the ginny fund

Ginny Sheldon

We lost one of the most dedicated people in our community when Ginny Sheldon passed away in 2024.

Ginny was a volunteer extraordinaire with decades of thoughtful and effective service to the community and in particular to the Friends of the Milne Library. She was one of the founders of Chapter Two Books and the manager of the book donation and distribution center at the library. There wasn't a single part of our organization that she didn't touch. We truly mourn her loss and we will for a long time.

In the year since we lost our dear friend Ginny, the Board has been thinking of ways to honor her. The Friends board voted to match the generous outpouring of memorial gifts from friends near and far, giving us a fund of $15,000. The Ginny Fund, as it has been named, will be dispersed in the form of grants to individuals and organizations to support programs and services that benefit the Northern Berkshire community in the areas of literacy, civic mindedness, and access to mental health resources.

Application for a grant from the Ginny Fund

The Friends of the Milne advocates for our library's needs, promotes literacy and library engagement in our community, and is committed to the belief that a safe, welcoming, and inclusive library best serves the needs of our community.

The Ginny Fund was established to honor Ginny Sheldon, whose love of and support for the Library extended over 30 years. A total of $15,000 in memorial gifts, including a matching gift from the Friends of the Milne Library, is available to be awarded in a one-time grant cycle to individuals or organizations offering services that benefit the Northern Berkshire community and support the goals of the Library as outlined below. Our goal is to align with the Library’s stated commitment to social justice, inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Criteria for Funding

Grants will be awarded for one-time events or programs or community outreach efforts, or to fill a specific need. Support for annual operating expenses do not qualify.

Proposals must align with one or more of the following areas, which also support the mission of the Milne Library.

Literacy: The ability to read is critical to understanding the world and providing context for societal, cultural, and political events. Well-educated citizens have the resources to discern misinformation, to query sources of information, and to weigh different points of view.
Civic Mindedness: A successful democracy depends on the participation of the public. On the local, state, and national level, we need engaged citizens to debate issues, understand the needs of different constituencies, and come to consensus on policies that benefit the country as a whole.
Support of Mental Health: With awareness of mental health concerns for all ages increasing, efforts to raise awareness and provide education and resources for those in need of help to build a strong community.

Application Timeline

Applications accepted until March 15, 2026
Grants determined by April 15, 2026
Funds disbursed by April 30, 2026

To apply, complete the application (download here) and submit a printed copy, with any other relevant material, to the following address. We may contact you for further information.

The Ginny Fund, c/o Friends of the Milne Public Library

1095 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267

For questions, please contact president@milnelibraryfriends.org.