Grants for Native American tribal organizations - Humanities

The Museums for America (MFA) grant program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), provides funding to support strategic, project-based efforts that help museums of all types and sizes serve their communities. The program’s primary focus is on enhancing museums' abilities to provide public exhibitions, educational programs, professional development, audience engagement, and collections care. Through this funding opportunity, projects must align with the goals of lifelong learning, community engagement, or collections stewardship and access. Applicants are required to demonstrate how their proposed activities will advance their museum’s strategic goals and generate measurable outcomes for their audiences and communities. The total anticipated funding for the Museums for America program in fiscal year 2025 is approximately $21,699,000. IMLS expects to make around 122 awards, with grants ranging between $5,000 and $250,000. The average award size in previous years has been approximately $177,860. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and have a performance period of one to three years. A one-to-one cost share (matching funds) is required for all awards under this program, with the cost share contributed from non-federal sources. Eligible applicants include museums that are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, or units of state or local government located in the United States, its territories, or freely associated states. Museums must operate on a permanent basis for educational, cultural, or aesthetic purposes, exhibit objects to the public regularly, and employ professional staff. Institutions operating as discrete units within parent organizations may apply independently if they meet specific eligibility criteria, including having their own budgets and operational authority. The application requires a project narrative that addresses three core components: project justification, project work plan, and project results. The narrative must explain the need or challenge the project addresses, the specific activities and resources required to implement the project, and the intended outcomes for audiences or collections. Supporting documents, such as resumes of key staff, a performance measurement plan, budget justifications, and optional letters of commitment or partnership, are also required. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 15, 2024. The peer review process evaluates applications based on alignment with MFA program goals, clarity of the work plan, qualifications of project staff, and the likelihood of achieving meaningful and lasting results. IMLS prioritizes projects that incorporate best practices, foster community collaboration, and promote access to collections or programs for underserved audiences. Applicants are encouraged to focus on sustainability, ensuring the benefits of their project will continue beyond the funding period. Award notifications are expected in August 2025, with detailed reviewer feedback provided to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Post-award requirements include submitting interim and final financial and performance reports and adhering to federal regulations on cost principles and award administration. For technical assistance, IMLS program staff are available to answer questions and provide resources to help applicants develop competitive proposals.

The Museums Empowered grant program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), supports projects that utilize professional development and training to create systemic change within museums. This special initiative of the Museums for America program targets four key areas of museum operations: digital technology, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evaluation, and organizational management. Projects must align with one of these goals and demonstrate how professional development activities will advance institutional capacity and address strategic challenges. IMLS expects to award approximately $4,299,000 in total funding for fiscal year 2025, supporting around 20 projects. Awards range from $5,000 to $250,000, with an average award size of $214,950. Applicants must provide at least a one-to-one cost share using non-federal funds, except for research-focused projects where matching funds are not required. The performance period for funded projects may span one to three years, starting no earlier than September 1, 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by November 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Eligible applicants include museums located in the United States or its territories that meet IMLS’s criteria, such as employing professional staff, operating on a permanent basis for educational or cultural purposes, and regularly exhibiting objects to the public for at least 120 days annually. Museums operating within parent organizations, such as universities, must demonstrate operational independence, including a separate budget and decision-making authority. Collaborations and partnerships are encouraged to broaden project impact. The application requires a detailed narrative organized into three sections: project justification, work plan, and project results. Applicants must clearly identify the selected program goal and objective, describe the need or challenge addressed, outline specific activities, provide a timeline, and explain anticipated outcomes, including how the project will result in organizational growth or systemic change. Supporting documents such as a budget justification, performance measurement plan, resumes of key personnel, and letters of commitment from partners are also required. Applications are evaluated through a peer review process based on their alignment with program goals, the feasibility of the work plan, and the likelihood of achieving meaningful and sustainable results. Reviewers assess the clarity of the narrative, the qualifications of project personnel, and the proposed methods for tracking progress and measuring success. Projects are expected to foster long-term institutional improvements, with successful proposals demonstrating the ability to implement innovative and impactful professional development strategies. Awardees are required to comply with federal reporting requirements, including interim and final performance and financial reports submitted through IMLS’s electronic grants management system. Post-award responsibilities also include acknowledging IMLS funding in project materials and participating in assessments to evaluate program impact. IMLS program staff are available to provide technical assistance, and applicants are encouraged to participate in informational webinars to enhance proposal quality.

