Mini Grants for Non-profit and Community Organizations in Maryland

The NYSCA/GHHN Preservation Supplies Grant, a collaborative effort between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN), aims to bolster collection management within New York State's diverse museums, historical, and cultural organizations. This program directly supports the preservation of cultural heritage by providing essential funding for supplies, aligning with a foundational mission to safeguard and make accessible valuable collections for public benefit and scholarly research. The grant addresses a critical need within these institutions, particularly for those with limited resources. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are chartered nonprofit museums, historical organizations, and other cultural institutions in New York State that own, care for, and exhibit collections to the public. Organizations with budgets under $250,000 are especially encouraged to apply, ensuring that smaller institutions with potentially greater needs receive support. The program's impact goals are centered on improving the physical preservation and long-term stability of collections, thereby enhancing their accessibility and educational value for current and future generations. The grant prioritizes the purchase of collection management supplies, with a maximum request of $650 per applicant. This focus on tangible supplies includes items such as storage boxes, acid-free tissue paper, artifact trays, environmental monitors, and specialized cleaning equipment like HEPA vacuums. The program emphasizes adherence to current collection care best practices, ensuring that the funded supplies contribute to effective and ethical preservation. Furthermore, organizations with limited rehousing experience are encouraged to consult with professionals, highlighting a commitment to building capacity and expertise within the beneficiary institutions. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in the physical condition and storage of collections, a reduction in the risk of damage or deterioration, and increased capacity for organizations to manage their collections effectively. While direct measurable results for individual artifacts are not explicitly stated, the acquisition of appropriate supplies and the emphasis on best practices directly contribute to quantifiable improvements in collection care infrastructure. The theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing targeted financial assistance for essential preservation supplies, GHHN and NYSCA can empower cultural institutions to maintain their collections to higher standards, ultimately enriching New York State's cultural landscape. However, it's important to note that the grant does not support staff salaries, staff time, or supplies for archival/library materials, focusing specifically on non-archival collection preservation.