Capacity Building Projects in Maryland

The Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. History Fund, administered by the Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), offers financial support to museums, libraries, historical societies, and similar institutions throughout Maryland. Its primary goal is to enhance the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of organizations that manage historical collections. The fund prioritizes capacity-building projects, such as marketing initiatives, strategic planning, collections digitization, or developing policies that will improve an organization’s stewardship of Maryland's diverse historical and cultural artifacts. The fund is named in honor of Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, who championed the establishment of Maryland’s Preservation of Cultural Arts Fund in 2018. The fund’s annual allocation allows MCHC to foster innovative projects and safeguard the state's cultural heritage. The Miller History Fund targets non-capital projects that build the organizational capacity of applicants. This means the fund cannot be used for construction or building maintenance. Instead, it supports efforts like developing new public programs, digitizing collections, or implementing marketing strategies to attract new audiences. The fund encourages applicants to think creatively about how their projects will foster long-term resilience and sustainability. Successful applicants might propose projects such as fundraising plans, public programs targeting new audiences, or initiatives to care for and make historical collections more accessible. Partnerships between traditional history organizations and non-traditional partners like faith-based groups are encouraged, though one eligible history organization must serve as the lead applicant. Eligible applicants include non-profits and government agencies in Maryland that have historical collections as a core aspect of their mission. These organizations must have been operational for at least one year and maintain an annual operating budget under $2 million. Sub-units of larger organizations may apply if they demonstrate a distinct mission focused on historical collections. However, organizations located outside of Maryland or those that have recently received funding must sit out for at least one grant cycle before applying again. The maximum award amount is $20,000, and the minimum is $10,000. Importantly, no matching funds are required, and up to 25% of the awarded grant may be used for indirect costs or staffing. The grant does not cover general operating support, political lobbying, or capital expenses like building renovations. All project activities must be completed during the grant period, which begins in April 2025 and runs through April 2027. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), due by November 8, 2024. Full applications must be submitted by December 6, 2024, with award announcements expected in February 2025. Successful applicants will receive half of their funding at the beginning of the grant period, and the remainder will be disbursed following an interim report due in April 2026. A final report is required by May 2027. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts based on criteria including the project's heritage value, clarity, relevancy, impact, expertise, and sustainability. Special consideration will be given to projects that promote cross-organizational collaboration or support Maryland's Semiquincentennial Commemoration in 2026. Awards will be determined on a competitive basis, with a maximum score of 34 points including bonus points for geographic reach and Semiquincentennial-related projects. If you are interested in applying, make sure to attend the informational webinar on October 15, 2024, and review the guidelines carefully. For more information or assistance, potential applicants can contact the program administrator, Karen Gasior, at grants@mdhistory.org.