Information Outlook, Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2002

Government Funding - Getting Money from Uncle Sam

by Tamara Theiler

Cash flow remains limited for many organizations, with libraries and information centers apparently taking the brunt of budget-cutting measures. One way to ease this economic pressure is through a governmental grant or subsidy.

The best source of information on federal funding for libraries is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency responsible for supporting America's libraries and museums. In FY 2002, IMLS will award $230 million in grants through five library programs and five museum programs. This is a brief overview of two of the agency's programs. More detailed information is available on IMLS' Web site (www.imls.gov/grants). Please note that because the federal government is getting ready for a new fiscal year, most of the 2002 deadlines have passed. However, the deadlines for the 2003 applications are identical to those of 2002.

IMLS' Library Grants to States Program awards population-based funding to state library agencies. In turn, the agencies distribute the funds to all types of state libraries. One example of this program is a grant of more than $14 million that IMLS made to the California State Library in 2000. The state library then awarded funding to programs such as the Library Virtual University Project run by the Palm Springs Public Library. The Palm Springs Public Library used the funds to rework its mission of encouraging lifelong learning, by providing advanced learning technologies to the public.

The second IMLS opportunity to be discussed is the National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program, which includes three funding opportunities each for libraries and museums, and a category for library-museum partnerships. Projects for these grants should focus on finding solutions to problems that affect the entire information profession. IMLS will consider all proposals, but the agency pays special attention to those proposals that relate to the priorities established for that fiscal year. There are four categories of funding for these grants: education and training, research and demonstration, preservation or digitization of library materials and model programs of library-museum collaboration. An example of this type of grant is the funds that were given to the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries under the preservation or digitization category. The grant was used to make many pieces of U.S. and Alabama history digitally available.

Another resource for grant information is The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). This publication has both a printed and Web version and is updated biannually in June and December. The CFDA is a listing of all financial and non-financial assistance programs operated by the United States federal government. Information on these programs includes functional classification, subject, who can apply, application deadlines and authorizing legislation. This information is listed in index form and cross-referenced to make it easier to search. The publication can be ordered from the Web site (www.cfda.gov), by visiting any U.S. Government bookstore or through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). The GPO can be reached at 202-512-0132.

The CFDA site allows keyword searching of the database, offers tips on applying for funding and will direct you as to where to send your application. If a keyword search is unsuccessful or you are unsure of what you're looking for, the CFDA site contains a page listing the top 10 percent of programs others are viewing. The site also contains information on applying for federal assistance and preparing a grant proposal.

FirstGov.gov also provides links to information on grants. Unfortunately, this site is a little cumbersome for searching federal grants. Because each agency administers its own grants, you may receive an unmanageable number of hits. It may be better to start with the IMLS Web site or the CFDA. FirstGov.gov can, however, help you do state level searches. Often federal government funds go directly to the state governments and are then redistributed. For that reason it's a good idea to search at the state level for funding. A state search on FirstGov.gov may still turn up a large number of hits, but should point you to state agencies that provide grants.

Do not be afraid to apply for financial assistance from either the federal government or your state government. Millions of dollars become available each year for libraries of all types and the information you need to apply may be easier to obtain than you envision. Just imagine the look on your boss' face when you tell him/her you've procured some free money from the government for your organization!