USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity for California Public Libraries Grant
California Library Association
Funding Amount
Up to US $3,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round
- Tracked since
- April 2026
From the program guidelines: “After this deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis while funds remain available, through Friday, March 27, 2026, 12 p.m.”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- California public libraries interested in creating USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming with their communities, to support learning and enrichment, community connection and engagement.
Overview
Note:
Applications received by the deadline above, will receive priority consideration. (If funding requests exceed available funds, CLA will use the Local Income Per Capita level to determine which applications will be prioritized.)
California Library Association
Rowell from the University of California.
Currently, CLA has over 1,600 Individual, Business, and Institutional members. Individual members include librarians, library employees, library students, friends group members, trustees, retirees as well as members of the general public who wish to support California libraries. CLA Business members represent a wide range of library-supporting businesses, whereas Institutional members include library institutions and systems who support the association's advocacy programs.
Annually, CLA provides professional development and advocacy support for its members and the California library community at large. Additionally, CLA supports the administration of the California Summer Reading Program as well as further summer enrichment programs funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
The California Library Association is committed to helping library staff develop the knowledge and skills needed to work for 21st Century libraries, and to advance in the library field.
USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity for California Public Libraries
What is CLA’s USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity?
In partnership with the California State Library, California Library Association is offering reimbursement funding to California public libraries interested in creating USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming with their communities, to support learning and enrichment, community connection and engagement. These reimbursement funds can support:
Programming related to the 250th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, including programming that sheds light on histories, people, stories, and/or social and political movements related to the Declaration of Independence and the long journey towards realizing the document’s guarantees and ideals for all.
USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming can focus on adults, intergenerational groups, children, teens, and/or families.
California public libraries may apply for up to $3,500 in reimbursement funds to plan and support summer USA 250 programming that resonates with their communities. Funds can be used for:
Materials and supplies for interactive learning and/or enrichment programming such as film screenings, local history activities, musical programming, art and crafting activities, cooking programming, etc.
Community-Centered Programming
As part of the USA 250 application, libraries are asked to include information on community interests and aspirations that the programming will reflect; and to discuss how the project will engage with, and collaborate with, community voices.
Guidelines & Requirements
Awardees must collaborate with at least one community connection or partner.
Please review the list of LSTA allowable and unallowable costs. Jurisdictions may apply for up to two outlets. A separate application should be submitted for each library location. (Due to limited funding, grant staff will award funds to accommodate the greatest number of library jurisdictions.)
A reimbursement request form must be accompanied by scanned/digital receipts and received within 2 weeks of the program’s conclusion.
Eligibility
California public libraries interested in creating USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming with their communities, to support learning and enrichment, community connection and engagement.
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Literacy
- Community centers
Categories
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