Private Humanities Grants

Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. (BEMC) offers Community Grants for a wide array of programs within its service areas, including Brunswick and Columbus counties, as well as parts of Bladen and Robeson counties in North Carolina. These grants support various initiatives, such as family service programs, civic and community programs, cultural and arts programs, emergency services, and economic development activities aimed at enhancing the community's well-being. The grant aims to fund projects and programs that offer significant benefits to the BEMC service area, prioritizing those that cater to families, children, the elderly, and economic health. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: December 1st to February 15th.

The GIVE Washington County Fund Grants, offered by the Washington County Community Foundation in Pennsylvania, is inviting applications from eligible nonprofits, governmental or educational institutions for a flexible grant of up to $10,000, to be used in eight focus areas including animal welfare, arts, community improvement, conservation, education, health, human needs, and religion, excluding general operating or routine program support.

The Scherman Foundation’s Core Fund for Reproductive Rights and Justice supports organizations working within a comprehensive reproductive justice framework that addresses the impact of race, class, gender, and sexual identity on women’s reproductive health and autonomy. The Foundation prioritizes funding for innovative national and state-based organizations using strategies such as base building, leadership development, public education, policy advocacy, voter engagement, and culture change. General operating support is emphasized for state-based and local organizations, while larger and policy-focused groups may receive project-specific support.

The Community Enhancement grants from the Greenwood County Community Foundation aim to make Greenwood County a more pleasant and livable community. Proposals may include projects related to arts and culture, community development, parks and recreation, and animal safety and care. These grants encourage initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Greenwood County through various community-oriented projects. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadline: June 1st to June 30th

This funding opportunity provides financial support to rural libraries in Oregon to create community-focused humanities events that explore themes related to public life and community engagement.

This grant provides funding to public libraries and nonprofit friends groups to create innovative cultural programs that engage and support immigrant communities across the United States.

Ball Brothers Foundation offers General Grants to support organizations operating within Indiana, with a strong focus on East Central Indiana and the Muncie/Delaware County area. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, aim to fund capacity-building initiatives, innovative approaches for community needs, specific program/project initiatives, general operating support, and seed money for new endeavors. Grant renewed every year. Grant Round 1 Annual deadlines: April 1st (preliminary application February 15th)

Targeting projects led by members from historically excluded communities, this track offers specialized support including workshops and direct consultations. Focusing on equity and inclusion within Massachusetts narratives, the grant promotes projects that reinterpret recognized histories or highlight new stories. The funding, up to $20,000, supports up to 15 selected projects through a non-competitive review process, fostering equitable representation in the state’s cultural narrative. LOI April 5th

The Norcliffe Foundation is a private family foundation established to improve the ​quality of life for all people in our community. What we fund Areas of support include human services, healthcare, civic and community projects, education, and arts and culture. Funding Areas The foundation makes grants in the following areas: Arts & Culture Civic & Community Education Environment & Conservation Healthcare & Research Historic Preservation Human & Social Services Youth Development​​

The Community Foundation of NCW's New Legacy Funds Grant Program represents a strategic shift towards place-based, community-centered grant distribution, replacing the Regional Impact Grant as the primary source of funding for nonprofits across North Central Washington. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to address community needs through a localized approach, leveraging the insights of local advisory boards (LABs) to guide the grant-making process. The program emphasizes direct community involvement, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by those who best understand their community's critical needs and enrichment opportunities. The target beneficiaries of the Legacy Fund Grants are nonprofits operating within specific geographic regions: Cashmere, Chelan Valley, Methow Valley, Okanogan Valley, Upper Valley, and Wenatchee Valley. The program aims to provide unrestricted funding, empowering these organizations to effectively meet community needs within their respective areas. The impact goal is to foster meaningful community development and address a diverse range of local challenges, reflecting the philanthropic legacies of individuals and families who established these funds. The program's priorities and focus areas are comprehensive, encompassing Arts, Culture, Humanities; Community Service/Social Benefit; Environmental/Animal Protection; Health and Human Services; and Youth Development. This broad scope allows the foundation to support a wide array of initiatives that contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of the communities in North Central Washington. The emphasis on unrestricted funding underscores the foundation's trust in local nonprofits to allocate resources where they are most needed and effective. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program's structure suggests an expected outcome of strengthened local charitable organizations and enhanced capacity to address community needs. The foundation's strategic priority is to integrate more community members into the grant-making process, thereby creating a more responsive and effective funding mechanism. The underlying theory of change appears to be that by empowering local advisory boards and providing flexible funding to geographically targeted nonprofits, the foundation can achieve more impactful and sustainable community development outcomes.

Mountain BizWorks in North Carolina is offering 20 micro-grants of $2,500 each to startups and emerging businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups, aiming to support their growth and contribution to the local community.

The Virginia250 grants, offered by Virginia Humanities, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Virginia Tourism, aim to support localities in developing arts experiences, events, programs, and content in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of these organizations to promote cultural understanding, heritage, and tourism within Virginia. The grant program seeks to leverage the historical significance of the 250th commemoration as a backdrop for artistic expression and community engagement across the state. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are diverse, including non-profits established as 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(3) institutions of higher education, other IRS-designated not-for-profit organizations, tribal nations recognized by Virginia and/or the U.S. federal government, and local committees and partners of local VA250 Committees. The program prioritizes inclusive participation, ensuring that tribal nations not recognized by the state or federal government can still apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. This broad eligibility criteria reflects a strategic priority to engage a wide array of community stakeholders in the commemoration efforts. The primary focus of the grants is to fund projects that offer arts experiences, events, programs, and content directly tied to the 250th commemoration. Applicants can apply for up to $10,000, with a required 1:1 match, indicating an emphasis on shared investment and community partnership. The funding, managed as subawards through the University of Virginia and paid on a reimbursable basis, suggests a commitment to accountability and careful financial stewardship. The project period from August 1, 2024, to August 1, 2025, provides a clear timeline for implementation and impact. The expected outcomes include the successful development and execution of arts-focused commemorative activities across Virginia. Measurable results would likely encompass the number of arts projects funded, the number of localities engaged, the reach of these events (e.g., attendance figures), and the types of artistic content created. The underlying theory of change is that by supporting local arts initiatives tied to a significant historical event, the grants will foster a deeper appreciation for Virginia's heritage, stimulate cultural tourism, and strengthen community bonds through shared experiences. This approach aims to create lasting cultural and economic benefits throughout the state.

