Community and NGOs Grants

The Community and NGOs Grants program is administered by the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Department in support of the state’s Semiquincentennial commemoration. The initiative aligns with the national “America 250” celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and is intended to empower communities throughout Wyoming to explore, preserve, and share their contributions to American history. Funding is available to develop projects that honor local heritage, uplift underrepresented narratives, and foster civic engagement through arts, education, and historic preservation. Eligible applicants include local governments and public education institutions within Wyoming, Wyoming-based nonprofit organizations in good standing, state agencies, and the officially designated entities of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Business Councils. Applicants must demonstrate prior project management experience or have a history of collaboration with community organizations. For 501(c)(3) nonprofit applicants, registration with the Wyoming Secretary of State is required. Each application must also be accompanied by a letter of support from the official county Semiquincentennial Committee or County Commission, or another designation document from the State Semiquincentennial Task Force. Partnerships with local institutions, such as libraries, museums, veterans' organizations, or Indigenous communities, are encouraged and must be formalized prior to submission. Funding supports a broad range of project types that align with the Semiquincentennial’s themes. These include strategic planning initiatives, public art and murals with an America 250 theme, monuments and historical markers, and local or online exhibits. Project expenses may cover salaries for project personnel, meeting materials, venue rentals, artist fees, translation services, and digitization of historical materials. All proposed initiatives must include educational components and adhere strictly to commemorative objectives. Ineligible costs include political events, food, alcohol, entertainment, fireworks, fundraising efforts, capital improvements unrelated to the Semiquincentennial, lobbying, and university faculty salaries. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting January 15, 2025, and will remain open through December 31, 2025. Award notifications will be issued within 60 days of application submission. The program allows multiple submissions from the same community or organization. Projects are reviewed based on their relevance to the America 250 themes, anticipated community impact, feasibility, creativity, and sustainability. Funding is disbursed in two installments: 90 percent upon execution of the grant agreement and 10 percent upon successful submission of a final report. While no matching funds are required, they are encouraged to enhance the competitiveness of the application. The minimum grant award is $2,500, and the maximum is $25,000. Any individual expenditure over $5,000 must be pre-approved by the Wyoming State 250th Task Force. Funded equipment must be project-specific and subject to audit. For support, applicants are encouraged to schedule consultations with program staff. The primary point of contact is Nick Neylon, Deputy Director at the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. He can be reached at nick.neylon@wyo.gov or 307-431-4866. All applications must include a narrative, a detailed budget and timeline, contact information for key project staff, and formal partnership agreements, where applicable.