The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) launched Connecting to Collections: The IMLS Conservation Initiative in late November, which will be the centerpiece of their 10th anniversary. The launch of Connecting to Collections follows the release earlier this year of A Public Trust at Risk: A Report of the Heritage Health Index, a study conducted by Heritage Preservation in partnership with IMLS that identified severe inadequacies in current collections care practices and outlined steps to help remedy the problem. IMLS outlined three components of their new initiative:

AAM WRITING COMPETITION FOR CREATIVITY DEADLINE EXTENDED
The Brooking Paper on Creativity is an annual writing competition that aims to reinforce awareness of creative, innovative accomplishments that produce new ways of thinking and seeing within the museum field. Papers should describe examples of creativity, innovation and imagination in any aspect of museum operations in approximately 2,500 words. The first-prize paper will be published in the May/June 2007 Museum News and the first-prize winner will receive $500 and travel expenses to the AAM Annual Meeting in Chicago, May 13–17. Visit www.aam-us.org/brooking for more information. (Excerpted from AAM’s December 2006 edition of Aviso Online.)

STUDY SHOWS OPERATING SUPPORT MUST BE LARGE TO BE EFFECTIVE
The Center for Effective Philanthropy recently released a study titled In Search of Impact: Practices and Perceptions in Foundations' Provision of Program and Operating Grants to Nonprofits. The report found that most grants made by the 163 foundations included in the study are program-restricted, small, and short-term; that a majority of foundations provide operating support to fewer than 20 percent of their grantees; that the median operating support grant is $50,000, compared to $60,000 for the median program support grant; and that fully 10 percent of all grants awarded are less than $10,000, while nearly half are only a year in duration. The report suggests that foundations seeking to maximize their impact on grantee organizations should make larger, longer term operating grants. To view a pdf version of the report, click on http://www.effectivephilanthropy.com/images/pdfs/CEP_In_Search_of_Impact.pdf.

30-YEAR STUDY FINDS INCREASE IN VOLUNTEERISM
A new study that tracks volunteerism over more than 30 years has found big increases in the amount of time Americans are spending to help charities, with the volunteer rate for older Americans rising 64 percent since 1974. The study, which analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was completed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that runs the AmeriCorps service program. According to the study, titled Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974, the level of volunteering in the United States has increased by more than 32 percent since 1989. That rate had declined from 1974 to 1989. The report is available on the organization's Web site, http://www.nationalservice.gov.

MUSEUMS AND ART INSTITUTIONS READY TO FIGHT TAX CHANGES
According to the New York Times, museums, benefactors, and other art institutions are concerned about a tax provision they claim will discourage donations of art. They blame outgoing chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), for changing a rule that had benefited donors and museums alike. Crafted by Grassley and signed into law as part of the Pension Reform Act in September, the provision tightens the rules on so-called partial gifts of art. Under the old rules, donors were allowed to deduct a fraction of a sculpture or painting's value each year, with the value of the full gift potentially increasing every year as the work appreciated in value while the donor was allowed to hold on to the work itself. Under the new rule, the value of the gift is capped at the time the gift is made, and the work must be turned over to the recipient institution within ten years. For more information, see the article in the New York Times, “The Man Museums Love to Hate,” at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/arts/design/10stro.html.

2007 MUSEUM ASSESSMENT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
The American Association of Museums' Museum Assessment Program (MAP) is a confidential process of guided self-study, peer review, and implementation. Participation in MAP demonstrates an organization's commitment to self-assessment and institutional improvement to donors, public policy makers and the general public. Small museums with annual operating budgets of less than $125,000 can participate for free, and all museums open 90 days or more per year are eligible. Administrative fees are reasonable for museums in other budget categories, ranging from $350 to $750. The application and guidelines are available to download from the American Association of Museums' website at www.aam-us.org/map, or you can receive a copy by mail by e-mailing map@aam-us.org or calling (202) 289-9118.

LEGAL ISSUES IN MUSEUM ADMINISTRATION WORKSHOP
Legal Issues in Museum Administration, a workshop presented by the American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA) and cosponsored by the Smithsonian Institution with the cooperation of the American Association of Museums, will take place in Philadelphia March 14-16, 2007. It is recommended for museum directors, administrators, trustees, legal counsel and others, to provide them with the most current knowledge and information regarding today's legal issues in museum operations. For additional information, see http://www.ali-aba.org/aliaba/CM016.HTM. For questions or concerns regarding this seminar, contact ALI-ABA at (800) 253-6397 or email registrar@ali-aba.org.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR COMING UP TALLER AWARDS
The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is seeking nominations for the 2007 Coming Up Taller awards. By honoring excellence in after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs, the awards promote a creative, engaged, skilled and confident generation of young people. The program offers each recipient $10,000, an individualized plaque and an invitation to attend its annual Leadership Enhancement Conference. Nominations must be received by January 31, 2007. Guidelines and the application form are available at www.imls.gov/pdf/2007CUTApplication.pdf.

