Humanities Montana's Community Project Grant is designed to support innovative projects that explore humanities ideas and content, fostering thoughtful consideration of multiple perspectives. This aligns with Humanities Montana's mission to strengthen communities through storytelling, conversations, learning, and reflection on shared human experience. The foundation's strategic priority is to deepen public understanding of significant humanities questions and engage the general public in learning through appealing and accessible formats.
The target beneficiaries of this grant are eligible nonprofit organizations and public institutions across Montana, including private nonprofit organizations, accredited institutions of higher education, and state, local, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments and agencies. Individuals are eligible for research fellowships only. The impact goal is to strengthen community by supporting programs and projects that build sound humanities scholarship and involve humanities scholars in all aspects of the project.
The program prioritizes projects that focus on clearly defined humanities themes, appeal to a broad Montana audience, and approach subjects analytically, presenting a variety of perspectives. Projects must include public programming such as discussions, lectures, or presentations, and collaborate with local community organizations to deliver these programs. A 1:1 cost-share of in-kind or other cash income is also required.
Expected outcomes include increased public engagement with humanities content, a deeper understanding of significant humanities questions among the general public, and stronger community ties through shared learning experiences. Measurable results could include the number of public programs delivered, audience attendance, and the diversity of perspectives presented. The grant also emphasizes the importance of demonstrating support and involvement from communities and cultures represented in project content, particularly for projects involving Native American communities.
In light of recent events involving deep cuts to the NEH and the termination of general operating support grants to all state humanities councils, Humanities Montana is currently unable to offer programs and grants. However, when active, the Community Project Grant provides funding between $2,000 and $10,000. For more information, interested parties are directed to visit Humanities Montana.
