Community museum assistance

This program is designed to improve the organizational capacities of eligible organizations to ensure their continuous growth and development, benefiting their communities, other New Brunswick residents and visitors. It provides grants to cover part of the annual operating costs associated with the conservation, research and interpretation of heritage projects proposed by community museums.

The objectives of the program are to:

• encourage improved conservation, research and interpretation of heritage resources managed by community museums
• help these organizations enhance their operational activities

Organizations must fill out the appropriate form and send all requested documents no later than April 15 of the request year. Late or incomplete applications may not be accepted or may not be considered until all other grants have been assessed, potentially resulting in a reduced grant amount or no funding, depending on budget availability. Please discuss with the Project Officer prior to the deadline if you anticipate a late or incomplete application.

The grant is based on the previous year’s grant and the strength and merit of the application.

This program defines a museum as a non-profit community institution which:

• possesses legal title to the permanent collection it conserves
• owns the building in which the museum is housed or has an agreement for long-term occupancy
• is open to the public for at least ten weeks annually, a minimum five days per week and six hours per day

Art galleries are not eligible for this assistance since they are served by other programs.

Applications under this program are limited to Canadian non-profit organizations based in New Brunswick and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Companies Act.

In addition to meeting the museum definition, an eligible applicant must:

• communicate regular open hours and availability to the public using clear and accessible methods
• demonstrate community interest in the institution by showing an active membership, active working committees and the support of local people for its programs
• maintain a basic accounting system which shows all revenues and expenses related to museum operation and is the basis for the annual financial statement
• maintain a standard system of registration for its collection, thus ensuring proper documentation and control
• follow an acquisition policy and collections management policy consistent with its organizational objectives
• maintain records of attendance (individuals, groups, point of origin, etc.), educational programs and responses to top research requests
• adhere to the province's Heritage Conservation Act, the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (publication) and when applicable, follow all recommendations and guidelines of the Canadian Conservation Institute
• optional: be recognized as a charitable organization under the federal Income Tax Act or be able to show that an application for this status has been sent to Revenue Canada

The projects submitted to this program are evaluated according to the following criteria:

Application and administrative procedures

The purpose of the funding must be stated in the application. For successful applicants, the grant amount will be based on information provided, the need indicated and program funds available.

A photocopy of the museum's charter and/or letters patent, documents of incorporation and by-laws, if recently amended since the last application, should be provided.

Successful applicants must acknowledge the support of the provincial government in all promotional material associated with the grant.

1. Complete all sections of the most current version of the application form (PDF 617 KB) and include all attachments indicated.
2. Ensure someone authorized by the organization signs the application.
3. Use the Pre-Application Checklist to confirm organizational eligibility.
4. Submit all documentation to [email protected].

Note: The government’s email system has a limit of 35MB for attachments. Anything larger will not be delivered. Our email system will automatically send you an acknowledgment of receipt, but that should not be interpreted as all the information/attachments that have been received. 

Release of information to the public

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is subject to the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Applicants must accept and agree that, if they receive a grant, their name, community and the grant amount will be published on the provincial government website and in the department’s annual report.