Emergency Grant Opportunities for Museums
Our team is tracking emergency grant opportunities for museums from private, community, and federal sources. We will update this list of emergency grants for museums frequently as we learn of new opportunities. Also note that we will remove listings as grant deadlines pass.
Other Resources for Grant Seeking During the COVID-19 Crisis
Visit our other resource pages:
This list includes emergency grant opportunities for museums nationally and in Midwest states. Please contact us if your state is not represented and you are a museum searching for funding opportunities.
Minnesota
Missouri
National/Federal
Ohio
Wisconsin
National
Helen Frankenthaler Foundation
The Frankenthaler Foundation has committed $5 million over the next three years to support artists and arts organizations. The first round of funding ($1.25 million) has gone exclusively to support organizations in New York; however, the foundation anticipates future founds of funding will support organizations across the country.
Deadline: Watch the foundation's website for more information on how to apply
Society of American Archivists
The Society of American Archivists has instituted an emergency grant program to provide $1,000 awards to archivists who may be experiencing salary loss or financial hardship due to COVID-19. Applicants do not need to be an SAA member to apply. The initial application period is April 15 through December 31, 2020. The number of grants awarded will be based on the availability of funds. All archival workers are eligible to apply, including consultants and independent contractors.
Deadline: N/A
Illinois
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Indiana
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Iowa
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Michigan
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Minnesota
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
The Otto Bremer Trust has established a $50 million emergency fund to provide grants and loans to nonprofits in several states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin. The fund will primarily provide small grants to organizations that improve the lives of people in the upper midwest, including organizations that can be described as "cultural assets". The foundation is accepting inquiries through its online form on a rolling basis.
Deadline: N/A
Missouri
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Ohio
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
Wisconsin
This family foundation does not have a specific COVID-19 relief effort; however, they focus their grantmaking on the Midwest states that are part of the Association of Midwest Museums. The foundation supports capital preservation projects through challenge grants, and provides funding for preservation planning in preparation for capital projects. A match is required for planning grants.
Deadline: Contact the foundation for more information
The Otto Bremer Trust has established a $50 million emergency fund to provide grants and loans to nonprofits in several states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin. The fund will primarily provide small grants to organizations that improve the lives of people in the upper midwest, including organizations that can be described as "cultural assets". The foundation is accepting inquiries through its online form on a rolling basis.
Deadline: N/A
