Capacity Grants

The Connecticut Humanities Fund administers Capacity Grants to strengthen organizations in Connecticut that bring the humanities to the public. Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is a statewide nonprofit that advances the role of history, literature, culture, and related fields across communities. Through these grants, CTH aims to help organizations think strategically, evaluate their operations, better understand their audiences, and plan for long-term sustainability. The fund emphasizes projects that involve consultant-led assessments and planning initiatives, supporting organizations as they adapt to changing community needs. The purpose of Capacity Grants is to fund projects that improve institutional planning and capacity. These include board training, strategic and financial planning, audience and market assessments, technology reviews, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) evaluations. Funded projects are expected to strengthen an organization’s ability to serve the public with relevant and accessible humanities programming. Projects must be rooted in the humanities and are encouraged to align with the America 250 | CT Commission’s themes of inclusivity and civic engagement. Priority is given to proposals that include humanities scholarship, broaden access, explore contemporary issues, and foster collaboration among communities. The scope of funding is limited to activities that directly support project planning and capacity building. Eligible expenses include consultant fees, project-related staff salaries and wages, travel, and necessary materials or licenses. However, staff salaries cannot exceed 25 percent of the total grant request. Excluded expenses include political or advocacy projects, artistic product creation, capital improvements, food and catering, debt service, endowments, and indirect costs. The grant award may not exceed $9,999, and each project must be completed within twelve months of the award notification. Organizations may only have one active Capacity Grant at a time. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations incorporated in Connecticut for at least one year, municipalities within the state, and Connecticut-based federally or state recognized tribes. Applicants must provide regular humanities programming or professional support services to humanities organizations. For-profit entities, individuals, state agencies, and organizations not in compliance with prior Connecticut Humanities awards are not eligible. All applicants must be in good standing with previous CTH grant requirements to be considered. Applications are accepted through the CTH online portal twice per year. For FY25–26, deadlines are December 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. Award notifications are made by the first business day of February for December submissions and by the first business day of July for May submissions. Each award supports a 12-month grant period beginning the month of notification. Applicants must contact CTH grants staff at grants@cthumanities.org prior to submitting a proposal; failure to do so will result in disqualification. Draft proposals can be submitted for staff review up to two weeks before the deadline. Applications must include consultant résumés, consultant scope of work and fees, organizational budgets for the current and previous fiscal years, a current board list, a completed CTH Universal Budget Form, and letters of commitment from key partners if applicable. Applications missing required documents, failing to meet matching requirements, or containing ineligible expenses will not be considered. All Capacity Grants require a dollar-for-dollar match, which may be fulfilled through cash contributions, in-kind support, or external cash contributions from donors. State funding cannot be used as match. Organizations interested in applying may seek more information and resources at www.cthumanities.org. For direct inquiries, applicants can contact CTH staff by email at info@cthumanities.org or by phone at +1 860 785 9640. The program office is located at 100 Riverview Center, Suite 290, Middletown, CT 06457, and operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This grant program continues Connecticut Humanities’ mission of building institutional strength across the humanities sector to ensure long-term community benefit and public engagement.