ET Perry Centennial Chapter Grant Program

Background: The grant program honors ET Perry for his decades of dedicated service to the FSDPL and the city's libraries. ET Perry cared about assisting smaller chapters that were struggling to serve their libraries—especially in under-resourced areas.

Purpose: Provide financial support to FSDPL affiliate chapters that are facing organizational challenges.

Geographic Scope: San Diego, California (serves FSDPL affiliate chapters)

Focus Areas: Grants may support:

• Helping the chapter function better
• Building its board
• Increasing its membership
• Improving engagement
• Serving its community better
• Board recruitment
• Membership recruitment
• Publicity and communication
• Effective fundraising
• Team-building support
• Website development
• Other organizational strengthening activities

Eligible Applicants

• FSDPL affiliate chapters in good standing
• Chapters must have paid their dues
• Chapters must have paid their share of FSDPL's insurance costs (unless waived)
• Chapters must be current with reporting requirements (volunteer numbers, volunteer hours, annual financial report)

Funding Restrictions

• Grant program is NOT intended to help chapters simply sponsor programs for which they would otherwise have to pay out of their own resources
• Grant money CAN be used for programs if their main purpose is to strengthen the chapter

Award Process

• Grants are awarded throughout the year on a rolling basis (beginning FY26), rather than annually
• Applications are considered upon receipt
• Priority given to chapters that have never received a grant or that have not received one recently

Contact Information

Address: 4193 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92103-2510

Application Process

1. Complete the ET Perry Centennial Chapter Grant Application Form
2. Provide chapter information and contact details
3. Describe the area(s) in which support is needed
4. Submit a narrative describing issues, funding amount requested, planned use of funds, and expected outcomes
5. Indicate any other funding sources pursued or Chapter funds available
6. Obtain chapter board approval
7. Have chapter president sign (if different from primary applicant)
8. Submit application

Required Information

• Date of application
• Chapter name and current information (number of board members, volunteers, members)
• Primary contact information (name, phone, email)
• Amount requested
• Areas of support needed (select from: board recruitment, membership recruitment, publicity/communication, effective fundraising, team building, website development, other)
• Narrative addressing:
  • What issues the chapter wants to address
  • How much money is being requested
  • How the chapter plans to use the grant funds
  • What outcomes are expected to be achieved
• Information on other funding sources pursued
• Optional: Additional supporting documents

Submission Requirements

• Chapter board must approve the application
• Primary applicant must certify information is accurate
• President signature required (if different from primary contact)

Post-Award Requirements

• Grant recipients must periodically report on how funds were used
• Must report progress toward achieving stated outcomes