Here is March’s roundup of grants available to libraries with deadlines in the next few months, or with rolling or ongoing deadlines. Check back each month for an updated list!
AARP Community Challenge Grants
Deadline: March 6, 2024
The AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects to help communities become more livable for people of all ages. AARP Community Challenge grants may be used to support three project types: permanent physical improvements in the community, temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change, and new, innovative programming pilots or services.
Talk Story Grants: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture
Deadline: March 15, 2024
The American Indian Library Association and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association are offering four $500 micro-grants. Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture program is a family literacy initiative connects Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and American Indigenous or Alaskan Native (AIAN) communities across generations by celebrating and exploring AANHPI and AIAN stories through books, oral traditions, and cultural arts to provide interactive and enriching experiences for all ages. Funds may be used to purchase library materials such as books, audiovisual materials, supplies for activities/crafts, programming costs such as hiring a storyteller, etc.
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation Grants
DEADLINE: March 15, 2024
The foundation manages its grants in four cycles, one of which ends in mid-March. This helps the foundation carefully review similar requests to ensure maximum benefit. Grants generally are less than $10,000 with most between $2,000 and $5,000. Grants can support programs that promote: electrical safety, energy efficiency education, higher education institutions, K-12, literacy and reading programs, STEM education initiatives, teacher/professional educator development, workforce development/careers and employability, and youth development.
Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Grant
Deadline: April 1, 2024
The next Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund (WCTF) grant application deadline is Monday, April 1, for projects/events/activities that begin after July 1, 2024. Please note that the WCTF Guidelines and Application have been revised. Be sure to read through the guidelines before submitting your grant application. WCTF grants are restricted to non-profit and governmental entity applicants based in Wyoming and do require a match (though that match can be cash or appropriate in-kind). The Cultural Trust Fund has a convenient online grant application process. All grant applications need to go through the online application process. The Cultural Trust Fund Program Coordinator, Renée Bovée, is still available to review drafts and will provide comments through the grant portal. Please feel free to contact Renée at renee.bovee@wyo.gov or by calling 307-777-6312 with any questions.
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants
Deadline: April 15, 2024
Walmart believes that strengthening local communities creates value for business as well as society. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of communities. There are four grant cycles per year for this grant program. The first cycle for 2024 begins on March 1.
2024 EBSCO Solar Grants
Deadline: April 17, 2024
For the ninth consecutive year, EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is accepting applications for grants that will fund solar installations at libraries around the world. $300,000 in grants are available to help awarded libraries offset their library expenses by incorporating solar power. All academic, school, and public libraries that are current EBSCO customers are eligible to apply. EBSCO will pay for the initial installation through the grant. The library, town, or college will own the system and be responsible for all post-installation/ongoing maintenance of the solar array. There are several criteria that will be used to assess the viability of each submission, for instance, a site with a large roof surface and a newer roof with a lifespan consistent with a new solar system or space for a ground installation.
Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award
Deadline: May 1, 2024
The Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award is an annual award to a school library that has conducted an exemplary program or program series in the humanities during the current school year. It consists of (1) a $5,000 cash award; (2) a crystal award; and (3) the promotion of the winner as a model program for other school libraries.
Art Resources Transfer’s Library Program
Deadline: Ongoing
This program provides free books on contemporary art to public institutions nationwide. Public libraries, public schools, prisons, and reading centers that self-define as under-served are eligible to order free books through our Library Program. Institutions can order anytime throughout the year. Books are entirely free and shipped free of charge.
The Pilcrow Foundations Children’s Book Project Program Grant
DEADLINE: Rolling The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books. We provide a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books from which Children’s Book Project grant recipients can select books best suited for their community. The book list includes award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations.
Wyoming Arts Council Arts Access Project Grant
DEADLINE: Rolling
The Fiscal Year 2024 Arts Access Project Grant application is now open for projects taking place July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. This grant is designed to provide arts project funding for organizations that meet any of the following four criteria: projects increasing arts access for, or primarily serving, people with disabilities; arts projects led by and/or primarily serving BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color); projects involving folk & traditional arts and artists; and organizations in rural communities with a population of less than 3000. An organization is eligible to receive up to $1000 with no match requirement.
Black Hills Corporation Community Giving
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Areas of focus are arts and culture, civic and community development, education, environment, human services, and youth development. Giving limited to Black Hills Energy service areas.
BNSF Railway Foundation Grants
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Supports organizations and programs that support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities in which BNSF Railway Company operates. Generally, they will consider requests for funding that clearly fall within one or more of the following categories: civic services, cultural organizations, educational institutions, health and human service organizations, youth organizations, and a federally recognized tribal government.
T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program
DEADLINE: Ongoing
T-Mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. These grants can be used to help upgrade tech at your local library, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and more.
Wyoming Humanities Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Ongoing
The goal of Wyoming Humanities’ grants is to support public programs that use the humanities to explore the state’s histories, stories, issues, and connections between groups and communities. Here are Wyoming Humanities’ current grant opportunities:
OPPORTUNITY #1: SPARK GRANTS
Spark Grants are for projects up to $2,000 and are due on the first working day of the month. The next deadline is April 1, 2024.
OPPORTUNITY #2: WYOMING CROSSROADS GRANTS
Wyoming Crossroads Grants serve to support the larger multi-year thematic initiative of Wyoming Humanities. Through Wyoming Crossroads Grants, nonprofit organizations will be encouraged to explore the idea of growth through change and create programming and project opportunities that dig deep into themes related to Wyoming’s identity, our sense of community, our connection to the land, unwavering persistence, and of course our ability to manage change. The next deadline is Monday, April 15, 2024 for Digital Media or Preservation Projects.