A guide to grants for libraries, including IMLS, state library agency, foundation, and corporate funders, with eligibility and proposal tips for librarians.

2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: NEA, NEH, and IMLS — the three primary federal cultural-funding agencies — were all subject to mass grant cancellations and proposed elimination in 2025. Courts have blocked the most extreme dismantling efforts, and grants are being progressively restored as of 2026, but cycles and priorities have been materially disrupted. Verify program status at the relevant agency website before applying.

Libraries are one of the most consistently funded categories of nonprofit and public institution in the United States, supported by federal, state, foundation, and corporate funders. Public, academic, school, and special libraries all have access to grant funding, often substantial.

This guide covers the main sources of grants for libraries and how to write competitive library proposals.

TL;DR: Quick Answers

Who funds libraries? IMLS, state library administrative agencies, foundations (especially community foundations), corporate giving, and others.
Who can apply? Public, academic, school, and special libraries; library associations; library foundations; and tribal libraries.
What do they fund? Collections, programs, technology, facilities, professional development, accessibility, and research.
Where do most libraries start? With their state library administrative agency (which re-grants IMLS funds) and their community foundation.

Major Library Funders

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The principal federal funder for libraries; key programs include Grants to States (formula to state library agencies), the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, Native American Library Services, and various discretionary competitions. See our IMLS guide.

State Library Administrative Agencies. Every state has one; they receive IMLS Grants to States formula funding and re-grant much of it to local libraries through programs that vary by state. For many local public libraries, the state library agency is the most accessible federal-funding doorway, see pass-through grants explained.

State humanities councils. Some library programs (especially humanities-related) are also funded through state humanities councils receiving NEH partnership funding.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (historical). Significant library funding historically; current emphasis shifted but legacy programs continue.

Knight Foundation. Funds libraries especially in journalism, civic information, and digital access.

MacArthur Foundation. Selected library and information-equity work.

Local and family foundations. Many local funders support library expansions, renovations, and programs.

Corporate funders. Especially around digital access, literacy, and workforce skills.

Major Program Types Funded

Library grants commonly support:

Collection development. Materials, especially in underserved areas.
Public programs. Literacy, summer reading, lifelong learning.
Technology. Computers, broadband, makerspaces, digital literacy.
Facilities and capital. Renovations, accessibility upgrades, new construction.
Professional development. Librarian training and continuing education (especially through Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program).
Digital initiatives. Digitization, online access, digital collections.
Research and assessment.
Equity and accessibility. Reach to underserved populations.
Partnerships. Libraries with schools, health systems, and community organizations.

What Library Funders Look For

Demonstrated community need and impact. Pair your statement of need with local data, see using data in grant proposals.
Community engagement. Real partnerships with the populations served.
Professional standards. Adherence to ALA, ACRL, AASL, or other professional standards.
Outcomes. Not just program counts; what changes for patrons. See logic models and theory of change.
Equity and access. Reach to historically underserved populations.
Sustainability. What continues after the grant.

Where Libraries Start

For most public libraries, the practical order:

State library agency programs. Annual cycles, accessible, often the most reliable source.
Community foundation grants. Local relationship-driven funding.
Corporate giving from local businesses.
IMLS competitive programs for larger or innovative projects.
Specialty foundations when alignment is strong.

For academic libraries:

IMLS National Leadership Grants.
NEH preservation and digital-humanities programs (see NEH grants).
Foundations supporting higher education and research.
University and library-specific corporate funders.

For school libraries:

State Department of Education programs.
District-level funding tied to Title programs.
IMLS programs supporting school libraries.
Local and corporate funders.

How to Win Library Grants

1. Center community need. A specific local need, well documented, beats a generic “we need more programs.”

2. Show impact, not activity. Outcomes matter more than program counts, see SMART goals.

3. Use library data. State library statistics, ALA data, and your own circulation, attendance, and program data.

4. Build partnerships. Schools, community organizations, health, social services, see partnerships in grant proposals.

5. Address equity. Especially in underserved communities, plans for outreach matter.

6. Plan sustainability. Many library grants support startup; sustainability requires real strategy. See sustainability plan.

7. Document professional capacity. Trained librarians, accreditations, and institutional support all strengthen capacity statements, see capacity statement.

How Grantboost Helps

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Drafts come back in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).

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Grants for Libraries: Federal, Foundation, and State Funding Sources