Local Humanities Grants

The Robert A. Mills Foundation provides grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that support charitable, religious, scientific, literary, humanitarian, scholarship, or educational purposes. The foundation's mission is broadly aligned with these areas, aiming to foster positive societal impact across a diverse range of initiatives. This grant program is designed to be inclusive, encouraging a wide array of non-profit efforts that contribute to community well-being and advancement. The target beneficiaries for these grants are individuals and communities served by organizations dedicated to the aforementioned purposes. The foundation's impact goals are centered on supporting programs that demonstrate clear need, practicability, and usefulness. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the encouragement for specificity in grant proposals implies a desire for grantees to outline anticipated outcomes and the methods for achieving them. The foundation prioritizes a broad spectrum of program areas, including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; public/society benefit; and religion. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to address various facets of societal needs. Although there are no geographic restrictions, the foundation historically supports organizations within the New Jersey area, indicating a regional focus within its broader philanthropic strategy. The Robert A. Mills Foundation's strategic priorities are to empower eligible organizations to implement impactful programs. Its theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by funding diverse charitable, religious, scientific, literary, humanitarian, scholarship, and educational endeavors, it can contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more knowledgeable society. The application process, requiring submission through an online form and adherence to 501(c)(3) eligibility, ensures that resources are directed towards credible and well-structured initiatives.

The City of Virginia Beach's Community Organization Grants (COG) program is designed to award monetary grants to qualified non-profit organizations. The primary mission of this program is to encourage these agencies to provide services that enhance the quality of life for residents of Virginia Beach. This directly aligns with the city's strategic priorities to support community well-being and leverage the efforts of independent non-profit entities in addressing local needs. The program's theory of change posits that by funding these non-profits, the city can foster a more robust and responsive network of services, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in residents' daily lives. The target beneficiaries of the COG program are the residents of Virginia Beach, who receive significant, measurable direct services from the funded non-profit organizations. The impact goals are centered on improving various aspects of the quality of life within the city. Organizations must demonstrate their ability to provide an unduplicated count of residents served, ensuring that the grants lead to widespread and distinct benefits across the community. The COG program has several key priorities and focuses, including ensuring that applicants are established 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations meeting legal requirements in Virginia, the IRS, and the City of Virginia Beach. A crucial focus is that the applicant's non-profit status must be independent of the City. Additionally, the program prioritizes organizations that are not controlled by a church or sectarian society and do not advocate or advance a particular political or religious viewpoint. Financial transparency is also a priority, with requirements for disclosing contractual services provided to the City. Expected outcomes include a diverse range of improved services for Virginia Beach residents, an increase in community engagement, and a strengthened non-profit sector within the city. Measurable results are derived from the requirement for organizations to provide an unduplicated count of residents served and to fulfill all service, reporting, auditing, and payment obligations. The program also expects compliance with all local, state, and national legal requirements related to nondiscrimination in all programs and activities funded. The grant funds are strictly to remain local, ensuring that the investments directly benefit the Virginia Beach community.

This grant provides funding for individual artists, arts organizations, and small businesses in Chula Vista to create free cultural events and projects that promote community engagement and inclusivity in various artistic disciplines.

The City of Takoma Park’s Community Quality of Life Grants Program aims to enhance the well-being of its residents by supporting programs, projects, and events that increase access and opportunities in the arts and sciences. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to foster community engagement and enrichment, ensuring that residents have avenues to participate in and benefit from cultural and educational activities. The program seeks to create a vibrant community where residents can thrive through diverse experiences in the arts and sciences. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of the City of Takoma Park, with specific requirements ensuring that at least 75% of participants are city residents and at least 51% are from low-to-moderate income households (defined as 80% of the Area Median Income). The impact goals are centered on improving the quality of life by expanding access and participation in the arts and sciences, particularly for those who may face economic barriers. This focus on inclusive access aims to bridge gaps in opportunity and ensure that a broad segment of the community can benefit from these enriching experiences. The program prioritizes projects falling into one of three categories: Arts and Humanities (A&H), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). This broad focus allows for a diverse range of initiatives that can contribute to the program's overall goals. The emphasis on these specific areas reflects a strategic approach to community development, recognizing the importance of both creative and scientific literacy in fostering a well-rounded and engaged populace. Expected outcomes include increased participation of Takoma Park residents, especially those from low-to-moderate income households, in arts and science programs. Measurable results will likely involve tracking participant numbers, demographic information, and the successful completion of funded projects between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The program operates under a theory of change that by providing financial support to local organizations offering such programs, the City can directly influence and improve the quality of life for its residents, fostering a more equitable and culturally rich community.

