Private Humanities Grants

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

The Mississippi Humanities Council offers grants to support projects that engage communities in meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and are participatory and engaging, applying humanities to everyday life. Grants support public humanities programs, exhibits, planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in various media. Regular grants : start at $2,500 to $10,000. Regular grants applications are accepted on May 1st and September 1st Grant renewed every year.

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is a collaboration between the Smithsonian and Mass Humanities, bringing the "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" exhibit to rural communities in Massachusetts. This program aims to enhance local engagement by incorporating community-specific programming alongside the national exhibition. Each selected site will host the exhibit for six weeks from April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026, and will develop six related programs. The initiative underscores the evolution of American democracy, with a particular focus on issues of representation, civic participation, and the responsibilities of citizenship.Key Dates: LOI opens March 11, 2024; LOI due May 10, 2024; Award Notification July 1, 2024; Voices and Votes Tour April 19, 2025, to February 1, 2026

This grant provides funding for innovative arts, culture, humanities, and education projects in Memphis, Miami, and New York City, specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations.

The Ida Alice Ryan Charitable Trust is offering grants to support charitable institutions located in or around Atlanta, Georgia. This grant program is aligned with the Trust's mission to foster community well-being by empowering organizations that serve vital needs in the region. The Trust's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on key areas that contribute to a thriving society within the Metro Atlanta 28-County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate within the specified Atlanta area. The impact goals of the Trust are implicitly to strengthen the capacity of these local charities, enabling them to expand their reach and effectiveness in addressing critical community issues. The Trust's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined, encompassing arts, culture, and humanities; education; health; human services; and public/society benefit. These areas represent the core sectors where the Trust believes its funding can yield the most significant positive change. By supporting organizations within these categories, the Trust aims to contribute to a more vibrant, educated, healthy, and supportive community. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided description, it can be inferred that the Trust seeks to achieve tangible improvements in the quality of life for Atlanta residents through the work of its grantees. The Trust's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by investing in established and impactful charitable institutions, it can indirectly facilitate a wide range of positive social and cultural advancements across the diverse focus areas.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and churches in Lewis County, New York, for the exterior preservation and restoration of historically significant structures that enhance community heritage and accessibility.

This program provides financial support to women entrepreneurs who own small food and beverage businesses in the U.S., helping them address their funding needs and participate in a virtual business development program.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

The Kiwanis Club of Los Altos Foundation annually offers grants to organizations operating within the greater Los Altos area. Focused on supporting initiatives that align with their mission of “Serving the Children of the World,” the foundation grants financial aid to projects and programs benefiting the community, particularly youth and seniors. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, with past recipients including diverse beneficiaries such as Tech Trek, Mentor Tutor Connection, and the Living Classroom. Application acceptance period is from October 1 to January 31 each year.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government units, and educational institutions in Charlevoix County that are working on projects related to arts, music, history, and culture.

This grant provides financial support to small or all-volunteer organizations in Connecticut focused on projects or operational needs that promote equity and dismantle structural racism in Greater Hartford's Black and Latinx communities.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is inviting applications for the Deadwood Fund Grant. This initiative aims to support significant restoration or rehabilitation projects for historic properties across the state. Managed by the State Historical Society's historic preservation office, the program offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Applicants must match the grant amount with nonfederal and nonstate sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with nonprofits allowed to count in-kind services for up to half of their match requirement. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall deadline: October 1st

The Mississippi Humanities Council offers grants to support projects that engage communities in meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and are participatory and engaging, applying humanities to everyday life. Grants support public humanities programs, exhibits, planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in various media. Regular grants : start at $2,500 to $10,000. Regular grants applications are accepted on May 1st and September 1st Grant renewed every year.

This new multi-year grant program intends to create local community connections to California’s rich and diverse cultural history and natural areas outside of California’s state park boundaries. Eligible projects will enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. The Local Parks Grants Program will be managed and administered by Parks California. This program supports the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past Initiative.

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 2 Annual deadlines: September 1st (preliminary application July 15th)

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in Charlevoix County to implement projects focused on environmental education, protection, restoration, and sustainability.

