Category Archives: Grants

For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.

Seattle, Washington, October 25 – Penguin Random House and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) today announced a rolling grant program to recognize rural, small and tribal libraries that support underserved communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

The program will award grants of up to $2,500 to libraries that demonstrate a true need. Grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. In-kind donations will also be considered.

Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries said, “Our nation’s small and rural libraries already faced so many challenges pre-pandemic. Those challenges have only become more urgent during the past year and a half. ARSL cannot thank Penguin Random House enough for recognizing the essential place our libraries hold in our communities, and stepping up to show real, practical support.”

“The past couple years have been incredibly challenging for everyone, and we know rural areas have been especially hard-hit,” said Skip Dye, Senior Vice President of Sales Operations and Library Sales, Penguin Random House. “In these communities, libraries have been lifelines in countless ways, from serving as trusted sources for reliable information to providing access to important services and resources. We are honored to partner with ARSL to help elevate their impact.”

Penguin Random House and ARSL have worked together to ensure the application process is simple and straightforward to remove as many barriers to applying for a grant as possible. For the award application and more information about the program, please visit the info page: https://www.arsl.org/prh-grant

About the Association for Rural and Small Libraries

As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL’s mission is to build strong communities through advocacy, professional development, and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries. ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of small and rural libraries and is committed providing an environment that encourages excellence within this community of practice, supporting their goals of service and speaking on behalf of this important constituency. 1 in 3 libraries in the United States serve communities of 2,500 or fewer residents, and ARSL is committed to identifying and addressing the needs of the library professionals who serve them.

About Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson. As of April 1, 2020, Bertelsmann is full owner of the company. With more than 300 imprints and brands on six continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- German- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and more than 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Nebraska Community Foundation once again encourages small town libraries to apply for grants through the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund, which has awarded more than $665,000 to libraries in the last nine years.

Grants will be made to libraries located in communities with populations below 3,000. There are three different areas of support available. Each grant requires a one-to-one match in local funding.

Planning for Accreditation Grants

The fund advisory committee encourages all eligible, unaccredited libraries to view the recently updated grant guidelines. A number of additional activities and expenses are now eligible for funding through a “Planning for Accreditation Grant.”

• Grant amount per year: $500 minimum; $2,500 maximum
• Match required: 1:1 ($1 in other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant. In-kind match not allowed)
• Timeframe: Multi-year grants possible

Enhancement Grants

Accredited libraries may apply for program support leading to the creation or improvement of library services and/or outreach. Eligible activities will enhance or create community education and outreach programs or services. Preference will be given to programs or services that benefit low-income individuals or families, new Americans or underserved populations. Existing or new programs may be considered.

• Grant amount per year: $1,000 minimum; $10,000 maximum
• Match required: 1:1 ($1 in other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant. Up to 50% of the match amount may be contributed in the form of in-kind service or products)
• Timeframe: Multi-year grants possible.

Facilities Grants

Accredited libraries may request funding for new facilities or the renovation, restoration or rehabilitation of current libraries. Eligible activities include construction of a new facility or rehabilitation or expansion of an existing facility. Preference will be given to rehabilitation of historic libraries and to projects with a long-term sustainability plan.

• Grant amount: $5,000 minimum; $10,000 maximum
• Match required: 1:1 ($1 other funding to $1 Kreutz Bennett grant; in-kind match not allowed)
• Timeframe: Multi-year grants are possible over several grant cycle years; not to exceed a total of $10,000 per applicant.

Grant applications are simple to complete. A short-form proposal is due October 1, 2021, and a full proposal is due in January 2022. Due to the effort’s tremendous success over the past decade, the Fund is close to spending down available money. This could be the last year the opportunity is available. Grant seekers may review and download the guidelines and application procedures on the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund website.

For more information, contact Kristine Gale, Nebraska Community Foundation Community Impact Coordinator, 402.822.0466 or kgale@nebcommfound.org. Kristine will also be talking about the Kreutz Bennett Grants on NCompass Live on August 11. Sign up on the NCompass Live website.

About the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund

The Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund was established in 2010 by the estate of Shirley Kreutz Bennett. A life-long learner, Kreutz Bennett graduated from Harvard High School in 1941, earned a BA from the University of Washington, Seattle, plus an MA and PhD from Columbia University, New York. Shirley was a retired Professor of Education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

In accordance with Kreutz Bennett’s wishes, a Fund Advisory Committee composed of her nieces and nephews recommends grants in three areas: planning for accreditation grants to support steps taken toward gaining accreditation; enhancement grants to improve library services; and facilities grants for new construction or the renovation, restoration or rehabilitation of current libraries.

About Nebraska Community Foundation

Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.

Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving 270 communities.

In the last five years, 45,313 contributions have been made to Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $393.1 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.