In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Greater Worcester Community Foundation is pleased to offer this grant opportunity exclusively to public libraries in Worcester County.

This grant program seeks to both elevate the arts and uplift the essential role libraries play in building community cohesion by making arts and culture experiences available to children, youth and families.

By bringing creative expression, visual/performing arts, and cultural programming into their spaces, libraries can engage communities, provide hands-on learning, and foster creativity.

Key Dates

Focus Areas

Proposals should be aligned with the following:

• Program design is inclusive, accessible and free
• Primary audience is youth, children and/or families
• Program may be one time or be over a period of time and themes (I.e. a thematic series, or a full season of offerings)
• Scope of work must be creative in nature
• Eligible activities include (but are not limited to):
  • DIY crafts
  • Workshops
  • Exhibitions
  • Performances
  • Specialized collections
  • Collaborations with arts & culture organizations

Eligibility

• Public Libraries based in and serving a city or town in Worcester County are eligible to apply for support.
• The library must either be a 501c3 in good standing (non-municipal), have a “friends of the library” or auxiliary equivalent that is a 501c3, or have a fiscal sponsor with a 501c3 status.
  • Regardless of status, the library should be the primary applicant.

Ineligibility

• School-based libraries.
• Libraries affiliated with private institutions (e.g. private schools).
• Libraries on college or university campuses.

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• A brief project description
• A description of the library/community audience/s to be served
• A simple project budget
• A proposed timeline
• A description of how community members will be engaged

Grant Award Scope

• Grant range is $1,000 - $10,000
• A library may only receive one library grant. We encourage you to apply to the cycle most in line with your timeline and readiness
• The total funding pool is limited to $250,000, so partial grants may be awarded

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Artistic or cultural integrity of the project
• Feasibility and clarity of the proposal
• Authenticity and depth of community engagement
• Equity, access, and inclusion considerations
• Potential for meaningful local impact

Reporting & Grant Requirements

• Grantees will be asked to provide a brief final reflection of the project at its completion or within 18 months of the grant date (whichever comes first)
• We ask that you include a GWCF logo on all marketing materials

Links

• Guidelines (PDF)