All information provided below about grant programs is for informational purposes only.
Download the Grant Funding and Assistance for History Museums document for more information about grant-writing resources and specific grant opportunities.
Grant-Writing Resources
Is Your Museum Grant-Ready?, by Sarah S. Brophy.
Candid is a leading source for information on philanthropy, fundraising, and grant programs and provides many helpful resources, such as Candid Learning, which offers grant-writing resources and training. Their Funding Information Network partners provide access to funding databases, nonprofit trainings, and connection opportunities at locations across the country. The Foundation Directory Online is a search tool that provides free, public access to information about over 100,000 foundations and over 250,000 IRS Forms 990-PF.
The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission coordinates quarterly Development Seminars across the state, geared towards volunteer leadership (board members and advisors) and staff from nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about securing philanthropic support. They have also presented several webinars for Museum Services, and the recordings, slides, and handouts can be found in the Webinar Archive, under Grants and Fundraising. The National Preservation Institute offers a free e-course titled Finding New Sources of Funding in Challenging Times.
Grant Opportunities
The Grantsmanship Center compiles listings of the top giving foundations in Texas, community foundations, and corporate giving programs.
Grants.gov lists federal grant programs.
Texas eGrants lists state grant programs.
The foundations, organizations, and funders below are listed in alphabetical order. Many offer a variety of grant opportunities, listed on their websites along with applications deadlines and requirements. Specific grants particularly applicable to history museums are listed in the Grant Funding and Assistance for History Museums document.
1772 Foundation
American Association for Retired Persons
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Archaeological Institute of America
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions
Baylor University Oral History Institute
BNSF Railway Foundation
City of Austin
Communities Foundation of Texas
Costume Society of America
Council on Library and Information Resources
Cullen Foundation
The Decorative Arts Trust
Ed Rachal Foundation
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Hazard Mitigation
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Public Assistance
Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation
Google
Graham Foundation
Henry Luce Foundation
Herzstein Charitable Foundation
Hoblitzelle Foundation
Humanities Texas
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The King Foundation
Library of Congress
Meadows Foundation
Moody Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Film Preservation Foundation
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
National Park Service: Civil Rights
National Park Service: NAGPRA
National Park Service: Preservation Technology and Training
National Park Service: Save America's Treasures
National Trust for Historic Preservation
William G. Pomeroy Foundation
Portal to Texas History at the University of North Texas
Society of American Archivists
State Farm
The Summerlee Foundation
Texas Historical Commission: Certified Local Governments
Texas Historical Commission: Preservation Trust Fund
Texas Historical Foundation
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Thoma Foundation
T-Mobile
Union Pacific Foundation
United States Department of Agriculture
United States Economic Development Administration
Wells Fargo
Fundraising
The resources below provide suggestions and guidelines for museum fundraising.
101 Ideas for New Revenue at History Museums, AASLH
12 Month Fundraising Plan Toolkit, Network for Good
4 Important Membership Trends Every Museum Needs to Consider, npENGAGE
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Cracking into Corporate Giving, Candid
FSA Tips: Fundraising, AASLH
Fundraising, National Council of Nonprofits
Fundraising and Development, Texas Commission on the Arts
Fundraising for Collections Care, Connecting to Collections Care
Fundraising in the Digital Age, Network for Good
How to Create a Fundraising Plan for Your Historic Preservation Group, Wisconsin Historical Society
Museum Fundraising: 10 Powerful Insights and Tips for the Modern Museum, Donorbox
Seven Fundraising Resolutions to Ensure You Raise a Lot More Money in 2020, Candid
Ten Fundraising To-Do's for Small Museums and Nonprofits, AASLH
Your Fundraisers Should Be Donor-Led. Here's Why, Museum Hack
