Grants for Nonprofits - 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.

Humanities Project Grants offer support for public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation and engage the community. Donor Name: State Historical Society of Iowa State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Eligible projects will use the humanities as the central resource to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming that explore the human experience. Funding for the Humanities Project Grant is made possible by an appropriation from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency, to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. The program is administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa on behalf of the department.  Funding Information Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses that are incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.  Minimum Grant Request: $2,500 Maximum Grant Request: $30,000 Funding Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of November 1, 2024–October 31, 2025. Eligible Projects Eligible projects should focus on the humanities and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. Types of eligible projects could include community discussions, lecture series, workshops, films, interpretive exhibits, podcasts, etc. Projects that involve the creative or performing arts could be eligible as long as they are a catalyst in a project in which humanities are central, and include interpretation and/or discussion of performances, concerts, literary and art works. Humanities must be central to the project. Subject areas include archaeology, comparative religion, cultural anthropology, ethics, folklore, gender studies, history, jurisprudence, languages, law, linguistics, literature (including novels, poetry, drama, and other forms of written expression, both modern and classical), philosophy, and the interpretation (not the creation) of the arts. Aspects of the social sciences, such as political science and sociology, that can help to explore the humanity and discover meaning in the lives and community are also included.  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be one of the following types of entities. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply. Organizations Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa Physical location of the organization is defined as maintaining a current home office and registered agent address in Iowa defined by Iowa Code 490.501 as well as maintaining a primary staff presence physically located and working in Iowa Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization physically located in a border state community immediately adjacent to Iowa. The organization must be registered to do business in Iowa with the Secretary of State’s office. An eligible border state organization must demonstrate that the funding request significantly impacts the cultural vitality of Iowa and predominantly serves Iowans. Unit of local, county or federally-recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa Units within institutions of higher education that are physically located in Iowa that have the humanities as their core mission and offer public programs are eligible. However, institutions of higher education are limited to one application, from one unit, and may neither apply for nor receive grant funds for multiple units. Individuals Individual filmmaker or humanities expert A humanities expert is defined as someone with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline or someone who is otherwise well-qualified to bring a humanities perspective, such as a historian, library or museum professional, culture bearer, or individual who is an acknowledged cultural expert within their community. Current, legal Iowa resident who is 21 years of age or older and physically located in Iowa Residence is defined by Iowa Code 422.4 and Iowa Administrative Code 701.38.17 (422) An application from an individual must support a project that is initiated and managed by the individual, not an organization. The project must be designed to benefit the individual and may not benefit an organization with which the individual applicant has a formal affiliation such as employment or volunteer service. Applicants who represent a group must apply as an individual and clearly state their individual role in the project proposal  For more information, visit State Historical Society of Iowa.

This grant provides funding to charitable organizations in a seven-county area of Texas for projects focused on medical issues, historic preservation, or musical performance and education.

The Bonnaroo Works Fund aims to grow its support of nonprofits that are changing the world through social impact and human development. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Bonnaroo Works Fund is administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and all proposals or inquiries should be directed to that organization. Program interests include, but are not limited to: education, music and arts programs for children or communities, protection of the environment and environment sustainability, and the arts & humanities. The Fund generally does not support: endowment programs, fundraising events, annual appeals of well-established organizations, or grants to individuals or religious or political causes. Funding Information The average grant allocation is between $1,000 and $10,000. Eligibility Criteria Grants are made to tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to government agencies without regard to factors of race, religion, sex or national origin. To complete this application you will need: Complete organizational information, including Grant Contact and Executive Director Information Detailed project information including detailed description, amount requested, total project budget, and timeline Detailed project implementation narrative, including how success of your efforts will be measured Information about future funding plans A completed and attached Project Budget Form Required organizational documentation. For more information, visit CFMT.

