Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants accepting applications

[March 23, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Public museums in Illinois can receive funding assistance to improve museum facilities and develop new exhibits through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which administers the grant program, is again accepting applications from qualifying public museums. The deadline to apply is May 7 at noon.

In 2010, the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants program granted $15 million to over 50 museums for projects ranging from expanded facilities to exhibits and infrastructure improvements. Funding for the program comes from the state's "Illinois Jobs Now!" capital program.

"Illinois has a great story to tell, and museums are an important role in educating the public about the culture, history and natural heritage of local communities and the state," an official said. "These grants will help museums meet their missions and provide a better educational experience for children, families and visitors across the state."

A total of $15 million in funding from the state's Illinois Jobs Now capital program has been made available for public museum capital grants for fiscal 2012. The maximum grant award for qualifying projects for fiscal 2012 is $750,000. New to this grant cycle, projects will be reviewed solely on the merit of the application as presented; no changes to the funding request will be initiated during the review process.

The level of local matching funds required for each project is based on the level of attendance at the applicant museum during the preceding calendar year. Since the program is funded by capital development bonds, only those museums operated by or located upon land owned by a unit of local government are eligible.

For detailed information on the application process, museum eligibility, matching fund requirements and a copy of the application form, check the website at this link: http://www.museum.state.il.us/programs/musgrants/.

Copies of the application forms can also be obtained by contacting the Division of Grants, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; email [e-mail]; phone [phone].

[Text from Illinois Department of Natural Resources file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]