US 250 Semiquincentennial Application
Up to $3,500 in Reimbursement Funds Available to Libraries to Support
Summer 2026 US 250 Semiquincentennial Programming for All Ages!

In partnership with the California State Library, the California Library Association has an exciting US 250 Semiquincentennial reimbursement funding opportunity for California public libraries.

What is the US 250 Semiquincentennial Programming Opportunity?
The US 250-themed programming opportunity provides reimbursement funding to California public libraries interested in creating USA 250 Semiquincentennial related programming with their communities. Programming is intended to support learning and enrichment, community connection and engagement 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.

Funding Opportunity
California public libraries may apply for reimbursement funds of up to $3,500 to support Summer 2026 US 250-themed programming. Funds may be used for program supplies and materials, and facilitator/speaker fees. See LSTA allowable costs information here: Restrictions on the Use of LSTA Grant Funds

Application Deadline
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.)
For Information
For additional details about this opportunity, please visit the US 250 Semiquincentennial opportunity webpage.

Questions?
Contact CLA's Youth and Family project at youthandfamily@cla-net.org.

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* 1. Library Jurisdiction Information

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* 2. Library Jurisdiction US 250 Programming Opportunity Primary Contact Person

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* 3. Library Jurisdiction US 250 Programming Opportunity Secondary Contact Person

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* 4. With which age group(s) will your US 250 programming engage.

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* 5. Briefly describe the US 250 program activities that the reimbursement funding will support.

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* 6. Briefly describe how your US 250 programming intends to address a community need, interest and/or aspiration.

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* 7. Briefly describe to what extent your US 250 program planning will engage with, collaborate with, and/or design with community members.

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* 8. Tell us about any partnership and/or community connection(s) that you plan to establish or strengthen as part of your US 250 programs?

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* 9. At what location(s) will your US 250 programming take place? (eg. At the library? Out in the community?)

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* 10. Approximate start and end date of your US 250 programs?

PROGRAM BUDGET
Please provide a detailed breakdown of the total amount of funding reimbursement you are requesting below.

Reimbursement funding can be used to support the following:
  • Materials and supplies for learning/enrichment programming and civic engagement activities, and
  • Facilitator/speaker/educational presenter fees

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* 11. Provide a description of the programming supplies/services you plan to purchase with US 250 reimbursement funds:

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* 12. Provide a breakdown of the total amount that you are requesting in reimbursement funds to support US 250 related programming. This can include the cost of programming supplies and materials to support community participation, and facilitator/presenter fees (up to $3,500 combined).

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* 13. TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST up to $3,500 (Add Line 1 "Program Supplies and Materials Costs" + Line 2 "Facilitator/Presenter/Speaker Costs" from Question #12.

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* 14. Is the total reimbursement amount reported in Q13 estimated or exact?

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* 15. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Thank you for your application!

Funding Request
Please review LSTA allowable and unallowable costs and the grant specific funding guidelines on the grant opportunity page. For questions about the allowability of purchases, please contact youthandfamily@cla-net.org
Thank you for completing the survey. If you have any questions, please contact our team at youthandfamily@cla-net.org.

Youth and Family 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.

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