The VISION Arts 6 Grant Program, administered by the City of Tulsa in partnership with the Tulsa Arts Commission, offers funding to local 501(c)(3) organizations and those with 501(c)(3) sponsorship to support artist-led activities that drive economic growth and enhance Tulsa’s arts ecosystem. Applications for the 2024–2025 cycle open on October 1, 2024, at 8:00 AM CDT, and close on December 22, 2024, at 11:59 PM CDT. Successful applicants will have from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, to use the funding. The program is part of the Vision Tulsa initiative, a voter-approved effort to promote economic development and improve quality of life through the arts. Since its inception, nearly $1 million has been granted to Tulsa arts organizations, with 2024 seeing over half of submissions from first-time applicants. For this cycle, organizations may request up to $50,000 with no private match requirement. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of arts professionals and community leaders who evaluate proposals based on their alignment with program goals and priorities. VISION Arts 6 focuses on promoting Tulsa’s arts and cultural identity, increasing tourism, enhancing local engagement, and using the arts to address civic challenges. Priority is given to projects that attract diverse audiences, boost access to cultural events, and create unique “sense of place” experiences. Other priorities include initiatives that enhance tourism, broaden arts audiences through research and marketing, and create multimedia content that tells Tulsa’s story. Applicants must attend one of four mandatory virtual informational sessions to be eligible for funding. Sessions will be held on October 15, October 28, November 15, and December 14, 2024, each covering the same content. Additionally, several non-mandatory sessions are available to provide technical assistance on topics like grant writing, marketing, and budgeting. While these are not required, participation must be noted in the application. Grantees are required to complete an End-of-Cycle Report within 30 days of the funding period’s end on July 1, 2026, and submit a final invoice and itemization of costs by July 31, 2026. For additional information or assistance, organizations can contact the City Design Studio at studio@cityoftulsa.org or reach out to VisionArts@cityoftulsa.org for questions about the mandatory sessions. This grant program represents a significant opportunity for Tulsa’s arts organizations to secure funding for impactful projects that enhance the city’s cultural and economic landscape. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare early and attend the required workshops to maximize their chances of success.

City of Seattle: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute Facility Grant (Washington) - The LHPAI Facility Grant supports public projects, opportunities, or events that celebrate and preserve African American and Diaspora performing arts and cultural legacies. It provides up to 40 hours of staffed building use for public arts or cultural events at LHPAI, with no monetary investment. Projects must focus on audience expansion, LHPAI goals, and community impact, serving underserved artists and communities while building community through arts and culture.

This funding opportunity supports artist collectives, cultural groups, and arts organizations in Tempe to create inclusive arts and culture programming that enriches the community.

The Vibrant City Arts Grants offered by the Community Arts Grants Program in Tempe are designed to support artist collectives, cultural groups, and arts organizations that engage in inclusive arts and culture programming. This initiative is aimed at making Tempe a vibrant hub for artists and a nucleus for diverse community creativity. Grant Details: Amount: Up to $2,500, no matching funds required. Application Deadline: Cycle 1: July 1, 2024, for projects from September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Cycle 2: December 16, 2024, for projects from February 1 to June 30, 2025. Project Requirements: Projects must take place in Tempe. Funding can cover artist services, professional fees, stipends, materials, production costs, venue rentals, catering, and marketing. Possible Projects: Performances Artist residencies and workshops Arts events Eligibility Criteria: Open to artist collectives, cultural groups, and arts organizations providing arts programming in Tempe. Applicants can only receive one grant per year (September 1 - June 30). Restrictions: No funding for activities outside Tempe, organizations with budgets over $100,000, fully virtual events, infrastructure enhancements, construction, debt reduction, school-based projects, or religious-themed projects. Applicants who previously failed to submit a final report for a funded project are ineligible.

