Opportunity Information: Apply for AAHC FY19
The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Its central focus is strengthening African American museums by helping them build organizational capacity while also supporting the professional growth of the people who work in these institutions. In practice, the program is designed to help museums become more sustainable, more effective in their operations, and better equipped to serve the public through stronger staff skills, improved systems, and expanded programming.
A key emphasis of the program is investment in projects that nurture museum professionals, meaning proposals can center on training, skill-building, mentorship, and other workforce development efforts that improve day-to-day museum practice and long-term leadership. At the same time, the program supports projects that build institutional capacity, which can include strengthening management practices, improving planning and governance, developing infrastructure, and expanding the museum's ability to deliver high-quality services. Another major priority is increasing access to museum and archival collections, including efforts that help African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) make collections more discoverable and usable by the public, researchers, and communities.
IMLS encourages applications from museums of all sizes and from any geographic area, as long as the institution's primary purpose, reflected in its mission, is focused on African American art, life, history, and culture. The eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility clarification typically provided in the full notice, but the program description makes clear that African American museums and HBCUs with relevant collections and missions are central intended beneficiaries.
Projects can be proposed at multiple stages of development, which gives applicants flexibility in how they frame their work. An organization may apply with an exploratory project to test ideas and assess needs, a piloting project to run a limited implementation, a scaling project to expand a proven model, or a mainstreaming project to integrate a successful approach into standard operations. The program also recognizes continuity and learning over time: proposed activities can be entirely new to the institution, or they can build on lessons and competencies gained through earlier projects. In other words, applicants can propose either experimentation and development or the expansion of strategies that have already shown results.
For the specific opportunity details provided (AAHC FY19, CFDA 45.309), the award ceiling is $250,000, with an anticipated 26 awards. The opportunity was created on August 16, 2018, and the original application deadline was November 1, 2018. The funding activity category is listed under arts and humanities (cultural affairs), reflecting the program's role in supporting cultural heritage institutions and the professional practices that sustain them.Apply for AAHC FY19
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Museum Grants for African American History & Culture" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.309.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 16, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 01, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 26 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program?
The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It is designed to strengthen African American museums by building organizational capacity and supporting the professional growth of museum staff.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
This program is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What is the central purpose of the program?
The program focuses on helping African American museums become more sustainable and effective by improving staff skills, strengthening systems and operations, and supporting expanded or higher-quality programming and services for the public.
What types of projects does this program support?
Based on the description provided, supported projects include efforts that: (1) nurture museum professionals through training, skill-building, mentorship, and workforce development; (2) build institutional capacity through improved management practices, planning, governance, and infrastructure; and (3) increase access to museum and archival collections by making collections more discoverable and usable by the public, researchers, and communities.
Is professional development an eligible focus for a proposal?
Yes. A key emphasis is investing in projects that nurture museum professionals, including training, skill-building, mentorship, and other workforce development activities that improve museum practice and leadership over time.
What does "institutional capacity building" mean in this program?
In this program, capacity building can include strengthening management practices, improving planning and governance, developing infrastructure, improving systems, and expanding the museum's ability to deliver high-quality services and operate effectively.
Does the program support improving access to collections and archives?
Yes. A major priority is increasing access to museum and archival collections, including efforts that make collections more discoverable and usable by the public, researchers, and communities. The description specifically notes African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as part of this emphasis.
Who is this funding intended to benefit?
The intended beneficiaries described include African American museums and HBCUs with relevant collections and missions centered on African American art, life, history, and culture.
Are museums of all sizes and locations encouraged to apply?
Yes. IMLS encourages applications from museums of all sizes and from any geographic area, as long as the institution's primary purpose (as reflected in its mission) focuses on African American art, life, history, and culture.
What mission focus is expected of applicants?
The program description indicates that an institution's primary purpose, reflected in its mission, should be focused on African American art, life, history, and culture.
What is the eligible applicant category listed for this opportunity?
The eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others." The description also indicates that African American museums and HBCUs with relevant collections and missions are central intended beneficiaries, with additional eligibility clarification typically provided in the full notice.
Can an organization apply if its project is still in an early or exploratory stage?
Yes. Projects can be proposed at multiple stages of development, including exploratory projects that test ideas and assess needs.
What are the different project stages mentioned for proposals?
The program description references four stages: exploratory (testing ideas and assessing needs), piloting (limited implementation), scaling (expanding a proven model), and mainstreaming (integrating a successful approach into standard operations).
Can a proposal build on prior work rather than starting from scratch?
Yes. Proposed activities can be entirely new or can build on lessons and competencies gained through earlier projects. The program recognizes continuity and learning over time.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for the AAHC FY19 opportunity?
For the specific opportunity details provided (AAHC FY19, CFDA 45.309), the award ceiling is $250,000.
How many awards were anticipated for this opportunity?
The opportunity details provided indicate an anticipated 26 awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 16, 2018.
What was the original application deadline for the AAHC FY19 opportunity?
The original application deadline provided is November 1, 2018.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 45.309.
What funding activity category does this grant fall under?
The funding activity category is listed under arts and humanities (cultural affairs), reflecting the program's focus on cultural heritage institutions and the professional practices that support them.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve for museums?
The description emphasizes outcomes such as improved sustainability, more effective operations, stronger staff skills and leadership development, improved systems and governance, and expanded capacity to serve the public through enhanced services and programming, including increased access to collections and archives.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (AAHC FY19) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums Apply for IGSM FY19 Funding Number: IGSM FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums Apply for NLG M FY19 Funding Number: NLG M FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries Apply for APP FY19 Funding Number: APP FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Promoting Cross-Cultural Cooperation Apply for PD TLVJER 2019 01 Funding Number: PD TLVJER 2019 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Israel Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant Apply for NAG BASIC FY19 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY19 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY19 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY19 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY20 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Apply for LB21 FY20 Funding Number: LB21 FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture Apply for AAHC FY20 Funding Number: AAHC FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Museums Empowered Apply for ME FY20 Funding Number: ME FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums Apply for NLG M FY20 Funding Number: NLG M FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Apply for NANH FY20 Funding Number: NANH FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums Apply for IGSM FY20 Funding Number: IGSM FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Museums for America Apply for MFA FY20 Funding Number: MFA FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries Apply for APP FY20 Funding Number: APP FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2020) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY20 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant Apply for NAG BASIC FY20 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY20 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries Apply for CAG ML FY20 Funding Number: CAG ML FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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