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GENERAL

OPERATING 

SUPPORT

Application Deadline:

January 15, 2001

For information, call

IMLS: (202) 606-8539

Grant Application 

and Guidelines
G E N E R A L O P E R A T I N G S U P P O R T

Grant Application and Information

Fiscal Year 2001

What is IMLS?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent agency within the

Executive Branch, was established by Act of Congress in 1996 to improve museum, library and

information services. Within IMLS, the Office of Museum Services was established to encourage and

assist museums in modernizing their methods and facilities so that they may be better able to

conserve our cultural, historic, and scientific heritage; and to ease the financial burden borne by

museums as a result of their increasing use by the public. The Office of Library Services was

established to consolidate Federal library programs, to stimulate excellence and promote access to

resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all ages, to promote library services that provide

access to information through electronic networks, to provide linkages among and between libraries

and to promote targeted library services to people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

IMLS provides support to all types of libraries through grants to States and through

discretionary programs. IMLS is the only Federal agency that provides general operating support for

museums of all disciplines. For many museums, IMLS is the only source of Federal support. The

National Museum Services Board, a Presidentially-appointed body of fifteen voting members advises

the Director on program policies for the Office of Museum Services. The National Commission on

Libraries and Information Science, a Presidentially-appointed body of fifteen voting members advises

the Director on program policies for the Office of Library Services.

For more information call or write:

Institute of Museum and Library Services

1100 Pennyslvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20506

(202) 606-8536

http:// www.imls.gov

TTY (for hearing impaired people): (202) 606-8636

Visually or learning disabled people may obtain assistance in acquiring a cassette recording of

this or any other IMLS grant application and information booklet by contacting IMLS.

Burden estimate and request for public comments

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average eighteen

hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of

information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of

information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Institutue of Museum and Library

Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 510, Washington, DC 20506; and to the Office of

Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (3137-0001), Washington, DC 20503.
2001 IMLS General Operating Support. Guidelines 1.1

Dear Colleague:

The General Operating Support program at IMLS recognizes

excellence in museum operations and encourages the best in museum

practice. It also serves as a timely indicator of current and emerging

issues in the museum field. Each year both applicants and reviewers

call attention to new ways in which the nation’s best museums are

responding to both internal and external changes. Leading the list of

significant challenges is the integration of new technologies in service

of a museum’s full range of operations.

Technological advancement and innovation are being woven

throughout a museum’s activities, from basic office automation to

fresh approaches to collections management, exhibition, education,

communications and marketing. Consequently, IMLS staff have

included many questions about the use of technology in this year’s

GOS application. Please note that these questions are included in

several sections, encouraging applicants to develop a full picture of the

museum’s use of technology to support core operations. We are

interested in your response to these new questions.

In addition, the face sheet now includes a space for a museum’s

web address. In answer to many questions from the field, IMLS has

also determined that reviewers may look at web sites as part of their

review process. Museums are encouraged to list their web address and

enclose one representative publication as adjuncts to their applications.

The development and refinement of the GOS application and

review process is central to the success of this essential grant program.

We are proud of our open and ongoing dialogue with the museum

field and encourage you to contact us with your questions, ideas and

suggestions as these important changes take place. We also hope that

many of you will continue your generous gift of time and expertise in

serving as reviewers and panelists. The book contains a reviewer

application for your convenience. IMLS values its partnership with the

museum field and recognizes the fine results that come from working

together.

Sincerely,

Beverly Sheppard

Acting Director
 1.2 Guidelines and Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

APPLICATION FORM

Table of Contents

GUIDELINES

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is General Operating Support 1.5

Eligibility Criteria 1.5

Amount of Request 1.7

How GOS Funds May Be Used 1.8

Notification of Award 1.9

Grant Period 1.9

Payment, Accounting, and Reporting Procedures 1.9

Maintenance of Effort 1.9

Application Review 1.10

PREPAR ING THE APPL ICAT ION

Description of Application Materials 2.1

Narrative 2.2

COMPLETING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements Form A and B 3.1

Description of Line Items 3.2

Form C- Valuing Non-Cash Contributions 3.5

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION NARRATIVE

Statement of Purpose/Mission Statement 4.1

Explanation of Questions 4.1

Suggestions for Competitive Applications 4.1

Questions and Guidelines 4.2

SENDING THE APPLICATION TO IMLS

How to Assemble the Application Package 5.1

Electronic Fill-In Application Forms 5.1

Sending the Application Package 5.3

Application Deadline 5.3

Face Sheet 6.3

Financial Information Checklist 6.4

Financial Statement Forms A and B 6.5

Financial Statement Form C- Valuing Non-Cash Contributions 6.9

Grant Processing Information Sheet 6.11

Assurances/Certification of Authorizing Official 6.12

YOU CAN BECOME A GOS REVIEWER 7.1

GOS SCORING DEFINITIONS 7.5

APPLICATION TIPS INSIDE BACK COVER
2001 IMLS General Operating Support. Guidelines 1.3

GUIDELINES
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 1.5

What is General Operating Support (GOS)?

The IMLS General Operating Support (GOS) program awards two-year

unrestricted, competitive grants to museums for ongoing institutional activities.

Grants are based on the overall strength and quality of the applicant as represented by

its responses in the application.

The goal of the GOS program is to distribute Federal funds equitably, that is, in

proportion to the number of museums applying in each of the various categories.

During one grant cycle, the percentage of museums awarded funds within a given

discipline or budget size closely corresponds to the percentage of all applications

submitted by museums of that same discipline or budget size.

Each museum is reviewed by peers on the basis of the application it submits for

that year alone. No information from previous applications is considered in the

current competition. Previously successful applications neither guarantee nor entitle

an institution to ongoing funding; therefore, funds should never be budgeted in

anticipation of a GOS award.

If you receive a GOS grant this year, you are not eligible for another one for two

more years (since the grant covers a two-year period). If you apply for but do not

receive a grant this year, you may apply again next year.

Beginning with the 1996/1997 competition, any museum that receives two

consecutive awards will not be eligible to compete for a third consecutive award, but

may reapply for a subsequent competition. For example, a museum that received a

FY 97/98 award and then a FY 99/00 award will not be eligible to apply for the FY

2001 competition. It may apply in the FY 2002 competition.

First-time applicants should note that the application requires a considerable

amount of time to complete. Prior to filling out the application, applicants must read

the guidelines and instructions; collect needed data and information; and conduct an

institutional self-evaluation. IMLS recommends that all applicants begin this lengthy

process well in advance of the deadline for submission.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for IMLS support, your museum must:

■ be organized as a public or private nonprofit institution that exists on a permanent

basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes; and

■ care for, and own or use tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate, and exhibit

these objects on a regular basis through facilities which it owns or operates; and

■ have at least one professional staff member or the full-time equivalent, whether paid

or unpaid, whose primary responsibility is the acquisition, care or exhibition to the

public of objects owned or used by the museum; and
 1.6 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

■ be open and providing museum services to the general public (an institution which

exhibits objects to the general public for at least 120 days a year fulfills this

requirement); and

■ be open and have provided museum services to the general public on a regular basis

for at least two full years prior to the date of application to IMLS; and

■ be located in one of the fifty States of the Union, the District of Columbia, the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall

Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.

Note: Institutions that received a Fiscal Year 2000 GOS grant may not apply for a Fiscal

Year 2001 GOS grant.

Each museum may submit only one GOS application during a given fiscal year.

The following are among the types of museums that may apply:

Federally operated museums may not apply for GOS funds.

Museums located within multipurpose public or private nonprofit organizations

such as municipalities, universities, historical societies, foundations, and cultural

centers may apply for GOS funds. To be eligible, a museum located within a

multipurpose organization must function as a discrete unit within its parent

organization.

 In addition, the museum must:

■ have at least one full-time professional staff member, or the equivalent, paid or unpaid,

whose responsibilities are solely for the museum’s services and operations; and

■ have a fully segregated and itemized operating budget within that of its parent

organization; and

■ be able to separately and distinctly fulfill all GOS eligibility and application

requirements.

WHO MAY

APPLY

Aquariums

Arboretums

Art Museums

Botanical Gardens

Children’s/Youth Museums

General Museums

(with two or more significant disciplines)

History Museums

Historic Houses/Sites

Natural History Museums

Nature Centers

Planetariums

Science/Technology Centers

Specialized Museums

 (limited to a single, distinct subject)

Zoological Parks

MUSEUMS

WITHIN

MULTIPURPOSE

ORGANIZATIONS
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 1.7

Support, auxiliary, or parent organizations that apply on behalf of museums

which they own or operate or with which they are affiliated are not eligible to apply

for GOS funds on their own behalf. The amount of the award is based solely on the

museum’s non-Federal operating income. Funds may be used for the museum’s

operations only: they may not be used for the operations of the larger organization.

Information and financial data presented in the application should be only that of

the eligible museum. Activities of the parent organization which are not directly

related to the museum’s operations should not be discussed, as the award of GOS

funds will be based solely on the quality of the museum’s services.

If two or more museums wish to apply that are under the control of one parent

multipurpose organization, have shared administrative functions, or have overlapping

governing or advisory boards, IMLS requires that each applicant museum:

■ have an independent governing or advisory body; and

■ have a separate administrative head with full authority over the museum; and

■ have a separately developed operating budget within the larger budget of the parent

organization; and

■ be able to fulfill all GOS eligibility and application requirements.

Prospective applicants that cannot fulfill all four of these requirements should

contact IMLS to discuss their eligibility prior to application. We may require

additional supporting documentation from the applicant in order to determine the

autonomy of the museum. Each eligible applicant within a single parent organization

should clearly delineate its own programs and operations in the application narrative.

A parent organization controlling multiple museums which are not autonomous

but which are otherwise eligible may submit only one GOS application, which may

be on behalf of one or more of the eligible museums.

Amount of Request

TWO OR

MORE

MUSEUMS

CONTROLLED

BY THE

SAME

PARENT

ORGANIZATION

If the amount of the museum’s

non-Federal operating income for the

most recently completed fiscal year is:

Under $7,500

Between $7,500 and $50,000

Between $50,000 and $750,000

$750,000 and over

The maximum amount of the award is:

50% of the non-Federal operating income

$7,500

15% of the non-Federal operating income

$112,500
 1.8 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Grantees will receive the total amount indicated above over a two-year period.

They will not receive the total amount each year of the grant cycle.

The Federal funding available to IMLS for the Fiscal Year 2001 was

undetermined when these guidelines were printed. A museum may request the

maximum amount for which it is eligible according to the above chart.

How GOS Funds May Be Used

GOS awards may be applied toward a variety of uses:

The following costs are allowed, but require prior approval from IMLS:

■ Public information services including pamphlets, news releases, and advertisements

■ Publication costs including distribution, promotion, and mailing

■ Equipment having a useful life of more than two (2) years and an acquisition cost of

$5,000 or more per unit

An applicant that receives an award must contact IMLS if additional costs

requiring IMLS approval were identified after the application was submitted.

Note: To receive approval for any of the above items, you must complete Item “C” on the

Grant Processing Information Sheet (Application Form page 6.11).

