Grants for City or township governments - Humanities

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 North Dakota offers general grants ranging from $2,001 to $10,000 to support projects centered in the humanities. These projects must explore critical issues, involve humanities scholars, and be designed to attract and engage a public audience. Formats for these projects can vary widely and may include lectures, discussions, exhibits, interpretations of performances, living history presentations, book or film discussions, oral histories, radio, video, and film documentary productions, language preservation projects, and teacher seminars. The goal is to bring the humanities off campuses and into communities, promoting a deeper understanding of human values, cultures, and history. Close Date: Rolling based on project start dates: April 1 projects: March 1 July 1 projects: June 1 November 1 projects: October 1

This grant provides professional development opportunities for higher education faculty and K-12 educators to enhance their understanding of the humanities and improve their teaching practices through collaborative study and innovative curriculum development.

The Cultural and Community Resilience program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies. This NOFO covers the January and May 2023 deadlines.

The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation invites local nonprofits, schools, churches, and municipalities to apply for grant funding. Eligible projects must serve town of Essex residents through community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, or programs for youth and senior citizens. The deadline to apply is May 24. ECF gives strong preference to capacity building grants or modest one-time capital projects. It does not award grants for ongoing operating expenses. While grants typically range from $250 to $2,000, the maximum a potential grantee can request is $5,000. After reviewing applications, the ECF committee anticipates making grant recommendations in June with funding available as early as July. Applications must be submitted online through Adirondack Foundation’s Online Grants Manager: adirondackfoundation.org/granting/online-grants-manager For more information about ECF grants, please call Colleen Van Hoven at (518) 569-3141 or email colleenvanhoven@gmail.com or email leslee.mounger@adkfoundation.org. To learn more about community funds at Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to state and local governments, in partnership with nonprofit organizations, for the acquisition and preservation of significant Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations for projects that protect and preserve cultural heritage, including historic sites, museum collections, and traditional cultural practices in Suriname.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects among scholars in the humanities, encouraging interdisciplinary research that leads to significant scholarly outputs, with a focus on diverse perspectives and sustainable contributions to humanistic knowledge.

The Rockland Small Businesses Rescue Grant Program in New York offers funding to small businesses and micro-enterprises in Rockland County that have experienced revenue declines or unexpected operating cost deficits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses include indoor arts, entertainment, and recreation; pet grooming, boarding, and walking; restaurants, eateries, food stands and trucks, bars, bakeries, cafes, breweries/wineries catering, delis; bookstores/stationary; housekeeping; fitness centers; florists; general retail; salons/spas; bicycle shops; and other consumer service firms. The grant covers expenses such as commercial or retail rent reimbursement (up to 3 months with no arrears), safety investments (PPE, cleaning supplies, UV disinfection equipment or services), hardware and software fees, credit card processing fees (difference of % increase), carriage fees, marketing fees (advertising and promotion), business enterprise certification fees, and operational supplies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit cultural organizations, municipalities, and higher education institutions for projects that improve or expand cultural facilities, enhancing community access and tourism.

This program provides funding to U.S.-based humanities organizations to assess their environmental impact and develop climate action plans, with a focus on sustainability, community engagement, and equity.

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation provides grants to support the missions of non-profit organizations serving the people of Texas, with a focus on educational, health, human service, and cultural programs and projects. Established in 1947 by Sid W. Richardson, the Foundation began distributing major grants in 1962, following the availability of substantial income from assets from Richardson's estate. Despite Richardson's global interests, his primary concern remained with the people of his home state of Texas. The Foundation, through its Board of Directors and staff, continues to fulfill his vision by prioritizing grants that directly benefit clients or target audiences, particularly in smaller communities and rural areas. Grants are not available to individuals but are made primarily to organizations within Texas, especially those in the Fort Worth area for human services and cultural organizations. Grant renewed every year. Annual Spring deadline: February 1st.

Established in 1996, the Evansville Fund is a permanent charitable endowment aimed at supporting the Evansville community across various domains, including the arts, education, health and human services, and historic preservation. Through its annual earnings, a portion is allocated as grants to enhance community welfare, distributed to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and government agencies. The fund is characterized by its diverse Family of Funds, each established by individuals or organizations to support specific charitable objectives within Evansville. Grants are awarded annually in November by a volunteer board responsible for fundraising and grant decisions. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: October 1st

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support law enforcement, correctional officers, probation and parole, and sheriffs departments in effectively partnering with mental health, substance use, community service professionals and agencies to promote public safety and make sure that appropriate responses are provided to individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Funding Categories: Category 1: Training Program for Law Enforcement Officers, including campus-based police; law enforcement agencies, including probation and parole (field-based); and sheriff's departments (patrol-based) Category 2: Training Program for Correctional Officers, Probation and Parole (facility-based), and Sheriff Departments (facility-based)

The Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education program, run by the NEH Division of Education Programs, provides funding for small projects that enhance humanities education at smaller colleges and universities, particularly those serving underserved populations, with a focus on community colleges, minority-serving institutions, rural schools, and institutions where over 40% of students receive Pell grants.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Oklahoma to create engaging cultural experiences that explore local history and heritage through public programs and events.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in conducting research on the value and impact of the humanities, including topics like public perception, education, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF) is a grant opportunity offered by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. The grant program aims to fund temporary, creative projects in public spaces within LA City neighborhoods where arts and culture are absent or scarce. The funding levels range from $600 to $45,000, depending on the category and complexity of the proposed projects. The grant is open for monthly submissions from October 2023 to July 2024. Eligible applicants include Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs, independent artists, cultural activists, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships under the stewardship of one lead-agent. There are four categories under PAF: Neighborhood Expressions (NE), Arts and Social Wellness (ASW), International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF), and International Participation And Promotion Projects (IPAPP). Each category has specific requirements and funding ranges. The primary aim of PAF is to activate designated public spaces through creative-connectivity for well-defined audiences. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, at 12:00 am. For more information on eligibility requirements and application instructions, prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to the PAF program guidelines available at dcaredesign.org/artsactivate or contact Armando Smith at armando.smith@lacity.org or Ben Espinosa at ben.espinosa@lacity.org.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Culpeper, Madison, and Orange counties to implement health and wellness initiatives that benefit the community.

The Delaware Division of the Arts awards Arts Access Grants to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout Delaware. These grants aim to provide experiences of artistic merit, support arts programs in new venues, foster collaboration, reach underserved audiences, and promote the creation of new works and conservation of diverse cultural traditions. Eligible applicants include municipal, county, or state government units within Delaware, and Delaware-based nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants may request up to 80% of eligible expenses, not exceeding $1,250. The grants focus on projects that provide increased access to the arts, especially in underserved communities, and demonstrate effective management and marketing.