McMurry Continuing Staff Education Grant

The McMurry Continuing Staff Education Grant is offered through the Carol McMurry Library Endowment, managed by the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF). The Foundation, headquartered in Laramie, Wyoming, is committed to building a better Wyoming by connecting people with causes that matter. This specific funding opportunity is designed to support individuals working or volunteering in publicly accessible libraries across the state. It aims to advance professional development and skill-building in the library field by providing financial support for eligible continuing education opportunities. The primary objective of the grant is to strengthen the library workforce through structured learning. Funding is prioritized for educational pursuits that lead to certification or completion of a degree or certificate in library-related fields. Secondary priorities include attendance at relevant conferences, workshops, seminars, or trainings that relate to the applicant’s area of library work. Additionally, more general coursework that enhances an individual's ability to perform their duties within a library setting may also qualify for support, although this is considered a lower priority. Applicants must be individuals who have either worked or volunteered for at least 12 consecutive months at their current library. Eligible institutions include public libraries, academic libraries, special libraries, public school libraries, and public archives. Importantly, support is available once every three years for conference attendance, and the grant cannot be used for international conferences. Moreover, applicants can request funding for a substitute worker, ensuring library operations continue smoothly during their absence. The grant allows for a maximum annual award of $2,000. Individuals may apply twice within the same calendar year if they complete and submit a final report for the first award. The final report includes a financial section requiring documentation such as receipts and invoices. Funds not substantiated with proper documentation must be reimbursed to the endowment. Awards are paid directly to the grantee via ACH, and instructions for reporting are provided along with the award letter. Grant application deadlines occur every other month, with six opportunities per year: January 31, March 31, May 31, July 31, September 30, and November 30. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the start of the proposed educational event, allowing sufficient time for review, notification, and payment processing. Events must begin only after the review month immediately following the deadline. For instance, events submitted by January 31 may not begin until after March 1. This strict schedule ensures that all administrative procedures are completed prior to the event start. For more information, applicants can contact Ben Kinion at BenK@wycf.org or by phone at 307-721-8300. The Wyoming Community Foundation is located at 1472 N. 5th Street, Suite 201, Laramie, WY 82072. The Foundation’s office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interested individuals are encouraged to carefully review all application requirements and timelines prior to submission.