The Inspire! Grants for Small Museums program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, supports project-based efforts aimed at helping small museums provide museum services to their communities. The program is a special initiative of the Museums for America program, designed specifically for small museums of all disciplines. Projects funded through this program should align with one of the following objectives: supporting lifelong learning through experiential and cross-disciplinary learning experiences, strengthening institutional capacity, or improving collections stewardship and access. Projects must be tied to a key component of the museum’s strategic plan and generate measurable results to address an identified need or challenge. For fiscal year 2025, IMLS anticipates awarding approximately $3,000,000 in funding across 75 grants. The grant program offers two levels of funding: small projects may request between $5,000 and $25,000, with no cost share required, while large projects may request between $25,001 and $75,000, requiring a one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and can span a performance period of one to three years. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants include museums that are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, or units of state or local government located in the United States or its territories. Museums must operate on a permanent basis, have educational or cultural purposes, exhibit objects to the public regularly, and employ professional staff. Museums located within larger parent organizations, such as universities or cultural centers, may apply independently if they operate as discrete units with their own budgets. Partnerships and collaborations with other entities are encouraged to enhance the project’s scope and impact. Applicants are required to submit a complete application, including a project narrative, budget form, budget justification, project schedule, performance measurement plan, strategic plan summary, and organizational profile. The project narrative, limited to five pages, must address three components: project justification, project work plan, and project results. Applicants must clearly identify the primary audience and beneficiaries, outline specific project activities, and explain how outcomes will be sustained after the project concludes. Supporting documents such as resumes, letters of commitment, and conservation reports may also be submitted as applicable. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process based on the project’s alignment with program goals, clarity and feasibility of the work plan, qualifications of key personnel, and potential for meaningful and lasting results. The peer review criteria focus on the project’s justification, work plan, and intended outcomes, including the applicant’s ability to achieve and measure success. For collections-related projects, improvements in care, condition, or access to collections will also be evaluated. Award notifications are expected in August 2025. Successful applicants will be required to submit interim and final performance and financial reports through IMLS’s grants management system. The program encourages applicants to contact IMLS program officers for guidance during the application process and to participate in informational webinars. Further resources, including sample applications, can be accessed on the IMLS website.

The Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Development Grant Program for FY 2024/2025 is a $1.5 million fund managed by the National Park Service, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations that serve Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native populations in preserving and advancing their culture and arts through various forms such as language, visual and performing arts, and history.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations for preserving, digitizing, and improving access to important humanities collections.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public libraries in select rural Oklahoma counties to enhance arts programming and infrastructure in underserved communities.

This program provides funding to organizations that create arts initiatives for military personnel, veterans, and their families, promoting engagement and support through creative activities.

This funding opportunity supports cultural and historical projects that commemorate the 50-year presence of Southeast Asians in Minnesota, aimed at organizations dedicated to preserving and sharing this significant community history.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and educational institutions in Oklahoma for arts and cultural programs that engage the community through festivals, exhibitions, and performances.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support the families of fallen and catastrophically injured law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders by providing assistance with filing applications for federal benefits for line-of-duty deaths and catastrophic injuries. This program also provides survivor peer support, counseling services, and resources to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders nationwide. Additionally, the program recognizes families and fallen officers at memorial events.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research and public engagement projects that explore the intersections of science, philosophy, and spirituality, targeting charitable organizations and individuals worldwide.

The Film + Video grant is a competitive grant program intended to support the development, production, and distribution of documentary films or series that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Donor Name: Humanities Montana State: Montana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Film + Video program supports the development, production, and distribution of documentary films or series that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and incorporate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical; proposals must demonstrate the potential to attract a broad general audience. Humanities Montana’s Film + Video grants offer multiyear support or one-time-only funding for major projects in film and video. Film and television projects may be standalone documentaries or series of programs. Major projects are those requiring multiple stages of research and development, production, and post-production and which generally require a script and a year or more to complete. Projects may also include supplementary components such as discussion programs and public screenings. Humanities Montana-funded projects must: focus on clearly defined humanities theme(s) build on sound humanities scholarship deepen public understanding of significant humanities questions approach a subject analytically, presenting a variety of perspectives involve humanities scholars (academic, professional, or expert) in all aspects of the project employ appealing and accessible formats that will actively engage the general public in learning demonstrate support and involvement of communities and cultures represented in project content and activities or specifically address why they are not involved (e.g., projects that involve Native American communities or cultures must include letters of support from participating scholars, researchers, program participants from that specific community outlining their involvement.) Funding Categories  Stage One: Research and script development award (up to $8,000) enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and other program elements. Awards must result in a script or detailed treatment, which is required to progress to Stage Two funding. Applicants must submit an example of previous work Prior to applying for Stage One, you should have: assessed the major humanities scholarship related to the subject identified humanities themes assembled a group of humanities scholars to serve as advisers, and other experts if applicable consulted with the humanities scholars to identity the project’s interpretive ideas formed a media team to see the project through its development period Stage Two: Production awards (up to $10,000), including principal photography, source material acquisition, and rights clearance, result in a rough cut of film /video or equivalent (required to progress to Stage Three funding). Applicants must submit a completed script or detailed narrative treatment Prior to applying for Stage Two, you should have: completed all required components of Stage One conducted extensive research on your subject, including archival work and preliminary interviews drafted the script or detailed treatment(s) Stage Three: Post-production awards (up to $10,000) support completion of product and public distribution. Applicants must submit a rough cut of the project Prior to applying for Stage Three, you should have: completed all required components of Stage One and Stage Two designed your plans for distribution, outreach, and partnerships. Period of Performance 12 months Eligible Activities Stage One awards may support activities such as: meetings with scholars preliminary interviews preparation of program treatments or scripts production of a work-in-progress or trailer creation of partnerships for outreach activities and public engagement archival and other scholarly research to further development of script and humanities themes Stage Two awards may support activities such as: archival research and rights clearances meetings with scholars additional script development production (including filming, recording, and editing) and distribution Stage Three awards may support activities such as: development of related resources that explore the humanities content and themes central to the project (e.g., websites and curriculum materials) post-production outreach and public engagement. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible to apply, your organization must be established in the United States or its jurisdictions as one of the following organization types: a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code an accredited institution of higher education (public or nonprofit) a state or local government or one of their agencies a federally recognized Native American Tribal government If your organization is eligible, you are encouraged to partner with independent producers and other skilled professionals to carry out programmatic activities. Under this arrangement, the applicant organization submits the application on behalf of the partnership(s). Applicant organizations must not function solely as fiscal agents or fiscal sponsors but must make substantive contributions to the success of the project. If Humanities Montana makes an award, the applicant organization is considered the recipient of record and assumes all programmatic, financial, and legal responsibilities associated with the award, including adherence to, and compliance with, federal regulations and the terms and conditions of the award. In addition, Film + Video Grants must: involve appropriate media professionals appeal to a broad audience demonstrate a plan for statewide, regional, or national audience involvement and of secondary non-broadcast distribution and long-term utilization include a 1:1 cost-share of in-kind or other funds include public programming such as discussions, lectures, screenings include outreach/publicity and evaluation plans where appropriate. For more information, visit  Humanities Montana.

