USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity for California Public Libraries

Up to $3,500 in Reimbursement Funds Available to Support Summer 2026 USA 250 Programming for All Ages

Apply Now  (link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLA-USA-250)

What is CLA’s USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity?

In partnership with the California State Library, California Library Association is offering reimbursement funding to California public libraries interested in creating USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming with their communities, to support learning and enrichment, community connection and engagement. These reimbursement funds can support: 

• Programming related to the 250th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, including programming that sheds light on histories, people, stories, and/or social and political movements related to the Declaration of Independence and the long journey towards realizing the document’s guarantees and ideals for all.

• USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming can focus on adults, intergenerational groups, children, teens, and/or families.

California public libraries may apply for up to $3,500 in reimbursement funds to plan and support summer USA 250 programming that resonates with their communities. Funds can be used for:  

● Materials and supplies for interactive learning and/or enrichment programming such as film screenings, local history activities, musical programming, art and crafting activities, cooking programming, etc. 

● Facilitator/educational presenter fees 

Timeline

• Applications received by Friday, March 13, 2026, 12 p.m. (noon) will receive priority consideration. After March 13th, applications will be considered on a rolling basis while funds remain available, through Friday, March 27, 2026, 12 p.m. (noon).
  (If funding requests exceed available funds, CLA will use the Local Income Per Capita level to determine which applications will be prioritized.)

• USA 250 programs conclude by August 21st, 2026

• USA 250 reimbursement requests due to CLA by August 21st, 2026

• USA 250 library participation survey and participant outcomes survey results due by August 28th, 2026

• USA 250 programming reimbursements will be distributed 2-4 weeks after the reimbursement request is submitted

Evaluation

Successful applicants will be required to submit to the CLA project team: 

• a library participation report/survey (To be completed by library staff. A survey link will be provided.)

• Distribute brief outcomes surveys to learning program participants and submit results to the project team. (Surveys will be provided.) 

Guidelines & Requirements 

● Awardees must collaborate with at least one community connection or partner. 

● Please review the list of LSTA allowable and unallowable costs. If you have questions about allowable expenses, please contact youthandfamily@cla-net.org. 

● Jurisdictions may apply for up to two outlets. A separate application should be submitted for each library location. (Due to limited funding, grant staff will award funds to accommodate the greatest number of library jurisdictions.) 

● A reimbursement request form must be accompanied by scanned/digital receipts and received within 2 weeks of the program’s conclusion. 

Community-Centered Programming

As part of the USA 250 application, libraries are asked to include information on community interests and aspirations that the programming will reflect; and to discuss how the project will engage with, and collaborate with, community voices.

Additional Resources - ALA 250 Programming Toolkits:

• Commemorating 250 Years: 12 Library Programs to Explore Local History During the United States Semiquincentennial from American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office

• America at 250: Black Perspectives of the Founding Era Toolkit  sponsored by the Black Caucus of American Library Association

(Please note that due to the fluid nature of links contained within these resources, content is subject to change without notice and is not under California Library Association’s control.)         

Apply Now (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLA-USA-250)

Questions? 

Contact the CLA project team at youthandfamily@cla-net.org

Youth and Family Book Clubs & Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.