As of January 2, Engaging Communities grant applications are open!
Engaging Communities is a program that awards grants to member organizations for $3,000-$12,000 once a year in two categories, Action and Special Collections.
Action Grants intend to support a member organization’s capacity to contribute to shared local efforts, participating in collective goals and/or priorities of their greater community. Competitive applications will offer evidence that grant activities and outcomes will build relationships and communication among groups, act strategically to achieve a shared vision, and track progress in a way that allows for ongoing improvement. The strongest proposals will advance equity and co-create with community partners.
Special Collections Grants intend to support increased access to special content and collections in member organizations, especially for projects outside the scope of NY Conservation and Preservation grants and/or programs of Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY). Digitization projects should indicate how they fit into larger projects like NYS Historic Newspapers, NY Heritage, or Empire Archival Discovery Cooperative, for maximum discovery and access.
Grant applications are due by February 28, 2026, and projects should be completed between July 1, 2026 and June 20, 2027.