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is accepting applications for the 2024 Community Commitment Grant. Donor Name: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois State: Illinois County: Champaign County (IL), DeWitt County (IL), Ford County (IL), Grundy County (IL), Iroquois County (IL), LaSalle County (IL), Livingston County (IL), McLean County (IL), Shelby County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois invites proposals in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, education, health and human services, urban affairs and youth activities. While applications in any of these categories will be considered, awards may not be made in every category. Successful proposals will address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized upon in the east central Illinois area. You are encouraged to submit proposals that: Suggest practical approaches to addressing community problems. Promote collaboration and cooperation among agencies. Generate community support, both professional and volunteer. Strengthen an agency’s effectiveness or stability. Funding Information Grants have historically ranged from $500 to $7,500. Eligibility Criteria  Any organization with an IRS Letter of Determination of a charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status or other comparable non-profit public charity that serves the residents of east central Illinois is eligible to apply. For more information, visit CFECI.

The City of Virginia Beach is accepting applications for Community Organization Grants (COG), which award monetary grants to qualified non-profit organizations to encourage these agencies to provide services that affect the quality of life of residents of Virginia Beach. Donor Name: City of Virginia Beach State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City Council-appointed COG Review and Allocation Committee evaluates applications and determines how best to allocate funds among the organizations. Eligibility Criteria The applicant must be a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization meeting the legal requirements of the Common wealth of Virginia, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the City of Virginia Beach. Furthermore, the applicant’s nonprofit status must be independent of the City of Virginia Beach. Neither City of Virginia Beach departments nor programs administered by the City of Virginia Beach may apply for funding through COG. The applicant must provide significant, measurable direct services to residents of Virginia Beach. The organization must be able to provide an unduplicated count of the residents served. In accordance with Section 15.2-953 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant cannot be controlled in whole or in part by a church or sectarian society. Factors considered in making a determination of whether a particular organization is controlled by a church or sectarian society include: the organization under which the tax exempt status is obtained, who administers the organization, and the level of funding from a church or sectarian society. The applicant may not receive grants from other City of Virginia Beach resources. For example, the applicant cannot be eligible to apply for a grant while receiving a grant through the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Contractual services that a grant applicant provides the City must be disclosed in grant applications. Payments for such services do not automatically exclude an applicant from grant eligibility. However, grant funds will not be provided to support the same services or costs which are provided under contract to the City The applicant may not have any permanent City of Virginia Beach employees nor any City officials involved in the COG grant application, interview, or reporting process. The applicant must have fulfilled all service, reporting, auditing, and payment obligations for any previous loans or grants from the City. Programs, activities, employment opportunities, and any other operations of the applicant that may be fully or partially funded by the City of Virginia Beach must comply with local, state, and national legal requirements related to nondiscrimination. Programs, activities, or other operations of the applicant that may be fully or partially funded by the City of Virginia Beach must not advocate nor advance a particular political or religious viewpoint. An applicant may be disqualified if religion is so pervasive that a substantial portion of the functions of the organization are subsumed in the religious mission. The applicant may not use COG funding as a means to provide grant or pass-through funding for other nonprofit organizations. All funds awarded through COG are to remain local (Virginia Beach) and are not to be used to fund If awarded a grant, the City shall have the right to audit all books and records relating or pertaining to the agreement, kept by or under the control of Contractor, including, but not limited to those kept by Contractor, its employees, agents, assigns, successors and subcontractors. Contractor shall maintain such books and records, together with such supporting or underlying documents and materials, for the duration of the Agreement and for at least three years following the completion of the Agreement, including any and all renewals thereof. For more information, visit Community Organization Grants.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Orleans that focus on community well-being, youth recreation, and cultural enrichment.

