| Oregon's LSTA Competitive Grants |
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| About LSTA Competitive Grants |
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LSTA Competitive Grants in general
Each year, the Oregon State Library makes around $800,000 in competitive grants in the state to legally estsablished libraries, or non-profit entities serving libraries. Public, academic, and special libraries are eligible. School libraries are also eligible, but school library grants should be high-profile and coordinated with the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The grant guidelines have more detail. The State Library does not make grants to individuals. One of the main criteria in awarding a grant is if it supports the state's LSTA Five-Year Plan.
Grant projects can be small or large as the project scope demands, but smaller projects generally have a better chance of being funded. Projects may be funded for up to three years by a series of competitive one-year grants. Projects with a one or two-year duration are viewed more favorably than a three-year project. The LSTA grant program won't replace personnel or other operating costs, fund building projects, or purchase books or equipment without a strong programming component.
Recent Grant Award History
| Federal Fiscal Year |
# of Grants |
Total Amount Awarded |
Low Amount Awarded |
High Amount Awarded |
Median Amount Awarded |
| FFY2008 |
15 |
$845,375 |
$23,200 |
$113,841 |
$48,525 |
| FFY2007 |
15 |
$673,910 |
$5,600 |
$78,920 |
$37,950 |
| FFY2006 |
14 |
$762,230 |
$15,420 |
$119,610 |
$40,017 |
| FFY2005 |
16 |
$963,843 |
$21,860 |
$115,694 |
$59,950 |
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| Grant Process and Time Cycle |
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Oregon has a two-step grant application process. The first step is a short proposal that is due in mid-April. This document lays out the gist of the proposed project, and a fairly good estimate of the budget. The LSTA Council meets in May to review the proposals and develop a recommendation for the State Library Board of Trustees about which proposals to invite to move on to the second part of the process. The Council also gives feedback to the grant writers.
The second part of the process is a full typical grant application. The State Library sends a letter in June after the Board meeting inviting some projects to develop the full grant application, which is due in mid-August. The LSTA Council meets in September to produce a recommendation for the Board about grant funding. The Board decides which applications to fund at its October meeting. Grants normally begin the following Febrary 1.
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| Past LSTA Grants |
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| Allowable Costs |
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References
For a cost to be allowable for an LSTA grant award, the cost must be necessary to carry out one or more of the approved LSTA priorities. In addition, it must be (1) reasonable, (2) allocable, and (3) not specifically disallowed by the State or local laws or regulations. In cases where local or state policy is more restrictive, use local or state policy.
Guidance and information on allowable costs is found in the Code of Federal Regulations.
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2 CFR 220 - Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (aka OMB Circular A-21)
- 2 CFR 225 - Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments (aka OMB Circular A-87)
- 2 CFR 230 - Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (aka OMB Circular A-122)
A summary of common allowable cost questions can be found in Appendix B of the grant packet.
Marketing and Advertising
LSTA funds may be used to advertise or market a particular LSTA-funded service. There are, however, some limits. Please contact us with any questions you may have. Below are a few common questions.
| ALLOWABLE |
NOT ALLOWABLE |
| bookmarks or brochures |
t-shirts, pens, mousepads, (anything with intrinsic worth) etc. with project URL and logo |
| graphic designer to design posters for the LSTA service |
using LSTA funded labor on a non-LSTA project |
| promotion of a LSTA-funded service a library offers |
promotion of a library or particular agency per se, unless its to a target audience listed in the LSTA priorities |
| TV, radio or billboard messages about the LSTA-funded service |
costs of meetings, conventions, or other events related to other non-LSTA grant activities of the organization |
Lobbying
LSTA funds may not be used for lobbying activities. The term “lobbying” is generally considered to cover any attempt to influence the outcome of any election, referendum, initiative or similar procedure, including the introduction of legislation, at the federal, state, or local level. Note that lobbying also includes activities or the publication or distribution of literature that in any way tends to promote public support or opposition to a pending legislative proposal. LSTA funds may not be used to pay the expenses of a campaign, political action committee, or other organization established for the purpose of influencing the outcomes of elections. Survey questions asking about support for different tax rates are not allowable. Drafting ballot measures or resolutions for local governments is also not allowed using LSTA funds. LSTA funds do not support legislative liaison activities, including attendance at legislative sessions or committee hearings, gathering information regarding legislation, and analyzing the effect of legislation, when such activities are carried out in support of or in knowing preparation for an effort to engage in lobbying.
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| CIPA Information |
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Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Information
Projects by public or school libraries, or consortia with public or school library members using LSTA grant funds to purchase equipment to access the Internet, or pay Internet service provider fees, must be in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act.
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