Founders Fund

The ISHA Founders Fund was established by a select group of individuals who cared deeply for the legacy of sport on the world stage in order to support long-term initiatives in sports heritage. The Founders Fund now supports annual grant initiatives to assist conference attendance and to aid in the implementation of special projects by ISHA member organizations. In order to meet the long-term obligations of this Fund, a Founders Fund Committee works to raise money through an annual gift program, as well as a silent auction and reverse raffle held at the annual conference. All revenue raised through these avenues directly impacts ISHA’s ability to support worthy projects that promote sports heritage and fund other initiatives important to all of our member institutions and the entire sports heritage industry. To support this important fund or for more information, please contact Shane Mailman by email at [email protected]. Donations can be made directly through the website by accessing our Founders Fund Donation Form.

Grants

ISHA supports its members by offering grants in two different categories each year. Established by the Board of Directors and supported by the ISHA Founders Fund, the Special Projects Grant and the Conference Grant are open to applications from ISHA regular (not-for-profit) member institutions. Applications are posted to this page when available.

Special Projects Grant

The Special Projects Grant provides financial assistance up to $2,000 that supports museum activities intended to address one of the following priorities within an ISHA member institution:

    • Increase collection capacity
    • Increase public access
    • Improve documentation
    • Increase awareness
    • Improve preservation
    • Increase interpretation
Special Projects Grant Eligibility
    • The grant is open to all regular (not-for-profit) institutional members of ISHA.
    • Preference will be given to those in the most financial need.
    • This grant is envisioned to support projects between $500 and $2,000. However, projects with larger budgets where the ISHA grant of $2,000 would provide significant support will be considered.
    • Necessary equipment is an eligible expense. Funds may not be used for deficits/debt retirement, purchase of artifacts or ongoing operations.
    • Applicants may receive a maximum of one (1) Special Project Grant within a five (5) year period.
    • A grant will be awarded only once for any specific topic within an organization.

Click Special_Project_Grant_Application_2024 for 2024 application and more information.

The deadline for 2024 applications is October 31st, 2024. 

Conference Grant

The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) offers an Annual Conference Grant program, supported through its Founders Fund, to provide financial assistance to member institutions to attend the annual ISHA conference.

For 2024, ISHA will potentially award four grants of up to $1,000 each to assist representatives from a regular member institution(s) to attend the ISHA Conference in Boston, MA. Additionally, two (2) $2,000 international travel grant for members living outside Canada and the United States are available.

Conference Grant Eligibility
    • The grant is open to paid employees working in an ISHA Member organization in a full or part-time capacity.
    • It is also open to volunteers of an ISHA Member organization who contribute their time and service on a consistent basis to said organization.
    • Either the applicant or the sponsoring organization must have a valid ISHA membership.
    • Applicants may receive a maximum of one (1) ISHA Annual Conference Grant within a five-(5) year period.
    • Applicants living outside the host country will need a passport.
Deadlines
  • The deadline for applications in 2024 is Monday, August 12th.
  • The monies will be released upon submission of original receipts as proof of attendance and a final report within 30 days of the conference. The report should include a 250-word summary for publication in the ISHA Newsletter and on the ISHA web site.
Application Form

Conference-Grant-Application-2024-fillable