How-To Information for Storytellers
What's New
We've finished the first release of this web site. Please share your comments with us.
Jackie Baldwin jackie@story-lovers.com
Kate Dudding kate@katedudding.com
National Storytelling Network Grants Programs
-
Brimstone Grant for Applied Storytelling
Taking its name from brimstone, the elusive element medieval alchemists believed would transform base metals into gold, this award focuses on the transformational properties of storytelling, and aims to increase understanding of the ways storytelling can promote change in individuals and communities. Grants up to $5000 will be awarded.
The grant will support a model storytelling project that is service-oriented, based in a community or organization, and to some extent replicable in other places and situations.
-
J. J. Reneaux Grant
The purpose of this grant is to further the evolution of storytelling as a professional performance art by supporting gifted emerging artists. The Emerging Artist Grant awards $1000 to a storyteller of major and unique performing talent who has not yet received wide public recognition. The Mentorship Grant awards $750 for a gifted younger teller (18-30 years of age) to work with a seasoned teller as mentor. The Emerging Artist Grant and the Mentorship Grant are awarded in alternate years.
-
NSN Member Grants
Support is available for the development of individual work, for collaborative projects, for community-based storytelling programs or for scholarly research. Grants of up to $1000 will be awarded.
Northlands Storytelling Network Grants and Loans
Any Northlands Storytelling Network member may apply for a grant or loan, up to $1000, which must be consistent with Northlands goals. Events and projects can:
- honor storytelling as an art form
- raise awareness of storytellers and storytelling
- support storytelling, involve more than one individual, and impact the community at-large
- include Northlands' membership and/or will increases Northlands' membership
- have an educational component
- allow storytellers to network and expand storytelling skills and opportunities
- build community through stories
- involve new storytelling venues, and/or new storytelling group events
Florida Storytelling Association (FSA) Grants
Three separate grant programs are offered to FSA members and StoryGroups, including:
- LoGE (Local Group Event) Grants;
- Gathering Grants; and
- TELL (Tellers Empowered as Learning Leaders) Grants.
Look up your state's organizations since they may offer grants:
Historical commission or preservation sites may include information about grants, applications and tax incentive programs, publications, reports, maps, photographs, and information about the National Register and Historic Landmarks programs.
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a Federal source of library funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
In keeping with IMLS's mission of working with museums and libraries to connect people to information and ideas, their grant programs are designed to help these institutions sustain cultural heritage, enhance learning and innovation, and build professional capacity.
Their grant programs include:
- Museums for America
- Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
- Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
- National Awards for Museum and Library Service
- Native American Library Services Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option
- 21st Century Museum Professionals
- Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program
- Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants
- Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants
Recent storytelling grants:
Metrowest LSTA Grant: After School Storytelling Club, October 2005-September 2007, Waltham, MA
The After School Storytelling Club Grant is an after-school program will fund a “training the trainer” program for up to 20 Metrowest MA Regional Library System member libraries to have a youth services librarian trained in storytelling and teaching storytelling on site.
The trained librarians will train up to 32 middle school students in storytelling through up to 2 sessions of “After School Storytelling Club,” a 6-week after-school program at their facilities. Each 6-week program will include learning how to create, select and tell stories, seeing a professional storyteller perform and planning a storytelling program for K-4 age children. Members of the After School Storytelling Club members who attend 5 of 6 sessions “graduate” and are eligible to participate in a final program or do storytelling in the community (members over age 14 only).
The two year program trains library staff, builds developmental assets of teens, provides a service learning opportunity, and fills the role of library as community place and cultural center.
Contact:
Sherry Norfolk (who trained the librarians)
(404) 627-7012
shnorfolk@aol.com
www.sherrynorfolk.com
Museums Utilizing Storytelling in Education (MUSE): A Collaborative Community Project, 2004-2006, Fort Worth, TX
The sky’s the limit! Connect your community through one big partnership using storytelling. The innovative MUSE project served 10 schools, the library and five museums, while helping students and docents write and tell Texas history stories. Financed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and community in-kind donations, MUSE provided far-reaching benefits for all involved. Leave energized with groundbreaking ideas on how to replicate all or parts of this program in your area.
Contact:
Shelby Smith
8627 San Benito Way
Dallas, TX 75218
214-212-1771
shelby@tipitellers.org
www.shelbystories.com
Through the Grants to States program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides funds to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services. They also may distribute the funds through subgrant competitions or cooperative agreements to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries in their state.
For more information on how State Program funds are put to work in your state, contact your State Library Agency. Contact information for the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLAs), as well as links to State Library Agency Web sites, see www.imls.gov/programs/libraries.shtm .
The Foundation Center is the most authoritative source of information on private philanthropy in the United States. They help grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public better understand the field of philanthropy.
National Education Association's Grants and Resources
Many grants are listed across the curriculum.
Scroll down to "Sponsorships and Other Support" to find out about Office Depot's grant programs to nonprogit organizations. Their criteria are:
- The nonprofit organization must be aligned with Office Depot's mission to directly impact the health, education and welfare of children.
- Funds provided by Office Depot must directly assist children.
- The inquiring organization must provide background on the specific program and other funding sources.
- The organization must have an established track record of community advocacy and a clear direction for its future initiatives.
- The organization must have 501(c)(3) status.
- The organization must provide a Federal Tax Identification Number
Target's community giving includes Arts Grants. These grants are awarded to programs that bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for families to participate in cultural experiences. Please visit again between March 1 and May 31, 2008 to apply for a grant.
Canada Council for the Arts: Spoken Word and Storytelling Program
Grants are available for both for creation and production of spoken word and storytelling projects, as well as for festivals and performance series. Applicants, as well as the majority of participants in the grant-supported activities, must be Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status. Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the nature of the project. Requests for the higher amounts are very competitive: for amounts higher than $15,000, priority is given to projects involving artists with a significant profile.
Other Sources of Information about Grants
- Your state library association
- Your state humanities council
- Your public library's reference section
- An advance Google search for "education & grants"
* Note: we gratefully acknowledge that storyteller Faye Hanson of Little Rock. AR, contributed a significant portion of the information on this page.