Announcements
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
Grant Workshop
9:00 A.M. to 3:30 PM
January 21, 2027
The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
1200 Route 25A
Stony Brook, NY 11790
https://www.longislandmuseum.org
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is offering a comprehensive grant workshop at
The Long Island Museum of American Art History and Carriages, Stony Brook, N.Y.
This workshop is to inform the Long Island and metropolitan area historic 501 (c) (3) organizations cultural organizations and museums on specific funding support that is currently available.
Service organizations are not eligible to attend.
Presenters to be announced.
“The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation views this introduction to funding opportunities as an active effort to assist our historic and other educational and cultural organizations to achieve sustainability. Each of the workshop presenters is supported by RDLGF to aide our region’s historic outreach and growth.
The attending organizations must have a historic mission and support the study, stewardship and promotion of educational aspects relating to Long Island and New York’s role in American history, scholarships and historic preservation. Approval for participation is required.
The purpose of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is to educate, cultivate and encourage the study and understanding of Long Island and New York’s role in the American experience.
- This event is free.
- Limit of two attendees from each organization.
- Light breakfast and lunch will be served.
- Mandatory RSVP no later than January 8, 2027 to gardiner@rdlgfoundation.org
You will be contacted with approval notice.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation was established by Robert David Lion Gardiner in 1987. He was, until his death in 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island. The Island was secured as part of a royal grant from King Charles 1 of England in 1639. The Gardiner family has owned Gardiners Island for 387 years. The Island remains private and is owned and maintained by Gardiner family descendants to this day.
The Gardiner Young Scholars Program 2026
This opportunity is available to Long Island historical societies.
It requires the completion of 100 hours of service to a historic society accompanied by a stipend of $1,700.00 to be paid to the Scholar.
Gardiner Youth Scholar candidates are selected at the discretion of the individual historical society which oversees their hours and activities.
Candidates must be between the ages of 15 to 22.
To apply for this RDLGF award organizations must submit a hard copy letter of request along with:
- An IRS determination letter establishing them as a 501c3 (3 year minimum);
- A copy of their mission statement;
At the completion of the GYS term the historical society is required to submit a short video presentation created by the scholar on their experience, along with a time sheet showing the hours worked by the scholar, a letter from the historical society describing the work performed by the scholar and a copy of the cancelled check paying the scholar.
Hard copy requests must be received by July 31, 2026.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street
Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: The Gardiner Young Scholars Program
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
250th Commemoration Grant for 2026
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has designated $250,000.00 toward funding for educational events commemorating the Semiquincentennial. This offering is open to Nassau and Suffolk County 501 (c) (3) historical societies and history museums. The maximum award of $5,000.00 is limited to one per organization. An application for less than the $5,000.00 is welcome. This award is restricted to one per site. Organizations applying for multiple awards will not be reviewed.
Early submissions for consideration are suggested as there is a cap on the funding to be distributed.
Applications open January 1, 2026 and will be available until the funding has been depleted. Notice of acceptance or denial will be sent upon review.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner is to be acknowledged by physical signage and media outreach (news, social media, etc.) as funders for the event.
Application process: A hard copy letter sent to:
Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: RDLGF 250th
Page One: A brief cover letter from the historical society, which includes: The Mission Statement, a brief history of the organization and the 2026 institutional budget (copy of budget required).
Page Two:
- A brief narrative
- Event description
- Historic educational focus
- Timeline and deliverables for the project
- Marketing strategy for promotion
- Budget to include itemized contracted vender fees and all expenses of the project (written estimates for all line items to be submitted with budget)
Upon approval of the funding request, a date will be assigned for a Final Report.
The Final Report requires a letter from the awardee with an accounting, including documentation of expenses (cancelled checks) and outcome (attendance, media coverage).
The Final Report is to be set to:
Terry Tirado, Executive Assistant
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: RDLGF 250th