North Carolina Science Museums Grant Program is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). This state-level program provides operational funding to eligible non-profit science centers and STEM learning organizations, including children's museums, across North Carolina.

The competitive application process funds botanical gardens, nature centers, children's museums, natural history museums, and other organizations whose missions support science or STEM education.

Grants Opportunities | NC DNCR North Carolina Land and Water Fund Land and Water Stewardship Since its creation in 1996 by the General Assembly, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF), formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, has conserved well over one-half million acres and protected or restored 3,000 miles of streams and rivers.

NCLWF funds projects that (1) enhance or restore degraded waters, (2) protect unpolluted waters, and/or (3) contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits, (4) provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission, (5) acquire land that represents the ecological diversity of North Carolina, and (6) acquire land that contributes to the development of a balanced State program of historic properties.

North Carolina Science Museums Grant Program Museum of Natural Sciences The NC Science Museums Grant Program provides operational support to eligible museums across North Carolina. Awards are given to eligible applicants based on criteria set forth by state government per G. S.

143B-135. 227. Award amounts will be determined by the following criteria: 1.

When compared to other museum applicants: a. Are located in counties that are more economically distressed according to the annual rankings prepared by the Department of Commerce pursuant to G. S.

143B-437. 08(c). b.

Generate a larger portion of their operating funds from non-State revenue. c. Have a higher attendance-to-population ratio.

2. Partner with other museums in the State to share exhibits, programs, or other activities. 3.

Are not located in close proximity to other science or STEM education museums. darrell. stover@naturalsciences.

org Library Services and Technology Act Grant Programs The federally funded Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) was enacted by Congress in September 1996.

The focus of this state-based program is information access through technology and improving access to library services, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and cooperation among all types of libraries, as well as a requirement to demonstrate improvement in library services through use of the federal funds.

Eligible applicants are libraries as defined in North Carolina's LSTA Five-Year Plan, with further specific eligibility requirements driven by priorities on the plan. catherine. prince@ncdcr.

gov Funds are distributed according to a formula. The formula allocates 50 percent of the total Aid to Public Libraries appropriation as equal block grants to each eligible county library, plus an additional block grant to each regional library. Municipal libraries qualifying for funding do not receive block grants.

The remaining 50 percent of the Aid to Public Libraries fund is allocated as per capita income equalization grants. Each eligible county, regional, and municipal library system receives a per capita grant that is inversely proportional to the local per capita income. State Trails: Recreational Trails Program The Recreational Trails Program is a $1.

5 million grant program funded by Congress with money from the federal gas taxes paid on fuel used by off-highway vehicles. This program's intent is to meet the trail and trail-related recreational needs identified by the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Grant funding is for trail planning, construction, maintenance, signs and related facilities.

amanda. smithson@ncparks. gov Grants to artists ranging from $500 to $2,000 to support their professional development.

Artist Support Grants are administered through local arts agencies. holly. jackson@dncr.

nc. gov Grassroots Arts Program Grants The Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) provides arts funding to all 100 counties through an extensive network of local arts agencies and partner organizations. Funding is distributed on a modified per capita basis to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to high-quality arts experiences and can benefit from the vital role the arts play in their communities.

This is an invitational grant category. holly. jackson@dncr.

nc. gov North Carolina Heritage Awards Since 1989, the North Carolina Heritage Award has honored North Carolina's most eminent folk artists. Many recipients have gone on to receive national and international recognition, including National Heritage Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Awards are presented every other year. Project Support grants are designed to help organizations that produce or present specific arts programs with a strong emphasis on engaging audiences and participants of all ages. Organizations may apply for funding to support exemplary programs across any artistic discipline.

holly. jackson@dncr. nc.

gov Statewide Service Organizations This grant category supports organizations that provide leadership and services to a particular sector of the arts industry. Funded services include newsletters, conferences, workshops, consultations, and resource publications. Statewide Service Organizations (SSOs) must serve the entire state or a multi-state region inclusive of North Carolina.

holly. jackson@dncr. nc.

gov Sustaining Support for Arts Organizations Sustaining Support provides flexible funding to arts organizations in North Carolina that consistently produce arts programs and services that engage audiences and reflect their communities.

These organizations provide work opportunities for artists and arts professionals, are well managed and financially accountable, are committed to diverse and inclusive practices, and contribute to the state’s creative economy. holly. jackson@dncr.

nc. gov Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) Grants The TAPS program grants provides community organizations (arts councils, schools, community centers) with funding for after-school programs that connect North Carolina students with local traditional artists. This is an invitational grant category.

Land and Water Conservation Fund The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program is a reimbursable, 50/50 matching grants program to states for conservation and recreation purposes and through the states to local governments to address ''close to home'' outdoor recreation needs. Grants for a maximum of $500,000 in LWCF assistance are awarded yearly.

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) was authorized by the General Assembly (G. S. 113-44.

15) to establish a matching grant program for qualified local governmental units for local parks and recreation purposes. PARTF is funded by an annual appropriation as well as revenue from personalized license plates. National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund Grants Historic Preservation Office (HPO) The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorizes a matching grant program for a variety of preservation activities.

Most federal grants have been made to local governments for architectural and archaeological surveys, National Register nominations, and preservation planning. Federal law requires that 10% of the state's apportionment from the federal Historic Preservation Fund be made available on a matching basis to local governments that are designated Certified Local Governments by the National Park Service.

This has amounted to about $95,000 annually for CLG projects in the state in recent years.

In some years, the HPO is able to offer additional grants out of the state's Historic Preservation Fund apportionment for projects within jurisdictions that are not Certified Local Governments, though these projects have been limited to non-construction activities such as comprehensive county surveys and nominations of properties to the National Register of Historic Places.

Not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions may be able to apply for CLG funding through their local preservation commission. Privately-owned buildings are not eligible to apply for funding. michele.

patterson. mccabe@ncdcr. gov