Grants for Nonprofits - Humanities

This program provides annual matching funds to state and territorial historic preservation offices to support the preservation and recognition of historic properties across the United States.

The Vibrant City Arts Grants, offered by the City of Tempe, are designed to invigorate Tempe's artistic landscape by supporting inclusive arts and culture programming. This initiative aligns with the city's mission to foster a supportive environment for artists and cultivate community creativity in all its diverse expressions. The program emphasizes accessibility and local engagement, aiming to make arts and culture a central component of Tempe's community identity. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are artist collectives, cultural groups, and arts organizations that provide programming within Tempe. The program targets projects that will occur between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The impact goals are centered on activating Tempe as a hub for artistic expression and community participation, ensuring that a wide array of residents can experience and engage with cultural activities. The grant prioritizes projects that enhance community creativity and artistic opportunities within Tempe. While applicants are not required to be Tempe-based, their projects must take place within the city. Funding can cover various expenses, including artist services, professional fees, stipends, supplies, production costs, space rentals, food, marketing, and printing. Eligible project types include performances, residencies/workshops, and general arts events. The program encourages a broad interpretation of arts programming, seeking to support diverse forms of creative expression. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and active arts scene in Tempe, increased community engagement in cultural activities, and greater support for local artists and arts organizations. Measurable results could include the number of projects funded, the number of participants reached, and the variety of artistic disciplines represented. The maximum funding available is $2,500, with no match required, making the grants accessible to smaller organizations and emerging artists. The duration of the grant is one year, supporting sustained artistic endeavors within the community. The program's strategic priorities are to cultivate a thriving arts ecosystem in Tempe and ensure that arts and culture are accessible to all residents. The underlying theory of change is that by directly funding local arts initiatives, the City of Tempe can stimulate economic activity, enhance quality of life, and strengthen community bonds through shared cultural experiences. This direct investment in arts programming is intended to create a ripple effect, fostering a more creative, engaged, and culturally rich city. There are several restrictions to ensure the grants align with the program's goals. Activities occurring outside Tempe, organizations with budgets exceeding $100,000, entirely virtual programming, permanent infrastructure enhancements, construction, debt reduction, and projects in schools (unless through a specific Arts in Schools Grant) are ineligible. Additionally, projects associated with universities or colleges, religious organizations, fundraising, scholarship programs, and applicants who failed to submit a Final Report from a previously funded grant are not eligible.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), established in 1986, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents in northern Chautauqua. Their focus extends beyond geographic boundaries, aiming to foster a thriving community they proudly call home. Over the years, NCCF has spearheaded numerous projects spanning arts and culture, environment, health and human services, and neighborhood revitalization. NCCF seeks to strategically invest in the community, partnering with nonprofits to address complex issues and seize opportunities for lasting impact. They prioritize proposals that combine passion with thoughtful planning and eagerly await ideas for realizing their vision of a healthy and prosperous community. Their Community Grants Program reviews proposals biannually, in spring and fall. The initial step involves submitting a Letter of Interest, which should include a brief project description aligning with the agency’s mission, anticipated impacts, total project cost, and requested amount. Letters must be two pages or less and submitted electronically by 4:00 p.m. on March 1st or September 1st for consideration. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, though meeting program priorities and guidelines doesn't guarantee an invitation. In evaluating applications, NCCF prioritizes projects' potential community benefits, organizational capacity, meaningful collaborations, and ability to leverage additional funds or resources. Grant proposals must address identified community needs, benefit the northern Chautauqua area, and be submitted by 501(c)3 organizations or appropriate nonprofits. Historically, grants have ranged from $500 to $15,000, with competitive grants typically averaging $1,500 to $3,000. Multi-year funding may be considered based on program outcomes, but organizations can only have one open grant at a time. Expenses like overhead, fundraising campaigns, and unrelated salaries/stipends are generally not funded. Funding for religious organizations is contingent on community benefit and non-proselytization. NCCF prohibits discrimination in hiring, service provision, or volunteer/vendor selection, supporting inclusivity and diversity. For inquiries, Eileen M. Ardillo, the Program Coordinator, can be reached at 716-366-4892 or [email protected]. NCCF appreciates collaboration and shares the community's vision for a healthy and prosperous future.

