Collections Care

Overview

The Collections Care grant helps King County non-profit organizations and Tribes preserve culturally and/or historically significant heritage materials. Heritage is defined as the exchange of knowledge and experiences shaped by the past, including local history, ethnic history, Native cultures, folklore, intangible cultural heritage, historic and archaeological resources, heritage field services, and stewarding heritage spaces in King County.

Funding Range

Requests can range from $2,000 to $15,000.

Eligible Uses

• Care and long-term preservation of historical and cultural materials, artifacts, and archival records accessible to the public and/or cultural community
• Purchase of materials and consumable supplies for collections care (e.g., acid-free boxes and folders)
• Purchase of materials/specialty products for maintaining cultural objects (e.g., performance attire, instruments)
• Costs for developing/implementing collections management policies, emergency preparedness plans, and security methods
• Collections needs assessments, inventories, descriptive catalogs, condition surveys, repatriation, and deaccessioning
• Long-term digital preservation of archival materials (digital storage hardware)
• Training and professional development for staff and volunteers in collections management and digital preservation
• Contractor fees for conservators, heritage specialists, cultural knowledge-bearers, and interns
• Temporary rental fees for climate-controlled storage with demonstrated long-term plan

Ineligible Uses

• Construction and facilities projects, fabrication projects, general operating support, overhead, employee benefits, or regular staff salaries
• Project elements completed before funds are awarded on December 2, 2026
• Projects where fundraising is the primary purpose
• Projects not focused on culturally or historically significant heritage materials in King County
• Restoration of historic structures, preservation of built environment, or stabilization of archaeological sites
• Purchase of art, artifacts, or items forming the basis of a collection
• Creation of physical or digital ephemera forming the basis of a collection
• Collections not accessible to their cultural community or the broader King County public

Key Dates

• Application Due: September 23, 2026 at 5pm
• Funds Awarded: December 2, 2026

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality: alignment with organization/Tribe mission, adherence to professional standards and culturally specific needs
• Project impact and public benefit: safeguarding heritage materials, cultivating understanding of diverse communities, representing underrepresented histories, addressing at-risk collections, ensuring long-term accessibility
• Feasibility: organization/Tribe capability to complete project within 24 months of award

Contact

Natasha Varner, Ph.D. (206) 848-0008