2020 Community Relief Micro Grants
New Mexico Library Foundation
Grantees must submit an application for grant funds and a final report in accordance with the time frame outlined in the Project Description. For questions and further details, please email grants@nm-lf.org.
Ongoing donations to NMLF make these grants possible.
Final Report Guidelines
The report form includes 4 sections to be completed at the end of your grant process.
The sections for the final report include:
1. General project information (e.g., title, contact person)
2. Project Report – describe your project and accomplishments in 300 words or less: What changed as a result of your project? Share your success stories. How did your project demonstrate actions to lift-up and honor community voices, and/or care for your community? Lessons Learned: What did you learn from your project? Would you do anything differently? Do you have plans for any follow up activities?
3. Grant expenditure review – provide an itemized budget of all expenses/costs, and the source of funding.
4. An opportunity to attach documents & evidence of your project (e.g. attach copies of flyers, programs, ads, news releases, brochures, video, photographs or other materials) and a chance to provide suggestions for improvement for the NMLF.
The NMLF grant process is competitive. The Foundation awards funding to approximately 20% of grant applicants in a typical year.
Grantees must submit an application for grant funds and a grantee final report in accordance with the time frame outlined in the Project Description.
Purpose & Scope
In order to assist New Mexico libraries disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic recession, and social justice issues, the New Mexico Library Foundation will provide relief funding of up to ten $500 micro grants for applications that demonstrate actions to lift-up and honor community voices, and care for communities. Priority will be given to a) libraries with small budgets, those lacking other funding sources for the project, b) Tribal libraries and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) -serving libraries, and c) rural libraries. Successful applications will make clear connections between the community-relief, project activities, and budget.
Eligibility
Any New Mexico library may apply (public, academic, school, tribal, or special). Additionally, non-profit groups that directly benefit NM libraries may apply. Grant applications must clearly demonstrate that the libraries will benefit from these funds.
Need must be demonstrate relation to COVID-19, the economic recession, or the domestic social justice movement.
Funds Available
Amount awarded: $500.00
Support of $500 per library for a one-time grant.
Time Frame
- Applications Accepted October 1 – November 30, 2020.
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 30, 2020
- Funds will be distributed in December 2020.
- Project must be completed within the 2021 calendar year.
- Final grant reports will be due by January 1, 2022, and may be turned in early.
Suggested Uses
The list below includes examples but is not exhaustive. Other ideas are welcome.
- Expanding physical collections
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for staff and volunteers
- Cultural programming
- Protective supplies (e.g., masks, touchless thermometers, etc.)
- Cleaning supplies (e.g., sanitizing wipes, cleaning solutions, professional cleaning service, etc.)
- Customer service and safety supplies (e.g., hand sanitizing station, supplies to support contactless services)
- Digital content, online learning, and virtual programs
- Activities to promote engagement during social distancing
- Short-term payments, such as an internet bill, due to the destabilizing effects of the coronavirus.
Ineligible uses
- Alcohol
- Food
- Ongoing operating expenses
- Ongoing staff expenses
Evaluation Criteria
- Library Resources (funding priority): The library’s budget and staffing is small relative to the community they serve. $500 would allow them to achieve the proposed project they otherwise couldn’t.
- Communities on-the-margins (funding priority): The proposal is for a library that serves predominantly tribal, rural, marginalized and/or underserved communities.
- Challenge Statement: Describes a vivid and specific community challenge related to the grant focus areas: COVID-19 pandemic, the economic recession, and/or social justice issues.
- Project Description and Outputs: Describes a well-defined project with direct & immediate results that will meet the challenge. Outputs lift-up and honor community voices and/or care for communities.
- Feasibility: The project’s scope is manageable and can be completed within the grant year’s timeline. Personnel, project activities/ timeline, and budget expenditures align with the project description and
- Project Budget: Expenses are itemized, fully described, and rationalized. Funding request is appropriate for the scope of the work. NMLF contribution does not exceed $500.
- Clarity: The proposal overall demonstrates strong and clear support for the challenge statement. Budget and timeline are aligned to project description and outputs.
Compliance
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Awards are limited to $500.00. Grantees will be notified when grants have been awarded.
CONTACT US
The New Mexico Library Foundation is a New Mexico 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. NMLF supports libraries in New Mexico by allocating funds to libraries of all types and to non-profit organizations that directly benefit libraries.
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