizations must demonstrate excellent artistic, educational, and cultural value, as well as engagement with their community. As a rule, programs should be geared to a broad and diverse audience. Investments in Arts and Culture (IAC) operating support grants are designed to support those organizations that produce or present annual programs in the arts and have developed a funding relationship with RISCA over time. The IAC is invite only. AAG has a deadline of October 1, 2016. Click here for details.
Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence
As part of the Rhode Island Foundation's commitment to serving the needs of the nonprofit sector, organizational development grants of up to $10,000 will now be offered through the Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence. These grants are intended to support organizations that fall outside of the Foundation's current areas of focus. Organizations that are targeting one of the Foundation's identified sector focus areas can apply for organizational development support (of any amount) through the strategy grant program. Organizational development grants can be used for a variety of activities that strengthen and improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness, including strategic planning, business planning, fund development planning, marketing planning, feasibility studies, reorganization and streamlining, mergers, financial management planning or systems, and transition or succession planning. The fall application deadline is October 31. Contact any member of the INE or grant program staff with questions. Learn more and apply here.
Vermont Grants
The Vermont Humanities Council’s Grant Program supports other non-profit organizations that are conducting various projects related to the humanities. Council awards are re-grants of federal funds from the NEH, and as such grantees must comply with all applicable NEH and federal policies. The Council will reject any project that does not involve at least one humanities discipline. Applications are considered twice a year; the next deadline to submit a letter of intent is August 8 – September 2. The maximum award is $5,000, and grantees must provide, at minimum, a one-to-one cost share. Proposals for new, as well as already-established, programs will be considered.
Get Involved: Regulations Proposed for the Every Student Succeeds Act
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced proposed regulations to implement the accountability, data reporting, and state plan provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In a press release, the Department noted that the regulations aim to implement "a more holistic approach to measuring a quality education that will help prepare all students for success." Comments on the regulations are due by August 1.
LGBTQ Welcoming Guidelines
These guidelines are intended to provide institutions and members of the museum community with a series of parameters, which they may consider when assessing how to provide the LGBTQ community—staff, visitors, management, and allies from all fields—with a welcoming experience. Read the guidelines here.
“Stand for Your Mission” for nonprofit trustee engagement
AAM and BoardSource have announced a new resource for museum leaders, Stand for Your Mission: A Discussion Guide for Museum Trustees. This document will help museums to harness the power of board members to influence key decisions made by public officials at all levels of government.