Let’s talk about your experiences getting money to support library programs.
As a resource, SALS compiled a list of organizations that regularly award funds to public libraries.
Arts & Humanities Grants
The decentralization programs of the New York State Council on the Arts supports programs in local libraries. The following decentralization sites regrant funds to local communities. Application deadlines are in the early fall for the following year.
Saratoga County Arts Council
320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Contact the SPAF Regrant Administrator at (518)584-4132 x203
http://www.saratoga-arts.org/grant_spaf.htm
Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council
P.O. Box 659, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Call (518)798-1144, ext. 4
http://www.adk-arts.org/opportunities.html
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts
Route 28 P.O. Box 205, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812
(518) 352-7715
E-mail: alca@frontiernet.net
http://www.adk-arts.org/
The New York Council for the Humanities funds projects that stimulate public consideration of history and culture through several different kinds of grants, ranging in size from $250 for speakers to major grants of $10,000.
New York Council for the Humanities
150 Broadway, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 233-1131
Fax: (212) 233-4607
E-mail: nych@nyhumanities.org
Website: http://www.nyhumanities.org/
To request funding from Poets & Writers for writers reading and presenting workshops in public libraries, contact Bonnie Marcus.
Poets & Writers, Inc.
Bonnie Marcus
72 Spring Street, Suite 301
New York, NY 10012
phone (212) 226-3586 x 225
fax (212) 226-3963
E-mail: bmarcus@pw.org
Website: http://www.pw.org/
New York State Grants
Parent and Child Library Services Grant: To help public libraries develop or expand library services to parents, children, and caregivers. The funds available are determined in the State budget. The two-year grant cycle runs July 1 through June 30. Application deadline is January 24th by 5:00 pm. No fax applications accepted. Grants will be funded between $10,000 and $50,000 per year. The application is on the Library Development website: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/familylit/index.html
Adult Literacy Services Grant: To help public libraries and public library systems develop or expand adult literacy services in collaboration with a local literacy provider. The funds available are determined by the State budget. The two-year grant cycle runs July 1 through June 30. Application deadline is January 24th by 5:00 pm. Grants will be funded between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. The application is on the Library Development website: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/literacy/index.html
Grant Resources for Librarians who Serve Children and Young Adults (from the web page of the New York State Library, Division of Library Development, Youth Services Program). This is a nice listing of grant programs, other grant resources, and more. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/youthsvs/links.htm#GrantOther
Public Library Construction Grant Program:   Funds provide up to 50 percent of the approved costs of acquisition, renovation or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters. Applications are announced in the fall of each year. http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/construc/index.html
The New York State Historic Preservation Grant Program awards funds to improve, protect, preserve, rehabilitate or restore properties on State or National registers. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/grants/protection_fund.htm
Federal Grants
The Institute of Museum and Library Services: Proposals should have national impact and provide models that can be widely adapted or replicated by others to extend the benefit of federal support. Applications are on the IMLS website: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/after.shtm
Foundation Grants
The Foundation Center: Founded in 1956, the Center is the nation’s leading authority on philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Their website (http://www.fdncenter.org/) provides access to materials and services. You can research foundations using the Foundation Center’s cooperating collection housed in the New York State Library, Humanities Reference, Cultural Education Center, 6th floor, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230. Call to make an appointment before you visit: (518) 474-5355.
Other Sources
Selected Grants and Fundraising Resources
Compiled by the New York State LibraryGeneral resources, federal government, fundraising, grant and proposal writing, libraries, New York, online publications and science and medicine are some of the resources you will find here.
Grantmakers and Scholarships
Compiled by the Mid-Hudson Library System
Large companies and businesses who employ people who live in your area: Contact the local store manager and district managers about grants and other valuable resources such as gifts of materials and services.