Member Grants
NNYLN Member Grants fund projects that foster community engagement and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in libraries, archives, and museums through sustainable, impactful initiatives.
Funder: Northern New York Library Network
Due Dates: June 30, 2026 (Advancing DEI&B, quarterly) | September 30, 2026 (Advancing DEI&B, quarterly) | December 31, 2026 (Advancing DEI&B, quarterly) | March 31, 2027 (Advancing DEI&B, quarterly) | February 28, 2027 (Engaging Communities, annual)
Funding Amounts: Advancing DEI&B: $500–$3,000 (quarterly, up to 1 year); Engaging Communities: $3,000–$12,000 (annual, project period July–June)
Summary: Funds projects by NNYLN member organizations that advance community engagement, access to collections, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in libraries, archives, and museums.
Key Information: Applicants must be current NNYLN members; restrictions apply to eligible expenses.
Description
The Northern New York Library Network (NNYLN) Member Grants program supports its member organizations through two primary funding tracks:
-
Engaging Communities: Annual grants ($3,000–$12,000) for Action and Special Collections projects that foster community engagement, build relationships, and enhance access to special collections not covered by other preservation programs. Projects should be strategic, collaborative, and sustainable, with a lasting impact on the communities served.
-
Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B): Quarterly grants ($500–$3,000) for initiatives that promote equity, representation, and belonging within libraries, archives, and museums. Projects should address barriers faced by marginalized populations (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, unhoused) and align with the New York State Vision 2022 framework for advancing DEI&B in cultural institutions.
Both programs encourage proposals that go beyond routine operations and demonstrate measurable, sustainable benefits for the community.
