Opportunity Information: Apply for ME FY20
Museums Empowered is a special initiative under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America (MFA) grant program. Its core purpose is to help an individual museum improve how it serves the public by investing in professional development that is designed to create lasting, organization-wide improvements. Rather than focusing on a single staff role or one isolated training event, the program emphasizes professional learning that reaches across departments and is intended to produce systemic change in how the museum operates, plans, measures its impact, and responds to community needs.
The opportunity is grounded in the idea that museums are active community institutions that are constantly being asked to adapt. Museums are expected to keep pace with rapid technology shifts, changing demographics, and rising expectations for transparency and demonstrable community benefit. At the same time, they are often navigating pressures around sustainability, organizational resilience, and long-term strategic growth. Museums Empowered responds to these realities by encouraging museums to strengthen staff, leadership, and volunteer capacity so the institution can remain dynamic and effective. A major theme is building the internal skills and structures that allow a museum to improve performance over time, not just during the grant period.
IMLS encourages applicants to make professional development a deliberate investment in people and practices across the organization. That includes improving day-to-day operations and standards, supporting leadership development, and creating pathways that help build the next generation of museum professionals. The initiative also highlights the importance of developing a more inclusive and diverse museum workforce and volunteer base, not only as a values statement but as a practical way to strengthen relevance and service to the community.
Projects funded through Museums Empowered must align with one of four professional development categories. The first is Digital Technology, which supports staff learning that helps museums explore, adopt, and optimize digital tools and approaches. This can include building comfort with digital platforms, improving digital engagement strategies, or strengthening the museum's ability to use technology in programs and operations. The second category is Diversity and Inclusion, focused on developing cultural competency and strengthening the museum's ability to serve and reflect its community. This is meant to improve relevancy and ensure the museum is prepared to work effectively with diverse audiences and partners. The third category is Evaluation, aimed at expanding staff capacity to conduct both formative and summative evaluation. The intent is to help museums generate credible indicators and measurable outcomes for programs, practices, and products, and to use that data to make decisions and communicate impact. The fourth category is Organizational Management, which supports training and learning around strong management practices, strategic thinking, innovation, and managing change, with an emphasis on making the institution more sustainable and adaptable.
Across all four categories, the program expects a comprehensive approach rather than narrow or informal training. Competitive projects are framed around clear strategies and frameworks for professional development, and they are designed to influence the museum as a whole. The overall outcome IMLS is looking for is a museum that can demonstrably serve its public better because staff across functions have improved skills, shared practices, and stronger internal systems.
From the published opportunity details, Museums Empowered (Funding Opportunity Number ME FY20) was offered as a discretionary grant by IMLS under CFDA 45.301. The award ceiling listed is $250,000, with an anticipated 13 awards. The opportunity was originally posted August 15, 2019, with an original closing date of November 15, 2019. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification typically provided in the full eligibility section of the notice, but the clear intent is to support museums of all sizes and disciplines seeking to strengthen their capacity through structured, cross-department professional development initiatives.Apply for ME FY20
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Museums Empowered" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.301.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 15, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 15, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 13 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): IMLS Museums Empowered (Museums for America)
What is Museums Empowered?
Museums Empowered is a special initiative under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America (MFA) grant program. It is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to help an individual museum improve how it serves the public by investing in structured, organization-wide professional development.
What is the main purpose of this initiative?
The core purpose is to help a museum strengthen its ability to serve its community by building staff, leadership, and volunteer capacity. The focus is on professional learning that creates lasting improvements in how the museum operates, plans, measures impact, and responds to community needs, rather than improvements limited to a short time period or a single role.
How is Museums Empowered different from a typical training or conference grant?
This initiative emphasizes comprehensive professional development that reaches across departments and is intended to create systemic change. Instead of supporting one-off or isolated training events, competitive projects are framed around clear professional development strategies and frameworks that influence the museum as a whole.
Who is this opportunity intended to support?
The opportunity is intended to support museums seeking to strengthen their capacity through structured, cross-department professional development initiatives. The published description indicates an intent to support museums of all sizes and disciplines.
What kinds of challenges is the program trying to help museums address?
The initiative is grounded in the idea that museums are active community institutions that must continually adapt. It responds to pressures such as rapid technology shifts, changing demographics, rising expectations for transparency and demonstrable community benefit, and the need for sustainability, organizational resilience, and long-term strategic growth.
What is IMLS looking for in funded projects overall?
IMLS is looking for projects that result in a museum that can demonstrably serve its public better because staff across functions have improved skills, shared practices, and stronger internal systems. The emphasis is on building internal skills and structures that support ongoing performance improvement beyond the grant period.
What are the four professional development categories for Museums Empowered projects?
Funded projects must align with one of four categories:
- Digital Technology
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Evaluation
- Organizational Management
What qualifies as a Digital Technology professional development project under this initiative?
