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Private Funding Sources

currency-oldlibrary of congress resources

A good starting point to investigate private grants for preservation activities is the publication Foundation Grants for Preservation in Libraries, Archives and Museums. The guide is a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the Foundation Center, and lists 2,270 grants of $5,000 or more awarded by 505 foundations, from 2005 through 2010.  It covers grants to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries, and to archives and museums for activities related to conservation and preservation.

the foundation center

Private funding sources are many and varied, so it is essential to match an institution’s needs with the individual interests of the foundation(s). The Foundation Center web site provides information on the Center’s regional libraries of materials on philanthropy, educational programs, analysis of funding trends, and other topics.  Through its GrantSpace learning community, it offers in-person and online training as well as tools to support institutions exploring grants, preparing applications, and navigating the grantmaking landscape.