The Ball Brothers Foundation provides Rapid Grants up to $5,000 for immediate funding needs of organizations within Indiana, particularly for those in East Central Indiana and the Muncie/Delaware County area. These grants are designed to support professional development, travel or equipment needs for new projects, or act as seed money for new initiatives. Rapid Grants are awarded from February 1 to November 30 annually, with notification within one to two weeks of submission. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadlines: February 1st to November 30th

This grant provides funding to Massachusetts-based non-profits and organizations to expand and enhance previously funded projects that collect and share underrepresented narratives and experiences from the Commonwealth.

The Neal Peirce Foundation is offering up to seven travel grants of up to $1,500 each in 2024 to journalists, particularly those early in their careers or from underrepresented backgrounds, to support the coverage of underreported stories about urban solutions that improve cities and regions for all people, with the expectation that travel and story submission will occur within three months of receiving the award.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington for projects that enhance community services in areas such as education, public health, and cultural activities.

The Community Service Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), also known as TEDF Category B, is a grant program offered by the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Economic Development. This program is designed to provide additional road funding to Michigan's smallest communities, particularly those with limited ability to fund road improvement projects. It acts as a stop-gap measure to address critical infrastructure needs in these areas. The target beneficiaries of this grant are villages and small cities with a population of 10,000 or less, according to the 2020 census. The program's impact goal is to improve road infrastructure in these communities, ensuring safer and more functional transportation networks. The expected outcomes include the reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, or capital preventative maintenance of city or village streets and associated stormwater improvements. Program priorities are centered around maximizing the impact of the funding and encouraging efficient asset management. Applications are scored based on the agency's ability to fund road projects (proportional to 2023 real/personal property value and population), projects on local roads (due to fewer eligible funding sources), projects paired with other infrastructure initiatives for efficiency, collaborative projects with other agencies to encourage lower pricing, and preventative maintenance projects for better asset management. Agencies that have previously received a grant from this program will have points reduced. The funding information specifies a maximum grant amount that is the lesser of 50% of the eligible and participating costs, up to $250,000. The local agency is responsible for the remaining project costs. To receive the full $250,000, the eligible and participating work must equal or exceed $500,000. New construction or routine maintenance, such as filling potholes, mowing, or plowing, are not permitted with Category B funding, reinforcing the program's focus on significant infrastructure improvements.

The James C. Stewart Charitable Foundation awards grants to organizations engaged in a variety of charitable activities. While there are no formal geographic limitations, the foundation primarily supports organizations located in Tucson, Arizona and Southern California, consistent with its practice of community focused giving. Program areas include arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; public and society benefit; and religion. The average grant size is about 10,000 dollars, and total annual giving averages 50,000 dollars. Funding may be used for projects and programs that align with the foundations broad charitable purposes. Eligible applicants must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications are submitted through the online form or an accessible alternative provided by the trustee. Requests should demonstrate community benefit and alignment with program areas. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not specified. Additional information is available from the trustee portal referenced by Wells Fargo.

Community Investment Grants Program in Indiana is offering funding to support new charitable programs and projects requiring durable equipment and capital items that are essential for organizations to carry out their charitable purposes. The grant decisions aim to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County and support projects addressing community needs with lasting value. The funding categories include education, nonprofit capacity building, youth philanthropy, human services, MYPath Trail System, attracting and retaining "Rising Generations" (25–40-year-olds), and may also include other areas of emphasis such as quality of place, arts & culture, trails & parks.

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (CFECI) is offering the 2024 Community Commitment Grant, a program designed to support various essential sectors within the east central Illinois region. This grant aligns directly with the foundation's mission to address community problems and seize opportunities in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, education, health and human services, urban affairs, and youth activities. While all these categories are considered, the foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate practical approaches to community challenges, foster collaboration among agencies, and generate broad community support through both professional and volunteer engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or comparable non-profit public charities serving residents of east central Illinois. The impact goals are to strengthen the effectiveness and stability of these agencies and to improve the quality of life within the targeted communities. The grant specifically prioritizes proposals that promote cooperation, community involvement, and sustainable solutions to local issues. By supporting these organizations, the CFECI aims to cultivate a more resilient and vibrant community ecosystem. The focus of the Community Commitment Grant is broad, encompassing several key areas crucial for community well-being. These include cultural enrichment through arts and humanities, environmental stewardship, educational advancement, improved health and human services, positive urban development, and robust youth programs. The foundation encourages innovative proposals that not only identify problems but also offer actionable solutions, thereby contributing to a comprehensive approach to community development. Expected outcomes include enhanced services and programs offered by recipient organizations, increased collaboration among local agencies, and greater community engagement in addressing shared challenges. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the qualitative impact of strengthening agency effectiveness and generating community support, the historical grant range of $500 to $7,500 indicates a commitment to providing impactful, albeit varied, levels of financial assistance. The CFECI's strategic priority is clearly to empower local organizations to effect positive change, operating on a theory of change that by investing in practical, collaborative, and community-supported initiatives, significant and lasting improvements can be made across diverse sectors within east central Illinois.