The time to apply for a grant for your local group is here again. The National Library of Australia’s Community Heritage Grants (CHG) is offering grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations such as libraries, archives, museums, genealogical and historical societies, multicultural and Indigenous groups. This can be one or more projects that add up to a total of $15,000.

The grants are provided to assist with the preservation of locally owned, but nationally significant collections of materials that are publicly accessible which include artifacts, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and audio visual material.

What is not covered: The following projects are ineligible for CHG funding:
• In-house salaries and volunteer labour costs • Publishing projects • Exhibition research, interpretation and signage, and design • Collecting projects • Oral histories – recording or transcribing • Memorials and plaques • Interpretive signage or heritage trails • Capital works, repairs and improvements to existing buildings • Microfilming of newspapers or magazines • Family history research • Emergency activities • Activities that are in progress or have been completed • Private collections.

Who can apply: A not-for-profit, incorporated organisation that:
• owns or manages a collection of nationally significant material; • is accessible to the general public (‘access’ can be for research, via the Internet, or on temporary or permanent exhibition).
Examples of not-for-profit, incorporated organisations which are encouraged to apply are:
• Archives • Art galleries • Community groups • Genealogical societies • Historical societies
• Indigenous groups • Migrant community groups • Museums • Professional associations
• Public libraries • Religious groups.

How to apply:
Website: http://www.nla.gov.au/chg/index.html
Contact: The CHG Coordinator National Library of Australia
Email: chg@nla.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6262 1147

More information, including applications forms can be found online at the National Library of Australia’s  CGH website.

Applications for the 2011 Community Heritage Grants are now open –
and close 5.00pm Friday 6 May 2011