Emergency Funding Sources
Is your museum in need of emergency funding during or after the COVID-19 pandemic? We’re compiling an active list of funding sources listed by state. This page is evolving, check back often for updates.
Know of a funding source that we can add to the list? Contact us.
Helpful tips:
- Not sure where to start? Contact your HR Office, your payroll servicer, and/or your bank. They have resources on how to assist you.
- When in doubt if your organization qualifies for a loan program, file for relief and let the program decide if you qualify.
- Be advised that the various forms of relief will not automatically extend to payroll and other taxes imposed at state and local levels.
- Keep your board informed and engaged.
Federal/National
- Annuity: Free information for users looking for more information about the economic impact, small business help, federal benefits – along with much, much more. You can read our guide below: annuity.org/financial-
literacy/covid-19-financial- guide/ - And in case you have questions about annuities: annuity.org/annuities/
- Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance Application (EIDL)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates: https://www.imls.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates
- AAM: Highlights of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
- National Endowment for the Arts: COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations: https://www.arts.gov/covid-19-resources-for-artists-and-arts-organizations
- National Endowment for the Humanities: NEH invites applications from eligible organizations seeking support for at-risk humanities positions and projects that have been impacted by the coronavirus. Through this funding opportunity, NEH will award grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites… https://www.neh.gov/program/neh-cares-cultural-organizations?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
- Institute for Museum and Library Services:$15 Million in IMLS CARES Act Grants Now Available for Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced two new funding opportunities for museums, libraries, federally recognized tribes, and organizations that primarily serve Native Hawaiians. The combined $15 million federal investment will provide direct support to these institutions, equipping them to respond to community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline for submitting applications to either funding opportunity is June 12, 2020, with award announcements anticipated in August.
Few the press release for further information and for webinars on the available grants: https://www.imls.gov/…/15-million-imls-cares-act-grants-now…
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Funding for National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Applicants and Grantees Impacted by the Coronavirus: https://www.neh.gov/COVID19_FAQs
- artnetnews List of Emergency Grants, Medical Funds, and Other Resources to Help Artists: Deadlines for these funding opportunities are still open as of 4/14/2020
- cerf+ The Artists Safety Net: COVID-19: CARES Act and Steps You Can Take: https://cerfplus.org/covid-19-steps-you-can-take/
- Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund: Arts Administrators of Color Network has set up the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund, which folks can donate directly to in support of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists AND administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) who have been financially impacted due to COVID-19.
- GrantForward is proud to provide free access to a list of funding opportunities in the area of COVID-19: https://www.grantforward.com/grant-covid
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Finimpact Small Business Survival Guide: Best 8 Financial Tools to Combat COVID-19: https://www.finimpact.com/covid-19-coronavirus-smbs/
- Independent Sector, “CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds”
New York
- Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation CARES opportunity: open to small to mid sized non-profit arts organizations in New York State and MAAF’s other partner states, jurisdictions, and territories. Applications are now being accepted through a competitive process for one-time, non-matching grants of up to $20,000. Click here to learn more/apply!: Guidelines and Application Portal Live: Tuesday, June 2 at 12PM. Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 16 at 12PM
- HumanitiesNY: HNY CARES Emergency Relief Grants, visit humanitiesny.org to access the portal and to view the status of your application
- William G. Pomeroy Foundation Fund for NYS History,
The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History, a partnership between the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the Museum Association of New York (MANY), will provide an additional $50,000 in grants to assist 501(c)(3) history-related organizations with general operating expenses in 2020. Applications will open on the MANY website beginning Thursday, May 28. Click here to learn more and to view eligibility requirements: https://nysmuseums.org/Pomeroy-Fund-for-NYS-History - 2020 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Applications are now due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.Due to the disturbances caused by COVID-19, GHHN has extended the deadline for the 2020 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program. We are giving applicants an extra three months to work on their applications – the new deadline will be Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Click here to learn more/apply.
