Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries

Resources for Finding Funding

NCompass Live: Winning Grants for Your Library Programming - recorded webinar and presentation slides - March 13, 2024, 1 hour 17 minutes.

Grants   

A curated selection of grants. This list is not exhaustive and may be updated with new grants at any time.

Nebraska Library Commission Grants:

Grant applications for these NLC grants for 2026 are due November 14, 2025:

Continuing Education and Training Grants
Internship Grants
Library Improvement Grants
Youth Grants for Excellence

Other NLC Grants:

Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship - Applications closed October 3, 2025
Little Free Libraries Early Literacy Grants - Applications closed August 22, 2025

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

Nebraska Library Association:

Louise A. Nixon Scholarship
College and University Section - Professional Development Grant, Research Grant
Gumdrop Books NLA Conference Scholarship 

Creative Aging Arts Progam (CAAP) - the Nebraska Arts Council announces special funding for CAAP in Nebraska public libraries beginning in summer 2025. Programming involves interactive artist residencies, comprised of sequential workshops for participants who are 55 or older, led by CAAP artists. Apply for CAAP grants at least six weeks ahead. Grants cover most or all expenses. Funds are limited, and grants are processed first-come, first-served.

ALA's Libraries Transforming Communities Grant: Accessible Small and Rural Communities - Grants from $10,000 to $20,000 to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to 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). Final Round - last chance to apply. Applications Due: December 11, 2025.

IEEE Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grant committee is offering up to $2,000 in funding to public libraries across the Midwest for 2026. The grant is focused on the creation of a circulating science kit collection for primary and secondary education students (K-12). Applications Due: January 15, 2026.

NEA Big Read Grants - Matching grants of up to $20,000 to support community-wide reading programs, centered around this year's theme: America250, honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. Eligibility: Nonprofit arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments located and operating within the United States or the Native Nations that share this geography. Intent to Apply deadline is January 15, 2026. Final Application due: January 29, 2026.

Penguin Random House and United for Libraries 2026 Grants for U.S. Rural and Small Library Friends Groups - Grants of $500 and $1,000, along with book donations and free virtual training, will be awarded to small and rural libraries across the US. These funds will assist Friends of Library groups, or nonprofit groups that support and fundraise for libraries in their communities, with priority projects. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles. Applications will be open December 17, 2025 - January 21, 2026.

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 grant 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 RoamNebraska Discovery 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. 2025 Applications were due September 15, 2025.

Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. 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. Annual deadlines: Letter of Intent to Apply due January 15. Full Application due February 15.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of facilities. Libraries fall under 'Public Works - Facilities' and must be Accredited. Requires a 25% match. Watch the recording of the June 4 2025 CDBG Funding Opportunities, Deadlines, and Criteria webinar to learn more. 2025 Applications were due September 15, 2025.

USDA Community Facilities Loans & Grants - 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. Program Period: Open Year Round.

Grant Application Guide for Rural Communities from the Center for Rural Affairs.

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.

ALA Building Library Capacity Grants - Applications were due April 9, 2025. To assist public libraries that are or will serve New Americans - immigrants and refugees. For 2025, up to sixteen grants of $10,000 each to libraries to increase their capacity to provide essential services. Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. ALA membership is NOT required.

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.

Burlington Capital Foundation - Focus on nonprofit Military/Veteran, Education, Arts, and Community Improvement support in Nebraska and Iowa. Accepts and makes decisions on applications throughout the year.

Dollar General Literacy and Summer Reading Grants - Applications for 2026 Youth Literacy grants will open in March 2026. Applications for 2026 Adult Literacy, Family Literacy, and Summer Reading will open in January 2026. Nonprofit organizations as determined by the IRS, a public library, school, or college providing direct literacy services are eligible to apply. The applicant organization must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. Other eligibility requirements are specific to each grant type and can be found within the grants themselves. For the Adult and Family literacy grant programs, the maximum grant amount is up to $10,000. The Summer Reading maximum is $3,000 and the Youth Literacy grant is $4,000.

First Interstate BancSystem Foundation - Provides grants and donations in communities served by First Interstate Bank, this includes Nebraska. Areas of interest include arts and culture, civic and community affairs, K-12 and higher education, health, human services, sustainability, and alleviating poverty. Nonprofit organizations and units of government are eligible to apply. Minimum grant amount is $2,500. Requests are reviewed monthly.

IMLS - Institute of Museum and Library Services - federal support for the nation's libraries and museums.

Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize - From the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. One winning library, identified based on the degree of its impact on the community, will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies. All U.S. Public Libraries are eligible. 2025 Applications were due September 15, 2025.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation - Awards grants to organizations for which a small amount of money might make a large difference. The Foundation welcomes requests for support from community-based, non-profit organizations based in the United States, including publicly supported organizations, such as schools, libraries, or other local government institutions. Accepts and makes awards twice a year - deadlines are May 10 and November 10.

Pilcrow Foundation - 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. Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 and October 1.

PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives - Applications for 2024-2025 were due October 18, 2024. Supported by AT&T. PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive: This program will award $10,000 to large public libraries and $5,000 to small public libraries, as well as provide the necessary training resources, to conduct workshops that teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA's DigitalLearn courses and training materials. PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive: This new pilot program will award $4,000 to public libraries with digital navigators to utilize DigitalLearn materials and resources. Libraries must already have a digital navigator to apply.

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.

Rural Technology Fund - Grants for $500- $2,500 for Rural Technology Education projects and Assistive Technology equipment to increase accessibility for students with disabilities in public schools and libraries. No specific deadlines - grants awarded every 30-60 days.

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.' Not accepting applications at this time. Updated guidelines expected December 2025.

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.

Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program - 2026 Application Period - April 1-30, 2026. 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 Vitality funding priority - to "Provide recreational opportunities that foster wellbeing, enrichment and/or an appreciation for our natural environment".

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.