The Miller History Fund supports capacity building projects at museums, libraries, historical societies, and other stewards of historical collections throughout the state of Maryland.
Donor Name: Maryland Center for History and Culture
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/08/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Capacity building in this context refers to non-capital projects that support the long-term sustainability of the applicant organization to steward its collection and engage the public. They envision a future where Maryland’s stewards have the resources, tools, and outlets they need to provide the irreplaceable historical collections with the highest standards of care while making them accessible and relevant to Marylanders of all backgrounds.
The overarching goal of the Miller History Fund is to build the long-term resiliency and capacity of the stewards of Maryland’s historical collections. Successful projects will demonstrate how grant funded activities lead to a stronger organization or heritage community in the future.
Funding Information
The award maximum is $20,000 and the award minimum is $10,000.
Grant Period
April 1st, 2025-April 1st, 2027.
Eligible Projects
Examples of Eligible Projects:
- New marketing initiatives;
- Strategic planning;
- Professional development for staff and volunteers;
- Collections stewardship or digitization projects;
- A campaign or fundraising feasibility study;
- Sustaining public programs or exhibitions that build new audiences;
- A new interpretive framework for a permanent exhibition.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants will steward and interpret historical collections as a core part of their mission activities. The Miller History Fund’s definition of historical collections is inclusive of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art, historical objects, and material culture with a connection to the diverse history and culture of Maryland. Eligible applicants will be government agencies or incorporated non-profit organizations in good standing with the State of Maryland and in operation for a minimum of one year in the State of Maryland. All applicants must have an annual operating budget below $2 million. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for departments and sub-units who can demonstrate their distinct mission but operate within larger organizations or agencies with a budget exceeding this threshold. Sub-units are strongly encouraged to schedule a consultation with Miller History Fund administrators to confirm their eligibility before submitting any materials.
- Applicants that are not primarily located in Maryland are ineligible. Organizations that have received a past Miller History Fund grant must wait a minimum of one grant cycle after the conclusion of their awarded grant period to reapply.
- Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations on project proposals. While typical fiscal sponsorships wherein a formal non-profit organization takes on grant receipt and administration obligations for non-eligible organizations are not permitted, established history non-profits may partner with and allocate grant funds to non-traditional partners such as faith-based groups or social service organizations. In this case, one applicant history or cultural organization will serve as the primary project lead and administrator, but all organizations included in the grant project’s proposed scope of work must submit letters of support that demonstrate legal authority and capacity to commit to the project.
For more information, visit MCHC.
