Culture Preservation Grants

The Culture Preservation Grants program, a collaboration between Humanities Kansas and the Kansas State Historical Society, provides funding for projects that aim to preserve and improve access to Kansas's historical and cultural resources. Humanities Kansas, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), is committed to supporting initiatives that document and share the diverse stories of life in Kansas. These grants are intended to help organizations safeguard the state's heritage while making it accessible to current and future generations. The primary objective of the Culture Preservation Grants is to support preservation-focused projects such as oral histories, digitization, transcription, collections care, language preservation, and hands-on training. The program is distinguished by its emphasis on the use of Project Consultants—experts who guide applicants in applying best practices to ensure the long-term success of their preservation efforts. Projects should clearly outline the scope of work, explain the methods and procedures to be used, and articulate the significance of the materials being preserved. Strong proposals are typically those that focus on a single narrative or collection, offering a coherent and compelling preservation story. Funding awards are up to $3,500 and are made available three times annually, subject to availability of funds. The program’s 2025 deadlines are February 28, May 16, and October 3. All funding is derived from federal sources via Humanities Kansas and the National Endowment for the Humanities, making this a federal subaward program. To be eligible, applicants must be Kansas-based nonprofit organizations, excluding colleges and universities. A 501(c)(3) status is not required, but applicants must obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEID) from SAM.gov, which must be publicly searchable for verification by Humanities Kansas. Applicants with an existing open grant from Humanities Kansas are ineligible to apply until the earlier project has been finalized and closed. Draft applications can be submitted for staff review prior to the official deadlines, but must not be submitted through the online application form. Instead, applicants should consult the grant guidelines for instructions on how to submit a draft for feedback. The application process emphasizes clarity, focus, and the use of expert guidance. There are no specific references to required documents or application components beyond general best practices, but applicants are encouraged to consult with Humanities Kansas staff for support. Interested applicants can contact the organization via email at info@humanitieskansas.org or by phone at 785-357-0359 for more information. Awards are contingent on available funding and projects are selected based on how well they align with the grant’s preservation goals and implementation standards. The program is expected to recur annually, providing consistent opportunities for cultural preservation across Kansas.

Strong proposals define a clear scope of work, emphasize the uniqueness of materials, and focus on a single story or collection. Best practices and a qualified consultant are essential.