Please refer to the Grant Application Instructions for details on completing the application.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation is collaborating with the American Library Association to help build the capacity of public libraries to provide effective, unbiased financial and investor education. This grant program supports public libraries in their efforts to meet financial/investor education needs at the community level by providing high-quality resources and services.
This is a competitive grant program. ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation will invite selected public libraries and organizations to apply for a grant. An invitation to submit a grant application will be sent to selected organizations, but this does not guarantee that a grant will be awarded. For information about receiving an invitation, please contact < a href = "mailto:mmonsour@ala.org">Margaret Monsour of the American Library Association (800-545-2433 x4396).
No. In addition to U.S. public libraries, nonprofit networks or consortia serving public libraries, public library systems, and state libraries may apply by invitation only.
Yes. But if the library itself is not a 501(c)(3) organization, it may apply through a 501(c)(3) subsidiary, such as a foundation or friends of the library organization.
Grants will range in size from $5,000 to $100,000.
Yes. While this is only one factor, libraries should realistically base their application on their staff size and resources that will be required to fulfill the grant requirements.
The grant term will last from 12 to 24 months.
Grant recipients will be expected to participate fully in efforts to evaluate the program, attend training for staff and accommodate site visits as requested. Grantees will also be required to submit two reports: a progress report at the midpoint of the grant term and a summary report after completion of the grant.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with community agencies, civic groups, educational organizations, local governments, and media outlets. Educational institutions such as high schools, community colleges and universities may contribute to programming. Local newspapers, cable access TV, and radio may support your marketing and communications plan. Your partners should be identified as members of the project team.
Yes. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation has created investor education content modules that are required to be used in this project. Available at no cost, these materials are unbiased and free of commercial endorsements. The content modules are posted on the modules page. Grantees should plan to use the modules in whole or in part and in electronic or print formats. Additional products created by other FINRA Investor Education Foundation funded nonprofit organizations are also available free and may be used in your project. They are posted at the Foundation's Web site.
Yes. At least one of the project goals should relate to your marketing and outreach plan. Up to four goals may be identified. For each goal, provide up to three measurable outcomes that serve as indicators of the completeness and success of the project. These goals and outcomes should be consistent with the identified needs of the target population.
Yes. You may read summaries of the 25 projects funded to date through Smart investing@your library.
Yes. You are strongly encouraged to engage partners, particularly to help you reach marketing and outreach goals. Partners may include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, government agencies, and other libraries. Partners may not include securities firms or securities trade associations. Prior to submitting an application, be sure to inform partnering organizations of the project details and obtain their commitment to participate.
Yes. Detailed requirements are described on the evaluation page and discussed in the Grant Application Instructions. Grant recipients will be expected to attend one day of training during the 2010 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston on how to implement the evaluation plan described in the grant application. Training expenses including travel, meals and accommodations will be paid by ALA.
A line-item budget should be included with your proposal. If more than one funding source is involved with the project, identify the other funding sources, the amounts they will fund, and the line items included in their funding. See the application instructions for complete information about the budget.
All applications will be evaluated by an Advisory Panel selected by the Reference and User Services Association President and composed of librarians plus staff of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.
Selection criteria include:
Award of grant funding is contingent upon execution of a grant agreement within a reasonable timeframe. See the Grant Application Instructions for complete details about disbursement.
We will hold two conference calls on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EDT to answer general questions about this grant opportunity. All invited applicants are encouraged to participate in one of the calls by registering in advance. Just send an e-mail to Margaret Monsour with your name, organization, email address, phone number, and the date and time of the conference call for which you would like to register. You will receive call-in information.
Grant application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 11, 2009. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in late December 2009.
Contact the American Library Association staff at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4396 or Margaret Monsour.