How GOS Funds May Not Be Used

Other expenditures are not allowable and cannot be supported with GOS funds:

■ Contributions to endowment funds

■ Acquisition of objects for the collection

■ Costs of social activities, ceremonies, and other entertainment

■ Pre-award costs (costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant)

■ Construction

■ Renovation

Applicable government-wide cost principles are listed in Section 1180.10(a) of

published IMLS Regulations, available upon request.

■ Accounting

■ Audit services

■ Budgeting

■ Communications

■ Compensation for personnel

services (salaries, wages)

■ Employee fringe benefits

■ Legal Expenses

■ Transportation

■ Maintenance and repair

■ Materials and supplies

■ Official Travel

■ Payroll preparation

■ Personnel administration

■ Procurement services

■ Rental of buildings, land, and

equipment

COSTS

ALLOWED

ONLY W ITH

PRIOR

APPROVAL
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 1.9

Notification of Award

No information regarding the status of an application will be released until all

applications have been reviewed and all negotiations concluded. FY 2001 applicants

will be notified of final decisions in September 2001. An award is not official until

the grantee receives the “Grant Award Notification.”

Grant Period

The FY 2001 grant period is October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2003. We

will make no extensions of these periods.

Payment, Accounting, and Reporting Procedures

A Federal accounting office will send each grantee eight payments during the

two-year grant period. Except in special cases, funds will be automatically sent in

equal portions on a quarterly basis. All payments will be made by direct deposit

electronic transfer through the Department of Treasury.

IMLS requires grantees to maintain a restricted account for funds received during

the grant period. The museum does not need to maintain a separate bank account for

IMLS funds; however, the grantee must establish and maintain a separate accounting

category within its internal accounting system to show that the GOS award has been

used only for general operating costs. This restricted accounting record must be

adequate to satisfy normal auditing procedures.

GOS grantees must file two reports upon completion of their grant: a final

performance report and a final financial report. Failure to submit these required

reports on time may jeopardize any pending or future IMLS applications.

Maintenance of Effort

GOS funds are intended to strengthen and improve the operations of the museum

and, therefore, may not be used to replace other sources of support. Grantees must be

able to demonstrate a continuing effort to maintain or increase their base of financial

support during the years in which they receive an IMLS award.

A grantee may successfully demonstrate maintenance of effort if its non-Federal

operating income during each year of the grant period is at least equal to its nonFederal operating income for the fiscal year immediately preceding the grant period.

Grantees must submit evidence with their final performance report that they have

fulfilled this requirement.
 1.10 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Final Report

It is important for IMLS to document the value of this grant program in helping

museums improve their services. To accomplish this goal, IMLS seeks to identify the

outcomes of its grant support from grantees in their final reports. All GOS grantees

are required to complete a final report on the grant activities. IMLS will provide each

grantee with a format and examples of items to be included in a final report. Also,

IMLS will provide each grantee with other tools for outcome evaluation. During the

grant period plan to record specific actions, changes in practice and knowledge,

concrete plans for future activities, and other accomplishments that are a result of

receiving GOS funds. In addition, each grantee must maintain accounting records

that identify the source and use of funds.

Increasingly, organizations like IMLS are turning to a model called “outcome

measures” or “outcome evaluation” for self-evaluation of the success of their programs

and projects. Organizations have found that outcome evaluation, which includes

identifying specific goals and measures for documenting their successful achievement,

provides an extremely good management tool. In addition, planning for outcome

measurement and keeping information on progress throughout the course of a project

helps institutions assure they are meeting their aims in the process of programs, not

only at their completion. It can provide important feedback for modifying plans of

work or practices at any point in a program’s implementation. Information on

outcome evaluation can be found in print and on line from many excellent sources.

Application Review

After IMLS receives the applications, program staff check them for completeness

and eligibility. Each application is then sent to four peer reviewers for their

independent evaluations.

IMLS staff use two criteria to match applications with appropriate reviewers: 1)

the museum’s budget size and 2) the museum’s discipline. Only those individuals

whose professional experience corresponds to the applicant museum’s type and size

may review that application. For example, only professionals from small history

museums review applications from other small history museums; only professionals

from large art museums review applications from other large art museums. Each

reviewer evaluates an average of seven applications.

IMLS instructs reviewers to evaluate how well the museum uses its resources to

meet its stated mission. Reviewers examine the degree to which the museum

demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to generally accepted professional practices

of museum operation.

Reviewers provide scores and comments for each of the narrative sections. The

seven possible scores range from leadership (7) to unsatisfactory (1). The scoring

definitions are listed on page 7.5 of this book.

HOW

APPLICATIONS

ARE

ASSIGNED

EVALUAT ION

AND AWARD

RECOMMENDATIONS
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 1.11

Reviewers return their evaluations to IMLS. IMLS staff read and evaluate all

comments provided by the reviewers, looking specifically for statements that reveal a

departure from IMLS policy.

Problematic reviews are presented for resolution to a panel of museum

professionals, convened in Washington, DC, which represents the range of museum

disciplines and budget categories. The panel also reviews the statistical distribution of

the awards and makes general recommendations concerning the application and

review process.

Following the panel meeting, all applications are ranked according to final

standardized scores. IMLS standardizes scores to account for the differences among

reviewers’ interpretations of the scoring definitions. The final ranking reflects any

adjustments resulting either from panel recommendations or from disregarding a

reviewer’s scores that statistically disagree with scores of the other three reviewers of a

particular set of applications.

Following IMLS policy, the Director of IMLS awards GOS funds to the highest

ranking applicants in sequence until all appropriated funds are expended.

You may contact the IMLS Office of Museum Services to clarify any information

contained in this booklet. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time),

Monday through Friday.

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Office of Museum Services

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Room 609

Washington, DC 20506

(202) 606-8539

TTY (for hearing impaired people): (202) 606-8636

These guidelines are available at the IMLS website

http://www.imls.gov
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 2.1

Description of Application Materials

The following alphabetical list contains all of the materials that comprise a General Operating

Support grant application. Read the descriptions carefully to determine which ones you must

submit. The page numbers in parentheses refer to the Application Form at the back of this

booklet. Your application is subject to rejection if it is not complete when you submit it.

Complete this section last. To be considered for a grant, your museum’s

Authorizing Official must read the assurances and sign the accompanying certification

statement (see Application p. 6.12)

Your museum’s Authorizing Official may be the museum’s director, an executive

member of the museum’s governing body, the head of the sponsoring organization, or

the government official responsible for oversight of your museum.

Your application is not complete unless it has been signed by your Authorizing

Official.

You must submit audited financial statements (statement of activity and balance sheet)

of your museum’s operations for either one of its two most recently completed fiscal years,

if you have received at least one IMLS (formerly IMS) General Operating Support (GOS),

Conservation Project Support (CP), Special Project Support* (SP), Museum Leadership

Initiatives* (MLI), or National Leadership Grant (NLG) award.

If you have never received one of the above grants, you are not required to submit

audited financial statements; however, we encourage all applicants to submit these

statements if they are available.

In special circumstances, you may be eligible for 1) a deferral or waiver of the

audit submission or 2) an extension to submit the audit. See p. 2.5 for a description

of these circumstances and the process you must follow.

The audited financial statements must correspond to the fiscal year covered in

either Form A or Form B.

All applicants must submit Forms A and B whether or not they submit audited

financial statements.

To be acceptable, your audited financial statements must include the auditor’s

opinion letter, the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements.

The auditor’s opinion letter must:

■ state that it was prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,

and accordingly included such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing

procedures as deemed necessary; and

* Special Project Support Grants are no longer available from IMLS. Museum Leadership Initiative Grants have

been replaced by “Museums in the Community” and are a component of the National Leadership Grants for

Museums.

ASSURANCES/

CERTIFICATION

O F

AUTHORIZING

OFFICIAL

AUDITED

FINANCIAL

STATEMENTS
 2.2 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

■ certify that the financial statement of the museum presents fairly the financial

position and the results of its financial operations and changes in fund balances in

accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or, that the financial

statement presents fairly the assets and liabilities arising from cash transactions, the

revenue collected and expenses paid during the year then ended, on the cash basis of

accounting; and

■ clearly indicate that it has been prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. [The

opinion may be signed by a Registered Public Accountant only if (s)he is licensed to

do so by the state in which (s)he practices.]

Note: We cannot accept a financial statement which is a “review,” a “compilation,” or a

“draft,” or which contains a disclaimer or an adverse opinion.

Original Application Face Sheet (page 6.3) and Financial Information Checklist

(page 6.4). Provide answers to all questions. Abbreviate where necessary. These two

pages are available as fill-in forms on the IMLS web site, www.imls.gov. For more

information on fill-in forms, see page 5.1.

Financial Statement Forms (Form A, pages 6.5–6.6 and Form B, pages 6.7–6.8).

All applicants must submit financial statements for the museum’s two most recently

completed fiscal years on the Financial Statement Forms provided. You must use

these forms only for your most recently completed fiscal years. Instructions for

completing the Financial Statement Forms are in Part 3. These two pages are

available as fill-in forms on the IMLS web site, www.imls.gov. For more information

on fill-in forms, see page 5.1.

Grant Processing Information Sheet (page 6.11). Provide answers to all

questions in sections A and B. Complete section C if applicable. GOS reviewers do

not see the information on this page. This page is available as a fill-in form on the

IMLS web site, www.imls.gov. For more information on fill-in forms, see page 5.1.

Narrative

There are no restrictions on the length of any specific narrative section (i.e.

Audience, Collections, Exhibitions, etc.), but the total narrative packet (all ten/nine

sections) must not exceed the page length listed below.

Your application may not exceed 15 pages in length if you are a collections

holding institution. If you are a non-collections holding institution you may not

exceed 14 pages.

The mission statement/museum history page, and the organizational chart are

not part of this restriction. They may be no more than one additional page each.

WHAT IS A PAGE?

One page = one side of an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper.

FACE SHEET

& FINANCIAL

INFORMATION

CHECKLIST

FINANCIAL

STATEMENT

FORMS A & B

GRANTS

PROCESSING

INFORMATION

SHEET

PAGE

LENGTH
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 2.3

Type of museum Narrative Org. Chart Mission/History

Collections holding 15 pages 1 page 1 page

Non-collections holding 14 pages 1 page 1 page

Please number the pages of your narrative. Section I. Audience should be page 1.

The financial forms, mission statement, organizational chart, etc. should not be part

of the page numbering.

Proofread your submission.

It is your responsibility to assure the application you submit is complete and

meets our requirements.

IMLS staff makes a conscientious effort to check all applications for completeness

and contact you if we find something missing. However, we do not accept

unsolicited application materials postmarked after January 15, 2001. In addition,

once the applications are sent to the field reviewers no changes can be made. Thus if

you leave out a narrative section, the reviewers will be instructed to give your

application a score of 1 for that section.

The boxes below contain examples of type sizes and fonts that you may use on

your application. You may choose any one of these examples or any other type face

that measures no more than six lines per vertical inch. Six lines (or fewer) must be

fully contained within a one-inch box as in the examples below. (When measuring,

place a one inch-box so that the top of it just brushes the top of your text. If you can

fit more than six lines of text in the box, the type is too small.)

Use a type face with standard spacing between letters and do not use a condensed

type face such as Helvetica Narrow. Use the same type size and font throughout the

entire application form. It is essential that your application form be legible so that

reviewers can easily read the information you provide.