- New York Community Trust, “NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund” (local)
- Nonprofit Finance Fund, “NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund” (local)
- Northern New York Community Foundation,”Community Support Fund for COVID-19” (local: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties)
- Captial Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund: https://www.cfgcr.org/covid-19-response-fund/
- City of Rochester and Partners Offer Business Development Assistance during COVID-19: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/businessResources/
- Western NY COVID-19 Community Response Fund: https://wnyresponds.org/
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$75-million NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund: This will administered by the New York Community Trust and will provide grants and interest-free loans. Among social services groups, priority will be given to direct service providers, such as those supporting essential healthcare and food insecurity. In the arts and cultural sector, the Fund will provide support to small and mid-size organizations that work from and are attentive to their communities.
- Information on Eligibility and How to Donate: https://www.nycommunitytrust.org/covid19/
Pennsylvania
- Erie COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund and Other Grant Opportunities: https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant
- PA Humanities Council: PHC CARES, a $750k emergency relief fund to help sustain Pennsylvania’s cultural infrastructure by assisting humanities organizations facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Funding has been provided by
National Endowment for the Humanities. Applications open June 1.
Info: https://pahumanities.org/phccares/ - Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Emergency Fund for Artists: As of March 17, we will be temporarily modifying our Emergency Fund for Artists (EFFA) application guidelines to address the current needs of artists in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The Emergency Fund for Artists will now provide up to $500 in assistance to artists experiencing loss of income due to the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/programs/artist-services/emergency-fund
- Emergency Action Fund (Pittsburgh): The first phase of the rapid-response grants will address:
- The economic impact of reduced and lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak;
- Immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by closures and cancellations related to COVID-19;
- Increased demand for medical information and support for health care;
- Communications and research support to better assess need and improve information flow for the region’s most vulnerable residents.
- Read the press release for more information: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/emergency-fund-release
- PHL COVID-19 Fund: This fund will provide grants rapidly to Greater Philadelphia organizations with a successful track record of serving at-risk populations – including elderly, disabled, homeless and economically disadvantaged persons – to enhance community safety nets and foster preparedness and protection.
- Information on Eligibility and How to Donate: https://phlcovid19fund.org/covid-19/
New Jersey
- New Jersey Council for the Humanities: NJCH is making these funds available as operational and programmatic support for nonprofit organizations that provide humanities programming to public audiences and who are facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.https://njhumanities.org/grants/covid-19/
- New Jersey State Council on the Arts COVID-19 Resources for Artists & Arts Organizations: https://www.nj.gov/state/njsca/dos_njsca_weekly-covid-resources.html
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During the COVID-19 crisis, the Arts Council will be compiling resources for artists and organizations who are experiencing personal or business losses due to the economic impact of the pandemic. This list will be updated weekly as news and information become available, with new resources listed towards the top. We are continually updating our social media pages with information, so be sure to follow NJS Council oon the Arts on Facebook and Twitter.For up-to-date statewide information, please visit the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub.
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Maryland
- Maryland Humanities is now accepting applications to our $500,000 CARES Act Emergency Relief Grants Fund. The goal of this new fund is to help sustain Maryland’s infrastructure to ensure that organizations can continue to provide opportunities for public humanities programming and civic learning in Maryland’s diverse communities during this unprecedented time. Grants will support nonprofit general operating expenses. https://www.mdhumanities.org/grants/cares/
- MSAC COVID-19 State of Emergency Statement & Resources: The COVID-19 state of emergency has resulted in lost income across the creative sector. MSAC has responded immediately by convening constituents to assess the most urgent needs, passing measures to ease the burden on organizations and artists during this challenging time, and compiling lists of state and national resources below. See here for a list of actions being taken: https://www.msac.org/news/msac-covid-19-state-emergency-statement-resources
Delaware
- Delaware Humanities: Through the CARES Act and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Delaware Humanities has funds available for redistribution to organizations committed to the humanities that have faced financial hardship due to the coronavirus. These grants are for up to $10,000 and are for general operating expenses: https://dehumanities.org/grants/cares-grants/
- Delaware Community Foundation: Immediate Grants Available to Nonprofits Affected by COVID-19 Delaware nonprofits affected by COVID-19 are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, housed at the Delaware Community Foundation and directed by a council of Delaware’s philanthropic leaders.The application is now open at delcf.org/covid-grants. The deadline for the first round of awards is Monday, March 30, at noon. Only a few grants will be awarded in the first week. Nonprofits are encouraged to reapply weekly. Read more at: https://www.delcf.org/2020/03/immediate-grants-available-to-delaware-nonprofits-affected-by-covid-19/