MARSHALL, Mich. — Michigan Humanities is now accepting applications for its new initiative, MI Museums.

The MI Museums program is a three-year grant and training initiative designed for Michigan museums with an annual operating budget of $250,000 or less. It aims to bolster these museums’ capacity through funding and training across three phases: stabilize, grow and thrive.

Ten sites will be selected and will work together as a cohort through the program.

Each site will receive up to $57,000 over three years and expert-led training covering areas such as strategic planning, accessibility, board development, fundraising, and other areas of need identified by the participating organizations.

“We are looking forward to bringing together a cohort of museums to work and grow together over the next three years,” said Jennifer Rupp, president and CEO of Michigan Humanities. “Michigan Humanities hopes this helps shape a national model for capacity building with public humanities organizations.”

The three-year grant program seeks to address funding gaps, staff shortages and inadequate infrastructure commonly observed in smaller Michigan museums.

The cohort will attend workshops and convenings designed to equip museums with the tools to overcome common challenges and achieve long-term sustainability.

Applications for this program are open through Aug. 13, with award notifications going out by October and the program beginning shortly after.

The program is made possible through a grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Go to www.michiganhumanities.org for more information, or reach out to Michigan Humanities Director of Grants James Nelson via email at jnelson@mihumanities.org or by calling 517-372-7770.