Deadline: 13-Nov-20
The Pathways Grant Program provides support for projects at historical organizations throughout the state of Maryland. The goal is to build the long-term resiliency and efficacy of museums, historic sites, and other organizations that make up Maryland’s heritage community. Pathways are made possible by an annually recurring allocation from the state’s Preservation of Cultural Arts Fund.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture is administering this grant program as an extension of our mission to educate people of all ages about the rich history and culture of Maryland and the nation. The MCHC is providing this opportunity to Maryland’s heritage community for the second time.
Funding Information
- MCHC Pathways anticipates making 10-12 awards per year. The award maximum is $20,000 and the award minimum is $10,000.
Eligible Projects
Examples of Eligible Projects
- New marketing initiatives;
- Strategic planning;
- Professional development for staff and volunteers;
- Collections stewardship or digitization projects;
- A campaign or fundraising feasibility study;
- Sustaining public programs or exhibitions that build new audiences;
- A new interpretive framework for a major site or permanent exhibition.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants will steward and interpret locally based, historically significant sites and landscapes; museum and library collections; and/or educational assets as a core part of their mission activities. Eligible applicants will be incorporated, non-profit organizations in good standing with the State of Maryland and in operation for a minimum of two years in the State of Maryland; have an annual operating budget below $2 million, and public funding will constitute less than 50% of their annual operating budget.
- Government agencies, individuals, businesses, organizations lacking non-profit status for a minimum of two years, any organization with an annual operating budget exceeding $1 million, or any organization that receives the majority of their support from government sources are ineligible for this grant opportunity. Applicants that are not primarily located in Maryland are ineligible. Organizations that have received a past MCHC Pathways grant must wait a minimum of one grant period after the conclusion of their awarded grant period to reapply.
- Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations on project proposals. While typical fiscal sponsorships wherein a formal non-profit organization takes on grant receipt and administration obligations for non-eligible organizations are not permitted, established history non-profits may partner with and allocate grant funds to non-traditional partners such as faith-based groups or social service organizations. In this case, one applicant history or cultural organization will serve as the primary project lead and administrator, but all organizations included in the grant project’s proposed scope of work must submit letters of support that demonstrate legal authority and capacity to commit to the project. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your organization’s or partnership’s eligibility.
Submission Process
- Sign up for their MCHC Pathways email list to get all relevant updates.
- All applications must be received online via the Submittable platform.
- Set up a Submittable account and access the Letter of Intent (LOI).
- You must submit an LOI to access the full application.
- Download a blank full application.
- Please note that this is for planning purposes only and all submissions must be made via the Submittable platform.
- Download a copy of the required budget sheet for the full application.
For more information, visit https://www.mdhistory.org/about/pathways-grant-program/