The IPromise Jeffrey M. Glabicki Memorial Giving Fund supports programs that enhance quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area. Donor Name: Volpe Koenig State: New Jersey, Pennsylvania County: Bucks County (PA), Burlington County (NJ), Camden County (NJ), Chester County (PA), Delaware County (PA), Gloucester County (NJ), Montgomery County (PA), Philadelphia County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas  All organizations in the following categories are eligible to apply: Arts, Culture and Humanities Community Development Education and Research Environment and Animals Health, Human Services & Youth Development Veteran Services. Funding Information The fund now awards one $40,000 grant to a single qualifying organization. Eligibility Criteria  Organization must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Organization must be at least two years old at time of application.  Organization must submit proof of 501(c)(3) status with application. Organization has an annual operating budget of less than $10 million. Organization must be headquartered in, and serve the population of, any Philadelphia Metro area defined as:  Bucks County, PA Chester County, PA Delaware County, PA Montgomery County, PA Philadelphia County, PA Burlington County, NJ Camden County, NJ Gloucester County, NJ The following organizations are not eligible for an IPromise Grant: Organizations promoting religious affiliations or political activities Programs accessible only to paying membership Scholarships, fellowships or tuition assistance programs Endowments Government agencies Individuals Organizations that have as their primary activity the making of grants to other charitable organizations and to individuals, rather than the direct operation of charitable programs Recipients of IPromise grants within the past five years (since January 2018). For more information, visit Volpe Koenig.

The Governor and the General Assembly direct the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to administer grants for specific miscellaneous purposes to bolster the state’s economy, promote a clean environment, and improve the overall quality of life throughout the state of Illinois. This grant program is available to any entity receiving funding via lump sum appropriation. Eligible costs for this program are bondable costs associated with the acquisition of land and/or buildings. This includes acquisition costs of all improved or unimproved real property including appraisal fees; title opinions; surveying fees; real estate fees; title transfer taxes; condemnation; and related legal expenses. This may include construction on, and/or renovation to, the property after purchase.

The Georgia Council for the Arts is seeking applications for its Cultural Facilities Grant Program to support the construction, renovation, or acquisition of an arts facility, or the addition of equipment to support arts programs. Donor Name: Georgia Council for the Arts State: Georgia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Cultural Facilities Grants provide support for capital projects for arts facilities in Georgia. Arts-based programming may include, but is not limited to: Performing arts (dance, music, theatre, musical theatre, opera, storytelling, puppetry, and performance art) Visual arts (two-dimensional, three-dimensional, photography, and digital) Media arts (film, video, and audio) Literary arts (poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction) Folk & traditional arts (music, dance, theatre, storytelling, and crafts) Public concerts or performances Multidisciplinary arts projects Education in any of the arts fields referenced above, including workshops, demonstrations, classes, and field trips Artist guilds, communities, and residencies Arts service organization programs, including professional development or capacity building Artist residencies The following areas fall outside of GCA’s definition of arts-based programming: Humanities (history, religion, philosophy, languages) Social sciences (sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography) Sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, botany) Culinary arts Fashion Martial arts Sports or recreation Magic shows, circus arts, balloon twisters, parades, fireworks, reenactments Body art (face painting, body painting, tattoos) Non-arts recreation (inflatable jumpers, petting zoos, 5K races or other athletic events) Topiary or landscape art Interior design or beautification Funding Information FY25 Cultural Facilities Grants will receive an award that could range from $10,000 to $75,000. Project Period Project that will be carried out between November 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria All eligible applicants must be located in Georgia, registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, and must have completed all requirements of any previous GCA or State of Georgia grant awarded prior to 2024. Previous recipients of the Cultural Facilities Grant are eligible to apply in 2024 due to the additional funds available from ARP funds awarded by the State of Georgia. Eligible applicants must be one of the following: a non-profit arts organization registered with the IRS (to be defined as an arts organization, the entity must include the arts as part of the mission statement and more than 50% of programming must be arts-related) a local government entity (i.e. a city, county or local authority) that owns and manages an arts facility For more information, visit GCA.

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.

The U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to increase capacity of civil society to promote freedom of religion or belief and inter-religious cooperation in the Pacific Islands region. This program will reduce the vulnerability of Pacific Island countries to disinformation, false narratives, and efforts by foreign actors from countries with severe violations of religious freedom and will achieve these outcomes by engaging with established opinion leaders, such as religious actors.

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 program provides financial support to artists, musicians, writers, and non-profit organizations in Sauk County to foster cultural enrichment within the community.

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.