The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Community Museum Grant Program, offering up to $9 million in funding to support museums and nonprofit foundations across Michigan. This program is aimed at enabling these organizations to stabilize operations, expand their impact, and implement long-term strategic initiatives. Grants of up to $1 million per project are available, and the funding period runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2029.

Eligible applicants include museums and nonprofit foundations that operate educational programs fostering artistic, scientific, technological, or cultural exhibitions. Municipal, county, city, township, village, and Tribal entities in Michigan are also eligible. Proposals should align with one or more focus areas: stabilizing operational needs, growing capacity and sustainability, or thriving through strategic initiatives. Priority will be given to proposals demonstrating an ability to leverage grant funds for additional federal or private funding.

Key dates for applicants include a pre-application virtual webinar on December 12, 2024, at 10 a.m., conducted via Microsoft Teams. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by December 17, 2024, to leo-grants@michigan.gov. Applications must be submitted electronically via the LEO EGrAMS website by January 30, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST. Technical assistance will be available during weekly office hours held on Thursdays at 10 a.m. EST, with scheduled sessions on December 19, 2024, and January 9, 16, and 23, 2025, excluding holiday weeks.

Applications must be submitted through the LEO EGrAMS system. Applicants can access necessary documents by visiting the website, clicking on "See Current Grants," selecting “CMG-2025,” and reviewing materials under the “User Document” tab. For further information or assistance, applicants can visit the LEO EGrAMS website or contact LEO via email at leo-grants@michigan.gov.