Dickinson Sponsorships

The New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission is charged with broadening and promoting the public’s knowledge of the French and Indian War and its importance in the state’s history. The legislation establishing the above Commission designated specific “signature” events for Commission support.

New York State is host to numerous venues (historic sites, parks, etc.) controlled by various levels of federal, state and municipal governments, not-for-profit entities, and private owners. Many of these sites conduct French and Indian War programming each year but do not have “signature” event stature, nor do they receive any outside financial support.

The Dickinson Sponsorships

David Dickinson (1947-2004) was born in Ogdensburg, New York. He was at various times a teacher, NY State Labor Department Rural Labor Services Representative, Niagara County Historian, history buff, and historical reenactor (French Artillery) of the French and Indian War time period. He worked to preserve history at Old Fort Niagara (for which he was awarded Germany's highest civilian award} as well as working to rebuild Fort La Presentation at Ogdensburg. Over the years, Mr. Dickinson wrote many articles, produced two video tapes about aspects of history, and presented many programs to area historical societies, community organizations and students. David was instrumental in the formation of the New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission, but his untimely death prevented him from seeing and participating in those commemorative events. These sponsorships are established in his memory, to carry on his work.

The Commission will provide up to $35,000 in sponsorship dollars (Dickinson Sponsorships) from its SFY 2008-2009 budget. These sponsorships are for “non-signature” events and programs to be undertaken in calendar years 2008-2009 that promote the public’s interest in the French & Indian War in New York State.
 

ELIGIBILITY:

Federal, State and local governmental agencies, historic sites, and historians; Tribal governments; schools (both public and private); colleges and universities; chartered historical institutions; and not-for-profit entities situated in New York State may receive funding upon successful application.

REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must:

• Establish the significance of their proposal as it relates to the French and Indian War;
• Identify the relationship of their program to the State’s 250th anniversary commemoration of the French and Indian War;
• Identify anticipated programming and funding commitments in support of their proposed event, activity, product, or service as the basis for determining the local matching commitment;
• Describe how public attendance at and enjoyment of the proposed program would be made possible or enhanced by Commission funding;
• Describe their efforts to support the State’s 250th anniversary commemoration of the French and Indian War;
• In the case of educational events, services or programs demonstrate their educational value to teachers, school children and/or the general public;
• In the case of such educational efforts demonstrate how that effort will be ongoing, such as in the use of locally-produced curricula, teaching packets, historical markers, exhibits and the like.
• Attach a copy of a resolution in support of the application from the Applicant’s governing body

PRIORITIES:

Priority will be given to events/programs that have a direct relation to the French and Indian War:

• Produce an enduring product or service;
• Target participation by children;
• Propose historic site educational programs.
• Connect or are located on one of America’s Nationally designated Byways (Lakes to Locks Passage, Great Lakes Seaway Trail, or Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway; these may be viewed at www.byways.org)
• Link historic venues to the proposed French & Indian War Heritage Trail.
   

ADMINISTRATION:

Sponsorships of up to $4,000 will be available to successful applicants on a non-discriminatory basis. During State Fiscal Year 2007-8, eleven (11) Dickinson Sponsorships were awarded, ranging between $3000 and $4000.00.

Recipients of Dickinson Sponsorships must acknowledge Commission support on all publications, media releases, promotional and souvenir materials associated with the event/program.

A final invoice shall include a record of actual expenditures of funds, a report on the activity and attendance at it, advertising and publicity regarding it, and problems that may have hindered its success, such as inclement weather. In the case of products or services, the report will include sample items, information about promotional activities and distribution and related information.
Sponsorship awards shall be the sole prerogative of the Commission in accord with standards and requirements set by the NYS Department of Economic Development and any other relevant authorities.


Sponsorships MAY SUPPORT:

• Educational events, services or programs targeted at school children and the public*
• Projects that yield a new service or product for the public, such as creation of local history-based databases, online accessibility to local historical documents and photographs, maps, cultural resource attributes or layers to a GIS, acquisition of datasets, etc.;
• Creation of research tools for use by the public and other historians;
• Local curriculum development based on community history in local schools;
• Production of books, pamphlets, driving tours and other materials particular to the proposed project;
• Inventory of historical resources, including existing structures or archaeological sites;
• Development and implementation of exhibits, historical markers and other interpretive programs regarding the community’s history

*General re-enactment support is not the primary focus of Dickinson Grants. Specific support for non-recurring re-enactments promoting interest in the F&I era may be considered on a case by case basis. It is recommended that any request for support of reenactment activity should be linked to specific program elements benefiting the public’s understanding of the French & Indian War.

Sponsorships SHALL NOT SUPPORT:

• Existing operating costs, including ongoing office expenses and purchase of desktop supplies
• salaries and benefits of existing staff
• purchase of office furniture
• construction, acquisition or renovation of or major modifications to structures
• purchase of publications not specifically referenced in the sponsorship application
• membership dues
• routine travel
• acquisition of documents or artifacts
   

Related documents:

Application materials - PDF Format
Application materials - MS Word Format
 

Pre-application Workshops
To assist potential applicants in the development of a Dickinson Sponsorship application, workshops will be conducted during the following reenactments:

July 19 La Presentation, Ogdensburg, New York
August 9 Crown Point, Crown Point, New York
August 23 Fort Ontario, Oswego, New York
Sept. 20 Rogers Island, Ft. Edward , New York

All meetings will begin at 12pm, and are expected to take about one hour. Interested parties should consult the Commission’s website http://fiw250.iloveny.com for more detail.