Cultural and Ethnic Studies Grant

The Cultural and Ethnic Studies Grants program is administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), a nonprofit organization and the state’s exclusive affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. MHC aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable society by deepening public understanding of diverse cultures, communities, and histories. Funding for this program is made possible through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy), part of Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment passed in 2008. This amendment dedicates a portion of the state sales tax to enhance arts, culture, and heritage initiatives across Minnesota. As appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature in its 2023–2025 biennium, this grant opportunity supports the creation of Cultural and Ethnic Studies materials for K–12 students in Minnesota. The focus is on communities without a formal writing system and that are primarily orally based, such as the Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Oromo cultures. Projects should enhance classroom content, expand students’ understanding of cultural heritage, and involve collaboration with Minnesota educators or school officials. All applicants must provide a letter of support from a licensed Minnesota teacher or school district official. The total funding pool for this program is $500,000, with a maximum allowable request per project of $472,500. Applicants requesting $25,000 or more must submit financial documentation, such as a financial audit, IRS Form 990, or board-reviewed financial statements, depending on the size of their annual revenue. Funds cannot be used for capital campaigns, out-of-state expenses, indirect costs, or promotional items, among other restricted uses. Grant payments may be disbursed in advance or via reimbursement, with varying percentages depending on award size. Ten percent of each award is held until all reporting requirements are fulfilled. All applications must be submitted online by April 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CDT. Funding will become available following the execution of the grant agreement. The project period runs through May 31, 2026, and a final report is due by June 30, 2026. Selection is based on a 100-point scale across four main criteria: project details, community involvement, school district involvement, and project management. A site visit is mandatory for awards of $50,000 or more, and competitive bidding rules apply to third-party contracts exceeding $10,000. Applicants may submit multiple proposals but can only receive one grant. Partnerships are allowed, with one organization designated as the lead applicant. MHC encourages early engagement via technical assistance sessions, which provide clarification on eligibility, application components, and evaluation criteria. For accessibility, accommodations and translation support are available upon request. Contact Briza Maldonado at briza@mnhum.org for questions or Zoom access to info sessions.

Contact MHC early for proposal alignment, budget guidance, and eligibility clarification; advance payment options depend on past performance.