Groundwork Grants is a disaster preparedness funding initiative developed through a partnership between the California State Library, the Northeast Document Conservation Center, and Myriad Consulting & Training. It responds to increasing threats from natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods that disproportionately affect cultural heritage institutions in California, especially those representing historically underrepresented communities. The program builds on the Ready or Not initiative, which offers free on-site risk assessments for cultural institutions. These assessments identify preservation needs and guide institutions in disaster preparedness planning.
The 2025 funding cycle offers over $1.5 million in total funding through competitive grants of up to $20,000 per applicant. Awards may come as cash grants or pre-paid goods and services. Supported activities include acquiring disaster recovery kits, environmental monitoring equipment, preservation supplies, staff training, project mentorship, consultation with facilities specialists, and minor facility repairs. Applications from institutions serving African American, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ+, rural, disabled, and other marginalized groups are especially encouraged. Organizations are urged to align proposals with recent emergency readiness assessments, particularly those conducted by Ready or Not consultants.
Eligible applicants include California-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, accredited public or nonprofit higher education institutions, local government entities, and federally recognized tribal governments. Applicants must maintain historically and culturally significant collections that are accessible to the public or their communities of origin. Entities with multiple sub-units or departments must submit separate applications for each.
Applications open April 17, 2025, and must be submitted by June 2, 2025. Awards will be announced by July 15, 2025, and all project-related expenditures must be completed by March 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted online through the Groundwork Grants portal and include organizational information, a project narrative, a work plan, a budget, and required attachments such as preservation assessment reports and consultant letters of commitment. Grant requests may include up to 25% of the total amount for staff compensation related to project management.
Evaluation criteria include the project’s relevance to preserving underrepresented California heritage, demonstrated emergency preparedness needs, alignment with assessment recommendations, qualifications of project personnel, feasibility of the proposed work plan, and appropriateness of the budget. For assistance, applicants can contact Program Officer Joana Stillwell by email at joana@myriadconsultants.org or by phone at 352-554-8684.