12 pt. Times

IMLS is continually trying to make the application process as fair as

possible for everyone. Some applicants use such small type when filling

out their application forms that reviewers can barely read the responses to

the questions. The use of small or condensed type is unfair to the reviewers and to the other applicants

10 pt. Helvetica

IMLS is continually trying to make the application process as fair as possible for

everyone. Some applicants use such small type when filling out their application

forms that reviewers can barely read the responses to the questions. The use of

small or condensed type is unfair to the reviewers and to the other applicants

who cannot fit as much information into the given amount of space. To increase

your chances of receiving a

TYPE SIZE

AND FONT

O.K.!

O.K.!
 2.4 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

The following boxes contain examples of type sizes and fonts that are difficult to

read and, consequently, are not allowable. Note that each one measures seven

lines per vertical inch.

9 pt. Times

IMLS is continually trying to make the application process as fair as possible for everyone. Some

applicants use such small type when filling out their application forms that reviewers can barely

read the responses to the questions. The use of small or condensed type is unfair to the reviewers

and to the other applicants who cannot fit as much information into the given amount of space. To

increase your chances of receiving a grant, make sure that your application form is extremely

legible—select an appropriate type face and use adequate white space. Consider your reviewers’

eyesight at all times!

9 pt. Helvetica

IMLS is continually trying to make the application process as fair as possible for everyone.

Some applicants use such small type when filling out their application forms that reviewers

can barely read the responses to the questions. The use of small or condensed type is

unfair to the reviewers and to the other applicants who cannot fit as much information into

the given amount of space. To increase your chances of receiving a grant, make sure that

your application form is extremely legible—select an appropriate type face and use

adequate white

Leave a margin of at least 1/4 inch on all sides. You may use the allotted space

any way you wish within each section, but do not exceed the margin limit or overall

page limit. You may not attach additional pages for your narrative responses.

We recommend that you produce the application form on a word processing

system.

Applicants that do not not comply with the rules regarding type size, font and format may

be penalized by having their final scores reduced, possibly resulting in disqualification for

a GOS grant. If you have any questions, call the IMLS Office of Museum Services at

(202) 606-8539.

If your organization is part of state, municipal, or county government (you

entered 1, 2, or 3 on line 12 of the Application Face Sheet pg. 6.3) or you are

university controlled (you checked “Yes” on line 14 of the Application Face Sheet pg.

6.3 ) you do not need to submit supporting documentation at this time.

If you are a private not-for-profit organization (#5 on line 12 of Application Face

Sheet pg. 6.3) or Other (#6 on line 12 of the Application Face Sheet pg. 6.3) you

must submit:

■ A copy of the IRS letter indicating your museum’s eligibility for nonprofit status

under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

Note: We will not accept a letter of state sales tax exemption as proof of nonprofit status.

FORMAT

PROOF OF

NONPROFIT

STATUS

TOO SMALL!

TOO SMALL!
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 2.5

You may attach:

1. A representative publication, such as an annual report or museum brochure, and

2. A piece of paper that lists the institutional web address.

Attach these copies to your original application and to each of the four copies of

your application (all five attachments must be identical).

If you send more than the one permissible publication, IMLS staff will arbitrarily

select only one to send out to review. We will not return additional attachments.

You are eligible for a deferral of the audit requirement if your museum:

■ shows a non-Federal operating income under $250,000 for your most recently

completed fiscal year (exclusive of non-cash contributions) on Financial Statement

Form A; and

■ submits a justification for the deferral request with the application; this statement

should be sent on your museum’s letterhead and addressed to the Director of IMLS.

If a grant is subsequently awarded, an audit will be required during the grant period.

Very few applicants are eligible for an extension of the audit requirement. You

are eligible for an extension only if your museum has received its first Conservation

Project Support or first National Leadership Grant award last year, FY 2000.

If you received a GOS, CP, NLG, MLI* and/or Special Project Support* (SP) grant in any

year other than that mentioned above, you are not eligible for an extension.

Your request must be made in writing to the Director of IMLS at the time of

application. The postmark deadline for submitting the audited financial statements

for FY 2001 applicants is June 26, 2001.

If you miss the deadline, we will reject your application.

 You are eligible for a waiver of the separate audit requirement if your museum:

■ is part of a larger, multipurpose organization such as a university, state, municipality,

or foundation; and

■ does not receive audits separate from those of your parent organization.

Applicants seeking a waiver must submit a request for the waiver of the separate

audit on the letterhead of the larger, multipurpose organization which certifies that

the above conditions are true and that

■ at least one of the two required Financial Statement Forms has been drawn from and

contains only audited figures of the larger organization (exclusive of non-cash

contributions).

REPRESENTATIVE

PUBLICATION

(OPTIONAL)

REQUEST

FOR

DEFERRAL

OF AUDIT

REQUIREMENT

REQUEST

FOR

EXTENSION

TO SUBMIT

AUDIT

REQUEST

FOR

WAIVER OF

SEPARATE

AUDIT

REQUIREMENT

* Special Project Support Grants are no longer available from IMLS. Museum Leadership Initiative Grants

have been replaced by “Museums in the Community” and are a component of the National Leadership Grants

for Museums.
 2.6 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

STATEMENT

O F

PURPOSE/

MISSION

STATEMENT

& HISTORY

(ONE PAGE ONLY)

VALUING

NON-CASH

CONTRIBUTIONS

(FORM C)

The person who prepares the Financial Statement Form containing the audited

financial information should sign the request for the waiver of a separate audit. We

may request the audited financial statements of your parent organization if they are

required to determine your institution’s eligibility.

Statement of Purpose/Mission Statement (maximum space one 8.5 by 11 inch

page). You must submit a statement of purpose/mission statement which has been

formally approved by your museum’s governing authority; reviewers use your

statement to measure your museum’s performance as described in your narrative. The

statement should accurately portray your museum’s purpose or mission. If the

statement is too long to quote in full, you may quote from or summarize the

statement. You must note the source, approving body and date of the official

document. You should use the remaining space available on the page to provide a

brief history of the museum.

Valuing Non-Cash Contributions (Form C, pages 6.9 and 6.10). You must

submit Form C. Instructions for completing Form C are in Part 3, pages 3.5–3.7.

This page is available as a fill-in form on the IMLS web site, www.imls.gov. For more

information on fill-in forms, see page 5.1.
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 3.1

Financial Statement Forms A and B

Financial Statement Forms A and B present financial data for your museum’s two

most recently completed fiscal years. Both statements must be completed in full and

submitted by the application deadline. You must submit the financial statements in

the format we have presented. You may not submit any other financial statements in

lieu of Forms A and B.

The time period covered by Forms A and B may be different from the time period discussed

in the application narrative.

WHEN AN AUDIT IS ALSO SUBMITTED

If you are submitting audited financial statements, fully explain any deviations

between the audit and the corresponding Financial Statement Form at the bottom of

the IMLS form or on a supplemental sheet.

WHAT EACH FORM INCLUDES

A complete Financial Statement Form includes the statement of revenue, other

support, expenses, and net assets.

THE TWO MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED F ISCAL YEARS

Enter information for your museum’s most recently completed fiscal year on

Form A and for the second most recently completed fiscal year on Form B.

EXPLANATION OF FUNDS

Enter all information on Forms A and B in the appropriate column according to

the following classes:

Enter all revenues and expenses relating to the general operations of your

museum. Money that has been designated for special purposes that are part of your

general operations should also be reflected in this column. Most monies will be

reflected in this column except for those with donor-imposed restrictions. Restricted

funds that were released during the fiscal year and were used for a general operating

purpose should be included here.

Enter all funds that reflect assets with a donor-imposed stipulation that expires at

a specific time or require an action by the organization to release the funds. Any

funds that were released during the fiscal year (of the form) should not be in this

column: enter these in the Unrestricted column. Enter only funds that will be

released in a future fiscal year and are being restricted on a temporary basis.

Generally, this column would reflect funds that have set aside for upcoming projects,

acquisitions, special collections funds, etc.

Enter all funds with donor-imposed stipulations that do not expire by passage of

time nor can be released by action taken by the museum. Generally, this column

would reflect funds in endowments, other long term investments, etc.

UNRESTRICTED

TEMPORAR ILY

RESTRICTED

PERMANENTLY

RESTRICTED
 3.2 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Description of Line Items

A brief description of each line item is included below; these are provided for

general guidance in filling out the form. Fill in the lines as appropriate for your

organization.

1. ADMISSIONS: General and special exhibition admissions. (Any admission income

that is remitted to your parent organization which then allocates the income entirely

or in part for your museum’s operations should be included here or under Parent

Organization Support but should not be included in both lines.)

2. MEMBERSHIP: All membership fees.

3. ENROLLMENT FEES/EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Tuition and fees from classes, training

workshops and other educational programs.

4. MUSEUM STORE (GROSS): Revenues from operations of museum gift shop.

5. FOOD SERVICE (GROSS): Revenues from operations of museum restaurant or food

service.

6. PUBLICATIONS, REPRODUCTION RIGHTS, ROYALTIES: Earned income from sales of

publications and reproduction rights; royalties earned on museum publications.

7. SPECIAL EVENTS: Income from other special activities including performances,

lectures, films, etc.

8. SPECIAL EXHIBITION FEES: Income generated from temporary, special exhibitions.

9. INVESTMENT INCOME: Profits realized on the sale of securities and/or assets.

10. INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS: Income in the form of dividends and/or interest generated

by your museum’s investments (including transfers from endowment income).

11. RENTAL: Income from rental of museum facilities, equipment, etc.

12. AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES: Revenues from benefits or other auxiliary activities.

13. MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER: All other sources of revenue not derived from contributions,

grants and parent organization support. Specify the sources.

14. TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUES: Sum of lines 1–13.

PROGRAM

REVENUE
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 3.3

15. FEDERAL GRANTS (INCLUDING IMLS): Federal grants including all IMLS grant programs

received in the fiscal year.

16. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Individual contributions (other than those entered

above).

17. FOUNDATION GRANTS: Private foundation contributions and grants.

18. CORPORATE GRANTS: Corporate and business contributions and grants (cash

contributions only). Do not include items listed under “Total Value of Non-Cash

Contributions.”

19. STATE SUPPORT: State support, including Federal funds administered by states.

20. LOCAL SUPPORT: Local support, including Federal funds administered by localities.

21. PARENT ORGANIZATION SUPPORT: Parent or sponsoring organization support, including

cash payments made directly to your museum and cash payments made to the

producers of goods or services provided to your museum without cost. Indirect cost

allocations for museums should be entered here; for example, maintenance, utilities,

or services provided by your parent organization. Parent or sponsoring organization

support included in this amount should NOT also be included under “Total Value of

Non-Cash Contributions.”

22. TRANSFERS: Monies released from restrictions during the current fiscal year.

23. TOTAL OTHER SUPPORT: Sum of lines 15–22.

24. NON-CASH CONTRIBUTIONS AUDITED FORM C FRONT: Fill in amount from bottom

line of Form C Front.

25. TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUES AND OTHER SUPPORT: Sums of total program revenues

plus other support for each column. Lines 14 + 23 + 24.

26. NON-CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FORM C BACK: Fill in amount from bottom line of Form

C Back.

