GODDARD – The Humanities Kansas non-profit has awarded the Goddard Public Library a Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) grant in the amount of $7,475.
Humanities Kansas awarded 121 SHARP grants to 89 communities throughout the state of Kansas. The funds were made available to help organizations providing humanities programming with hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds from the SHARP grant can be used for general operating support, staff retention, and necessary technology upgrades.
“It is just nice to have some extra funds to help with this year’s budget,” said Goddard Public Library Director April Hernandez. “We will be getting a laptop computer for patron use and paying for some of our Zoom subscription. The rest of the funds will go toward staffing and facilities management.
“Having some breathing room at the end of the fiscal year is always helpful. It is also great to have the support of Kansas based organizations such as Humanities Kansas, helping libraries and other cultural organizations across the state get back to regular operations.”
Funds for the grants were made available through the National Endowment for the Humanities in an effort to assist cultural institutions affected by COVID-19 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Humanities Kansas is honored to be able to support Kansas cultural organizations as we recover from the impact of COVID,” said Humanities Kansas executive director, Julie Mulvihill. “The past year has demonstrated that Kansans lean into the humanities during challenging times. Kansas cultural organizations that do work in the humanities provide important social connections and contribute to the economic well-being and strength of our communities.”
