The value of historyHi Claudia, An interesting question indeed. I have read other list members replies, all of which seem good advice, so a further way you could approach this: undertake a gap analysis. So: 1. Rather than starting with "what can we offer?", start with "what does the community need?". 2. Then look at how that need is met - not only by yourself but others. 3. Then work out the gap between their needs and what is being provided. 4. Then look at how your museum could help address that gap (this could be "more of the same" or "something completely different"). 5. Then finally consider how your potential funder might help you to do those things. 6. Result: a cohesive and logical plan which shows careful research, a gap in needs and the role your museum could play in filling that gap with the support of the funder. I hope that's helpful. Kind Regards, Jerry Symonds - Senior Internal Auditor Historic Royal Palaces Surrey, England ----- Original Message ----- From: Claudia J. Nicholson To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 4:18 PM Subject: [MUSEUM-L] The value of history Hello all: I'm appealing to the collective wisdom of the list. I'm working on grant applications and the issue always comes up about the value of the work we are doing. The history geek in me says that there is a generally understood value in studying and preserving the past. This is not generally good enough for foundations. They are looking for the value to the community of the work that we do. I have some ideas about this, but nothing very elegant. So, I'm coming to you, knowing that some of you have already done this work for me (I'm not above borrowing from the best). Thanks. Claudia -- Claudia J. Nicholson Executive Director North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting 2640 E. Seventh Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55109 651-748-2880 [log in to unmask] Celebrate the Boy Scout Centennial in 2010 and the Girl Scout Centennial in 2012 with us! www.NorthStarMuseum.org ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.2/1523 - Release Date: 6/28/2008 7:00 AM ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).