Alaska State Council on the Arts, with support from Rasmuson Foundation, offers Access Grants of up to $1,000 to support short-term arts and cultural activities for grades K-12 at a school site during the school day. These grants aim to bring high-quality arts experiences to students and are part of the Cultural Collaborations program. Cultural Collaborations Grants The Cultural Collaborations and Arts Educator Fellowship Programs are made possible through support from the Rasmuson Foundation, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. A school may apply for and receive an Arts Excursion grant, and a Project or Access Grant per school year. A school may also receive support for an Artists in Schools residency in the same school year, either as an individual school or through a district grant. For help in understanding the application process, assistance in how to develop an arts program in your school, or any other technical services please contact us with questions. Cultural Collaborations Project Grants Deadlines: June 1, for residency projects beginning no earlier than July 1; December 1 for residency projects starting no earlier than January 1. Cultural Collaborations Project Grants are matching awards of up to $6,000 in support of high-quality arts and cultural programs for youth that emphasize skill acquisition and direct participation in settings outside of the school day/year, in Alaska. Cultural Collaborations Project Grants are a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, with support from Rasmuson Foundation. Eligible projects/programs provide regularly scheduled sessions over an extended period of time. Nonprofit organizations, schools or school districts are eligible to apply. Partnerships in support of Cultural Collaborations Project Grants are encouraged. Contact Laura Forbes at (907) 269-6682 or [email protected] with questions and for technical assistance. Cultural Collaborations Excursion Grants Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; deadlines are rolling, at least 30 days prior to the planned activity. Excursion Grants, bringing Kids to Arts, are awards of up to $600 ($1,000 for eligible Title I schools,) to support transportation and admission costs incurred in attending arts and cultural events, and/or visiting recognized arts and cultural venues in Alaska. Cultural Collaborations Excursions Grants are a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, with support from Rasmuson Foundation. Only public or nonprofit schools in Alaska may apply. A school may only receive one Excursion grant per school year, but may apply for multiple Excursion activities in one grant application. Contact Laura Forbes at (907) 269-6682 or [email protected] with questions and for technical assistance. Cultural Collaborations Excursion Grant Guidelines and Application Word format PDF format Cultural Collaborations Excursion Grant Final Report Form Word format PDF format Cultural Collaborations Access Grants Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; deadlines are rolling, at least 30 days prior to the planned activity. Access Grants, bringing Arts to Kids, are awards of up to $1,000 to support high-quality, short term (generally, of a week or less) arts and cultural activities for grades K-12 at a school site, during the school day. Cultural Collaborations Excursions Grants are a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, with support from Rasmuson Foundation. Alaska 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organizations, private nonprofit schools, and public schools or school districts are eligible to apply. Contact Laura Forbes at (907) 269-6682 or [email protected] with questions and for technical assistance. Cultural Collaborations Access Grant Guidelines and Application Word format PDF format Cultural Collaborations Access Grant Final Report Form Word format PDF format Arts Educator Fellowships Deadline: March 15 Rasmuson Foundation initiated the Arts Educator Fellowships to encourage the reconnection of artists who are teachers to the practice of their art; Arts Educator Fellowship are a program of the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), supported by funding from Rasmuson Foundation. The Arts Educator Fellowship program provides grants to certified, permanently-assigned, full and part-time K-12 teachers to immerse themselves in their own creative work, interact with professional artists, and stay current with new artistic practice. The Arts Educator Fellowship is meant to create opportunities for Alaska teachers to fill their own artistic wells. Eligible applicants may apply for up to $3,000 in support of Arts Educator Fellowship (AEF) activities, based on actual expenses.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support civil society in the Western Balkans to hold governments accountable and transparent by promoting greater public participation with a focus on environmental issues. The United Nations Environmental Programme held a Western Balkans Forum in late 2022 that concluded the region is heavily impacted by climate and pollution issues. Corruption and inconsistent implementation of regulations further exacerbate the situation. These environmental issues may be highly detrimental to communities in these countries, impacting the health of individuals and putting their rights to safe living conditions and access to natural resources at risk. For instance, a 2022 study from the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy cited instances of increased pollution in regions proximate to new development projects, which degraded air quality and local water sources, causing potential health risks to local communities including respiratory infections and autoimmune diseases. Activists have recounted how local politicians use fear of economic crisis to demotivate citizens from speaking out against industrial pollution. The lack of local good governance in tackling environmental challenges has catalyzed public discontent and distrust. There is a need for citizen advocacy to hold local 2 leaders accountable to environmental regulations, and to protect against egregious environmental damage. To address some of these issues and leverage civil society’s activism, DRL/GP is seeking proposals that promote greater public participation and ensure government transparency and accountability. The project will focus on environmental governance processes in Western Balkan countries with high levels of international economic influence. The program aims to: (1) support local communities and/or organizations to mobilize to advance good governance principles and their intersection with local environmental laws and regulations; (2) engage independent media and community members in monitoring and documenting cases of noncompliance with environmental policies; and (3) create a diverse network of reform advocates collaborating to build accountability for implementing current laws and development of rightsrespecting policies.

This funding opportunity supports cultural projects, programs, or exhibitions in Florida, aimed at individuals and organizations that align with the state's cultural objectives.

