Private Humanities Grants

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation offers grants to support arts and culture projects including arts festivals, cultural heritage, museums, music, theater/drama, and visual arts. These grants aim to enrich communities within the Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power service territories, which include Utah, Wyoming, Southeastern Idaho, Oregon, Central/Southeastern Washington, and Northern California. Applicants are encouraged to create an account and submit their proposals through the online grant application portal, focusing on projects that align with the foundation's mission towards education, civic and community betterment, culture and arts, and health, welfare, and social services. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 15th

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that promote agricultural advancement, conservation, and historic preservation, particularly in farming education and the preservation of cultural resources.

This grant provides financial support to Oregon-based organizations addressing urgent needs for women and girls, prioritizing those led by or serving BIPOC communities and with smaller operating budgets.

The Juneau Community Foundation’s Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund offers grants to organizations dedicated to improving the health, education, and welfare of individuals in Southeast Alaska. This aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to support and enhance the quality of life within the community. The grant specifically targets non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, charitable foundations, childcare institutions, foster parent programs, and early childhood education initiatives within this region, ensuring that support is directed where it can have a direct and meaningful impact on vulnerable populations and community development. The fund's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on fostering a healthier, more educated, and supportive environment for Southeast Alaska residents. This is achieved through various avenues of support. For instance, the fund can defray costs for tuition, transportation, or lodging for employees of eligible organizations attending professional conferences, training, or educational programs. This investment in professional development aims to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of individuals working directly with beneficiaries, thereby strengthening the organizations themselves and improving service delivery. Furthermore, the fund prioritizes supporting events and special services that enrich the overall quality of life in the community. This includes sponsorships for amateur sports organizations, children’s music, and theater activities, which encourage broad participation and access for all individuals. By funding these types of programs, the Foundation seeks to create vibrant communities, promote well-being, and provide enriching opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable, contributing to a holistic approach to community welfare. Applications for the Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund are meticulously evaluated to ensure alignment with the fund's objectives and to maximize impact. Key assessment criteria include the quality and relevance of the program or event being supported, the reasonableness and accuracy of the proposed budget, the background and experience of the applicant organization, and the extent of support from other sources. These measures are designed to ensure that grants are awarded to well-conceived initiatives with a high probability of success and demonstrable positive outcomes for the individuals and communities in Southeast Alaska.

The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. has approved 80 grants totaling $479,795.69 in its 25th annual grant cycle, aimed at supporting local nonprofit groups. The grant cycle for 2024 will open early in the year, with applications accepted from April 1 through the last business day of June. Eligible applicants must be non-profit tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other non-profits as defined by section 501(c), or public institutions located in or serving Mercer County, West Virginia, and/or Tazewell County, Virginia. Grants are available in four categories: Education, Health, Human Services, and Arts and Humanities. The Foundation does not support individual salaries, annual campaigns, ongoing operating expenses, private schools, hospitals, sectarian religious programs, political purposes, or lobbying. Grant renewed every year. Annual opening/ closing deadline: April 1st to the last business day of June.

This grant provides over $10 million to local and tribal correctional facilities in Oregon to implement treatment and transition services for individuals with opioid use disorder.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is inviting applications for the Deadwood Fund Grant. This initiative aims to support significant restoration or rehabilitation projects for historic properties across the state. Managed by the State Historical Society's historic preservation office, the program offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Applicants must match the grant amount with nonfederal and nonstate sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with nonprofits allowed to count in-kind services for up to half of their match requirement. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall deadline: October 1st

Grant Opportunity: LEH Rebirth Grants Funding Organization: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) Contact Information: Contact LEH grants staff for assistance Award Details: Grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. LEH may award partial amounts. Matching cost share in cash or in kind is required. Eligibility: Humanities-based organizations operating within the 64 parishes of Louisiana are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, public-facing organizations within accredited institutions of higher learning, state and local government agencies, and state or federally recognized Native American tribal governments in Louisiana. Organizations reaching underserved populations are encouraged to apply. Program and Intent: LEH Rebirth Grants support programmatic initiatives focused on the humanities. Eligible projects include public humanities programs, documentary photography, podcast and radio projects, humanities-based festivals and exhibition development, digital humanities projects, speaker series, assistance with publication projects, and humanities-based educational initiatives. Projects must involve the participation of credentialed humanities scholars. Application Timeline: Applications open on April 1 each year, with decisions announced in July. Rebirth project activities should be implemented between September 1 and October 31 of the following year. The application period for 2024 Rebirth Grants is April 1 to May 1, 2024. Funding Guidelines: Humanities scholars must play a central role in all phases of the project. Projects must focus on topics and themes drawn from the humanities or bring the analytical potential of the humanities to bear on current concerns. Programs must provide a balance of viewpoints, target public audiences, involve community representatives, and avoid advocacy and bias. LEH does not fund certain types of projects, such as creative and performing arts, research exclusively for scholarly audiences, scholarships, and political action. Nonprofit status is required, and cost share is expected. Evaluation and final reports are required for funded projects.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public institutions in Montana for innovative community projects that promote humanities themes through storytelling, discussions, and public engagement.

The Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust offers grants to organizations that develop programs centered around arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and history preservation. The trust's mission is aligned with supporting initiatives that enrich communities through cultural, environmental, and historical engagement. The grants are intended to confer a benefit upon the citizens, particularly children and adults, in the towns of Westport and Dartmouth, and the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The primary target beneficiaries are children and adults residing in Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford, MA, who will participate in educational or cultural experiences. The impact goals include fostering appreciation and understanding of the arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and local history within these communities, thereby enhancing the quality of life and cultural enrichment for residents. The trust's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: programs must relate to conservation, wildlife, history of the area, and/or the promotion of music, the arts, and crafts. While open to all counties, there is a strong preference for programs that directly benefit Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford. Furthermore, proposals of equal merit will be prioritized if submitted by organizations located within the Town of Westport, MA, highlighting a strategic focus on local community development. Expected outcomes include increased participation in cultural and educational programs, greater awareness of local history and environmental issues, and the promotion of artistic and musical expression among the target populations. Measurable results could include attendance numbers at events, participant feedback, and the successful execution of conservation or preservation projects. The foundation's strategic priority is to support programs that align with its core thematic areas and demonstrate a direct benefit to the specified Massachusetts communities.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

The Mississippi Humanities Council offers grants to support projects that engage communities in meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and are participatory and engaging, applying humanities to everyday life. Grants support public humanities programs, exhibits, planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in various media. Regular grants : start at $2,500 to $10,000. Regular grants applications are accepted on May 1st and September 1st Grant renewed every year.

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Mass Humanities, bringing the "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" exhibit to rural communities in Massachusetts. This program aims to enhance local engagement by incorporating community-specific programming alongside the national exhibition. Each selected site will host the exhibit for six weeks from April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026, and will develop six related programs. The initiative underscores the evolution of American democracy, with a particular focus on issues of representation, civic participation, and the responsibilities of citizenship.Key Dates: LOI opens March 11, 2024; LOI due May 10, 2024; Award Notification July 1, 2024; Voices and Votes Tour April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026

The Ida Alice Ryan Charitable Trust is offering grants to support charitable institutions located in or around Atlanta, Georgia. This grant program is aligned with the Trust's mission to foster community well-being by empowering organizations that serve vital needs in the region. The Trust's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on key areas that contribute to a thriving society within the Metro Atlanta 28-County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate within the specified Atlanta area. The impact goals of the Trust are implicitly to strengthen the capacity of these local charities, enabling them to expand their reach and effectiveness in addressing critical community issues. The Trust's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined, encompassing arts, culture, and humanities; education; health; human services; and public/society benefit. These areas represent the core sectors where the Trust believes its funding can yield the most significant positive change. By supporting organizations within these categories, the Trust aims to contribute to a more vibrant, educated, healthy, and supportive community. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided description, it can be inferred that the Trust seeks to achieve tangible improvements in the quality of life for Atlanta residents through the work of its grantees. The Trust's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by investing in established and impactful charitable institutions, it can indirectly facilitate a wide range of positive social and cultural advancements across the diverse focus areas.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and churches in Lewis County, New York, for the exterior preservation and restoration of historically significant structures that enhance community heritage and accessibility.

This program provides financial support to women entrepreneurs who own small food and beverage businesses in the U.S., helping them address their funding needs and participate in a virtual business development program.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

The Kiwanis Club of Los Altos Foundation annually offers grants to organizations operating within the greater Los Altos area. Focused on supporting initiatives that align with their mission of “Serving the Children of the World,” the foundation grants financial aid to projects and programs benefiting the community, particularly youth and seniors. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, with past recipients including diverse beneficiaries such as Tech Trek, Mentor Tutor Connection, and the Living Classroom. Application acceptance period is from October 1 to January 31 each year.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government units, and educational institutions in Charlevoix County that are working on projects related to arts, music, history, and culture.

This grant provides financial support to small or all-volunteer organizations in Connecticut focused on projects or operational needs that promote equity and dismantle structural racism in Greater Hartford's Black and Latinx communities.