Applications will be accepted starting February 15th through a Google form and will be required to include:

1. Legal name
2. Mission statement
3. USPS address
4. NY County
5. NYS Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) region
6. Website URL
7. EIN#
8. Project contact name, phone number, and email.
9. Number of hours open to public in 2019.
10. 2021 Organizational Budget Size–Budget size refers to total budget expenses including operating expenses, salaries, and programs.
11. Contact person name
12. Contact person phone number
13. Contact person email
14. Contact person job title/role with the organization

GRANT IS NOW CLOSED

In addition Museums will be required to submit as pdfs attached to an email to esanger@nysmuseums.org with the subject line: Capacity Building Grant Application

• 2020 990, 990 EZ, or 990 Postcard
• Statement of Need in response to the following four questions. Applicants will have 2000 words, double spaced, minimum of twelve-point type to answer all four questions.

1. Which of the following capacity building priorities will your project address:

• Respond to pandemic challenges
  
• Build financial stability
  
• Strengthen board engagement
  
• Grow community engagement
  
• Update technology
  
• Change internal systems to address equity, diversity, access, inclusion, and justice

2. How will the museum use the grant funds? Include costs up to $5,000, and project goals. If the project is dedicated to technology, supply manufacturer name(s), hardware and/or software name(s) and sources of purchase.

3. What is your work plan for planning and implementation?

4. How will the museum assess the impact of the grant?

Applications will be reviewed and rated by a peer review panel.

• The strongest applications will:
• Clearly state how funds will be used, with details, project goals and identified expenses.
• Identify how the project advances the organization's capacity, address at least one capacity concern, and express connection to mission and/or urgency.
• Offer a detailed timeline for project planning and implementation.
• Describe a clear assessment plan and how success will be defined.

Eligibility

• Any eligible museum may apply for this capacity building funding opportunity.
• Any non-profit museum located in New York State that was open to the public for a minimum of 150 hours in 2019 is eligible.
• Museums that are part of CUNY and SUNY, NYS Parks Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and those supported by other direct NYS lines of funding are ineligible. This includes organizations eligible for and/or receiving support from ZBGA (Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums). Municipal historians are also ineligible.
• As this partnership grant program was developed to reach museums not already funded by NYSCA, priority will be given to museums that did not receive NYSCA organizational support funding for FY 2022. Those who did receive Restart NY and/or Recovery Grants, but not organizational support, are considered priority organizations.
• MANY membership is not required and members will not be given preference.

To learn more about capacity building click here to read the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Market Analysis and Opportunity Assessment of Museum Capacity Building Programs