The Vibrant City Arts Grants, offered by the City of Tempe, are designed to invigorate Tempe's artistic landscape by supporting inclusive arts and culture programming. This initiative aligns with the city's mission to foster a supportive environment for artists and cultivate community creativity in all its diverse expressions. The program emphasizes accessibility and local engagement, aiming to make arts and culture a central component of Tempe's community identity. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are artist collectives, cultural groups, and arts organizations that provide programming within Tempe. The program targets projects that will occur between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The impact goals are centered on activating Tempe as a hub for artistic expression and community participation, ensuring that a wide array of residents can experience and engage with cultural activities. The grant prioritizes projects that enhance community creativity and artistic opportunities within Tempe. While applicants are not required to be Tempe-based, their projects must take place within the city. Funding can cover various expenses, including artist services, professional fees, stipends, supplies, production costs, space rentals, food, marketing, and printing. Eligible project types include performances, residencies/workshops, and general arts events. The program encourages a broad interpretation of arts programming, seeking to support diverse forms of creative expression. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and active arts scene in Tempe, increased community engagement in cultural activities, and greater support for local artists and arts organizations. Measurable results could include the number of projects funded, the number of participants reached, and the variety of artistic disciplines represented. The maximum funding available is $2,500, with no match required, making the grants accessible to smaller organizations and emerging artists. The duration of the grant is one year, supporting sustained artistic endeavors within the community. The program's strategic priorities are to cultivate a thriving arts ecosystem in Tempe and ensure that arts and culture are accessible to all residents. The underlying theory of change is that by directly funding local arts initiatives, the City of Tempe can stimulate economic activity, enhance quality of life, and strengthen community bonds through shared cultural experiences. This direct investment in arts programming is intended to create a ripple effect, fostering a more creative, engaged, and culturally rich city. There are several restrictions to ensure the grants align with the program's goals. Activities occurring outside Tempe, organizations with budgets exceeding $100,000, entirely virtual programming, permanent infrastructure enhancements, construction, debt reduction, and projects in schools (unless through a specific Arts in Schools Grant) are ineligible. Additionally, projects associated with universities or colleges, religious organizations, fundraising, scholarship programs, and applicants who failed to submit a Final Report from a previously funded grant are not eligible.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), established in 1986, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents in northern Chautauqua. Their focus extends beyond geographic boundaries, aiming to foster a thriving community they proudly call home. Over the years, NCCF has spearheaded numerous projects spanning arts and culture, environment, health and human services, and neighborhood revitalization. NCCF seeks to strategically invest in the community, partnering with nonprofits to address complex issues and seize opportunities for lasting impact. They prioritize proposals that combine passion with thoughtful planning and eagerly await ideas for realizing their vision of a healthy and prosperous community. Their Community Grants Program reviews proposals biannually, in spring and fall. The initial step involves submitting a Letter of Interest, which should include a brief project description aligning with the agency’s mission, anticipated impacts, total project cost, and requested amount. Letters must be two pages or less and submitted electronically by 4:00 p.m. on March 1st or September 1st for consideration. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, though meeting program priorities and guidelines doesn't guarantee an invitation. In evaluating applications, NCCF prioritizes projects' potential community benefits, organizational capacity, meaningful collaborations, and ability to leverage additional funds or resources. Grant proposals must address identified community needs, benefit the northern Chautauqua area, and be submitted by 501(c)3 organizations or appropriate nonprofits. Historically, grants have ranged from $500 to $15,000, with competitive grants typically averaging $1,500 to $3,000. Multi-year funding may be considered based on program outcomes, but organizations can only have one open grant at a time. Expenses like overhead, fundraising campaigns, and unrelated salaries/stipends are generally not funded. Funding for religious organizations is contingent on community benefit and non-proselytization. NCCF prohibits discrimination in hiring, service provision, or volunteer/vendor selection, supporting inclusivity and diversity. For inquiries, Eileen M. Ardillo, the Program Coordinator, can be reached at 716-366-4892 or [email protected]. NCCF appreciates collaboration and shares the community's vision for a healthy and prosperous future.

This grant supports local LGBTQIA+ groups in selected counties of New Mexico. It aims to fund ongoing programs that offer social support across all ages within the queer community. The grant encourages initiatives in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, focusing on human rights, public health, sex education, and various cultural expressions. Projects that address significant needs within the queer community are prioritized.

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to Florida-based nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that celebrate and share the state's history, culture, and personal stories, with a focus on community engagement and inclusivity.