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Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies’ mini-grants provide funds (up to $1,500) to member organizations to complete local history projects, such as exhibitions, special programs, or collections preservation. Apply by January 31 for projects to be completed that calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a Federation mini-grant?
Any member organization of the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies is eligible and encouraged to apply.
Q: What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum monetary award is $1,500. Grant recipients who are completing interpretive projects, such as exhibit or program development, have the option to submit their materials to Federation board members for content review as part of their award.
Q: How many grants does the Federation award?
The Federation has committed $3,000 each year for mini-grants. We expect to award two grants at or near the maximum amount, but if several smaller requests are viable, more projects may be funded.
Q: How long is the grant period?
Grants applications must be submitted by January 31. Award recipients will be notified by February 28 and funds will be provided in advance of the project. The project must be completed within the calendar year. An extension of the grant period may be granted under extenuating circumstances and recipients are required to request this extension in writing as soon as possible. Following the completion of the project, but before January 31 of the following year, grant recipients must report on and provide documentation (e.g., receipts) of their expenses.
Q: Do I have to provide matching funds?
No, applicants are not required to provide matching funds. However, if your project would require additional funding beyond the maximum award amount, please provide documentation on how those funds have been or will be secured.
Q: Will my application be looked on more favorably if I have matching funds or project partners?
No. While the Federation invites collaboration among organizations, this is not a requirement, and it will not affect how your application is evaluated.
Q: What are some examples of projects that the Federation is excited to fund?
The Federation welcomes applicants to submit funding requests for a variety of projects. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Exhibition development: exhibit furniture and display materials
- Collections preservation: storage supplies and equipment, hardware and electronic storage for digitization projects
- Interpretive programs: seminars and lectures, guided tours, K-12 classroom materials and field trip program development, public events and festivals. If you are unsure whether your project fits into one of these categories, please feel free to contact the Federation by emailing Danielle Shirilla at dani.shirilla@dncr.nc.gov.
Q: How does the Federation select grant recipients?
An advisory board subcommittee of four rotating representatives from member organizations and two DNCR staff members review applications and recommend recipients for the entire advisory board’s vote. Subcommittee members’ organizations may not apply while their representatives serve on the subcommittee.
Q: What are the criteria for selection?
Stronger interpretive projects will be grounded in research/scholarship and stronger preservation projects will reflect an understanding of professional standards.
Q: If my organization is awarded a grant, what documentation will we need to provide after the project is completed?
Recipients will provide a simple report with expense documentation when the project is complete. Organizations that do not provide expense documentation when the project is complete will not be considered for future grants.
Q: If my organization received a mini-grant in the previous year, will that affect my current application?
All members, whether they have received funds from the program in prior years or not, are encouraged to apply at any time they need assistance. However, the Federation strives to support as many members as possible with the mini-grant program, therefore an applicant’s previous receipt of the award may influence how the application is evaluated against applicants who are new to the program. Additionally, if a recipient organization has not provided expense documentation for any previously funded project, it will not be considered for future grant awards.
Published quarterly, the Federation Bulletin contains information of interest to member organizations. In lists upcoming grant deadlines, discusses useful historical resources, shares member news, and alerts readers to upcoming workshops, conferences, and webinars.
Organizational membership includes a subscription to the Bulletin. The State Library has digitized issues available through the North Carolina Digital Collections. Click below to access back issues.
We invite you to join the Federation so you can receive the current issue of the Federation Bulletin by email.
The Federation offers interest-free loans from its revolving fund to members. The advisory board reviews applications and can approve up to two loans at a time. The types of loans are:
- Historical Publications: Groups may apply for amounts up to $15,000 for the publication of historical books or pamphlets. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Grantees have one year in which to repay the loan.
- Special Events: Organizations may request up to $1,500 to use as seed money for special events. Grantees have three months in which to repay the loan.
To apply for any of these loans, please contact Adrienne Berney by email at adrienne.berney@dncr.nc.gov or by phone at (919) 814-6863.
The Federation sponsors the annual Albert Ray Newsome Awards. Winners receive a $250 award and will be featured in the Bulletin. Nominations accepted until October 1.