Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries
Resources for
Finding Funding
Grants
A curated selection of grants. This
list is not exhaustive and may be updated with new grants at any time.
2024 Nebraska Library Commission Grants:
Grant applications for the 2024 NLC grants are due November 17,
2023:
Continuing Education and Training Grants
Internship Grants
Library Improvement Grants
Youth Grants for Excellence
Nebraska Regional Library Systems:
Central Plains Library
System Scholarship Grants
Southeast Library
System Scholarships
Three Rivers Library System Continuing Education Scholarships
Western Library System Scholarships
ALA's Libraries Transforming Communities Grant: Accessible Small and
Rural Communities -
Application deadline: December 11. ALA invites applications from
small and rural libraries for the second application period of this
initiative to provide community engagement and accessibility resources to
help them better serve people with disabilities. Open to any type of library
in the U.S. and U.S. territories that serves a small
and rural
community – to be eligible, a library must have a legal service area
population of 25,000 or less
and be located at least five miles
from an urbanized area (town/city with a population of 25,000 or greater).
Libraries selected will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related
to their community engagement project; virtual training; a suite of online
resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project
support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term.
Nebraska Library Association:
Louise A. Nixon
Scholarship
College and University Section -
Professional Development Grant,
Research Grant
Humanities Nebraska
- Grants to nonprofit organizations, including libraries, in
support of projects related to the humanities. Requires at least a 1:1 match
between HN grant funds and cash or in-kind budget items.
Applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the
year.
Nebraska Arts
Council - Grants to: nonprofit organizations; government
agencies, including libraries; tribal governments; schools, colleges,
universities; and religious organizations. For "art projects and programs of
the highest artistic excellence that reflect creativity and innovation while
providing opportunities for artists and arts organizations".
Multiple grants categories, deadlines vary.
Nebraska Community Foundation - grants available from
many affiliated funds in over 250 communities across the state of Nebraska.
Nebraska
State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF) Statewide Grants Program
- Grants that benefit local historical and educational
organizations with programming and learning opportunities in community
history. Examples of applying organizations include museums, historical
societies, and libraries that use core educational, preservation and
interpretive programs. 2023 Application deadline: April 30, 2023.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the
Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Acquisition, construction, or
rehabilitation of facilities. Libraries fall under Public
Works and must be Accredited. Requires a 25% match. 2023 Application
deadline: September 1, 2023.
Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) from
the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Annual deadlines:
Letter of Intent to Apply due January 15. Full Application due February 15. To construct and/or improve
community facilities such as libraries. Nebraska municipalities, including
rural cities and villages, are eligible to apply. A CCCFF grant cannot
account for more than 50% of the total project costs. And, at a minimum,
local cost-share is 1:1.
USDA Community Facilities Grants and Loans -
Program Period: Open Year Round. To purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, such as libraries, in
rural areas - cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally
Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants - is a $25 million, five-year
initiative, through 2026, to support small towns, villages, and
territories across America by funding community projects. Grants of
up to $50,000 are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns to help fund
projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster
local connections in your town, such as the public library, the town square
pavilion, a historic building, an outdoor park, or a ball field. Elected
leaders, town managers/employees, and nonprofit leaders in small towns with
populations of less than 50,000 are eligible. Recipients are
selected and awarded quarterly.
4imprint one by
one Grants - $500 grants for promotional products to
organizations making a difference in their communities. Donation recipients
must be a 501(c)(3) organization, a school, a religious organization or a
registered Canadian charity. Several grants are awarded each business day.
Ash
Grove Charitable Foundation
- Grants of up to $25,000 to charitable, educational, and scientific
organizations, which are 501(c)(3) public charities, for capital and special
projects, such as construction, renovation, repairs, and restoration of
facilities. Accepts and makes decisions on applications throughout
the year.
Pilcrow Foundation
-
Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and
October 1. Provides new, quality, hardcover children's books to rural public
libraries serving a population under 10,000 (priority to community
populations under 5,000) across the United States. Children's
Book Project Grant - provides a 2-to-1 match to grant recipients who
contribute $200-$400 through Friends of the Library or other local sponsors.
Disaster Relief Grant - limited number of special non-matching grants to
libraries affected by recent tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, or other
natural disasters.
Union Pacific Foundation Local Grants - 2023
Application deadline: May 31, 2023. The Union
Pacific Foundation considers support to 501(c)(3) public charities located
in
communities served by Union Pacific Railroad. Libraries fall under the
Community Spaces funding priority - supporting the local economy by building
and enhancing community spaces.
BNSF Railway Foundation
- Makes grants to charitable organizations and divisions of local government
in the communities
in which BNSF Railway Company operates. Open application system -
you may apply at any time.
Peter Kiewit Foundation
- Applicants must have a valid 501(c)3 status or be a unit of government in
Nebraska. Invests in proven and promising programs, systemic solutions,
capital projects, general operations, planning and capacity building, and
policy development. Accepts and makes decisions on applications quarterly.
Robert B. Daugherty
Foundation - Grants to tax exempt organizations in Nebraska for
Capital Construction Projects, General Operating Support, and Program
Support.
Accepts requests for funding throughout the year.
Sunderland Foundation
- Makes grants annually to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for
capital building construction projects within a certain geographic scope. In
Nebraska, grant applications are only accepted from the 'Metro Areas of
Omaha & Lincoln.' Applications are accepted and
reviewed throughout the year.
IMLS -
Institute of Museum and Library Services - federal support for the nation's
libraries and museums.
Resources for Finding Funding
Foundation Resource Directory - Maintained and published by
the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF). Contact information, brief
summaries, fields of interest, limitations, and grant application information on
foundations, both in and out of Nebraska.
GrantStation -
Sign
up for a free weekly newsletter of grant opportunities - current and past
issues are at
GrantStation Insider. Also check the weekly highlighted
Funding Alerts -
database profiles of local, national, Canadian, and international
grantmakers with upcoming deadlines. Watch for
TechSoup special promotions on discounted memberships.
Library Grants
- announcements of library specific grants.
ALA
Grants - grants awarded by ALA divisions and funding sponsored
by major library vendors.
K-12 Grant Opportunities
- weekly listings of new funding opportunities for K-12 schools and
individual educators.
Grant Resources
from NebraskAccess.