27. SUBTOTAL: Sum of lines 25 and 26.*

28. TOTAL FEDERAL GRANTS: Copy the amount of Federal grants (including IMLS) under

“Other Support” (line 15).*

29. TOTAL NON-FEDERAL REVENUES: Remainder after subtracting “Total Federal Grants”

from subtotal.* Enter this amount from Form A in item 23 of the application Face

Sheet. Enter the amount from Form B in item 24 of the application Face Sheet.

* This figure should come from the Unrestricted Column figures only.

OTHER

SUPPORT
 3.4 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

30. SALARIES AND WAGES: Salaries and wages paid to employees of your museum.

31. BENEFITS: Benefits paid to employees of your museum, including health insurance,

etc.

32. RENT: Expenditures for rent for museum space.

33. MAINTENANCE: Maintenance fees for utilities (electricity, water, gas, etc.), janitorial

services, buildings and grounds, and exhibitions.

34. INSURANCE: Insurance premiums for your collections/exhibitions and liability

coverage.

35. MUSEUM STORE: Expenses associated with the operations of your museum gift shop.

36. FOOD SERVICE: Expenses associated with the operations of your restaurant or food

service.

37. CONTRACTUAL: Expenses for any services provided to the museum that are not

performed by staff.

38. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Expenses associated with staff training and education.

39. TRAVEL: Travel and lodging expenses associated with museum activities.

40. PRINTING AND PUBLICATION: Expenditures for museum-related publications and

other printed materials.

41. TELEPHONE/COMMUNICATION: Telephone, fax machine, on-line time-sharing, and

other related costs for museum operations.

42. POSTAGE: Postage and shipping costs associated with museum activities.

43. FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT: Expenses associated with fundraising activities to

benefit the museum.

44. MARKETING: Costs related to marketing and advertising used to promote the museum

or the sale of museum products, services or activities.

45. SUPPLIES: Expenditures for materials and supplies necessary for the day-to-day

operations of your museum.

46. EQUIPMENT: Expenditures for equipment necessary for the day-to-day operations of

your museum.

47. OTHER: Any expenses not listed above. Specify.

EXPENSES
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 3.5

48. SUBTOTAL EXPENSES: Total of all items listed above. Lines 30–47.

49. CHANGE IN NET ASSETS: Excess or deficiency of “Program Revenues and Other

Support” over “Expenses.” Line 25 minus Line 48.

50. NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR: Net Assets at the start of the fiscal year.

51. NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR: Net Assets at the end of the fiscal year.

Form C Valuing Non-Cash Contributions

IMLS recognizes the significant contribution of volunteers and of other non-cash

community support in providing museum services. You may increase the size of your

potential award by completing Form C (Valuing Non-Cash Contributions) on

Application Form pages 6.9 and 6.10. You must submit Form C and add the total

value of contributions listed to your non-Federal revenues.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORM C FRONT AND FORM C BACK

Current accounting standards now result in many financial statements that reflect

a value of non-cash contributions as well as the non-cash contributions being

recognized as part of a formal audit. If the financial statements of the museum

include non-cash contributions, identify those non-cash contributions on Form C

Front.

IMLS also allows applicants to include non-cash contributions that might not be

reflected in the financial statements based on current accounting standards. Identify

non-cash contributions that are not included on the financial statements on Form C

Back.

The instructions for completing both sides of the form are the same. Both sides of

Form C reflect contributions during the fiscal year corresponding to Form A only.

If the financial statements of the museum do not include non-cash contributions you

need to complete only Form C Back.

All Form C items should be described in application narrative section Support (see

page 4.9). If you enter an amount under “Value of Non-Cash Contributions” on

Form B, you do not need to fill out an additional Form C.

The values of contributed services, materials, and rental allowances included in

Form C are subject to verification and negotiation. You should, therefore, retain

documentation for the value of your non-cash contributions.
 3.6 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FORM C

■ Provide information only for your museum’s most recently completed fiscal year.

(Form A)

■ Values for contributed services, materials, and rental allowances should be

calculated separately.

■ Values of contributed services, materials, and rental allowances may be included

only if they relate to your museum’s operating budget. For example: contributed

services or materials relating to construction or renovation may not be included;

a one-time contribution of real property which would later be considered a fixed

asset may not be included. Contributions to collections may not be included.

■ Do not include in any category on this form any amounts included under “Parent

Organization Support” of Financial Statement Form A.

■ Provide all information requested to indicate the means by which the values of

contributed services have been determined

■ In the parentheses on each line, indicate the number of individuals contributing

that service.

SEVERAL FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING THE VALUE OF

CONTRIBUTIONS.

■ The services are an essential part of the organization’s activities which, if not

handled by volunteers (including unpaid docents), would be handled by paid staff

if funds were available; and

■ There is an objective basis for valuing these services.

One way to judge whether a volunteer meets the first criterion is to ask if the

museum would hire and pay staff for the same services if funds were available. If

the answer is “yes,” those services should be valued at rates consistent with what is

ordinarily paid for similar work within the applicant’s organization. Services

should not be valued at the rate of the volunteer’s regular employment, but at the

rate at which the museum would pay for those services if funds were available. If

another employer furnishes the services of an employee, those services should be

valued at the employee’s regular rate of pay.

The time spent by board members in the normal fulfillment of board services

may not be included as a contribution to the museum’s operating budget. A

board member’s time may be included if the contributed service is separate from

the normal fulfillment of board service and is spent on activities which would be

handled by paid staff or consultants if funds were available.

VALU ING

CONTRIBUTED

SERVICES
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 3.7

■ Provide all information requested to indicate how the value of contributed materials

was determined.

Materials donated for the museum’s operations should be valued at their fair

market value on the date of receipt if they are significant in amount and if there is a

reasonable basis for valuation. Artifacts or objects donated to the museum collections

should not be included.

■ Provide all information requested to indicate how the value of contributed rental

allowances was determined.

Rental allowances for use of space and equipment should be valued at fair market

value for the locality.

■ Enter the total value of non-cash contributions on Financial Statement Form A

(Application Form page 6.5) for the most recently completed fiscal year on Line 24

for Form C Front and Line 26 for Form C Back.

The value of non-cash contributions received in your second most recently

completed fiscal year may be included on Form B, but a corresponding Form C does

not need to be submitted.

VALU ING

CONTRIBUTED

MATERIALS

VALU ING

CONTRIBUTED

RENTAL

ALLOWANCES

TOTAL

VALUES OF

NON-CASH

CONTRIBUTIONS
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 4.1

Statement of Purpose/ Mission Statement

MAXIMUM SPACE: ONE PAGE

Each applicant must include a statement of purpose or mission statement. A

statement of purpose identifies the goals toward which museum operations and

programs are directed. You must note the source, approving body, and date of the

official document where this mission statement appears. You should provide a brief

history of the museum to place the statement of purpose in a meaningful context.

Reviewers do not score or evaluate the statement of purpose itself; instead, they use it to

measure how well the narrative responses relate to your institution’s overall mission or

goals. (See page 2.6 for more information on the statement of purpose.)

Explanation of Questions

The narrative questions are arranged so that you present orderly descriptions of

your museum’s operations. Sections I through IV ask for information about audience

and collections/exhibitions and their care and management. Note: You will find

separate questions for non-collection holding institutions (see pages 4.3–4.6). In sections

V through VII, you discuss your educational programs, physical facilities, safety and

security and staff. The last three sections, VIII through X, ask you to address your

museum’s governance, management, support and long-range plan.

Include all of the information requested.

Pages 4.2–4.10 describe the types of information that should be included in the

narrative responses. Other pertinent information should be included as appropriate.

Suggestions for Competitive Applications

You should respond to the narrative questions with comprehensive descriptions of

the museum. Reviewers look for evidence that museum staff 1) have knowledge of

and adhere to generally accepted professional practices of museum operations; and 2)

make the best possible use of available resources.

Competitive applications include complete, specific information. Reviewers must

be able to clearly perceive the quality of the museum and the full range of its

operations and services. Jargon and unsupported generalizations weaken the

application.

GOS reviewers base their evaluations only on the information provided in the

application—they are prohibited from using prior knowledge of your institution.

Therefore, you should never rely on your museum’s reputation; you must prove the

high quality of its operations and services by your responses to the narrative questions.

Note: Additional application tips are on the inside back cover.
 4.2 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Questions and Guidelines

The following guidelines outline the types of information that you should include.

Related topics should be described when pertinent. Before typing your final

responses, read the information concerning type size, font and format on pages 2.3–

2.4. Total narrative text for collections holding institutions should be a maximum

of 15 pages, and for non-collections holding institutions the text should be a

maximum of 14 pages. Applicants must also include one separate page for an

organizational chart.

Responses should describe the museum’s operations as close as possible to the date of

application. You must provide a response for each narrative section: 10 sections if

you are collections holding, 9 sections if you are not collections holding.

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1 . HOW DOES THE MUSEUM REACH AN APPROPR IATELY

BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE?

Using specific examples, discuss the museum’s

■ success in reaching a broad and diverse audience

■ geographic area and demographics

■ methods used to make facilities and services available to the general public and

specialized audiences

■ appropriateness of scheduled services and activities to the audiences

■ attempts to expand the audience

■ accessibility for people with disabilities and other underserved groups

■ media outreach, marketing, and publicity, including electronic media (t.v., radio,

internet, etc.)

2. HOW ARE THE LEVELS OF PUBL IC PART IC IPAT ION IN THE

SERVICES THE MUSEUM PROVIDES APPROPRIATE TO ITS AUDIENCES AND ACTIVITIES?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the number of participants in each type of educational and interpretive activity for the

last two years (e.g., number of students enrolled in classes or attendance at special

events)

■ an explanation of significant fluctuations in attendance

■ include a schedule of open hours

Note: Provide specific figures for calendar years 2000 and 1999 for onsite, offsite, and

electronic museum attendance in the format shown below. Provide an explanation of how

you arrived at these figures and how you use them.

Attendance 2000 1999

Onsite

Offsite

Electronic

I. AUDIENCE
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 4.3

II. COLLECTIONS

III. EXHIBITIONS

Note: For the purposes of the GOS application, a museum that owns or uses only expendable objects such as “teaching” or “prop” objects is considered a non-collections holding

museum.

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

If you can answer “no” to the following two questions, your institution does not

hold collections for purposes of the GOS grant application and you should not

complete this section.

■ Does the museum have the responsibility for permanent or on-going care of objects?

■ Does the museum’s statement of purpose indicate that the museum will form

collections to carry out its activities?

If you answered “yes” to either of the preceding questions, you must complete this

section.

1. HOW DO THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTIONS SUPPORT THE

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the size and kind of collections the museum owns or uses

■ specific numbers and categories of collections, including historic structures

2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLLECTIONS TO THE

MUSEUM’S COMMUNITY AND CONSTITUENTS?

Using specific examples, consider

■ how the collections were formed

■ how the collections relate to the interests, history or cultural heritage of the

community

■ how the collections relate to any specialized audiences

■ any changes in the significance of the collections for the community resulting from

changes in the community

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW DO THE MUSEUM’S EXHIBITIONS SUPPORT THE

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the museum’s philosophy for the use, development and design of exhibitions

■ how characteristics of the museum’s audiences influence exhibition topics and design

■ how interpretive techniques relate to the exhibition philosophy and to the audience

served

■ use of technology in exhibitions
 4.4 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

2 . HOW ARE EXH IB IT IONS DEVELOPED AND EVALUATED?

