Purpose: The Georgia Archives Month Spotlight on Archives Grant is intended to help archives, museums, or heritage institutions in Georgia promote public awareness of their archives and manuscript collections. This grant will help selected organizations fund their events during Georgia Archives Month in October.

Grant parameters: The 2024 award amount will be one award of $500 and a Hollinger Metal Edge Gift Certificate in the amount of $250; award monies are intended to be used by the selected institution to fund an in-person or virtual event to be held during Georgia Archives Month in October 2024. The event should promote archives and manuscript holdings at an archives, museum, or heritage institution. Approved expenses for the Georgia Archives Month event include publicity costs such as printing and mailing expenses; an honorarium and travel costs for a speaker; and food and drinks for the event (only 50% of the total grant award may be used for expenses associated with food and drinks). Any questions about suitable uses of the grant should be directed to the Georgia Archives Month Committee. Past winners can be found here.

Selection process: The Georgia Archives Month Committee will accept applications for Spotlight nominees through October 15, 2024. The application includes a narrative describing how the funds will be used to promote the archives and manuscript collections of the archives, museum, or heritage institution during Georgia Archives Month. Only completed applications will be considered. The grant may be used to support an existing program or exhibit, but a new program or exhibit created specifically for Georgia Archives Month is preferred. Extra consideration will be given to institutions that are promoting diverse collections and to outreach efforts directed towards underrepresented groups.  Applicants will be notified of their status by the first week of October. The GAM Committee will award the grant to the successful applicants at this time and coordinate publicity about the awards with the award recipients.

Grantee responsibilities: The grantee will use the funds for the program or event outlined in the original application. The GAM Committee realizes that some change of details can take place, but a radical departure from the original application will result in a withdrawal of funds. In program literature and program scripts, the grantee agrees to mention the 2024 sponsors of Georgia Archives Month for their support (guidelines will be provided). The GAM Committee strongly encourages grantees to send letters to the 2024 GAM Committee sponsors thanking them for supporting the Spotlight on Archives grant program. The GAM Committee will provide the appropriate contact details to the recipient. The grantee will submit to the GAM Committee a summary of their event, photos of the event (if available), and receipts that document expenses by November 30, 2024. The grantee will allow the GAM Committee to use that information in future articles and promotional materials to raise awareness about this program or Georgia Archives Month. Please download this application and send to archivesmonth@soga.org as a PDF when completed.