Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2026)

The Inspire Grants for Small Museums program is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. The program goal is to build the capacity of small museums to provide museum services to their communities. The program has two objectives: to support the development of experiential learning and discovery in small museums, and to support the management and care of collections in small museums. Some key points to consider for this opportunity include: • Eligible applicants include units of state, local, or Tribal government, and private, nonprofit organizations that have tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. • The program requires a cost share of at least 1:1 for large projects ($25,001 - $75,000). • The program has a funding range of $5,000 - $75,000. • The program has an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026, and an anticipated period of performance of September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2029. • The program requires a Performance Measurement Plan to describe how the applicant will use the four performance measures to monitor and assess their performance in carrying out their project and meeting their selected program goal and objective.