Vermont Humanities Project Grants

The Vermont Humanities Project Grants program provides funding of up to $5,000 to support community and curriculum development initiatives across the state. Managed by Vermont Humanities, a statewide nonprofit affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress Center for the Book, the program is designed to strengthen civic engagement and enrich public understanding through humanities-based programming. The organization prioritizes inclusivity, accessibility, and service to under-resourced or rural communities, aiming to foster just, vibrant, and resilient communities. The grants support both new and existing projects that facilitate humanities discourse through community engagement, curriculum creation, or experiences tailored for specific affinity groups. Applications are encouraged from organizations aiming to broaden public access to the humanities or encourage cross-group interaction. Vermont Humanities does not use federal funds for Project Grants, and therefore administers the program independently. Projects must be designed with accessibility in mind and are expected to adhere to ADA standards. Proposals should reflect clear goals, evaluation metrics, and strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Project Grants are reviewed three times annually, with upcoming 2026 deadlines on February 18 (Winter/Spring), May 20 (Summer), and September 9 (Fall). Applicants are notified of funding decisions within approximately six weeks of each deadline. All awarded projects must be completed within approximately one year of their respective application deadlines. Applications are submitted online through the Submittable platform. While Vermont Humanities does not offer one-on-one applicant consultations due to staffing limitations, it hosts several Zoom Q&A sessions to support potential applicants. To apply, organizations must complete an online application that includes a project summary, requested funding amount, service counties, start and end dates, participation costs (if applicable), and a detailed budget. Narrative responses must address project goals, measurement of outcomes, alignment with humanities values, accessibility plans, target audiences, and success metrics. Projects are reviewed by staff for eligibility and evaluated by a committee comprising board and community members using published criteria. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, and state- or federally recognized tribes. Applicants must not have an open Project Grant at the time of applying, and prior grants must be fully closed with all required reporting submitted. In celebration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026, Vermont Humanities encourages projects that explore complex aspects of American history under its “America 250” initiative. Limited dedicated funding is available for such proposals.

Ensure ADA compliance, include clear evaluation metrics, and demonstrate DEI values to meet review criteria.