intercultural harmony initiative

THE LAURA JANE MUSSER FUND would like to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between groups and citizens of different cultural backgrounds within defined geographical areas through collaborative, cross-cultural exchange projects. Projects must be intercultural and demonstrate intercultural exchange, rather than focused on just one culture.

priority is placed on projects that . . .

INCLUDE members of various cultural communities working together on projects with common goals

BUILD positive relationships across cultural lines

ENGENDER intercultural harmony, tolerance, understanding, and respect

ENHANCE intercultural communication, rather than cultural isolation, while at the same time honoring the unique qualities of each culture

projects must demonstrate . . .

NEED in the community for the intercultural exchange project

GRASSROOTS endorsement by participants across cultural lines, as well as their active participation in planning and implementation of the project

THE ABILITY of the organization to address the challenges of working across the cultural barriers identified by the project

TANGIBLE benefits in the larger community

limits of geography. . .

ONLY programs in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Wyoming, and limited counties in New York and Texas may apply.

Eligible counties in New York include: Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster. Eligible counties in Texas are located in the Rio Grande River Valley (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties), Deep East Texas (Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties), and the Brazos Valley (Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington counties).

funds will be available for . . .

PLANNING (up to $5,000) These funds may support costs like: consultant or staff time, meeting costs, mailings, secretarial support, refreshments, local travel, childcare, etc. 

NOTE: This stage is optional and not a required phase prior to applying for or receiving an implementation grant. If an organization receives a planning grant from the Musser Fund, this in no way implies a commitment on the part of the Musser Fund to provide the organization with any subsequent implementation grant. But organizations that receive a planning grant may apply for subsequent implementation support after their planning activities are completed. 

IMPLEMENTATION (Up to $25,000) These funds are available to implement collaborative cross-cultural exchange projects. The projects should result in a tangible outcome within at least the first 18 months.

Projects will be eligible for either planning or implementation funds during any one grant period

projects eligible for support

Intercultural Harmony projects can be carried out in a number of areas, including (but not limited to): Community service, youth activities, the arts

what the program will cover

  • The planning or implementation phase of a project

outcomes should include

  • A demonstration of intercultural exchange between cultures
  • Increased comfort in interaction between the groups and individual citizens addressed by the project
  • Harmonious shared use of public space and community facilities
  • Continued cooperation by the participants or communities addressed by the project

what will not be funded

  • Capital campaigns or large capital expenses
  • General operating expenses
  • International travel
  • Cultural competency training (unless it involves multiple cultural groups)
  • Advocacy

who can apply ?

  • Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (organizations with fiscal sponsors are not eligible)
  • Local units of Government 

HOW TO APPLY

Proposals will be accepted starting September 16, 2024 and must be submitted online by October 16, 2024. Funding decisions will be announced by February 2025.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund requires all of its grantees to provide evidence, through current policies or acknowledgement, of their anti-discrimination policies or practices. Please construct your application carefully. We suggest you read through the questions and grant inclusions below PRIOR to going to the online application. Only complete and qualifying proposals will be accepted.

proposal questions

attachments

personnel lists

  • STAFF Please include a staff list identifying the organization’s leaders and the experience they bring to the organization.
  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS  Please include a list of the Board of Directors, their affiliations and their terms.  

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

  • Please include letters of support from at least two (but not more than four) community members and institutions outlining their support for, knowledge of, and role in your project. Letters of support must be specific to the project. These letters should not be from individuals who are paid or unpaid staff, contractors, or Board members of the organization.
  • If you are actively collaborating with another organization as part of your proposed project, please include a letter from that organization describing their role in the project.
  • Please ensure that the letters are signed and, when appropriate, on letterhead. Letters of support must include the writer’s name, phone number, email address, and organizational affiliation or relationship to the applicant organization or project. All letters of support must be dated within 6 months of the application. Only letters submitted as a part of the proposal will be considered in the review of your proposal.

ANTI-DESCRIMINATION POLICY

If your organization has a written anti-discrimination policy, please provide it.

other

Limited additional information you feel would be helpful in reviewing your proposal may also be attached. If you are attaching a supporting document, please explain why you have chosen to include it in your application.

BUDGETS and Financial documents

Budget attachments must be submitted as pdfs:

  • ORGANIZATIONAL BUDGETS For the previous year and for the current year. For the previous year, please submit your actual budget expense and revenue detail from the most recently completed year. For the current year, please submit a projected, board approved organizational budget that includes expense and revenue detail, revenue sources, and amounts. If your organization is a very large institution, you may submit departmental information instead.
  • PROJECT BUDGET Please provide a complete budget for your proposed project, including expense and revenue detail, also include revenue sources, amounts, and what is secured and what is pending. Include a detailed line item allocation showing how a Musser Fund grant would be used.
  • BALANCE SHEET Please provide your organization’s balance sheet from the most recent completed year. 
  • 990 Please provide your organization’s most recent 990 tax form.

IRS Status
or
Local Unit of Government Letter

Please include a copy of your 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS. If you are a unit of local government, please provide a detailed letter of endorsement for the project on agency letterhead, signed by a head officer of your unit of government. Please ensure that the letter indicates awareness of and support of the proposed activities and is addressed to the Laura Jane Musser Fund.

Intercultural Harmony initiative granting history

final report requirements