The North St. Louis Commercial Corridor Grant Program in Missouri has been allocated $37 million of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for administration by the St. Louis Development Corporation. The program includes Community Need Grants for small businesses and nonprofits located in a HUD Qualified Census Tract within a neighborhood containing part of one of the North St. Louis Commercial Corridors, as well as Small Business Stabilization & Expansion Grants for operational support and business growth. Additionally, there is a Façade and Storefront Improvements Program aimed at enhancing the value of businesses and improving the quality of customer experience in North St. Louis neighborhoods.

COVID-19 Relief Fund in California is offering ongoing operating grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies supporting vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic. Grant requests will be considered for basic needs assistance, program support, mental health impact programming, and proactive COVID-19 recovery efforts. Grants are expected to range from $5,000 to $30,000 and will be reviewed continuously.

The Dammann Fund Grant invites applications from qualified charitable organizations operating in New York City, Southwestern Connecticut, Westchester, and Charlottesville, VA. The fund is dedicated to supporting programs that align with its mission of fostering development in two key areas: teen parenting and mental health. This grant program is designed to provide resources to organizations that can demonstrate a clear commitment to these focus areas and contribute to the well-being of the communities they serve. The fund's strategic priorities are clearly defined by its commitment to programs that enable the development of parenting skills in young parents and those that foster independent living skills for the mentally ill. These two areas reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in these specific interventions, they can achieve significant and positive societal impact. The grant aims to support initiatives that are not only well-conceived but also demonstrate a direct link to improving the lives of individuals in these vulnerable populations. Target beneficiaries for the Dammann Fund Grant are young parents seeking to develop parenting skills and individuals with mental illness who require support in achieving independent living. The impact goals are centered on enhancing the capabilities of these beneficiaries within the specified geographic regions. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the expectation is that funded programs will demonstrate tangible improvements in parenting skills for young parents and increased independent living skills for individuals with mental illness. Organizations are required to submit new applications each year, implying a continuous assessment of program effectiveness and outcomes. The Dammann Fund places importance on supporting publicly-supported charitable organizations, ensuring that grant funds are utilized ethically and in alignment with Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the Code. The fund explicitly states ineligibility for grants to individuals, capital or annual campaigns, endowments, loans, conferences, or travel, highlighting its focus on programmatic support. Grant recipients are eligible for funding for a single program for up to three consecutive years, reinforcing a commitment to sustained impact and allowing for long-term program development and evaluation.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition in Oregon is offering Cultural Opportunity Grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a year, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, to support projects that protect and stabilize cultural resources, expand public awareness of arts, humanities, and heritage, and increase access to culture, with a focus on access, awareness, and education in Lane County.

Wavemaker Arts Grants are available to arts non-profit organizations providing inclusive arts and culture programming in Tempe (501c3 status required). The Community Arts Grants Program supports a commitment to advancing Tempe as a vibrant and progressive community for cultural and artistic activity, and aims to fulfill the following recommendations from the Arts and Culture Plan: Increase and promote Community-Initiated Arts projects Support community festivals celebrating cultural diversity Continue, expand and enhance informal arts programming provided in community settings Amount: Up to $10,000 – no match required Deadline: July 1, 2024 How to Apply: All applicants are required to meet with Maja Aurora, Community Arts Manager, before completing the application. Schedule a meeting and find the application at www.tempe.gov/artsgrants Expectations: Project must take place in Tempe between September 1, 2024 - July 30, 2025. Requests may include services of artists, professional services, stipends, supplies, production costs, space rentals, food, marketing and/or printing. Project structures may include: Performances Residencies/Workshops Festivals/Arts Events Eligibility: Non-Profit organizations providing arts programming in Tempe (501c3 status required) Applicants are only eligible to receive one Community Arts Grant per year (September 1-June 30)

This funding opportunity supports individual artists and arts professionals in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to create new works or advance ongoing projects that engage and benefit the local community.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit cultural organizations in Florida, particularly those in Flagler County, to enhance arts, culture, and heritage projects that engage the public and enrich the community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to create impactful arts and cultural projects that promote community engagement, inclusivity, and diversity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to creative individuals in North Carolina for community-based arts, science, and history programming in underserved neighborhoods.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve public access to Snohomish County's historical and archaeological heritage through education, professional development, and capital improvements.

This funding program supports artists and nonprofit organizations in San Antonio by providing financial assistance for operations, events, and projects that promote diverse cultural expressions and enhance community access to the arts.

This program provides financial assistance to municipalities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for improving and developing public parks and recreational trails.