Collections Management Fund
Launched in 2013, the Collections Management Fund (CMF) builds upon the legacy of the Alaska Art Fund.
Funded by the Rasmuson Foundation and overseen by Museums Alaska, this grant is designed to meet the evolving needs of the Alaska museum community by providing funding to enhance collections management practices through professional expertise, training, and supplies.
Initially designed to provide resources to museums for improvements to their collection management storage and practices, in 2022, the program underwent enhancements, enabling more departments across museums to submit applications for funds dedicated to collections-focused projects.
Whether it involves collections management, exhibitions, education, or programming, CMF is committed to supporting diverse initiatives that contribute to the overall development of museum collections.
The Collections Management Fund grant program has been instrumental in advancing the professionalization of museums in Alaska.
This initiative has ensured a higher standard of professionalism in museum operations by providing funding for high quality collections care to our state’s institutions, and by requiring official collections management plans and policies as components of the application process.
All applicants must be organizational members of Museums Alaska and must hold their collections in public trust.
Museums Alaska invites applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, and tribes.
Your organization must be located in Alaska, an organizational member of Museums Alaska, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government, or tribal organization located in Alaska that holds collections in public trust.
Your organization must have completed the final reporting for any open CMF grants.
Organizations may apply for collections care projects, collections training projects, contracted collections professionals, exhibition expenses related to your permanent collection, digital projects related to your permanent collections, and small equipment purchases related to collections management and care or exhibiting your permanent collection.
If you are experiencing an emergency caused by a man-made or natural disaster, you can apply at any time. Please contact the director for more information.
The CMF allows the costs of museum staff time and all reasonable project expenses to be included in funding requests. However, this program does not support institutional overhead.
We also do not fund reimbursements of pre-award costs, construction or other infrastructure projects, pass-through, re-granting, or other financial assistance, or fundraising projects.
Awards up to $20,000 (per organization, per year).
Applicants may only apply for one grant per cycle (two grants total per year).
Organizations with a funded grant project must complete their project and its final report, before submitting a new application.
Grant Cycles:
- Open: Friday, August 1, 2025
- Draft Review Deadline: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Close: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Ready to Get Started?
The button below will take you to our application site hosted on GOSmart.
Explore the application guidelines and additional resources.
To apply, click the button below to visit our grant application website, GOSmart.
More information about the grant and how to apply can be found in the Application Guidelines linked above.
Grant Help
Informational webinar on the grant guidelines and application:
We want your grant application to be successful, and have provided many resources to help:
Example Applications:
Explore successful applications that stood out. Dive into the nuances of these examples by referring to the provided notes with specific highlights. Double-click on the purple note symbols on the right side of the PDFs to unveil annotations.
Draft Review Period
Take advantage of the optional draft review period available for each grant cycle. Submit your draft application for a thorough review by our grant administrator. Initiate your draft review on the grant application website.
Grant Writing Tips
Recommended Practices:
- Log in to the grant application website early and commence your application promptly.
- Thoroughly read the guidelines linked above.
- Initiate early contact with the grant administrator to discuss your application.
- For any inquiries or further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Other Grants
- Grant draft review is a benefit for Organizational Members; ensure your organization's membership is current.
- Contact us early to schedule your review, allowing reviewers ample time to provide feedback.
- Draft reviewers typically return feedback within two weeks. For urgent cases, we'll do our best to accommodate your timeline.
Media Kit
Following the grant awards announcement, Museums Alaska distributes a press release to media outlets statewide.
For your own media needs related to the grant, feel free to inform us of any additional resources you might require.
Alaska Art Fund
Social Media Handles
Museums Alaska
- Facebook - museumsalaska
- Instagram - museumsak
Rasmuson Foundation
- Facebook - rasmusonfoundation
- Instagram - rasmusonfoundation
- Twitter - rasmuson
Media Kit and Guidelines
Feel free to use the Museums Alaska logos from the provided images, adhering to the logo use guidelines outlined.
Thank you to Rasmuson Foundation for supporting the Collections Management Fund for over 10 years!