Digital Technology supports staff learning that helps museums explore, adopt, and optimize digital tools and approaches. Examples described in the opportunity include building comfort with digital platforms, improving digital engagement strategies, and strengthening the museum's ability to use technology in programs and operations.
What qualifies as a Diversity and Inclusion professional development project under this initiative?
Diversity and Inclusion focuses on developing cultural competency and strengthening the museum's ability to serve and reflect its community. The stated intent is to improve relevancy and ensure the museum is prepared to work effectively with diverse audiences and partners. The initiative also highlights developing a more inclusive and diverse workforce and volunteer base as a practical way to strengthen community service and relevance.
What qualifies as an Evaluation professional development project under this initiative?
Evaluation projects are intended to expand staff capacity to conduct formative and summative evaluation. The goal is to help museums generate credible indicators and measurable outcomes for programs, practices, and products, then use that information to make decisions and communicate impact.
What qualifies as an Organizational Management professional development project under this initiative?
Organizational Management supports training and learning around strong management practices, strategic thinking, innovation, and managing change. The emphasis is on making the institution more sustainable and adaptable over time.
Does Museums Empowered prioritize organization-wide impact?
Yes. A major expectation across all categories is that projects take a comprehensive approach and are designed to influence the museum as a whole. The initiative explicitly emphasizes learning that reaches across departments and produces systemic, organization-wide improvements.
Is the program focused only on staff, or can it include leadership and volunteers?
The opportunity emphasizes strengthening staff, leadership, and volunteer capacity so the institution can remain dynamic and effective. The professional development investment is described as an investment in people and practices across the organization.
Does the initiative support leadership development?
Yes. The opportunity describes professional development as including support for leadership development, alongside improvements to day-to-day operations and standards and broader organizational capacity building.
Does the initiative mention building pathways for future museum professionals?
Yes. It highlights creating pathways that help build the next generation of museum professionals as part of making professional development a deliberate investment across the organization.
Is diversity in the museum workforce and volunteer base part of the program emphasis?
Yes. The initiative highlights developing a more inclusive and diverse museum workforce and volunteer base, not only as a values statement but as a practical way to strengthen relevance and service to the community.
What funding amount is available per award?
The published award ceiling listed for Museums Empowered is $250,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated 13 awards.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing for this initiative?
The published details list Museums Empowered as Funding Opportunity Number ME FY20, offered under CFDA 45.301.
When was this opportunity originally posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was originally posted on August 15, 2019, with an original closing date of November 15, 2019.
What does the eligibility listing say?
The published eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification typically provided in the full eligibility section of the official notice. The intent described is to support museums of all sizes and disciplines pursuing structured, cross-department professional development to strengthen institutional capacity.
Does the program require a specific professional development approach?
Yes. The opportunity indicates that competitive projects are framed around clear strategies and frameworks for professional development and that the program expects a comprehensive approach rather than narrow or informal training.
What kinds of outcomes should a strong project aim to produce?
Based on the opportunity description, a strong project would aim to improve the museum's ability to serve the public through measurable improvements in staff skills, shared practices across functions, and stronger internal systems for operations, planning, evaluation, and community responsiveness, with benefits that continue beyond the grant period.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ME FY20) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| National Leadership Grants for Museums Apply for NLG M FY20 Funding Number: NLG M FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Apply for NANH FY20 Funding Number: NANH FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums Apply for IGSM FY20 Funding Number: IGSM FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Museums for America Apply for MFA FY20 Funding Number: MFA FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries Apply for APP FY20 Funding Number: APP FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2020) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY20 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant Apply for NAG BASIC FY20 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY20 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries Apply for CAG ML FY20 Funding Number: CAG ML FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| IMLS CARES Act Grants for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum and Library Services Apply for CAG NANH FY20 Funding Number: CAG NANH FY20 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Showcasing U.S. Diversity and Values and Addressing Social Issues in Ukraine through American Independent Film Apply for PAS UKRAINE 2020 015 Funding Number: PAS UKRAINE 2020 015 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program (2021) Apply for LB21 FY21 Funding Number: LB21 FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2021) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY21 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Using Untrusted Vendors for 5G Apply for DOS PARIS PD 2020 CA 004 Funding Number: DOS PARIS PD 2020 CA 004 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to France Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Museums for America (2021) Apply for MFA FY21 Funding Number: MFA FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2021) Apply for NLG M FY21 Funding Number: NLG M FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2021) Apply for ME FY21 Funding Number: ME FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2021) Apply for IGSM FY21 Funding Number: IGSM FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2021) Apply for AAHC FY21 Funding Number: AAHC FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2021) Apply for NANH FY21 Funding Number: NANH FY21 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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