Field Foundation Grant Application
Written for DuSable Museum of African American History
Won in January 2018
Won in January 2018
In October 2017, the Field Foundation of Illinois wrote about their new funding initiatives. DuSable Museum knew what traditionally worked for them in terms of applications would not work this year. While brainstorming ideas with the president of the organization, there was an expressed desire for a program that would allow DuSable to reach more youth. Thinking about the talent already available to DuSable through the volunteers, board and staff, we decided to write a proposal requesting funding for a youth-driven spoken word and poetry program.
It was a bit of a risky grant since we hadn't applied for one on our own for a similar program, but it paid off during our site visit. We were effectively able to communicate the importance of involving youth in the museum early so as to pull them in for life and showcase all the unique features we could bring to the program, such as drawing on themes from our exhibits to create the art. In January 2018, we were awarded the full amount from Field Foundation of Illinois. To this day, it is one of my favorite grants I wrote as it allowed me to create a program with the president of the organization and other staff from the ground up.
It was a bit of a risky grant since we hadn't applied for one on our own for a similar program, but it paid off during our site visit. We were effectively able to communicate the importance of involving youth in the museum early so as to pull them in for life and showcase all the unique features we could bring to the program, such as drawing on themes from our exhibits to create the art. In January 2018, we were awarded the full amount from Field Foundation of Illinois. To this day, it is one of my favorite grants I wrote as it allowed me to create a program with the president of the organization and other staff from the ground up.