Following a recent decision that the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will share resources with the Cincinnati Museum Center to achieve greater sustainability, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has announced it will help with a $1.8 million grant.

The foundation is providing the funds as part of its America Healing Program. About $1.4 million of the three-year grant has been earmarked for programs that aim to raise awareness about the rich history and cultural significance of racial oppression. The remaining $400,000 will help the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center match funding from the Humanities Challenge Grant from 2009 for the Freedom Center's National Endowment.

"Storytelling is essential to healing the wounds of the past," said Gail C. Christopher, vice president of program strategy with the Kellogg Foundation. "The ... Freedom Center plays a significant role of promoting community-based healing."

Once the two organizations merge human resources and finance departments, the Freedom Center expects to reduce its $8 million debt sooner by cutting back on payroll costs, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Similar organizations that are struggling with financial demands might find nonprofit financial management beneficial. Programs such as these can help them track expenditures and measure the success of fundraising efforts.