Community Mobilization Grants
promoting community through the exploration of local history
APPLY NOW: APPLICATION DEADLINES, APRIL 1 & SEPTEMBER 1, 2012
Maine Historical Society (MHS), in partnership with the Maine State Library (MSL), is pleased to offer a new training and grant program to support participation in Maine Memory Network (MMN). The goal of the program is to help organizations and community teams develop the skills and capacity needed to contribute to MMN effectively. In the process, participants will learn to reach out to and collaborate with local partners, identify and share a wide range of resources within their community, and stimulate community-wide interest in and support for their local history.
All projects will be shared through and become part of Maine Memory, which provides a robust technical infrastructure, a platform for training and skills development, consistent standards, and the broadest possible access to your projects.
To apply, download the full program description (PDF) and grant guildelines, and choose either the PDF or MSWord (DOC) version of the appropriate application:
- Digitization/Online Exhibit Application (PDF)
- Digitization/Online Exhibit Application (DOC)
- MCHP Application (PDF)
- MCHP Application (DOC)
Samples of successful applications:
- Topsham Historical Society's full proposal (PDF)
- Camden Public Library's narrative (PDF)
- Sebago Historical Society's narrative (PDF)
Download additional Project Partner Forms (PDF) if your application involves more than one participating organization or institution. Each partner must complete this form; a single copy is embedded in the master application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to Contact MHS staff to discuss project ideas in advance of applying. You may also apply for a consultation if you're not sure where to start.
Project Categories
Local teams are invited to identify historical collections, stories, or projects they want to share and apply for support in the following categories.
Local partnership is strongly encouraged in all project categories (and required in some). Developing local partnerships will help your organization/team find support and resources in your community, and ensure that the digital material you create has a wide and eager audience.
I. Digitization Projects
Training and grants are provided to help organizations and local teams use Maine Memory to digitize, catalog, and manage their collections online. In the process, participants will develop technical skills, identify resources and partners in the community, and establish a meaningful presence online (including 25+ items).
Application Deadlines: April 1, September 1, 2012
Notification Date: late April and September
Grant: up to $1,000 (depending on size and scope of project)
Required Training: 1 day; May 24 or October 11 (2012 dates)
Project Period: up to one year
Key activities: identification, selection, and digitization of historical collections; cataloging; use of Maine Memory Network tools; community outreach
Partnership: strongly encouraged
II. Online Exhibit Projects
Training and grants are provided to help organizations and local teams share stories and topics from their community's history online. These might range from the history of a particular business or industry, to the community's experience during a national event (e.g. the Civil War), or any other topic that illuminates an important aspect of the community. In the process, participants will develop technical, project planning, and collaboration skills, deepen local partnerships, digitize 25+ items, and create a substantial, illustrated online exhibit.
Application Deadlines: April 1, September 1
Notification Date: late April and September
Grant: up to $1,500 (depending on size and scope of project)
Required Training: 1 day; May 24 or October 11 (2012 dates)
Project Period: up to one year
Key activities: online exhibit planning; research; selection and digitization of historical material; cataloging; use of Maine Memory Network tools; writing and design for the web; community outreach
Partnership: requires partnership with at least one local organization
III. Maine Community Heritage Projects (MCHP)
The MCHP is an intensive one-year program that mobilizes Maine communities around the exploration, gathering, and sharing of their local history. Each year (July-June), four local teams—each made up of representatives from local schools, libraries, and historical organizations—will work closely with MHS staff to build substantial websites within Maine Memory Network dedicated to the history of their communities. Local teams will lead a community-wide engagement with their town's history, identify and share resources, develop substantial technical, project planning, and collaboration skills, deepen local partnerships, and create a substantial website that provides a centralized place for their community to access its history. The program will create numerous opportunities for students, teachers, local historical society members, librarians, and others in the community to come together, to collaborate, and to share their particular interests, knowledge, and skills. Note: Please review the full MCHP description prior to applying. Successfully completing the program requires a significant commitment of time and effort by your local team.
Application Deadlines: April 1
Notification Date: late April
Grant: up to $4,000 (depending on resource needs of team to complete project activities)
Required Training: 3 days; July 19-20, 2012 AND January 17, 2013
Project Period: one year
Key activities: project planning; community outreach, engagement, and collaboration; identification of key themes, topics, and events in local history; research; digitization of historical material; cataloging; use of Maine Memory Network tools; writing, design, and exhibit planning for the web
Partnership: application requires participation of library, historical organization, AND school
The Community Mobilization Grants Program is a partnership between Maine Historical Society and the Maine State Library and is supported by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
For More Information
To learn more, please contact the Community Partnership Coordinator at lvpicard@mainehistory.org or call 774-1822 x215.