Using specific examples, consider

■ decision-making processes for choosing exhibition topics

■ involvement of staff, consultants, advisory groups or other participants in decision

making

■ frequency, purpose, outcome and follow-up of formal and informal exhibition

planning meetings

■ development, design and evaluation of in-house exhibitions (permanent, temporary

and long-term)

■ how the museum ensures that exhibits are well maintained and in working order

■ borrowed and traveling exhibitions

■ methods used to evaluate exhibitions, including the anticipated impact on the skills,

knowledge, attitudes or behaviors of the exhibit’s audience(s) and how the impact

would be measured.

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

C L A R I F I C AT ION O F S E C T ION I V. M AN AG EM EN T C A R E

If your institution is responsible for collections that are described in Section II

(page 4.3), then you must answer Part A of Management and Care.

If you do not have any collections or those items you hold are defined as “prop” or

“teaching” collections (page 4.3) and you did not answer Section II. Collections, then

you should answer only Part B.

What if you have some of both?

Some museums, most frequently science centers and children’s museums, have

small collections, but also have a primary focus on non-collecting activities. In these

cases you must first provide sufficient information under Part A that describe the care

and management of your collection, then you may provide details under Part B about

your exhibit activities.

A. Collections Management and Care

Complete section IV. A. only if you are a collections holding institution and answered

section II. Collections.

1. WHAT ARE THE MUSEUM’S POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR

THE RESPONSIBLE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF COLLECTIONS?

Using specific examples, consider

■ how the museum formulates collections policy and the museum’s success in

implementing its policy

■ how the museum ensures that acquisition and disposal of collections best serves the

museum’s purpose

■ how the museum ensures the accuracy, completeness, safety and security of collections

records

I V.

MANAGEMENT

AND CARE
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 4.5

■ conservation surveys/assessments, long-range conservation plans and priorities, and

examination and treatment of collections

■ care and conservation of objects on exhibit and in storage, including maintenance of

appropriate environmental conditions

■ preservation of historic structures

 (Discuss disaster preparedness plans in section VI. Physical Facilities/ Safety and Security.)

2. HOW ARE THE COLLECTIONS USED?

Using specific examples, consider

■ percentage of the collections available for exhibition, research, education, loan, etc.

■ the extent of use of the collections for those activities

■ any special considerations used to determine the availability of the collections

■ what portion of the collections are on exhibit at any one time and what rotation

schedules are maintained

■ the extent, purpose and use of research by staff, visitors and scholars

■ how research is relevant to the museum’s purpose and how research findings are

disseminated to the museum’s audiences

■ technology resources used to assist in research

B. Exhibits Management and Care

Complete section IV. B. only if you do not hold collections and did not answer section

II. Collections.

1. WHAT ARE THE MUSEUM’S POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR

THE RESPONSIBLE CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF ITS EXHIBITS?

Using specific examples, consider

■ how the museum ensures that exhibits best serve the museum’s purpose

■ how the museum formulates appropriate exhibit management policies and the

museum’s success in implementing its policies

■ how the museum ensures the accuracy of exhibits

■ how the museum ensures the safety and security of exhibits (Discuss disaster

preparedness plans in section VI. Physical Facilities/Safety and Security.)

■ the museum’s policies for lending or selling exhibits

■ what portion of the exhibits are on view at any one time and what rotation schedules

are maintained

■ the museum’s procedures for handling broken exhibits

■ how the museum provides adequate storage for exhibits/components

■ how objects used in exhibits are safeguarded

2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXHIBITS TO THE

MUSEUM’S COMMUNITY AND CONSTITUENTS?

Using specific examples, consider

■ how the exhibits relate to the interests, history or cultural heritage of the community

■ how the exhibits relate to any specialized audiences

■ any changes in the significance of the exhibits for the community resulting from

changes in the community

I V.

MANAGEMENT

AND CARE
 4.6 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

3 . WHAT IS THE EXTENT, PURPOSE AND USE OF RESEARCH BY

S TA F F, V I S I TOR S AN D S CHO L AR S ?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the relevance of research conducted by museum staff and museum constituents to the

museum’s purpose

■ how research is incorporated into other museum services such as education and

publication

■ how research findings are disseminated and to whom

■ a description of any research facilities

■ technology resources used to assist in research

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW DO THE MUSEUM’S EDUCATION PROGRAMS SUPPORT

THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the museum’s philosophy for the use, development and design of educational

programs

■ how characteristics of the museum’s audiences influence education programs

2. HOW ARE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DEVELOPED, DISSEMINATED , AND EVALUATED?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the museum’s process for developing educational programs

■ how needs and interests of the museum’s audience are accommodated in the

development of programs

■ how the museum disseminates educational programs, including use of technology

■ methods used to evaluate educational programs, including the anticipated impact on

the skills, knowledge, attitudes or behaviors of the exhibit’s audience(s) and how the

impact would be measured

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW DOES THE MUSEUM USE ITS PHYSICAL RESOURCES IN

PROVIDING MUSEUM SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND

SPECIALIZED AUDIENCES?

Using specific examples, consider

■ a description of the physical facilities the museum owns or uses

■ the total space available for museum operations in square footage or acreage (as

appropriate)

■ percentages (actual or approximate) of space allocations for each museum program or

function [include the building(s) or parts of building(s), site(s), structure(s), and

grounds]

■ the museum’s rationale for the allocation of its physical resources to various museum

operations

■ a description of auxiliary and support facilities such as libraries, gift shops, food

service, auditoriums and vehicles (include adaptive and multifunctional uses)

VI. PHYSICAL

FACILITIES/

SAFETY AND

SECURITY

V. E D U C AT ION
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 4.7

2. WHAT PRACTICES AND SCHEDULES DOES THE MUSEUM

FOLLOW TO ENSURE THE PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF

ITS PHYSICAL PLANT?

Using specific examples, consider

■ how general housekeeping practices are applied to public and private spaces of the museum

■ how facility maintenance and repair schedules ensure the least disruption of public

services and deter emergency situations

■ appropriateness and supervision of personnel responsible for upkeep and maintenance

■ planning for future improvements or repairs

■ how mechanical, electronic, and other technological devices are used to ensure proper

care and maintenance of the museum’s physical plant

3 . HOW DO E S TH E M U S E UM EN S UR E TH E S A F E T Y O F I T S S TA F F,

VISITORS, FACILITIES AND COLLECTIONS?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the museum’s emergency/disaster preparedness policies and its success in implementing

the policies

■ practices for staff training in dealing with emergencies and disasters

■ how emergency plans coordinate employee and visitor safety with facility and

collection safety

■ how mechanical, electronic, and other technological devices are used to enhance safety

■ how the museum ensures a safe working environment for staff

■ how the responsibilities of internal and external security and emergency personnel are

coordinated

■ how the museum identifies and protects areas of restricted access

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROFESS IONAL ACT IV IT IES OF THE MUSEUM’S PERMANENT, PROFESSIONAL STAFF APPROPRIATE TO THE MUSEUM’S MISSION?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the composition, number, titles, and qualifications of the museum’s paid and unpaid

professional, permanent staff in relation to their roles within the museum

■ staff involvement in community activities as representatives of the museum

■ staff involvement with local, regional, and national professional associations

2. WHAT PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES DOES THE

MUSEUM FOLLOW ?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the level of participation in staff development activities

■ participation in fellowships, sabbaticals, mentor relationships or related activities

■ a description of recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits and termination policies

■ how staff performance is monitored, evaluated and rewarded

3 . HOW DOES THE MUSEUM SELECT, RECRU IT, TRA IN AND USE

SUPPLEMENTARY STAFF?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the museum’s success in recruiting, training and employing supplementary staff to

enhance its services

■ how the museum uses the services of volunteers, consultants, guest curators, interns

and others

VII. STAFF
 4.8 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW IS THE MUSEUM’S GOVERNING AUTHORITY

APPROPRIATE TO THE MUSEUM’S MISSION AND OPERATION?

Using specific examples, consider

■ a description of the structure of the museum’s governing authority

■ a description of the selection, term of service and orientation for members of the

governing authority

■ how the composition and qualifications of the museum’s governing authority

enhance the museum’s effectiveness

■ activities of the museum’s governing authority in relation to museum operations and

in relation to the community

■ the roles of board members, advisory committees and officials of parent organizations,

umbrella organizations or auxiliary components, and the relationship of each in the

overall governance of the museum

2. HOW IS THE MUSEUM’S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

APPROPRIATE TO THE MUSEUM’S MISSION AND OPERATION?

Using specific examples, consider

■ the administrative relationship between the museum director and the governing

authority

■ the administrative relationship between the director and the museum staff

■ the rationale for and effectiveness of the museum’s internal administrative structure

■ how the administrative structure relates to auxiliary components of the museum’s

organization

Note: You must include an organizational chart as an additional page.

3. WHAT IS THE MUSEUM’S FINANCIAL CONDITION?

Using specific examples, consider

■ a description of the museum’s financial condition as reflected in its financial

statements

■ an explanation of any deficits or excesses of operating revenues over operating

expenditures and plans to manage the deficits or excesses

Note: On this page, show deficits or excesses of operating revenues for the last five years.

(Give figures for the last five years for which figures are available. If the museum uses

zero-based accounting, use zeros as appropriate.)

4. WHAT ARE THE MUSEUM’S PROCEDURES FOR BUDGETARY

DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL?

Using specific examples, consider

■ a description of the museum’s financial operations including procedures for financial

accounting, financial oversight, and use of current technology to assist in financial

operations

■ how the museum’s level of fiscal control and responsibility is appropriate to its level

of operations

■ how budgets are developed and how budgetary control is maintained

■ how the qualifications of the personnel responsible for financial management

activities are appropriate

VIII.

GOVERNANCE

AND

MANAGEMENT/

FINANCIAL

MANAGEMENT
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 4.9

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW DOES THE COMMUNITY’S NON-CASH SUPPORT OF

MUSEUM OPERATIONS DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT TO THE

MUSEUM’S SERVICES?

Form C (pages 6.9–6.10) must be submitted, and Form C items should be described in

this answer.

Using specific examples, consider

■ the community’s involvement in and support of the museum and its activities

■ the role of volunteers and support organizations in enhancing museum services

■ activities undertaken by the community to ensure the success of the museum’s

ongoing operations and special events

■ a description of the community’s non-cash contributions

2. HOW DOES THE MUSEUM ACQUIRE NON-FEDERAL

FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

Consider

■ the museum’s potential and success in acquiring and maintaining broad-based and

stable sources of non-Federal financial support

■ the museum’s potential and success in acquiring support from earned income

activities

■ the museum’s potential and success in acquiring state, local, corporate, foundation,

individual and parent organization contributions

■ the use of marketing programs, fundraising techniques, membership drives and other

activities to increase non-Federal financial support

RELATE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE MUSEUM’S STATEMENT OF

PURPOSE/ MISSION STATEMENT.

1. HOW DOES THE LONG-RANGE PLAN SUPPORT THE MISSION

OF THE MUSEUM?

