VGS Grants

Matching Grants Program

The Virginia Genealogical Society has a deep interest in preservation of and access to Virginia related material which would assist genealogical and historical researchers. This grant program is designed to support the small to moderate sized organization or library that maintains an archival program of material that assists researchers of Virginia genealogical and historical information. This organization need not have certified archivists on staff. However, it should be preserving material according to archival standards established by the Society of American Archivists and the Mid-Atlantic Archives Conference. This grant must be matched by the organization and the total amount may be used to purchase acid-free supplies, to purchase shelving, to hire a consultant, to hire staff, etc. that would assist in organizing, arranging, and cataloging manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, and published material to enhance their use by researchers.

The $250 grant may not be awarded every year. It is not intended for publicity, displays, publications, or the care of artifacts.

VGS prefers to support groups who offer regular hours of admission as opposed to groups who are open by appointment only. However, if a group is just beginning, open by appointment is a first step to a regular schedule.

Historical and genealogical significance of collections will be an important consideration in awarding this grant.

To be eligible, the organization must be a member of the Virginia Genealogical Society.

Groups may apply in consecutive years, although the number of times they have received grants will be taken into consideration when making the recommendations.

An interim report will be required three months after the grant is awarded. A final report will be required eleven months after the grant is received. These reports may appear in our newsletter.

Grant Committee:

• Peter E. Broadbent, Jr., Chair

Applications should be received by VGS no later than August 1st and may be sent via email to admin@vgs.org or by postal mail to Virginia Genealogical Society, PO Box 626, Orange, VA 22960.

Matching grant awards will be announced at the VGS annual meeting in the spring.

Download VGS Matching Grants application (PDF fill-in form).

Special Grants Program

The Virginia Genealogical Society has a deep interest in providing access to Virginia related material of value to Virginia genealogical and historical researchers. This special grant program is designed to assist an organization with such material by supporting a project to make the organization’s archival material more available to researchers.

The special program grant will generally be made only to one recipient per year, and need not be made every year. The amount of a grant will generally be in the $1000-$5000 range, though may exceed this, if funds allow, for appropriate projects. The total amount of the grant may be used to:

• hire a consultant or staff to assist in organizing, arranging, and cataloging manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, and published materials; or
• increase collection accessibility through cataloging, creating finding aids, providing digital online access, or publication.

The grant is not intended for equipment, supplies, storage facilities, publicity or the care of artifacts.

Historical and genealogical significance of an archival collection and present and projected levels of access, will be an important consideration in awarding this grant.

There is no requirement of matching funds (though this may be considered in making any award as will volunteer hours committed to the project).

To be eligible, the organization must be a member of the Virginia Genealogical Society.

An organization may apply in consecutive years, although the number of times they have received grants will be taken into consideration when making the recommendations.

An interim report will be required three (3) months after the grant is awarded. A final report will be required eleven (11) months after the grant is awarded along with an article of at least five hundred (500) words for publication in the VGS Newsletter detailing how the funds were used for the special project.

Grant Committee:

• Peter E. Broadbent, Jr., Chair

Applications should be received by VGS no later than February 1st and may be sent via email to admin@vgs.org or by postal mail to Virginia Genealogical Society, PO Box 626, Orange, VA 22960.

Special grant awards will be announced at the VGS annual meeting in the spring.

Download VGS Special Grants application (PDF fill-in form).

Grant Recipients