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May 18 2020

MHAA Awards Emergency Grants Totaling $50,000 to Local Heritage Organizations

Grant Awards, News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) has awarded its first round of 59 matching grants totaling $600,440 to heritage tourism nonprofits across Maryland’s 13 Certified Heritage Areas. A total of $50,000 in Emergency Grant funds was awarded to organizations in the Four Rivers Heritage Area. The grant funds support emergency operating costs that will help keep these nonprofit organizations afloat, as the COVID-19 public health crisis and the associated economic ramifications continue. According to Jennifer Ruffner, MHAA Administrator, "This was one of the hardest grant review processes that we have ever participated in,...

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May 15 2020

Announcement! Small Business Customer and Employee Protection Grant

News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

Although the majority of our partners and sites are nonprofits, we also know that many of the valuable supporters of our heritage community are for-profit businesses. For that reason, we wanted to make you aware of a new grant opportunity aimed at supporting the efforts of these stakeholders to safely open to the public. Yesterday, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the Small Business Customer and Employee Protection Grant Program, which is designed to assist local businesses purchase products and services needed for safe reopening in compliance with COVID-19 regulations....

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May 14 2020

Learn Online With Our Library

News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

As you probably know, the Anne Arundel County Library offers more than books. The library also hosts a wide variety of free online learning resources for adults. If you’ve been thinking of using this time to brush up on a skill or develop a new one, here are some ways to make that happen. Lynda.com is an online education service that can help you learn technology, creative, and business skills. Library cardholders have access to over 129,000 free video tutorials on topics like tech, photography, social media and more. Some courses we...

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May 14 2020

Resources on Accessibility – Recorded Webinar

Partner Resources, Whats new
by Carol

[vc_row row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" text_align="left" box_shadow_on_row="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Tuesday, May 12, Four Rivers hosted a webinar entitled, “Strategies for Making Heritage Sites Accessible.” This webinar featured Robert Forloney, Program Developer & Cultural Institution Consultant, who led a discussion on the key aspects of planning for accessibility, the ethical and legal requirements of ADA compliance, strategies to serve audiences with special needs, the WHY of planning for all audiences, and how these efforts can improve the visitor experience for all. View recorded webinar: https://youtu.be/OT9F0VSFI9k Download the slides from the webinar here: Four Rivers Accessibility Workshop 2020 Mr. Forloney shared an extensive list...

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May 13 2020

Now Open! Maryland Historical Trust’s Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grants

News, Partner Resources, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

In FY2021, funding totaling $300,000 has been distributed from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund to the Maryland Historical Trust to be awarded as Non-Capital Grants. Nonprofit organizations (including state agencies) and local jurisdictions may apply for Non-Capital Grants. These grants provide support for a wide variety of research, survey, planning, and educational activities involving architectural, archaeological, or cultural resources. Eligible activities may include preservation plans, historic and cultural resource surveys, educational outreach programs, and National Register nominations. Eligible Applicants Nonprofit organizations (including state agencies) and local jurisdictions are eligible to apply...

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May 12 2020

Stay Healthy and Enjoy the Outdoors

News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

May is one of the most beautiful months in Maryland, and as long as it’s done safely, there are plenty of places and opportunities to get out in nature while complying with social distancing measures. After all, fresh air and sunshine are good for our health.   Following Governor Larry’s Hogan’s Update Regarding Maryland’s Stay at Home Order and Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation, individual and small group sports are now permitted and closed functions at state parks are reopened, including all state beaches and playgrounds If you’re looking for a state park...

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May 11 2020

Tomorrow! Strategies for Making Heritage Sites Accessible Webinar

News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

Join the Four Rivers Heritage Area on Tuesday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m., for Strategies for Making Heritage Sites Accessible. While our partners’ sites are closed to the public, we know you have been hard at work planning for the future, including ways to fill accessibility “gaps” and welcoming all audiences. This webinar features Robert Forloney, Program Developer & Cultural Institution Consultant, who will lead a discussion on the key aspects of planning for accessibility. He will focus on the ethical and legal requirements of ADA compliancy, strategies to serve audiences with special needs, the WHY...

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May 08 2020

Apps for Virtual Tours

News, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

Last week we announced our new Virtual Experiences page, highlighting a variety of online exhibits, educational resources, activities, webinars, and video tours from our partners. Are you interested in offering a virtual experience for your visitors? Below are some tools that can help you create a virtual tour or even venture into augmented reality. Clio Clio is your guide to the history and culture around you. Discover nearby historical and cultural sites. Each entry and walking tour is created by local historians, universities, historic sites, and museums. With a free Institution Account,...

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May 07 2020

Self-Care During COVID-19

News, Partner Resources, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

Many of our previous posts have focused on how you can take care of your organization throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is also important that you take care of yourself. The following resources offer support and encouragement to help you cope with the wide range of health- and wellness-related challenges you may be experiencing during this crisis.   The American Alliance of Museums shared an article on Seeking Self-Care Solutions, for COVID-19 and Beyond, sharing some of the biggest stressors facing museum employees and ways employees and...

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May 06 2020

Donor Engagement and COVID-19

News, Partner Resources, Whats new
by Hope Stewart

Our nonprofit donors play an integral role in allowing us to fulfill our missions. For that reason, even with our sites closed for now, donor engagement remains important. The resources listed below may be helpful to reach a better understanding of how this engagement might change and evolve due to our shared experiences with COVID-19, and how we may want to shift our approaches towards donor relations in order to ensure the financial sustainability of our organizations.  Bloomerang has compiled a library of crisis fundraising advice, articles, opinions, webinars, videos and...

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