Using specific examples, consider

■ key components of the current plan, including new technologies

■ methods used to develop the plan such as institutional self-study or assessment

■ how the plan is evaluated and updated to ensure that objectives are met and that goals

remain appropriate for the museum

■ how the results of evaluations of exhibits and programs are integrated into the plan

and used as a basis for decision-making

■ the roles of trustees, staff, consultants, members of the community or others in

developing the plan

2 . HOW DO E S T H E M U S E UM D E V E LO P, IM P L EM EN T AN D

UPDATE THE LONG-RANGE PLAN?

Using specific examples, consider

■ when the current plan was adopted and the museum’s progress in implementing the

plan

■ how the timetable for implementing the plan is reasonable

■ procedures used to monitor the institution’s progress in carrying out the plan

X. LONG

RANGE

PLAN

IX. SUPPORT
 4.10 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

3 . HOW W ILL GOS FUNDS , IF AWARDED TH IS YEAR , BE USED

TO FURTHER THE MUSEUM’S PURPOSE?

Include

■ the planned use of funds

For museums that have received prior General Operating Support, Conservation

Project Support, Special Project Support*, Museum Assessment Program,

Conservation Assessment Program, Museum Leadership Initiatives*, National

Leadership Grant awards, or Technical Assistance Grants*, using specific

examples, consider

■ the museum’s past management of IMLS (formerly IMS) funds in supporting the

museum’s statement of purpose and meeting long-term goals (you may limit the

response to awards received in recent years).

* Special Project Support Grants and Technical Assistance Grants are no longer available from

IMLS. Museum Leadership Initiative Grants have been replaced by “Museums in the Community” and are a component of the National Leadership Grants for Museums.
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 5.1

How To Assemble the Application Package

You are responsible for submitting a complete application. Review your

application package carefully before sending it to IMLS. You must include all of the

required items listed below and the proper number of copies. (Each item is described

in detail in Step 2.) IMLS will not do your photocopying or collating! Your

application is subject to rejection without review if any required item is missing. If you

have any questions, contact IMLS at (202) 606-8539.

It is your responsibility to assure the application you submit is complete and meets

our requirements.

IMLS staff makes a conscientious effort to check all applications for completeness

and contact you if we find something missing. However, we do not accept unsolicited

application materials postmarked after January 15, 2001. In addition, once the

applications are sent to the field reviewers no changes can be made. Thus if you leave

out a narrative section, the reviewers will be instructed to give your application a score

of 1 for that section.

Electronic Fill-In Application Forms

IMLS now makes all application forms available on our Web site in PDF

(Portable Document File) format for download. Applicants can download the

electronic version of an IMLS application form and, using freely available software,

type into the forms on any computer. This eliminates the need for a typewriter or for

re-creation of IMLS application forms. Note that the forms cannot be submitted

electronically but can be completed online and then printed on the applicant’s printer

and mailed. Caution: the forms cannot be saved, so they must be completely filled in

and printed in one operation. To access the fill-in application forms, visit

www.imls.gov/grants/appl/index.htm.

STEP 1

Make two copies of your Face Sheet (item A).

These are in addition to the five copies required

in Step 2.

STEP 2

Send five copies of all the materials listed on the next page (except item H—see

next page*). Collate them as follows (place item A on the top of entire pile).

Note: IMLS staff need to see the front page (Face Sheet) of each copy of your application

during processing. Please do not use opaque folders that cover the Face Sheet. Large binder

clips, staples or clear plastic covers are good choices.

ASSEMBLE

YOUR

APPLICATION

MATERIALS

A S

FOLLOWS:

Face Sheet

 (2 copies)

A
 5.2 Guidelines 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Face Sheet/

Financial

Information

Checklist

Financial

Statement

Forms

A & B

Form CValuing

Non-Cash

Contributions

Statement of

Purpose/

History

 (1 page

maximum)

Organizational

chart (1 page

maximum)

Grant

Processing

Information/

Assurances†

Proof of

Nonprofit

Status

Audited

Financial

Statements

(if applicable)

Request for

Waiver of

Separate

Audit

(if applicable)

Request for

Deferral of

Audit

(if applicable)

Request for

Extension to

Submit Audit

(if applicable)

Representative

Publication

(optional)

and/or web

address

(optional)

B

* Item H: These materials are for IMLS staff

use only (they are not sent to reviewers).

Include only one copy each of H1 and H2

with the IMLS (top) copy of your application.

† Official’s signature must be original—not

photocopied

C DE F

H1* H2*

I J KL M

STEP 3

Place the face sheets from Step 1 on top of the five collated copies from Step 2.

(Place your IMLS copy, including items H 1 and 2 , on top of the other four collated

applications.) Your materials are now ready to send to IMLS.

IMLS will send you a form with the log number of your application by

February 28, 2001. This is your proof that IMLS has received your application.

If you do not receive this form please contact us (202/606-8539) no later than

March 17, 2001.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF RECEIPT

Narrative

G
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines 5.3

Sending the Application Package

Mail or hand deliver GOS applications to:

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Old Post Office Building

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Room 609

Washington, DC 20506

Telephone: (202) 606-8539

TTY (for hearing impaired people): (202) 606-8636

Within 30 days of receiving your application, we will mail you an

acknowledgment form with your application log number. If you do not receive an

acknowledgment, contact us to confirm receipt of your application.

We will accept hand-delivered applications between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

(Eastern time) daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Handdelivered applications will not be accepted after 4:30 p.m. on the application deadline

date. We will give you a written receipt when you deliver your application.

Applications sent by mail must be postmarked no later than

 January 15, 2001.

We may need to see proof of mailing.

Acceptable proof of mailing consists of a legible U.S. Postal Service dated

postmark, a legible receipt stamped by the U.S. Postal Service, or a legible dated

shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier. We will not accept

private metered postmarks or private mail receipts without a legible date stamped by

the U.S. Postal Service. We recommend certified or registered mail, “return receipt

requested,” when using the U.S. Postal Service. In the event that the deadline falls on

a day U.S. Post Offices are closed, such as Sundays and Federal Holidays, IMLS will

accept proposals postmarked the next business day.

Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not always postmark a package when they receive it.

You should specifically request and verify that your envelope has been properly date

stamped. The green “return receipt” card does not meet the IMLS requirements for proof of

mailing.

Application Deadline

The deadline for GOS applications is: January 15, 2001

We make no extensions of the deadline. Late applications are returned without

being reviewed.

HAND

DELIVERY

MAIL

DELIVERY
2001 IMLS General Operating Support. Application Form 6.1

APPLICATION

 FORM
 6.2 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.3

 Face Sheet

1. Applicant Museum

2. Museum’s Mailing Address

3. City 4. State 5. Zip Code

6. Museum Director

7. Business Phone of Museum Director

8. FAX Number of Museum

9. E-mail address of Museum Director 10. Institutional Web Address

11. Name of sponsoring institution/parent organization, if applicable (e.g., municipality, state, or university)

12. Governing control of museum *

 (turn page for selections)

*if 6, please specify

13. Museum’s discipline *

 (turn page for selections)

*if 13, please specify

14. Is the museum college or university controlled? (Check One) ■ Yes ■ No

15. Museum’s attendance for the 12-month period prior to application. Onsite

Offsite

Electronic

16. Total number of hours the museum was open to the public for the 12-month period prior to application.

17. Year the museum was first open and exhibiting objects to the general public.

18. Number of full-time paid museum staff.

19. Number of part-time paid museum staff.

22. Is the museum a collections holding institution? (Check One) ■ Yes ■ No

23. Museum’s non-Federal operating income for the most recently completed fiscal year

 [copy figure from Form A Front, line 29, (page 6.5)] Year $ .00

24. Museum’s non-Federal operating income for the second most recently completed

 fiscal year [copy figure from Form B Front, line 29 (page 6.7)] Year $ .00

25. GRANT AMOUNT REQUESTED $ .00

(Check One)

■ Ms.

■ Mr.

■ Mrs.

■ Other (specify)

20. Number of full-time unpaid museum staff.

21. Number of part-time unpaid museum staff.

OMB No. 3137-0029
 6.4 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Financial Information Checklist

Check the appropriate boxes below to let the reviewers know which financial

statements or requests you have included with your application. If you are submitting

audited financial statements, check box A or B to indicate whether or not that information

is required by IMLS.

 Required Optional

■ Audited Financial Statements ■ A ■ B

■ Request for Waiver of Separate Audited Requirement

■ Request for Deferral of Audit Requirement

■ Request for Extension to Submit Audit

■ Submitting None of the Above (Check only if you are not required to submit Audited

Financial Statements. To determine if you need to submit Audited Financial

Statements, see page 2.1)

Selections for Face Sheet Items 12 and 13

12. Governing Control of Museum

1. State 3. County 5. Private non-profit

2. Municipal 4. Tribal Government 6. Other

13. Museum’s Discipline

01. Aquarium 05. General* 09. Nature Center

02. Arboretum/ 06. Historic House/Site 10. Planetarium

 Botanical Garden 07. History 11. Science/Technology

03. Art 08. Natural History/ 12. Zoo

04. Children’s/Youth Anthropology 13. Specialized**

* A museum with collections representing two or more disciplines equally (eg. art and history)

** A museum with collections limited to one narrowly-defined discipline (eg. textiles, stamps, maritime, ethnic group)
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.5

Form A Front REVENUE Name of Applicant_______________________________________

Most recently completed fiscal year month/day ________ to month/day, _________ Year _____

READ INSTRUCTIONS IN PART 3 BEFORE PROCEEDING

 TEMPORARILY PERMANENTLY

 UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL

PROGRAM REVENUES

1. Admissions

2. Membership

3. Enrollment fees/education programs

4. Museum store (gross)

5. Food service (gross)

6. Publications, reproduction

 rights, royalities

7. Special events

8. Special exhibition fees

9. Investment income

10. Interest & dividends

11. Rental

12. Auxiliary activities

 specify

13. Miscellaneous/other

14. Total Program Revenues

 (sum lines 1–13)

OTHER SUPPORT

15. Federal Grants

 (including IMLS)

16. Individual contributions

17. Foundation grants

18. Corporate grants

19. State support

20. Local support

21. Parent Organization support

22. Transfers

23. Total “Other Support”

 (sum lines 15–22)

24. Total value non-cash audited

 contributions-page 6.9

25. Total Program Revenues

 /Other Support

 (sum lines 14+23+24)

26. Total value non-cash

 contributions-page 6.10

27. Subtotal (sum lines 25+26)

28. Total Federal grants

29. TOTAL NON-FEDERAL PROGRAM REVENUES & SUPPORT

Explain on an additional sheet any deviations between the information entered on this form and the

corresponding audited financial statements submitted with the application.

FIGURES IN THIS SHADED AREA

SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN TOTALS

ON LINES 25–29.
 6.6 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Form A Back EXPENSES Name of Applicant_______________________________________

Most recently completed fiscal year month/day ________ to month/day, _________ Year _____

READ INSTRUCTIONS IN PART 3 BEFORE PROCEEDING

 TEMPORARILY PERMANENTLY

 UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL

PROGRAM EXPENSES

30. Salaries and Wages

31. Benefits

32. Rent

33. Maintenance: Utilities

 Janitorial

 Buildings

 Exhibitions

34. Insurance: Collections

 Liability

35. Museum Store

36. Food Service

37. Contractual

 specify

38. Professional Development

39. Travel

40. Printing and Publication

41. Telephone/Communication

42. Postage

43. Fundraising/Development

44. Marketing

45. Supplies

46. Equipment

47. Other

48. Subtotal Expenses

49. Change in Net Assets

50. NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

51. NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.7

FIGURES IN THIS SHADED AREA

SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN TOTALS

ON LINES 25–29.