SMALL MUSEUM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN MARYLAND
The Small Museum Association Annual Conference will take place February 25-27, 2007 in Clarion Fontainbleu, Ocean City, Maryland. This year, the Annual Conference seeks to recognize the changing face of the Small Museum through the theme of "Stayin Alive." For more information regarding sessions, schedules, and workshops, please visit their website at www.smallmuseum.org. All other questions, please email conference@smallmuseum.org.

GANNETT FOUNDATION GRANTS AVAILABLE IN FOUR CA COMMUNITIES
The Gannett Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations where Gannett Co., Inc. owns a local daily newspaper or broadcast station. In California, these grants are available in Palm Springs, Sacramento, Salinas, and Visalia. Grants supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement; economic development; youth development; community problem-solving; assistance to disadvantaged people; environmental conservation; and cultural enrichment. The closing dates are January 15, 2007, May 15, 2007, and August 15, 2007. For additional information, go to http://www.gannettfoundation.org/index.htm or email foundation@gannett.com.

ONLINE WORKSHOPS ON MUSEUM SECURITY AND PRESERVATION
The Northern States Conservation Center will be hosting two workshops in the coming months. MS 107: Introduction to Security: Protecting Museums, Collections Staff and Visitors, taught by Stevan P. Layne, will take place February 5 through March 2, 2007 or September 3 through September 28, 2007. MS 104: An Introduction to Collections Preservation, taught by Helen Alten, will take place January 8 through February 2, 2007 or July 1 through July 31, 2007. The fee for either course is $425. For additional information, see http://www.museumclasses.org.

NEA ANNOUNCES $19 MILLION IN GRANTS
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that it will award $19.4 million to fund 848 grants, funding Access to Artistic Excellence grants as well as Literature Fellowships for individuals. CAM wishes to congratulate the following museums who were awarded funds: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco ($45,000); Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco ($50,000); Exploratorium, San Francisco ($25,000); Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Oakland ($20,000); Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego ($35,000); Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley ($40,000); San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco ($50,000); Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco ($25,000). To view all the museum projects that were funded, go to http://www.nea.gov/grants/recent/07grants/07AAE.php?CAT=Access&DIS=Museum.

CRAFT RESEARCH FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Craft Research Fund, a program of the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, is accepting applications for project and graduate research grants. The deadline is January 8, 2007. The fund seeks to advance scholarship in the field of craft by supporting high-quality research undertaken by university faculty, graduate students, museum curators, artists, and independent scholars. The Craft Research Fund is a three-year pilot program. Up to $75,000 in total Project Grants and $20,000 in total Graduate Research Grants will be awarded each year. For additional information, see http://www.craftcreativitydesign.org/research/grants.php.

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION GRANTS
The Annenberg Foundation aims to advance public well-being through improved communication. As a principal means of achieving this goal, the foundation encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge. Grants are offered in four major program areas: education and youth development; arts and culture; civic, community and the environment; and health and human services. For additional information, see http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/grants/.

CURATOR FELLOWSHIPS TO ATTEND AAM ANNUAL MEETING
The Curators' Committee is offering two fellowships for curators who have never attended an AAM Annual Meeting before and whose major job responsibilities are the care and interpretation of their museums' collections. The deadline to apply is January 26, 2007. The two $1,000 fellowships are intended to help defray the cost of attending the Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL in 2007. For application details and deadlines, contact James Burns at (770) 607-6372 or via email at jburns@boothmuseum.org.

METLIFE FOUNDATION AWARDS $1 MILLION TO SCIENCE MUSEUMS
The MetLife Foundation has announced grants totaling $1 million to fifteen science museums across the United States through its Partnership for Lifelong Learning program. The purpose of the program is to increase educational opportunities across the age spectrum and encourage exhibitions that promote a better understanding of aging, brain health and healthy lifestyles. The winning museums will use the grants to create appealing, accessible exhibitions and intergenerational science education programs. For additional information, see http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,4132,P250%255ES897,00.html.

