IMLS Completes Grantmaking Cycle with Major Investment in Small American Museums

IMLS Completes Grantmaking Cycle with Major Investment in Small American Museums

The Inspire Grants for Small Museums will support 88 small institutions throughout the country.

WASHINGTON, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced the Fiscal Year 2026 recipients of its Inspire Grants for Small Museums program, completing this year’s cycle of discretionary museum grantmaking. As the nation’s leading source of federal funding for museums and libraries, IMLS offers eight museum funding opportunities and has invested more than 54 million dollars into museums this year.

“IMLS has awarded nearly 300 museum grants this cycle,” said Katherine Maas, IMLS Deputy Director of Museum Services. “While the institutions leading these projects vary in size, discipline, and location, they all share our goal of providing excellent service to the public, and we are proud to invest in their capacity to do so.”

Through the Inspire program alone, 88 small museums throughout the country will receive funding to develop educational programs and exhibits, build community partnerships, and steward their collections. The full details of the awarded grants can be viewed with the IMLS Search Awarded Grants tool.

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