West Virginia Humanities Council Major Grants

The West Virginia Humanities Council, as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, offers an array of grant opportunities designed to support and enhance public access to humanities-centered programming throughout West Virginia. A primary offering within this portfolio is the Major Grants program, intended to support significant public humanities projects that engage West Virginia audiences. These grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a clear commitment to humanities disciplines and the promotion of understanding around topics such as history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, and the arts. Major Grants provide up to $20,000 in funding and are suited for ambitious and far-reaching projects, including lectures, school initiatives, symposiums, panel discussions, reading and discussion series, exhibitions, reenactments, and conferences. These projects must center on the humanities and include the involvement of qualified humanities scholars or expert practitioners who provide substantive content and direction. Past recipients of these grants have executed notable initiatives such as the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, a permanent exhibit at Weston State Hospital, and archeological investigations in Wood and Greenbrier counties. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that can deliver projects accessible to the public and demonstrate clear humanities content. Additionally, applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match of the funds requested, with a minimum 25% of that match in cash for requests exceeding $2,000. Grant funds can be used for honoraria, temporary staff, travel, materials, publicity, printing, and venue rentals. However, certain expenditures are not permitted, such as entertainment, receptions, food, alcohol, equipment purchases, and staff salaries that are part of regular payroll. The application process involves several detailed components. Prospective grantees are required to submit a project narrative outlining the content, goals, and outcomes, along with a budget narrative justifying each expenditure. Applications must also include project schedules and identification of involved humanities scholars with documentation of expertise. All submissions must comply with Council guidelines, including federal nondiscrimination statutes. Projects must commence at least twelve weeks after the nearest application deadline, and no grant funds or matching costs can be allocated prior to award notification. Applications for the Major Grants program are accepted twice per year, with deadlines on February 1 and September 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project ideas with the Grants Administrator in advance to ensure eligibility. Final decisions on Major Grants are made by the Council’s Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Program Committee. Notifications are typically issued within twelve weeks of the submission deadline, and grantees must submit required contracts and final reports to receive disbursements. While receiving funding in a previous cycle may bolster a grantee’s standing, it does not guarantee future awards. Each application is judged on its own merit within the cycle it is received. The Council emphasizes the importance of community collaboration, broad public accessibility, and the integration of scholars and public participants in meaningful dialogue through these funded humanities projects.

Contact Grants Administrator before applying; include humanities scholars and public access; incomplete or misaligned proposals are discouraged.