ACCORDING TO REPORT, SMALL ARTS GROUPS ARE STRUGGLING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Grant makers disproportionately favor large nonprofit arts groups over smaller organizations, a study conducted by the UCLA Center for Civil Society has found, reports the Los Angeles Times. Small and midsize arts groups with annual budgets under $800,000 tend to rely heavily on government grants—and that is a problem as such grants have become more scarce, the report says. Additionally, a survey of 51 private foundations found that 91 percent of grants were awarded to groups with budgets of more than $800,000. The report, which was commissioned by the Southern California Grantmakers association, notes “a disconnect between the local nonprofit arts community and the for-profit entertainment industry." For additional information, see http://www.calendarlive.com/printedition/calendar/cl-et-artsstudy6dec06,0,2349376.story.

IMLS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS – DEADLINE IS MARCH 1, 2007
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) encourages museums and libraries to apply for their National Leadership Grants. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2007. For museums, the grant amounts range from $25,000 to $1,000,000. Successful proposals will show evidence of a national impact and generate results—new tools, research, models, services, practices, or alliances—that can be widely adapted or replicated to extend the benefit of federal support. For additional information, see: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nationalLeadership.shtm.

NOMINATIONS FOR JOHN W. GARDNER LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Independent Sector presents the John W. Gardner Leadership Award each year to an individual working in the voluntary sector who has advanced the common good by building, mobilizing, and unifying people, institutions, or causes. The deadline is January 31, 2007. The award consists of $10,000 and a replica of an original relief bust of John Gardner. Anyone may nominate an individual to receive the John W. Gardner Leadership Award. Visit the Independent Sector Web site at http://www.independentsector.org/ for complete program guidelines and application procedures.

CCH CALIFORNIA STORY FUND ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS JANUARY 2ND
The guidelines for the California Council for the Humanities’ California Story Fund are now available at http://www.calhum.org/guidelines/guidelines_ca_story.htm. Applications will be accepted beginning January 2, 2007. The application deadline is February 1, 2007. The California Story Fund supports public humanities projects that bring to light new and compelling stories from California's diverse communities. To find out about recently funded California Story Fund projects, go to http://www.calhum.org/programs/story_intro.htm.

NONPROFITS EXPERIENCE INCREASED DEMAND IN 2006 WITH SAME FUNDING
For the third year in a row, the majority of participants in GuideStar's nonprofit economic survey reported that contributions to their organizations had either increased or stayed about the same as contributions during the previous year. For the fourth consecutive year, a substantial majority also said that demand for their organizations' services had grown. To view the report, see http://www.guidestar.org/DisplayArticle.do?articleId=1078.

NONPROFIT CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The proceedings of the first national gathering of the Nonprofit Congress are detailed in Deliberations, Decisions & Planning: National Meeting Highlights (25 pages, PDF) and are available online at http://www.nonprofitcongress.org/sites/nonprofitcongress.org/files/theme_editor/npcongress/national_meeting_highlights.pdf. The report offers suggestions from nonprofit leaders on ways to harness the sector's collective power, the three most important priorities for the sector in 2007, and strategies for addressing them. It also notes the shared values of nonprofits and includes thoughts from attendees about the future of the year-old Nonprofit Congress initiative.

MUSEUM BUILDING BOOM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
According to the Chicago Tribune, there is a building boom among museums of all sizes, reports the Chicago Tribune. The nation’s museum directors and other experts say no single factor accounts for the building spree. Some institutions need more room to accommodate larger crowds and add extra exhibit space. Others want to update their image with food courts, sprawling gift shops, and glittering lobbies as a way to stay competitive with other forms of entertainment. “Most of them really need the space,” said Marc Wilson, the Nelson-Atkins director. “But the Bilbao effect has certainly made these projects more visible,” he said, referring to the Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao, Spain, which has attracted 8 million visitors since it opened in 1997, pumping millions of euros into that industrial city’s economy. According to a survey by the Association of Art Museum Directors, 86 of its 175 members report that they are planning or have begun expansions. To read the complete article, see http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0612040176dec04,1,7168646.story.

YEAR-END GIVING EXPECTED TO BE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR
According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, fund raisers expect year-end giving to be about the same as last year, though they are slightly less optimistic about the health of the giving climate than they were six months ago. For additional information, see http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2006/12/2006120601.htm.

Get the Word Out in CAM e-News!
Please email the CAM office at editor@calmuseums.org to list any announcements pertaining to professional development programs, grant opportunities, or related opportunities in future editions of CAM e-News and on the CAM web site. Since it is not possible to include all the details of an announcement, please include a phone number, web site address, or email address so interested parties can get additional information. Please do not exceed a limit of 150 words per listing. All announcements are subject to editing by CAM personnel.