This grant provides funding for projects that use digital platforms to share and enhance public understanding of humanities topics, engaging both scholars and digital media professionals.

This funding opportunity supports cultural organizations in creating public humanities programs that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, focusing on historical significance and community engagement.

This funding opportunity supports educational and training projects for professionals at cultural institutions focused on preserving and providing access to humanities collections, such as archives, rare books, and audiovisual materials.

This grant provides funding to support projects that help communities, especially those disadvantaged, preserve their cultural heritage and resilience in response to climate change and COVID-19 through initiatives like collecting cultural resources and recording oral histories.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance the preservation and accessibility of humanities collections, particularly those addressing challenges like technological obsolescence and climate change impacts.

Florida Humanities’ Community Project Grants are awarded to nonprofit cultural organizations across Florida to support public humanities programming that strengthens vibrant communities and cultures, promotes civic engagement, sparks thoughtful community dialogue, and reflects on the human experience across the Sunshine State. Donor Name: Florida Humanities State: Florida County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Florida Humanities’ Community Project Grants support the development and delivery of humanities-based learning experiences, known as public humanities programming. At their core, these grants embody mission to preserve, promote and share the history, literature, culture and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities and their state. This funding opportunity aims to increase public participation in and access to the humanities by providing relevant, engaging, and meaningful humanities-based programming to all. Programming that fosters connections between different communities or demographic groups, promotes networking and collaboration between institutions and organizations, and links humanities-associated organizations with other community partners and sectors are encouraged. All Community Project Grants MUST Be rooted in the humanities and humanities scholarship Involve humanities scholar(s), community experts, and/or subject area experts in the development and delivery of the proposed project Attract a broad general public audience or target new and/or underserved audiences Be free, or not cost prohibitive for the public to attend Types of Project Community Project Grants Support Florida Humanities encourages innovation and experimentation with new approaches as well as use of time tested formats such as: Media projects including podcasts, film and radio programming Community conversations, forums, and dialogues grounded in the humanities Interpretive exhibits (permanent or traveling, physical or digital) with significant humanities content and accompanying public programming Lectures and presentations grounded in the humanities Reading or film-and-discussion programs; cultural festivals incorporating humanities activities Oral history projects, story-collection and story-sharing programs, and other activities that produce and share knowledge products. Interpretive tours or other types of site- or place-based humanities programming Funding Information Applicants may request up to $10,000 for proposed projects. Grant Period  October 1, 2024 – October 1, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Applications will be accepted from Florida-based nonprofits and public agencies (including libraries, museums, schools, and tribal governments) and other organizations constituted for nonprofit purposes. Individuals, for-profit organizations and foreign governments/organizations are not eligible to apply. Special consideration may be given to: Small to mid-sized organizations with budgets of less than $1 million Applicants located in a Rural Area of Opportunity Higher education departments (i.e. Department of History), humanities centers, institutes, and programs associated with Florida colleges and universities are eligible to apply for Community Project Grants. Colleges and universities may submit up to three applications from their institution per deadline, however, each application must come from a different department. Although eligible to apply for Community Project Grants, colleges and universities are strongly encouraged to partner with and apply through a local nonprofit organization. For more information, visit Florida Humanities.

This funding opportunity supports Connecticut-based nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and recognized tribes in executing humanities projects that enhance public understanding of history, culture, and society, particularly in relation to the 250th anniversary of the United States.

This funding opportunity supports Connecticut-based nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and recognized tribes in planning humanities-focused projects that promote diverse perspectives and community engagement.