Small town libraries encouraged to apply for grants

Nebraska Community Foundation once again encourages small town libraries to apply for grants through the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund, which has awarded more than $665,000 to libraries in the last nine years.

Grants will be made to libraries located in communities with populations below 3,000. There are three different areas of support available. Each grant requires a one-to-one match in local funding.

Planning for Accreditation Grants
The fund advisory committee encourages all eligible, unaccredited libraries to view the recently updated grant guidelines. A number of additional activities and expenses are now eligible for funding through a “Planning for Accreditation Grant.”

  • Grant amount per year: $500 minimum; $2,500 maximum
  • Match required: 1:1 ($1 in other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant. In-kind match not allowed)
  • Timeframe: Multi-year grants possible

Enhancement Grants
Eligible activities will enhance or create community education and outreach programs or services. Preference will be given to programs or services that benefit low-income individuals or families, new Americans or underserved populations. Existing or new programs may be considered.

  • Grant amount per year: $1,000 minimum; $10,000 maximum
  • Match required: 1:1 ($1 in other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant. Up to 50% of the match amount may be contributed in the form of in-kind service or products)
  • Timeframe: Multi-year grants possible.

Facilities Grants
Eligible activities include construction of a new facility or rehabilitation or expansion of an existing facility. Preference will be given to rehabilitation of historic libraries and to projects with a long-term sustainability plan.

  • Grant amount: $5,000 minimum; $10,000 maximum
  • Match required: 1:1 ($1 other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant; in-kind match not allowed)
  • Timeframe: Multi-year grants are possible over several grant cycle years; not to exceed a total of $10,000 per applicant.

Grant applications are simple to complete. A short-form proposal is due October 1, 2021, and a full proposal is due in January 2022. Due to the effort’s tremendous success over the past decade, the Fund is close to spending down available money. This could be the last year the opportunity is available. Grant seekers may review and download the guidelines and application procedures at www.nebcommfound.org/give/kreutz-bennett-donor-advised-fund.

For more information, contact Kristine Gale, community impact coordinator, 402.822.0466 or kgale@nebcommfound.org.

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