Broadening Narratives — Collections (Spring 2026) is a grant from the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation that funds archival and collections work that tells stories previously untold, told incompletely, or told inaccurately. The program emphasizes participatory grantmaking: those whose stories are being documented must be included in the decision-making process.

Support is limited to existing archives or collections and is invitation-only, beginning with a conversation with a Foundation program officer. Eligible organizations include culturally based nonprofits, community organizations, schools, or libraries in the Chicago region or the South Carolina Lowcountry. Recent awards have reached $100,000 or more.

The Spring 2026 deadline was March 27, 2026.

Collections and Broadening Narratives Grants - Eligibility | GDDF South Carolina Lowcountry We value the deep, steady, and long-term relationships we build with our grantee partners.

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Current Grantee Resources Apply for Broadening Narratives Grants Home > What We Do > Priorities > Broadening Narratives > Apply for Broadening Narratives Grants We support collections that tell stories that have not been told, have been told incompletely, or have been told inaccurately. We require that those whose stories are being told be included in the decision-making process. Relationships are at the core of our grantmaking process.

Each grant starts with a conversation with a program officer so we can get to know you and your work. Broadening Narratives support is for existing archives or collections and is invitation-only. Because of this unique approach to collections, we work directly with groups to help them develop their applications.

Organizations that apply for grants must meet the following eligibility requirements. See How to Apply to begin the process. You must be a 501(c)(3) or approved fiscal sponsorship.

Your organization must be located in the Chicago region or the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Your organization must be in compliance with their Secretary of State. The collection to be supported must be rooted in an underrepresented narrative from the Chicago region or the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

The collection to be supported must be located in one of the two regions and currently or planned to be publicly accessible. You must demonstrate ongoing human, material, and financial support for the collection.

Political campaigns or legislative lobbying Endowments, capital campaigns, or debt reduction Improvements or repairs to physical facilities Broadening Narratives Grant Deadlines 2025 We encourage all new grantees to contact us at least six weeks before the deadline.

Next grant deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026 Broadening Narratives Strategy More organizations have better collections practices More collecting organizations are operationally stronger More organizations promote diverse narratives through their collections More public engagement with a broader array of diverse narratives Broadening Narrative grants typically range from $10,000-$100,000.

Confirm your eligibility by reviewing the requirements. Prospective applicants must share more about their work with foundation staff to determine potential fit before applying. Ellen Placey Wadey or Jason Crowley will be in touch.

The first step in the Broadening Narratives process is to speak with foundation staff, as this program is invitation-only. Organization Name (Required) Our grants support work involving existing collections. Please provide a sentence or two describing your existing collection.

(Required) Please share your proposed work or project in a few sentences. (Required) I have reviewed the eligibility requirements (Required) I have reviewed the eligibility requirements (Required) View a Sample Application Let’s get to know each other. © 2026 Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

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