Kimberley Foundation Initiative to Support Libraries Serving Small Communities

January 15, 2020

The Kimberley Foundation this week announced the launch of Pat Morris Communities Matter Initiative, offering grants to Canadian libraries serving small communities to support acquisitions, programming, and outreach activities.

Established in 2003 by Dr. Hugh Morris in recognition of his late wife Pat, “the Kimberley Foundation actively works to stimulate self-directed learning and curiosity, to support initiatives to strengthen local communities, and to support activities and pursuits that inspire, impact, and facilitate positive, environmentally responsible change in the world.”

The Pat Morris Communities Matter Initiative celebrates Pat Morris’ love of ideas and learning. Her commitment to service and community creation inspired the focus of the initiative toward supporting the the life-force of small communities: libraries.

Who Can Apply?

Any small Canadian community library serving a population of 10,000 or less that is registered as a “Qualified Donee” under the Canada Revenue Agency is eligible to apply.

What is Eligible?

Grant requests (typically of no greater than $10,000) will be considered for one or more of the following:

• library acquisitions including physical collections, on-line or digital resources;
• public literary events, literacy initiatives, book clubs, etc.;
• workshops, presentations, guest speakers, etc.
• programming (general or that targeted to groups such as seniors, teens, children, new community members, etc.);
• outreach initiatives to enable the library to further its impact in and beyond the community;
• other specific initiatives may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadlines

Applications for funding will be considered twice annually:

• Spring Deadline: February 15, 2020
• Fall Deadline: October 15, 2020

Decisions for each intake of applications will be announced one month following the deadline for applications (i.e. March 15, 2020 and November 15, 2020).

(Via Kimberly Foundation)