Form B Front REVENUE Name of Applicant_______________________________________

Second most recently completed fiscal year month/day ________ to month/day, _________ Year _____

READ INSTRUCTIONS IN PART 3 BEFORE PROCEEDING

 TEMPORARILY PERMANENTLY

 UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL

PROGRAM REVENUES

1. Admissions

2. Membership

3. Enrollment fees/education programs

4. Museum store (gross)

5. Food service (gross)

6. Publications, reproduction

 rights, royalities

7. Special events

8. Special exhibition fees

9. Investment income

10. Interest & dividends

11. Rental

12. Auxiliary activities

 specify

13. Miscellaneous/other

14. Total Program Revenues

 (sum lines 1–13)

OTHER SUPPORT

15. Federal Grants

 (including IMLS)

16. Individual contributions

17. Foundation grants

18. Corporate grants

19. State support

20. Local support

21. Parent Organization support

22. Transfers

23. Total “Other Support”

 (sum lines 15–22)

24. Total value non-cash

 contributions (audited)

25. Total Program Revenues

 /Other Support

 (sum lines 14+23+24)

26. Total value non-cash

 contributions (non-audited)

27. Subtotal (sum lines 25+26)

28. Total Federal grants

29. TOTAL NON-FEDERAL PROGRAM REVENUES & SUPPORT

Explain on an additional sheet any deviations between the information entered on this form and the

corresponding audited financial statements submitted with the application.
 6.8 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Form B Back EXPENSES Name of Applicant_______________________________________

Second most recently completed fiscal year month/day ________ to month/day, _________ Year _____

READ INSTRUCTIONS IN PART 3 BEFORE PROCEEDING

 TEMPORARILY PERMANENTLY

 UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL

PROGRAM EXPENSES

30. Salaries and Wages

31. Benefits

32. Rent

33. Maintenance: Utilities

 Janitorial

 Buildings

 Exhibitions

34. Insurance: Collections

 Liability

35. Museum Store

36. Food Service

37. Contractual

 specify

38. Professional Development

39. Travel

40. Printing and Publication

41. Telephone/Communication

42. Postage

43. Fundraising/Development

44. Marketing

45. Supplies

46. Equipment

47. Other

48. Subtotal Expenses

49. Change in Net Assets

50. NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

51. NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.9

Form C Front VALUING NON-CASH CONTRIBUTIONS

 INCLUDED ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Name of Applicant_______________________________________

ITEMS INCLUDED ON THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN THE NARRATIVE SECTION IX. SUPPORT, OF THE APPLICATION.

READ INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGES 3.5-3.7 AND 4.9 BEFORE PROCEEDING.

CONTRIBUTED SERVICES

KIND OF SERVICE MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

(list by specific title; in parentheses provide number of

 individuals contributing that service)

Curatorial/Collections (research, care of objects, registration, exhibits)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Education/Interpretive (information services, docents, teachers, etc.)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Administrative/Clerical/Maintenance (membership, office, routine maintenance, etc.)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Professional (legal, accounting, fundraising, mamagement, data processing, etc.)

DO NOT INCLUDE THE VALUE OF NORMAL BOARD SERVICE

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

CONTRIBUTED MATERIALS

MAJOR ITEMS OR TYPES OF MATERIALS (identify clearly) MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

(do not include the value of objects donated to the collection)

$

$

$

$

$

CONTR IBUTED RENTAL ALLOWANCE

TYPE OF FACILITY OR EQUIPMENT (list by type) MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

$

$

$

$

TOTAL VALUE NON-CASH CONTR IBUT IONS (services, materials, and rental allowances) *

* You are required to enter this amount under “Total Value of non-Cash Contributions” on line 24 of Financial Statement Form A

$
 6.10 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

Form C Back VALUING NON-CASH CONTRIBUTIONS

 NOT INCLUDED ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Name of Applicant_______________________________________

ITEMS INCLUDED ON THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN THE NARRATIVE SECTION IX. SUPPORT, OF THE APPLICATION.

READ INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGES 3.5-3.7 AND 4.9 BEFORE PROCEEDING.

CONTRIBUTED SERVICES

KIND OF SERVICE MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

(list by specific title; in parentheses provide number of

 individuals contributing that service)

Curatorial/Collections (research, care of objects, registration, exhibits)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Education/Interpretive (information services, docents, teachers, etc.)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Administrative/Clerical/Maintenance (membership, office, routine maintenance, etc.)

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

Professional (legal, accounting, fundraising, mamagement, data processing, etc.)

DO NOT INCLUDE THE VALUE OF NORMAL BOARD SERVICE

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

 ( ) hours X $ /hour $

CONTRIBUTED MATERIALS

MAJOR ITEMS OR TYPES OF MATERIALS (identify clearly) MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

(do not include the value of objects donated to the collection)

$

$

$

$

$

CONTR IBUTED RENTAL ALLOWANCE

TYPE OF FACILITY OR EQUIPMENT (list by type) MEANS OF VALUING VALUE

$

$

$

$

TOTAL VALUE NON-CASH CONTR IBUT IONS (services, materials, and rental allowances) *

* You are required to enter this amount under “Total Value of non-Cash Contributions” on line 26 of Financial Statement Form A

$
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.11

ITEM ESTIMATED COST

 $

 $

 $

 $

* Special Project Support Grants and Technical Assistance Grants are no longer available from

IMLS. Museum Leadership Initiative Grants have been replaced by “Museums in the Community” and are a component of the National Leadership Grants for Museums.

Grant Processing Information Sheet

ALL IMLS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT APPLICANTS MUST

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

Check the appropriate answer.

1. Is the museum organized as a public or private nonprofit institution that exists on a

permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes?

 ■ Yes ■ No

2. Does the museum care for, and own or use tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate?

 ■ Yes ■ No

3. Are these objects exhibited to the public on a regular basis through facilities the museum

owns or operates?

 ■ Yes ■ No

4. Is the museum open and exhibiting to the public at least 120 days a year?

 ■ Yes ■ No

5. Has the museum been open and providing museum services to the general public for two

full years prior to the grant application deadline?

 ■ Yes ■ No

6. Does the museum have at least one full-time paid or unpaid staff member or the

equivalent, whose primary duty is the care, acquisition, or exhibition to the public of objects

owned or used by the museum?

 ■ Yes ■ No

HAS THE MUSEUM RECEIVED A:

GOS grant?

CP grant?

NLG Grant?

SP* grant?

MAP (I, II, or III) grant?

CAP grant?

MLI* grant?

TAG* grant?

If you wish to use GOS funds for public information services, publications or major

equipment purchases (see p. 1.8 for more details), those items and their costs must be listed

below. We will review the list and contact you if necessary. If you do not hear from us, you

may assume that your list has been approved.

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

■ Yes ■ No

ELIGIBILITY

REQUIREMENTS

PRIOR IMLS

(FORMERLY

IMS)

AWARDS

COSTS

REQUIRING

IMLS

APPROVAL
 6.12 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

The IMLS is required to obtain from all applicants certifications regarding federal debt status,

debarment and suspension, non-discrimination, and a drug-free workplace. Applicants requesting

more than $100,000 in grant funds must also certify regarding lobbying activities and may be

required to submit a “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” (Standard Form LLL). Some applicants

will be required to certify that they will comply with other federal statutes that pertain to their

particular situation. These requirements are incorporated in the Assurances Statement below.

Review the Statement and sign the certification form. If you receive a grant, you must comply with

these requirements.

CERTIFICATION

O F

AUTHORIZING

OFFICIAL

 (The applicant organization’s authorizing official should sign the following certification

after all other parts of the application form have been completed)

I have examined this application, and I hereby certify on behalf of the applicant

organization that

1) the information provided is true and correct; and

2) all requirements for a complete 2001 General Operating Support application

have been fulfilled; and

3) the applicant is providing and will comply with the applicable certifications

regarding federal debt status, debarment and suspension, nondiscrimination, drugfree workplace, and lobbying activities as set forth in the Assurances statement below.

Should my organization receive a grant, the organization and I will comply with all

requirements of the IMLS Grants Regulations (45 CFR Part 1180 et seq.), all statutes

outlined below, and all other applicable Federal statutes and regulations.

Signature of Authorizing Official Date

Name and Title of Authorizing Official (printed or typed)

* IMLS Regulations are available upon request.

IMLS Assurances

ASSURANCES STATEMENT

By signing the application form, the authorizing official, on behalf of the

applicant, assures and certifies that, should a grant be awarded, it will comply with the

statutes outlined below and all related IMLS regulations. These assurances are given

in connection with any and all financial assistance from IMLS after the date this form

is signed, but may include payments after this date for financial assistance approved

prior to this date. These assurances shall obligate the applicant for the period during

which the Federal financial assistance is extended. The applicant recognizes and

agrees that any such assistance will be extended in reliance on the representations and

agreements made in these assurances, and that the United States government has the

right to seek judicial enforcement of these assurances, which are binding on the

applicant, its successors, transferees, and assignees, and on the authorized official

whose signature appears on the application form.
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.13

I. CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF ALL APPLICANTS

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant has

legal authority to apply for Federal assistance and the institutional, managerial, and

financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project

costs) to ensure proper planning, management, and completion of the project

described in this application.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance

with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. § 7501 et seq.) and OMB

Circular No. A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit

Organizations.”

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

comply with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, “Uniform Administrative

Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher

Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations.”

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or

her knowledge and belief that the applicant is not delinquent in the repayment of any

federal debt.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or

her knowledge and belief that the applicant and its principals:

(a) are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible,

or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any federal department or

 agency;

(b) have not within a three-year period preceding this proposal been convicted of or had

a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense

in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal,

state or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction, or in connection with

a violation of federal or state antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft,

forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, makings false statements, or

 receiving stolen property;

(c) are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a

governmental entity (federal, state or local) with commission of any of the offenses

enumerated in paragraph (b) of this certification; and

(d) have not within a three-year period preceding this application/proposal had one or

more public transactions (federal, state or local) terminated for cause or default.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

comply with the following nondiscrimination statutes and their implementing

regulations:

(a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.), which

prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin;

(b) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.),

which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability;

FINANCIAL,

ADMINISTRATIVE,

AND LEGAL

ACCOUNTABILITY

FEDERAL

DEBT STATUS

DEBARMENT

AND

SUSPENSION

NONDISCRIMINATION
 6.14 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

(c) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-

83, 1685-86), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education

programs; and

(d) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 6101

et seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age.

