Archival Project Contractor - Ruth Mott Foundation (8/7/26)

Posted on 7/27/26

The Ruth Mott Foundation is accepting proposals from individuals for an archival project contract position. 

This contract position is for processing and rehousing archival materials. Hours are flexible and will average 16-24 hours per week depending on project needs and contractor availability. Up to 450 hours are budgeted for this project through December 2026.

Contractor should have experience with proper handling and storage of archival materials, preparing finding aids, working knowledge of archival principles and best practices, and the ability to work independently and manage time efficiently. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to produce clear and accurate documentation. Experience working with photographic and audiovisual materials, including photographs, slides, and VHS tapes, is preferred.

Given the nature of the work and materials, this work will take place on site at Applewood during our office hours (8:30-5:00, M-F).

Contractor will be paid on a per-hour basis at the rate of $25 per hour. As a contractual position, no benefits are included, contractors must supply a W-9, contractors are responsible for all taxes, and they must provide their own transportation to and from the work site.

Example tasks include:

• Establishing and documenting the intellectual and physical organization of archival collections in accordance with archival best practices.
• Creating inventories, container lists, descriptive metadata, and finding aids, as appropriate, to support future access, management, and digitization efforts.
• As needed, housing or rehousing archival materials, including photographs, slides, and VHS tapes, using appropriate preservation-quality enclosures.
• Labeling and tracking materials to maintain intellectual control and ensure accurate identification throughout processing.
• Preparing materials for digitization by organizing content, verifying arrangement, and identifying preservation or access priorities.
• Maintaining accurate project documentation and providing regular progress updates to staff.
• Working collaboratively with staff to capture contextual information and institutional knowledge related to the identification, organization, and description of collection materials.
• Documenting provenance, project information, and other contextual details to preserve knowledge that may not exist elsewhere in organizational records.

The Ruth Mott Foundation is a private family foundation located in Flint, Mich. Please visit our website, www.ruthmottfoundation.org, for more information regarding the Foundation, Applewood, and its collections. 

Please send proposals via email to: kbellinger@ruthmott.org

Proposals are to be submitted no later than August 7^th, 2026, 5 p.m.   

All proposals should include details regarding the experience of the contractor and three references for past work. Management reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal(s), request modifications, and select the proposal best suited for the work and the organization. The selected contractor will sign an agreement for contracted services with the Ruth Mott Foundation within 15 days of notice of award and will be required to provide a completed W-9 and proof of automobile insurance. Questions regarding proposals should be submitted in writing to kbellinger@ruthmott.org. Phone calls will not be accepted. All proposals must be submitted via email in PDF format.