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Building Forward: Library Infrastructure Grant Program- Round 1

CA State Library · 6919

Eligibility details

Applications may be submitted by cities, counties, or library districts on behalf of local library jurisdictions or facilities. Library-related nonprofit organizations, such as Friends groups, are not eligible to apply. One application per library facility will be accepted. Organizations seeking funding for multiple facilities must submit a separate application for each site. The maximum award per site is $10 million.

Matching funds & resources

Source matching-funds field: 50%. Grantees will be required to provide matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Applicants may apply for a reduction in their required match based on their Local Operating Income Per Capita level as part of the application. In-kind contributions will not count toward the required match. All matching funds must be administered by the grantee agency.

Matching funds and leveraged resources are different requirements. Read the description and reviewed rules below before determining resource commitments.

About this opportunity

Pursuant to SB 129, funding will be prioritized for the following: 1) Projects addressing library facility life safety and other critical maintenance needs. 2) Projects for library facilities serving high poverty areas of the state. Other library infrastructure projects may be considered if funding remains after priority projects have been evaluated. Multiple funding rounds are anticipated. All grant funds must be expended by March 31, 2026. For purposes of this grant, life safety projects are defined as those that address significant health and safety risks to patrons or staff using a library facility. This includes any physical aspect of the facility, its building systems, or equipment essential to emergency response situations specific to the library facility. For the purposes of this grant, critical maintenance and critical infrastructure projects are those needed to keep existing facilities, building-related structural elements, and related building systems suitable for public use, and compliant with all prevailing regulations, and standards governing their use. Projects funded by this grant must be completed according to California Building Standards Code and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and guides. If the library facility is leased, a lease commitment of at least 10 years following project completion is required.

Funding geography: Cities, counties, and library districts throughout California are eligible to apply. Funding will be prioritized for projects serving high-poverty areas. Community poverty levels will be assessed using the California Poverty Measure (CPM). https://www.ppic.org/publication/poverty-in-california/

Funding instrument: Grant. Issuing jurisdiction: California. This is not a geographic eligibility determination.