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to Florida-based nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that celebrate and share the state's history, culture, and personal stories, with a focus on community engagement and inclusivity.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies, and their community partners, to address hate crimes by establishing a coordinated hate crimes resource center. The purpose of the resource center is to coordinate resources and research across several BJA funded hate crimes prevention and response programs. This will create one single location for communities to access the latest promising practices, research, and implementation support from across many disciplines to address hate crimes.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for projects that enhance humanities education for K-12 teachers in Oklahoma public schools.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering a grant of over $1 million, with a total funding of $10,000,000, to educational and non-profit organizations in Urbana, Illinois, to promote bioprocessing through infrastructure and capital equipment expansion, increased training opportunities, and short course offerings, with the project having been partially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Washington state to implement projects that improve access to culturally appropriate dental care, promote healthy food access, and encourage water consumption while reducing sugary beverage intake, particularly for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding for teen-led service projects that positively impact the community in Gaston County, encouraging youth leadership and collaboration.

The Chamiza Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the cultural continuity of Pueblo tribes, focusing on supporting programs that sustain tribal life and traditions while fostering innovative change. Unlike efforts aimed at preserving Pueblo culture as an antiquity, the Chamiza Foundation views the culture of New Mexico's Pueblo tribes as a vibrant and valuable tradition worth sustaining. The Foundation is currently emphasizing the development of youth education programs in cultural traditions, Pueblo history, and language, alongside innovative technological applications in these areas. The Foundation supports 20 Pueblo Indian communities, including 19 in New Mexico and one in El Paso, Texas, offering grants for education, language preservation, youth projects, traditional arts and crafts, agriculture, and intercultural exchange. Eligible applicants include New Mexico’s Pueblo Indian organizations and tribal governments, Isleta del Sur Pueblo, community leaders, artists, and individuals within Pueblo communities, as well as non-Pueblo organizations with evidence of community support. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity supports community-based arts programs designed to enhance the health and well-being of military personnel, veterans, and their families through creative engagement.

The Community Good Grants Program provides funding requests once a year according to its grant cycle. These grants are intended to support a wide variety of needs within Knox County, including one-time project support, additional support, or expansions of initial projects. The funding is made possible through Community Good Unrestricted Funds and Field of Interest Funds. Applications for the 2024 cycle are accepted from August 1, 2024, through September 11, 2024, with a deadline at noon. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 509(a) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving Knox County. Nonprofit organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) public charities may be considered if the project is charitable and supports a community need, potentially requiring a fiscal sponsor.

This funding opportunity supports training initiatives that equip scholars, humanities professionals, and advanced graduate students with advanced digital tools and methodologies to enhance their research in the humanities.

This grant provides funding to Maine-based organizations and communities for projects that celebrate and educate about the state's historical contributions in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This competition provides funding to community organizations, governments, and academic institutions to develop innovative solutions that improve access to legal services for rural residents facing significant barriers to justice.

The City of Bakersfield is offering competitive grants for property and/or business owners within designated Downtown business district corridors: 18th, 19th streets and Wall Street Alley (between F and Q streets), and H Street and Chester Avenue (between 24th Street and Truxtun Avenue). The grants are specifically intended for large-scale exterior façade improvements to eligible properties and applicants within these areas. This initiative is funded by $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, demonstrating a commitment to local economic recovery and revitalization. While the prompt asks for "foundation mission alignment," the context indicates this is a city-led grant, and its mission is aligned with urban development and supporting local businesses impacted by economic downturns. The target beneficiaries for this program include small businesses (defined as having no more than 500 employees), non-profit organizations (tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)), and businesses within "impacted industries." Impacted industries are those that experienced a negative economic impact during the pandemic, specifically citing tourism, travel, and hospitality. Other industries are considered impacted if they experienced at least 8 percent employment loss from pre-pandemic levels or comparable economic impacts. The impact goal is to stimulate economic recovery and enhance the aesthetic and functional appeal of the downtown business corridors, thereby fostering a more vibrant and attractive commercial environment. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on exterior façade improvements. The City anticipates awarding funding to 4-6 projects, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. For awarded funding of $100,000 and over, a 10% private investment match is required, along with a public hearing before the City Council. This matching requirement encourages community investment and shared responsibility in the revitalization efforts. The grant duration is two years, providing a reasonable timeframe for project completion. Expected outcomes include visible improvements to the downtown business districts, increased private investment in the local economy, and support for businesses and non-profits that have been economically impacted. The measurable results are tied to the number of projects funded (4-6 anticipated), the total amount of ARPA funding allocated ($1.5 million), and the specific improvements made to property exteriors. The strategic priority here is the revitalization of key downtown commercial areas, using ARPA funds to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic and promote long-term community resilience and growth. The theory of change posits that by investing in exterior improvements and supporting local businesses, the City can create a more appealing and economically robust downtown core, attracting more visitors and fostering greater community engagement.

This grant provides funding for collaborative projects that publish online editions of historical records, particularly those highlighting the experiences and contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in U.S. history.