Call for grant applications from Vermont Town Libraries
Since the year 2000, Ashgate Publishing Company in Burlington has devoted a large portion of its annual charitable contributions budget to support libraries around the state.
In the wake of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irene, and in recognition of our role as a corporate citizen in this state, Ashgate UK made a special donation in late 2011 in support of Vermont and Vermonters: $2,500 for the Vermont Public Libraries Foundation and $1,000 to the Librarians Relief Fund.
Through its library donations program, Ashgate makes grants to public libraries in Vermont for special one-time projects and needs (as opposed to standard operating expenses and book budgets) as they arise. The charitable donations committee encourages libraries to apply for grants that supplement other fundraising efforts. Libraries are also encouraged to team up with other area libraries and apply for grants collectively. Examples of the grants made in recent years include:
- $1500. to the Cobleigh Public Library toward the continuation of the bookmobile program visiting 1,000 sites and supporting 1,280 literacy programs. This is 100% of the requested grant.
- $726.00 to the Craftsbury Public Library in Craftsbury, VT for after school study program materials. This is 100% of the requested grant.
- $600. to the Jeudevine Memorial Library to start a graphic novel collection for child and young adult readers. This is 100% of the requested grant.
- $350.00 to the Stamford Community Library in Stamford, VT to update the high-school graduate college and career resource section. This is 100% of the requested grant.
- $235. to the South Burlington Community Library for the purchase of two e-book readers to be used strictly by patrons who require large print materials (i.e. visually impaired). This was a partially funded (2/3rd) requested grant.
Ashgate’s charitable donations committee decides what amount to donate to which library (full or partial grants), in consultation with the company’s staff members. Ashgate doesNOT make grants in support of:
- capital campaigns
- operating budgets
- general collection development
Please note: there is NO formal grant application form.
Grant applications should take the form of a cover letter which:
- explains the nature of the project
- specifically addresses what population(s) will be served by the project
- addresses how they will be served
- states the amount requested, with a budget if appropriate, or at least a justification for the amount
- provide a breakdown of the costs associated with the project.
- states the time frame in which the project is scheduled to be completed
- if available, include any photos that may be of assistance in the decision making process.
- include a current contact name/position as well as a current phone number and valid email address. If your library has a web address please also include that in your correspondence.
- For additional assistance in writing a grant request – please seek out books from the DOL or other libraries.
We are currently accepting applications for our 2012 grants. The deadline is September 28, 2012. The grants will be awarded in mid-November of 2012. All applicants will be notified as to whether or not your application has been selected for funding by e-mail.
We welcome your queries, but again, please do NOT call for an application form — we do not have such a formal document.
Ashgate Publishing Co. is making great strides within our own offices to “go green” and is very environmentally conscious. Along this line, all applications should be emailed to librarygrants@ashgate.com along with any/all photo attachments.
If you are absolutely unable to email your Grant proposal, hardcopies should be mailed to:
Library Grants Committee
Ashgate Publishing Company
101 Cherry Street, Suite 420
Burlington VT 05401-4405
Questions should be submittedvia email to: astevens@ashgate.com or nwilley@ashgate.com. When emailing, please only useone email address. It is not necessary to cc the second address.
Thank you.
Allyssa Stevens, Nick Willey, & Ann Donahue
Ashgate Publishing Company
Library Grants Committee