September Grant and Award Opportunities

Sep 4, 2026

Here is a newly updated list of grant opportunities for libraries and library professionals with deadlines during the next couple of months or with ongoing application periods. Check them out and see if any of them can help your library meet the needs of your community even more effectively!

Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize for Public Libraries
Deadline: September 11, 2026
One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered monies for programs and services that benefit their communities from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation.

McMurry Library Endowment Grant (through the Wyoming Community Foundation)
Deadline: September 15, 2026
This grant program funds projects from Wyoming libraries that address an identified community need and work to create a long-term solution, partner with other nonprofits or programs to enhance services without duplication, and leverage dollars received from WYCF to obtain additional or future funding.

McMurry Library Continuing Staff Education Scholarship Program
Deadline: September 15, 2026
This grant program funds projects from Wyoming libraries that address an identified community need and work to create a long-term solution, partner with other nonprofits or programs to enhance services without duplication, and leverage dollars received from WYCF to obtain additional or future funding.

Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
Deadline: September 15, 2026
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation supports the growth and vitality of local communities through charitable investments of between $2,000 and $5,000 during four grant cycles each year.

A Year of STEM
Deadline: October 28, 2026
Through a collaboration between Cummins, Inc. and the American Library Association, twenty-five libraries will be chosen to receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant Programs
Deadline: November 13, 2026

  • Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program – Supports the training and professional development of library and archives professionals to meet the information needs of their communities.
  • National Leadership Grants for Libraries – Supports projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.
  • Native American Library Services: Basic Grants – Assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities.
  • Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants –  Advance the programs and services of eligible Native American Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations. These competitive grants, awarded in amounts up to $150,000, are designed to develop, enhance, or disseminate practices, programs, models, tools, or library staff training to strengthen library and archival services for Federally recognized Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations

NEH Collections Stewardship Grants: Up to $500,000 for Libraries and Archives
Deadline: December 15, 2026
This program supports approximately 50 projects that preserve and increase access to physical and digital humanities collections with grants of $50,000–$100,000 for planning projects; $100,001–$350,000 for implementation projects by one organization; and $350,001–$500,000 for collaborative implementation projects.

Improve the News Foundation VerityEd Educator / Librarian Grants for Media Literacy
Deadline: Rolling until funds are awarded; early applications are encouraged, preferably by the end of fall 2026
Twenty educators and/or school librarians will be selected to pilot Media Literacy & VerityEd lessons to help shape the future of media literacy in classrooms worldwide and receive a minimum of $1,000 to support implementation, plus optional bonuses and recognition.

Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries Prize
Deadline: Ongoing
This $500 grant is funded by the Sisters in Crime writing network.

The Freedom to Learn Foundation Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
This grant provides direct support to libraries serving rural and historically marginalized communities that have experienced a loss or threat to public funding.

National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Deadline: Ongoing
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L) supports projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.

The Community Heart & Soul Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.

Believe in Reading – Grants for Literacy Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are made to organizations with 501(c)(3) status or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries.

Rural Technology Education & Assistive Technology (AT) Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are typically $500 – $2,500 for staff and student-led projects in public schools and libraries designed to help spark student interest in technology-based careers like computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cyber security, robotics, or similar areas.

Wyoming Humanities’ Indian Education for All Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Wyoming Humanities will offer one-time compensation to support the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Keeper in the classroom, including a $350 honorarium and $200 in travel funds (if 100+ miles roundtrip.)

Wish You Well Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
The Wish You Well Foundation supports adult and family literacy in the United States by fostering the development and expansion of new and existing adult literacy and educational programs.

Scholastic Possible Fund
Deadline: Ongoing
The Scholastic Possible Fund was established to provide a single repository of quality children’s books to be donated to charity partners that share the Company’s mission to improve global literacy and put books into the hands of children who might otherwise have none.

Art Resources Transfer’s Library Program
Deadline: Ongoing
This program provides free books on contemporary art to public institutions nationwide, including public libraries, public schools, prisons, and reading centers that self-define as under-served are eligible to order free books through our Library Program. I

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.

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
These grants are given to organizations and programs that support and improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities in which BNSF Railway Company operates.

Please contact Wyoming State Library Communications and Grants Specialist Christi Weinzierl at christi.weinzierl1@wyo.gov with questions or for assistance in applying for any of these opportunities.

If you have a question about this or any other article, please contact us at statelibrary@wyo.gov

Browse by Category

Browse by Month

Similar Articles You May Like