(A) The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will or

will continue to provide a drug-free workplace by:

(a) publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture,

distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited

in the grantee’s workplace and specifying the action that will be taken against

employees for violation of such prohibition;

(b) establishing an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform employees about:

(1) the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;

(2) the grantee’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;

(3) any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance

programs; and

(4) the penalties that may be imposed on employees for drug abuse violations

occurring in the workplace;

(c) making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of

the grant be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a);

(d) notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a

condition of employment under the grant, the employee will

(1) abide by the terms of the statement; and

(2) notify the employer in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of

a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace not later than five

calendar days after such conviction;

(e) notifying the agency in writing within ten (10) calendar days after receiving notice

under subparagraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice

of such conviction. Employers of convicted employees must provide notice,

including position title, to every grant officer on whose grant activity the

convicted employee was working, unless the federal agency has designated a

central point for the receipt of such notices. Notices shall include the identification

number(s) of each affected grant;

(f) taking one of the following actions within thirty (30) days of receiving notice

under subparagraph (d)(2) with respect to any employee who is so convicted:

(1) taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and

including termination consistent with the requirements of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.); or

(2) requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse

assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a

federal, state, or local health, law or other appropriate agency; and

(g) making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through

implementation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f).

(B) The applicant shall either identify the site(s) for the performance of work done in

connection with the project in the application material or shall keep this information

on file in its office so that it is available for federal inspection. The street address, city,

county, state, and zip code should be provided whenever possible.

DRUG-FREE

WORKPLACE

ACT OF

1988
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.15

The authorizing official certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that:

(a) no federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the

authorizing official, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer

or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of

Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding

of a federal contract, the making of a federal grant, the making of a federal loan, the

entering into of a cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal,

amendment, or modification of a federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative

agreement.

(b) if any funds other than appropriated federal funds have been paid or will be paid to

any person (other than a regularly employed officer or employee of the applicant) for

influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a

Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a

Member of Congress in connection with this federal contract, grant, loan or

cooperative agreement, the authorizing official shall request, complete, and submit

Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,” in accordance with its

instructions.

(c) the authorizing official shall require that the language of this certification be included

in the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts,

subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that

all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that it will comply

with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders,

regulations, and policies governing the program.

II. CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF SOME APPLICANTS

The following certifications are required if applicable to the project for which an

application is being submitted. Applicants should be aware that additional federal

certifications, not listed below, might apply to a particular project.

Applicants who plan to use awards to fund subgrants, contracts and subcontracts

should be aware that they must receive the following certifications from applicants to

grant programs and those who bid on contracts:

(1) certification of compliance with the nondiscrimination statutes from institutional

applicants and contractors, and

(2) certification regarding debarment and suspension from applicants to grant programs

(regardless of the amount requested) and from potential contractors and subcontractors

who will receive $100,000 or more in grant funds. Applicants are also required to

include without modification the following wording in solicitations for all grant

proposals and for contracts that are expected to equal or exceed $100,000:

(a) The prospective lower tier participant certifies, by submission of this proposal,

that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for

debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this

transaction by any federal department or agency.

(b) Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to certify to any of the

statements in this certification, such prospective participant shall attach an

explanation to this proposal.

CERTIFICATION

REGARDING

LOBBYING

ACTIVITIES

(APPLIES

T O

APPLICANTS

REQUESTING

FUNDS IN

EXCESS OF

$100,000)

GENERAL

CERTIFICATION

SUBAGREEMENTS
 6.16 Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

comply with the provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and

Repatriation Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.), which applies to any

organization that controls or possesses Native American human remains and

associated funerary objects, and which receives federal funding, even for a purpose

unrelated to the Act.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National

Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. § 470f), Executive Order

(E.O.) 11593, and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16

U.S.C. § 469 et seq.).

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will

comply with environmental standards, including the following:

(a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.) and

Executive Order (E.O.) 11514;

(b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 11738;

(c) protection of wetlands pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 11990, as amended by

Executive Order (E.O.) 12608;

(d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with Executive Order (E.O.)

11988, as amended.

(e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program

developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C.

§ 1451 et seq.); and

(f) conformity of Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under

section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.);

(g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water

Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.); and

(h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as

amended (16 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1543).

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will

comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 168, as amended (16 U.S.C. §1271 et

seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild

and scenic rivers system.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will

comply with the flood insurance requirements of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of

1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq.), which requires recipients in a special

flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the

total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more.

NATIVE

AMERICAN

HUMAN

REMAINS

AND

ASSOCIATED

FUNERARY

OBJECTS

HISTORIC

PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTIONS
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Application Form 6.17

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will

comply with 45 C.F.R. Part 46 regarding the protection of human subjects involved

in research, development and related activities supported by this award of assistance.

The authorizing official, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will

comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. §

2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded

animals held for research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of

assistance.

For further information on these certifications, contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW, Room 802, Washington, DC 20506

RESEARCH

ON HUMAN

AND

ANIMAL

SUBJECTS
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines and Application Form 7.1

You Can Become a GOS Reviewer

WHY SHOULD I REVIEW?

One of the best ways to become involved in the General Operating Support (GOS) process is to

review applications submitted by museums to the GOS program. Since this is a peer review process

you will be evaluating applications in your discipline and budget size. Reviewers have told us they

find reviewing GOS applications to be beneficial in several ways. Some of these benefits include:

■ Increased knowledge of the museum field

■ Greater understanding of what makes applications successful

■ Provide a service to the museum community

HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED AND WHEN WOULD I DO IT?

The review period for GOS in FY2001 is tentatively scheduled to be during the month of

April. You will be notified in mid-March if you have been selected to review. You will

receive 7 or 8 applications to evaluate within a 4 week period. Reviewers tell us that it takes

approximately 5-6 hours to thoroughly complete a review of one application, so we anticipate

you will need 40 hours to complete the reviews.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REVIEW?

Any museum professional who has at least five years of professional museum experience

and is currently working in a museum is eligible. Our reviewer pool consists of museum

professionals at all levels of museum work including: curators, development staff, registrars,

assistant directors, directors, educators, and administrators among others.

HOW DO I SIGN UP TO REVIEW GOS FOR FY 2001?

Fill out the two next pages; this is the IMLS reviewer application form. Mail or fax the

completed form and a copy of your resume to:

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Attn: GOS Reviewers

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 609

Washington, DC 20506

Fax: 202/606-0010

WHAT IF I KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE IN MY MUSEUM WHO

WOULD BE GOOD REVIEWERS?

Please feel free to copy the form in this booklet and pass it on to a colleague you think

might make a good reviewer.

WHAT I F I HAV E A QU ES T ION?

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Ann Schmitt, Program Officer,

at 202/606-4645; e-mail bschmitt@imls.gov or Dan Lukash, Program Officer,

e-mail dlukash@imls.gov, or telephone at 202/606-4644 .
 7.2 Guidelines and Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines and Application Form 7.3

Institute of Museum and Library Services

General Operating Support Reviewer Application

** TH IS APPL ICAT ION CON F IRMS MY AVA ILAB IL I TY TO R EV I EW GOS GRAN T

PROPOSALS IN APRIL, 2001.

Name: Title:

Museum:

Social Security Number:

Mailing Address: Shipping Address:

Work Phone Home Phone

Fax Number:

Approximate Operating Budget For Your:

 Current Museum Previous Museum (if known)

Highest Academic Degree (Please Circle)

 01 HS 02 AA 03 BA/BS 04 MA/MS 05 PhD 06 Other

Major Field of Study:

Disciplines in which you have the most professional museum experience in the last 5 years

1st Choice ■■ 2nd Choice ■■ 3rd Choice ■■

01. Aquarium 05. General 10. Planetarium

02. Arboretum/Botanical 06. Historic House/Site 11. Science & Technology

 Garden 07. History 12. Zoo

03. Art 08. Natural History/Anthro. 13. Specialized type

04. Childrens/Youth 09. Nature Center

Years of professional experience working in a museum:

Is this your first application to become a GOS reviewer? ■ yes ■ no

(over)
 7.4 Guidelines and Application Form 2001 IMLS General Operating Support

We are always looking for museum professionals to share their expertise at professional conferences, workshops,

and on various panels. Please complete this section by checking the box(es) which identifies the area(s) of museum

operations with which you are most experienced.

Programmatic Expertise (check all that apply)

01. ■ Administration 04. ■ Education 07. ■ Finance 10. ■ Registration

02. ■ Collections Care 05. ■ Exhibition 08. ■ Fundraising 11. ■ Public Relations

03. ■ Curation 06. ■ Facilities 09. ■ Public Relations 12. ■ Other

Remember to include a copy of your current resume and mail it with this form to:

IMLS GOS Reviewer

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Room 609

Washington, DC 20506

Remember, completion of this form automatically makes you available to review GOS applications in

April, 2001. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Ann Schmitt, Program Officer, at

202/606-4645; e-mail bschmitt@imls.gov, or Dan Lukash, Program Officer, e-mail dlukash@imls.gov or telephone

at 202/606-4644.
2001 IMLS General Operating Support Guidelines and Application Form 7.5

GOS Scoring Definitions

1 Applicant’s response demonstrates unsatisfactory performance when measured against

generally accepted professional practices in this area of services/operations.

2 Applicant’s response demonstrates some effort to meet generally accepted professional

practices in this area of services/operations, but indicates a need for considerable

improvement.

3 Applicant’s response demonstrates a considerable effort to meet generally accepted

professional practices in this area of services/operations, but indicates the need for

some improvement.

4 Applicant’s response demonstrates that its services/operations in this area meet

generally accepted professional practices, but does not indicate any additional merit.

5 Applicant’s response demonstrates that its services/operations in this area meet

generally accepted professional practices, and indicates some additional merit.

6 Applicant’s response demonstrates that its services/operations in this area meet

generally accepted professional practices and indicates considerable additional merit.

7 Applicant’s response demonstrates leadership in this area of services/operations when

measured against generally accepted professional practices.
G O S A P P L I C A T I O N T I P S

To improve your application...

ß Don’t forget to look over any GOS review sheets you may have received from IMLS in prior

years. Try to address weaknesses pointed out by your reviewers.

ß Begin the application process by filling out the financial statement forms in case you need extra

time to consult your accountant or compile requested financial data.

ß Finish your application a few days ahead of the postmark deadline. This will give you timeto do

a final proofreading and make any necessary changes before you ship it to IMLS.

ß If the preparation of your application is a group effort, be certain that each person has a complete

set of instructions and that one individual is designated to assemble all of the information and

check for completeness and consistency.

ß When you finish writing the narrative and completing the financial statement forms, ask a few

people who are very familiar with the museum but have not worked on the application to read

and critique it.

ß Include specific details in your narrative. Use examples to show how your museum stands out

from the crowd. Reviewers can only evaluate from your narrative, no prior knowledge may be

used.

ß Proofread your application carefully. Be sure that your written presentation reflects the high

quality of your institution.

And remember...

ß You should never budget or count on receiving a GOS grant, no matter how many times you

may have received one in the past.

ß Each year is a separate competition. IMLS will not retrieve information from a prior application

that you may have forgotten to include; it is up to you to make sure that your submission is

complete.

ß Be sure that figures on Financial Forms A, B, and C correspond to figures in your audited

financial statements and in your narrative responses.

How you can get help from IMLS...

ß Request a sample GOS application narrative from the IMLS Office of Museum Services. Sections

from applications funded last year, representing various disciplines and budget categories, are

available. Sample GOS Application narratives are also available at http://www.imls.gov, the

IMLS web site.

ß Contact the IMLS Office of Museum Services at 202/606-8539 immediately if you have any

questions about the application forms or procedures. Most problems can be resolved over the

telephone.