Main Street America, through a generous grant from Simons Foundation International administered by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division, is thrilled to announce our new Science Discovery on Main Street grant program.

The Science Discovery on Main Street grant program aims to help Main Street communities uncover and leverage their unique science assets, history, and features towards building local pride and creating engaging local attractions and activities.

Through the Science Discovery on Main Street grant program, communities will receive professional support to explore science engagement activities as Promotions. By connecting the Main Street Approach and science engagement, this program will help your community take steps towards inspiring curiosity, joy, and pride in what makes your community unique and towards attracting visitors through science-inspired events and activities. 

Eligibility

Applicant must:

• Be a designated Main Street America Community member (Designated Accredited or Affiliates) in good standing 
• Be located in a rural area, population of 50,000 or less 
• Be committed to creating science engagement opportunities for residents through their Main Street organization and/or by leveraging partnerships
• Have an annual organizational operating budget of less than $1 million

Evaluation Criteria

Community Need 

• Demonstrate strong need for funding, based on organization budget and community demographics

Commitment to Exploring Science & Science Engagement for your Main Street 

• Commitment to prioritizing focus on residents and science education in addition to attracting tourists

Sustainability & Feasibility 

• Commitment to science activities beyond the initial grant
• Organization is ready and has a committed person or person(s) ready to participate 
• Staff / coordinator commitment / organizational commitment 

Partners, Engagement, Resources 

• Open to working with partners (existing or, if needed, additional provided partners) 
• Open to working with science institutions, scientists, and/or science engagement experts 

For more, visit www.mainstreet.org/ScienceDiscovery and see the program's Terms & Conditions.

*For Main Street America staff use only

MSA Staff - please submit your conference event proposals here! We encourage you to meet with your team to coordinate and prioritize your ideas before filling out this form. 

The Conference Team will assess feasibility of submissions and, in certain cases, make recommendations about time or venue changes.

When we say "events" we are referring to things like:

• The Big City Reception
• LGBTQ+ Mixer
• Civic Leaders Lunch
• Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Happy Hour
• El Cafecito
• …..and etc.

Deadlines

• October 11, 2024: Draft of Event Ideas/Descriptions Submitted (does not have to be finalized, must submit concrete ideas so that we can review and provide feedback).​
• January 6, 2025: Submit Finalized Event Descriptions/Speakers/Logistics/Details.

T-Mobile Hometown Grants is a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow. Hometown Grants are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns. Apply for funding to support a community project of your choice, like revitalizing or repurposing a historic structure, creating a downtown asset or destination, or improving a space where friends and neighbors gather. Projects that add to a sense of place or could lead to further investment are of particular interest. We look forward to learning more about your town and your project.

About the Award
Since its founding, the Main Street program’s success has depended upon the vision and determination of leaders committed to community. To celebrate these directors and recognize the outstanding leadership of the Main Street program’s own founder, Main Street America introduced the Mary Means Leadership Award in 2019.
Annually at the Main Street Now conference, the award is a celebration of an outstanding leader(s) per year and highlights the critical role that leadership plays in shaping the Main Street movement.
The Mary Means Leadership Award nomination process will be an open call to any and all leaders at local Main Street organizations and Coordinating Programs.
This campaign aims to:
· Showcase the importance of leadership to the Main Street movement.
· Provide recognition to and celebrate a diverse group of innovative Main Street leaders from across the country.
· Amplify local and/or state achievement at the national level.
Criteria
Nominee must be currently employed by or volunteer (including Board Members) with a local Main Street America or Coordinating Program. Applicants must have an active Main Street America membership.
Open nomination process - individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
The nominations must demonstrate how the individual:
o Builds local capacity
o Leads through strategy

o Centers equity in work
o Brings together diverse stakeholders through shared vision
o Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning
o Advances community preservation ethic in their work
o Exhibits innovation and ingenuity

Supplemental Material: Letters of Support from local stakeholders, including Board, local officials, district business/property owners, residents, etc.)