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Program Funding

Funding Sources

There are various potential sources of funding for preservation activities; these include internal sources (your parent institution, or possibly fees for services and/or other income-generating projects) and external sources (federal and state grant programs, as well as local corporations and foundations). For external funding sources, your primary goal should be to develop a network of funders that matches your goals and ideas, and that can provide regular small grants supplemented by periodic larger grants.

Federal Funders

The three major federal sources for preservation funding of paper-based collections are:

• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Preservation and Access. NEH has a number of grant categories, including Preservation Assistance Grants, Stabilization of Humanities Collections Grants, and Grants to Preserve and Create Access to Humanities Collections. Note that the Preservation Assistance Grants are designed specifically for smaller institutions—they provide funding for preservation surveys; purchase of preservation supplies, equipment, and storage furniture; and other activities.
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS funds the Conservation Assessment program and the Conservation Project Support program (both for historical societies, museums, and state/local governments), as well as the Save America's Treasures program and National Leadership Grants. IMLS also administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), through which funds are provided to state libraries, which then make re-grants to individual institutions for various purposes, including preservation.
• The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). NHPRC makes Archival and Records Project Grants to archival institutions to preserve records and make them accessible.

Other potential federal funders include the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

See the individual funder websites and "Programs, Priorities, and Funding," in Preservation: Issues and Planning (see Additional Resources) for more information on funding programs.

State Funders

There are numerous state preservation grant programs around the country; these generally provide funding for preservation planning surveys, and subsequently for implementing survey recommendations. The type and extent of these programs varies greatly, so it is best to consult your state library or archives to determine whether or not a preservation grant program exists in your state.

Foundations

Remember that private organizations may also be a source of funding. There are several types of foundations: large general-purpose organizations such as the Ford Foundation or the Mellon Foundation; special-purpose foundations; company-sponsored foundations; community foundations (which usually fund within a specific geographic area); and family foundations (which are often informal and unstaffed).

Many small/local foundations or corporations have specific interests and you may be able to find one that matches your needs. For example, if you are trying to preserve a local history collection, you might consider approaching local businesses or others with an interest in the community. As with federal or state funding, you may have to provide funds to match the grant. Also remember that foundations may help in ways other than providing money directly for preservation activities, including providing funding for printing costs, furniture, or equipment.

  See a Fundraising Checklist (PDF, 232k).