Preservation Grants

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Preservation grants from the North Carolina Preservation Consortium (NCPC) promote the preservation of collections in libraries, museums, archives, and historic sites; monuments, memorials, and outdoor art; archaeological sites and collections; and historic and cultural architecture. Maximum award is $2,000.00. Grant applications are due April 15th. Click Here for helpful hints on applying for an NCPC Preservation grant.

Grants may be used to fund the following projects:

Preservation assessments

Applicants may request funding to hire a conservator, librarian, archivist, curator, or another appropriate consultant to conduct a general preservation assessment to contribute to a written preservation plan for the care of your collections. The consultant must visit your institution to assess policies, practices, and conditions affecting the care and preservation of collections and must prepare a written report that summarizes the findings and contains prioritized recommendations.

Collection assessments

Applicants may request funding to hire a conservator, librarian, archivist, curator, or another appropriate consultant to conduct a collection assessment to contribute to a written plan for the repair, conservation, storage, and care of your collections. The consultant may examine each item or examine a statistically valid sample of your collection. The consultant must prepare a written report that summarizes the condition of the collection and provide prioritized recommendations.

Preservation consultations

Applicants may request funding to hire a consultant to address preservation needs.

For example, consultants may provide advice for:

developing disaster preparedness and response plans
establishing environmental monitoring programs
instituting integrated pest management programs
developing plans for improving collection security
improving fire protection for collections
recommending methods for reducing light damage to collections
developing plans for improving collection storage
assessing conservation treatment for selected items in a collection

Preservation Project Work

Applicants may request funding to hire a qualified individual to do appropriate preservation work. For example, a person may be hired to accomplish finite projects such as:

re-housing material
deacidification of paper collections
basic book and document repair
repairing art or artifacts
conservation of materials
reformatting
other projects recommended by an appropriate professional

Grantees are responsible for processing employment taxes, social security withholdings, and any applicable benefits.

Environmental monitoring equipment

Applicants may request funding to purchase environmental monitoring equipment (dataloggers, hygrothermographs, light meters). If the institution’s staff does not have experience using the equipment, the application should include a request for training in the use and installation of the equipment and the interpretation of the monitoring data.

Storage furniture and enclosures

Applicants may request funding to purchase appropriate storage furniture and enclosures. If an institution’s staff has limited experience in storing collections the institution should enlist the assistance of an appropriate consultant to provide guidance and training.

Tools and equipment for repair and conservation

Applicants may request funding to purchase tools and equipment for the repair and conservation of damaged material. The institution’s staff must have appropriate training in collection repair and/or conservation depending on the nature of the material.

Conservation of collections

Applicants may request funding to pay a professional conservator to repair or restore damaged material of significant value. The conservator must be credentialed by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Education and Training

Applicants may request funding to send staff to workshops and courses that focus on the preservation of collections. Applicants may also request funding to hire a consultant to conduct onsite training for staff. Onsite workshops can be tailored to meet specific needs of the institution. Staff from neighboring organizations may also be invited to participate in onsite workshops.

Multiple Projects

Applicants may combine two or more project elements in a single application. For example, an applicant may request funds for a consultant to conduct a preservation assessment and an onsite preservation workshop for the institution’s staff. In such cases, the consultant’s letter of commitment should describe both the assessment and onsite workshop.

Institutions may apply for only one grant per year. An institution that has received a NCPC Preservation Grant may apply for another grant to support the next phase of its preservation efforts after successfully completing its initial grant project. For example, after completing a preservation assessment, an institution might apply to purchase storage supplies and cabinets to enclose a collection identified as a high priority. Subsequent proposals are considered new applications and evaluated by the same criteria as other applications.

NCPC Preservation Grants may not be used for:

purchasing or acquiring collections
projects to catalog, index, arrange or describe collections
living collections; gardens, zoos, aquariums

Indirect Costs

No portion of an NCPC grant may be used for any indirect costs (overhead, facilities, administration, etc.) of the collection institution or the parent organization.

Eligibility

Applicants must be institutional members of NCPC. Grants are not awarded to individuals.

Applicants must:

Have legal custody of the collections that are the focus of the grant application.
Have at least one staff member responsible for preservation who will oversee the implementation and completion of the project for which grant funds are requested.
Institutions must comply with the Responsibilities of Preservation Grant Recipients

Submitting an Application

Download and complete the Preservation Grant Application (MS Word form). NCPC Preservation Grant Application (MS Word form). Applications and letters of support may be submitted by email or by U.S. Mail. All required application materials must be received or postmarked by April 15th to be considered.

By Email:
Ellie East, NCPC Executive Director
ncpcboard@gmail.com

By U.S. Mail:
NCPC Grant Program
North Carolina Preservation Consortium
P.O. Box 2651
Durham, NC 27715-2651

Guidelines for Awarding Preservation Grants

Our guidelines for awarding NCPC Preservation Grants can be found online in our About/Policies section.

Sustainable Preservation

If you are interested in financially supporting the NCPC grant program become a preservation philanthropist. Contribute to the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage of enduring value. Information about the Friends of NCPC is available at Support NCPC.

Questions?

If you have questions about NCPC Preservation Grants please contact:

Arleen Fields, Chair
Preservation Grants Committee
afields@methodist.edu