LSTA Grants

Inspire grants target ambitious projects aimed at supporting innovative programs or initiatives that are more complex and demanding to execute. These projects require greater staff commitments and would include significant involvement with community partners. Projects may require a larger funding amount and could extend to two years to complete.

Minimum funding amount: $15,000
Maximum funding amount: $50,000

• Be a member of the Massachusetts Library System (MLS).
• Have a current approved strategic plan on file with the MBLC.
• All public libraries applying must be and remain certified to receive State Aid.
• Preservation, local history, and archives-related projects must have a current preservation plan in place and have had a preservation assessment within the last 10 years.

Letter of Intent opens: Friday November 8, 2024
Federal Funding Roadshow: November 19 and 20, 2024. More information about sessions here.
FY2026 LSTA Grant Program Overview: November 21, 2024. More information about session here.
Letter of Intent closes: Thursday December 5, 2024
Applicants notified of eligibility: December 2024
Application opens: Tuesday January 21, 2025
Application draft due: Friday February 21, 2025
Application draft returned: Friday March 21, 2025
Final Application closes: Tuesday April 8, 2025
State Advisory Council on Libraries reviews applications: May 2025
Board approves grant awards: July 10, 2025
Contracts sent: September 2025
Project period begins: October 1, 2025

Conversations with Library Advisory and Development staff can help you explore how your idea may match the goals of the grant program.

For general questions, please contact Lyndsay Forbes.