Grants for library furniture are often available from various organizations and foundations that recognize the importance of libraries for education in the United States. Hopefully, the grant can improve the quality of the education and help the community to get the latest educational improvements.
In general, the money from these educational grants can be used for but not limited to library furniture. The school can use it to purchase desks, chairs and office furniture too. We’ve listed several possible grant opportunities that can provide schools with the furniture, or some money to buy the furniture.
List of Grants for Library Furniture Provider
Here are some available grants to take if you need library furniture funding:
3M Company Contributions Program
The first source is the 3M Company Contributions Program. The program provides funding through grants for selected schools, in which the money can be used for various equipment needed by the schools, including library furniture. The grant award varies from $5,000 to $50,000. This organization’s office is located in St Paul, Minnesota. Call (651) 733-0144 for more information about the deadline and the requirements.
AMB Foundation
This foundation provides the same funding scheme as the previous program. It basically gives the school some money which can be used for the school equipment. The grant award is smaller, ranging from $2,000 to $12,000. To learn about the program guidelines, please send your letter to AMB Foundation office at P.O. Box 94717, Phoenix, AZ 85070-4717.
Gifts in Kind International
If your school has a nonprofit status, then the Gift in Kind International can be your source for getting that ever needed library furniture. This organization spreads out donations in the form of furniture, which can be used for library and other rooms in the school. To see more information about this program, please visit their official link available on our reference section or make a call to (703) 836-2121.
Toshiba America Foundation
There are many grants opportunities coming from private corporate foundations. One of them is this, the Toshiba America Foundation that provides grants for school equipments, including furniture. Every year, each selected school receives up to $20,000 from the grant. To learn more about the opportunity, please visit their official site (link is provided below) and download the application form. Alternatively, you can call their office at (212) 596-0620 to ask for more information.
The Robert S. and Eloise C. Bowers Foundation
Another good source of grant is the Robert S. and Eloise C. Bowers foundation, providing several grants for furniture. To learn about this grant we recommend you to call them at (405) 202-7708, and inquire about the requirements etc. The money given varies in each school, but, in general, the school can get up to $12,500 in a single grant.
LibraryLinkNJ Small Grant
LibraryLinkNJ, the New Jersey Library Cooperative, is a nonprofit organization with over 2,500 members, including public and private school libraries, academic libraries, corporate libraries, health sciences libraries, and special libraries. LLNJ helps its members provide New Jersey residents with access to library materials, programs, and information that they might not have locally. The New Jersey State Library funds LLNJ and its services. Membership is free and there are no dues.
Goals and Objectives of the Grant Program
The grant program helps LLNJ achieve its goal of giving libraries a voice and supporting them in growing projects that serve their communities. The Level Up Your Library mini-grant program provides financial support to help member libraries expand or improve their programs and services. LLNJ wants to give members the freedom to address their unique needs with funding that will help take their library services to the next level.
Overview of the Grant Program
Through this competitive grant program, LLNJ will provide funds to member libraries to enhance existing programs or services. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000, with a total of $100,000 available. All types of libraries in New Jersey, including public, school, academic, and special libraries, can apply. Only one application per library will be considered.
Applications should explain how the funds will be used to improve or expand a library service or program. This could involve growing an initiative, giving it more depth, or completely reimagining it. Focus areas might include accessibility, programming, training, materials, and equipment.
Applicant Eligibility
All New Jersey libraries that are members of LibraryLinkNJ and in good standing can apply. This includes school, public, academic, and special libraries.
Eligible Expenses
Applicants must show that expenses are necessary for improving or expanding a specific library service or initiative. Eligible expenses include:
- Materials or equipment (technology, supplies, subscriptions)
- Circulating materials to enhance a library collection
- Programming expenses for community events or programs
- Staff development or training costs
Successful applications will demonstrate a clear need for the proposed project and provide a specific plan for how the funds will be used.
Tocker Foundation
Many rural libraries still look the same as they did 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. This Transformation Grant gives these libraries a chance to redesign and refurnish their spaces to meet today’s needs and future flexibility. The goal is to merge the Foundation’s objectives with 21st-century best practices and the library’s goals to maximize the grant’s impact.
Tocker Foundation achieve this by pairing library staff and leadership with an experienced library architect. This collaboration results in a welcoming new space that boosts activity, demand for new programs, and increased use as a public area.
The success of Transformation Grants relies on the partnership between the Foundation and the library’s leadership. This extensive project can be intimidating for many rural librarians, who typically lack experience in such endeavors. However, with technical assistance and Foundation support, the process becomes a team effort, transforming it from a simple transaction to an exciting journey from start to ‘Wow!’
Unlike other grants from the Foundation, the Transformation Grant has a unique requirement. If your project estimate exceeds $100,000, you and your library’s leadership must raise the additional funds needed to complete the project in one go.
There are many other grants that can be used to purchase the school library furniture. In general, the Department of Education usually has a list of programs that can provide you with such benefits. Alternatively, you can go to grants.gov to see the available grant opportunities from the government. You can easily narrow the search down with the grants for library furniture keyword.
Reference:
- Grants for School Furniture – https://pocketsense.com/grants-school-furniture-5020.html
- Toshiba America Foundation – http://www.toshiba.com/taf/
- Gifts in Kind – http://www.giftsinkind.org/
- Image: makerfairechattanooga.com
- (https://tocker.org/library-grants/library-transformation-grant/)
- (https://librarylinknj.org/projects/grants/level-your-library)
