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Strategic Grants and Mainstreaming.

Sustainable Museums:
Green Funding & Green Teams

My Philosophy

Green Funding – I offer proposal writing and funder research, but it starts with understanding how environmentally-sustainable activities and building can support your mission. I keep abreast of the green-funding world, and the green-museum movement. There are green-specific grantors and other funders who will recognize the green aspects of your museum as responsible stewardship. I match you with appropriate funders and prepare grant applications for programmatic and operational changes to create green-working museums, and for planning and building museums that have green as an important part of the campaign.

Green Teams – Then we uncover the different ways you can behave and build using sustainable practices. This can mean working with vendors providing sustainable restaurant services or sustainable cleaning products and services; or connecting you with other museums or local nonprofits already working and building green who can share resources and information. As a green team facilitator I help you develop the team, conduct an institutional assessment, develop goals and a work plan, and keep you on task while you green your museum. I don't make decisions for you; I support you through research and benchmarking while coaching you on your own course for green.

We'll focus on operations, site use, education and marketing as fulfillment of your strategic plan. Of course, if you're building or rehabilitating a building, you will need engineers and architects who create LEED accredited buildings; otherwise, I can help.

The more you know about  Green Museums  the better. If you are interested in other museums that are going green, as well as online resources and upcoming conferences with more information about Building Green, click here: Green Museums

Sustainable Museums: Strategic Grants

My Philosophy

A financially sustainable museum nurtures diverse income streams. Strategic grants development is important in creating a responsive income matrix. Whether you are looking for operating, capital or program support, your development plan should include strategic applications to appropriate government, foundation and corporate supporters.

In my practice I have found that there are many good causes and programs, but that without a healthy organization, a philanthropic edge and a perfect donor match, even excellent proposals go unfunded.

My commitment to you is honest, reasonable development of effective and appropriate programs and proposals positioned to attract support. Your most fundable programs will be those that fulfill a demonstrated need while matching donor interests. Together we will develop a strategic grant program that complements other earned and gifted income streams.

Assessments – It is important to be sure your organization will be competitive before you begin chasing grants. Together we will assess your mission, audience, programs, operations and policies, and explore the funding environment to define your place in the funding continuum and what steps you might consider taking to become highly competitive. Some of the questions I will ask can be found in the Grant Ready Checklist in my book Is Your Museum Grant-Ready? Click here for a downloadable pdf file of the complete Grant-Ready Checklist from the book.

Proposal Writing and Funder Research – When it's time to prepare proposals, I will search for potential donors. You will receive complete descriptions of appropriate targets along with application recommendations. If you would like help preparing proposals, I will discuss the project with the funder and, if appropriate, prepare the proposal narrative and many of the support materials. Your office will be responsible for signatures, packaging and mailing.

Sustainable Museums: Mainstreaming

My Philosophy

Research – Mainstreaming Museums means bringing museums closer to mainstream American life by refashioning museums' programs and behaviors to encourage public habits of using museums regularly, for a greater variety of needs and interests, to overcome declining admission and reduced relevancy. A growing number of museums use various forms of technology, programming and collaboration to provide new and competitive learning and leisure opportunities to the public.

Here is a link to a recent article on mainstreaming:

What if Museums Had Really Great Theme Music?

For research purposes I am interested in documenting mainstreaming practices from around the world, and in sharing those practices through a growing knowledgebase.