Museum Association of New York to Accept Online Applications Beginning July 18
Troy, N.Y. — The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is partnering with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for a fifth round of the Pomeroy Fund for NYS History, providing a total of $100,000 for salary support/hourly wages to bring back or hire museum educators.
Grants up to $5,000 will support New York State history-related museum educators who will plan and deliver interpretative programs, including school programs, teen programs, early childhood programs, family days, festivals, programs for older adults, programs for New Americans, or targeted, audience-specific programs identified in the grant application.
“Museum educators play a critical role in our understanding and interpretation of history,” said Deryn Pomeroy, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Trustee at the Pomeroy Foundation. “Their important work has a tangible impact on communities and people of all ages. We are proud to partner with MANY to offer this much-needed funding to support educators at small history-related museums in New York State.”
Funding should not be used as a substitute for existing (budgeted) staff salaries and hours, but can be used to increase staff hours for the aforementioned purposes. Funds will be grants to museums that apply for education staff who will offer in-person programming, but programs may include a virtual component.
Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) history-related organization located in New York State and have an annual operating budget of $250,000 or less.
“This partnership with the Pomeroy Foundation has made a tremendous impact on some of New York’s smallest history organizations,” said MANY Executive Director Erika Sanger. “The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History has awarded more than $200,000 to 83 history-related organizations since April of 2020. We are looking forward to learning about and supporting the ways in which applicants produce programs for their communities.”
The Coney Island History Project, for example, was awarded $4,000 in the first round of the Pomeroy Fund that provided grants to purchase technology to history-related organizations forced to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The support of the Pomeroy Fund in 2020, when the Coney Island History Project exhibition center and recording studio were closed due to the pandemic, buoyed our spirits and helped us pivot to virtual programming,” said Tricia Vita, Coney Island History Project Administrative Director. “We tested various platforms and tools for recording oral history interviews remotely, produced a podcast from oral histories in our archive, and adapted our in-person reminiscence events to Zoom. Our efforts were so successful that these virtual programs remain part of our repertoire. We’re grateful to the Museum Association of New York and William G. Pomeroy Foundation for funding that enabled us to expand our audience during the dark days of lockdown.”
The online application form for the 5th round of the Pomeroy Fund will open on the MANY website beginning Monday, July 18. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 23. Successful applicants will be notified on or before Friday, October 21. Grants must be used within one year of disbursement; all funds must be expended before Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel that includes MANY Board members, and Pomeroy Foundation staff. Grants are available to all qualified organizations; an organization does not have to be a member of MANY to receive funding, nor will preference be given to MANY members.
To learn more about the Pomeroy Fund for NYS History and to apply, visit nysmusems.org/Pomeroy-Fund-for-NYS-History
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About the Pomeroy Foundation
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. Established by Trustee Bill Pomeroy in 2005 to bring together his two greatest passions, the Pomeroy Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation’s leading funder of historic roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded over 1,800 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 46 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation, visit wgpfoundation.org.
About the Museum Association of New York
The Museum Association of New York is the only statewide museum service organization with more than 700 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Visit www.nysmuseums.org and follow MANY on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @nysmuseums
Media Inquires
Steve BodnarCommunications Consultant
William G. Pomeroy Foundation
steve@wgpfoundation.org
315-913-4068