Finding a good match between agency and library is a must.
There are many agencies that fund library projects. The key to securing grant funding for your library is knowing what type of project you plan to develop and finding the right agency that is dedicated to the cause or project you want to execute. The following list will ensure your library grant search starts off on the right foot.
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a public agency dedicated to supporting the arts in the United States. The NEA's the purpose is to promote leadership and education in the arts. The agency provides grants for 16 disciplines, including artist communities; arts education, dance, design, folk and traditional arts; literature, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting state and regional and theater, and the visual arts.
National Endowment for the Arts
arts.gov
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is a government grant-making agency in the United States that supports research, education, preservation and programming in the humanities. Grants administered by the NEH come from one of seven offices or divisions. Prospective grant seekers should investigate the divisions and offices within the NEH to determine which best caters to the needs of their institution.
National Endowment for the Humanities
neh.gov
ATLA Scholarships and Grants Annual Fund and Endowment
The American Theological Librarian Association's (ATLA) purpose is to help assure theological librarianship. While the Endowment Fund's fund sole purpose is securing the organization's future (monies in the fund are not touched, but are put in an investment fund), the board of directors of the ATLA created a Scholarship and Grant Annual Fund in 2004. This fund's purpose is to establish travel grants, scholarships, and use in recruitment of scholars interested in pursuing studies in theological librarianship.
American Theological Librarian Association
atla.com/endowment.html
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) provides leadership to the profession, sets standards for libraries in the United States and throughout the world and works to promote libraries in our country and scholarship and research within the field. The ALA has a comprehensive list of grant opportunities on its website.
American Library Association
ala.org
Local and State Agencies
Local and state agencies also have many grants available for libraries. Being involved in local library organizations is the best way to keep current on local and state grant offerings. Visiting your state library's website and subscribing to their listserv are good ways to stay current on local funding opportunities.
