Opportunity Information: Apply for AAHC FY20
The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (AAHC), offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is a discretionary federal grant opportunity designed to strengthen African American museums and the professionals who work in them. At its core, the program focuses on long-term capacity building, meaning it is aimed less at short-lived activities and more at helping institutions improve how they operate, plan, preserve, and serve the public over time. The program also places a strong emphasis on professional development, supporting projects that help museum staff build skills, deepen expertise, and grow as leaders within their organizations and the broader museum field.
AAHC funding supports projects in three broad, connected areas. First, it supports efforts that nurture museum professionals, such as training, mentorship, or other structured learning that helps staff develop competencies in museum practice. Second, it funds projects that build institutional capacity, which can include strengthening organizational systems, improving strategic planning, enhancing operational sustainability, or developing programs and practices that make the museum more resilient and effective. Third, it supports projects that increase access to museum and archival collections, reflecting an interest not only in preserving African American history and culture but also in ensuring that collections can be discovered, used, and engaged with by communities, researchers, educators, and the public. Importantly, this access focus applies both to African American museums and to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), indicating that collections held or managed in HBCU settings are also a relevant priority area.
IMLS explicitly encourages applications from museums of all sizes and in all geographic regions, as long as the institution's primary purpose, as stated in its mission, centers on African American art, life, history, and culture. In other words, eligibility is not limited to a certain budget tier or location; the key qualifier is the museum's core mission and identity. The eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details typically provided in the full notice, but the program description makes clear that African American museums and relevant HBCU-related collection initiatives are central to the intended applicant pool.
For the FY20 cycle referenced in the source data, applications were due November 15, 2019, with the opportunity originally posted on August 15, 2019. Awards under this competition had a ceiling of $250,000, and IMLS anticipated making around 18 awards. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 45.309 and falls under arts and humanities activity categories (often grouped under cultural affairs in federal assistance listings). Overall, AAHC is structured as a targeted investment in the stewardship of African American cultural heritage, prioritizing stronger institutions, better-supported museum professionals, and broader, more meaningful access to collections that document and interpret African American experiences.Apply for AAHC 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 "Museum Grants for African American History and Culture" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.309.
- 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 18 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (AAHC FY20) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Museums Empowered Apply for ME FY20 Funding Number: ME 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 |
| 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 |
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