Grants for Museums – IMLS Museum Grant Opportunities Now Open

Museums across the United States have a few opportunities in the coming months to apply for grants from the nation’s primary source of federal museum funding. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is now accepting applications for the following grant programs (click on the grant name for more information):

Museums for America

Grant Amount: $5,000–$250,000

Program Overview: The Museums for America program supports projects that strengthen the ability of an individual museum to serve its public.

Inspire! Grants for Small Museums

Grant Amount: $5,000–$50,000

Program Overview: Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is a special initiative of the Museums for America program. It is designed to help small museums implement projects that address priorities identified in their strategic plans.

Museums Empowered

Grant Amount: $5,000–$250,000

Program Overview: Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff, a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program, supports staff capacity building projects that use professional development to generate systemic change within a museum.

National Leadership Grants for Museums

Grant Amount: $5,000–$1,000,000

Program Overview: National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) support projects that enhance the quality of library and archive services nationwide by advancing theory and practice.

Museum Grants for African American History and Culture

Grant Amount: $5,000–$250,000

Program Overview: The goals of the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (AAHC program) are to build the capacity of African American museums and support the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums.

Applications for all above programs are due on November 16, 2020. Applicants should review the notices of funding opportunity carefully to understand the program goals, which align with the 2018-2022 IMLS Strategic Plan.