DC Community Heritage Project (DCCHP)

DC Community Heritage Project (DCCHP)

• A Program of the Humanities Council of Washington, DC and the DC Historic Preservation Office

• “Provides funding and support to community leaders interested in preserving the history, architecture, and collective memory of their neighborhoods.”

• Funds Projects Related to Community Heritage or Historic Preservation

Who are we?The Humanities Council of Washington, DC• Private, nonprofit organization• Our funds support humanities-

based cultural and educational programs for all 8 wards of Washington.

• An affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) but not a Federal or District agency

The Historic Preservation Office• Historic preservation safeguards

the District of Columbia’s cultural heritage, supports the local economy, and fosters civic pride in the city’s beauty and history.

• Historic preservation programs are carried out by the Historic Preservation Review Board and the Historic Preservation Office, a part of the Office of Planning.

Our Mission

The mission of the Humanities Council is to :• enrich the quality of life,• foster intellectual stimulation, • promote cross-cultural understanding • and promote appreciation of local history in all neighborhoods of the

District through humanities programs and grants.

The Humanities Council believes that in-depth consideration of the issues that affect us as individuals in a society can make a positive impact on our lives, and believes each citizen can participate in our vision to “transform lives through the power of the humanities.”

What are the Humanities?

The Humanities tell us what it means to be human. They help us understand…Our story’s past: history, anthropology, archaeology,

preservation;

Our story’s expressions: literature, languages, arts history, theory and criticism;

Our story’s values: ethics, philosophy, comparative religion, law.

DC Community Heritage Project Grant Cycle

• Grant Amount - up to $2,000• Focus on Community Heritage or Historic Preservation• 120-day grant period - June 15th through October 15th • Must produce tangible product by end of grant period

• Short project or• Component of larger project or• Planning work to develop a larger project

• Application Due May 4th• Committee Review: mid-May• Board Decisions: early June

Qualifying Questions for DCCHP

• Is my project preservation or heritage based?

• Is my project a benefit to the people of the District of Columbia?

• Has my previous HCWDC or HPO grant(s) been closed satisfactorily?

• Can my project be completed within the term of the grant cycle?

• Am I a DC non-profit organization?

• Am I willing to fulfill the terms of the grant agreement and complete the required reports?

Possible DCCHP Projects• Exhibit • Film/Video Production• Neighborhood History Website • Curriculum Development• Oral Histories• Historical Buildings Survey• Research Paper• Church History Brochure

• Scholarly Editing/Publishing• Archive Collection• Site Interpretation/Tour• Teacher’s Institute/Seminar• Community History Day• Display Banner• Podcast

• Workshop/Conference• Application for historic

designation

The Humanities Scholar• All Humanities Council funded programs must

include a Humanities Scholar. • The Scholar should be someone keyed into the

discipline and topic of your program.

• The Scholar will work in the capacity of advising the scholarly foundations and methodologies of your project.

• The Scholar will be completing the Scholar Evaluation at the reporting stage.

Application NarrativeYour narrative should include:

• a clear description of the program and program goals;

• how you will achieve the goals;

• the timeline of your project;

• how you will utilize your humanities scholar;

• who your audience is, outreach and distribution strategy;

• impact on the citizens of the District of Columbia. Please note that the Project Bookkeeper may not hold any otherrole in the project, i.e., as Project Director or Sponsoring Org. Official

Application Budget

• DCCHP funds requested• Applicant cost share/contribution:

• Cash• In-kind

• Brief budget narrative explaining allocation of expenses and funding sources, including possible fees.

The TOTAL requested from the DCCHP must not exceed 50 percent of the total budget.

What do we fund?DCCHP grants fund: Project supplies Space rental for

project event Honoraria Project Transportation A/V Rental for project Project Publicity and

Promotion

DCCHP grants do not fund: General office supplies Rent, Overhead,

Restoration Refreshments/

Hospitality/Parties Creative/Performing

Arts projects Membership – i.e.,

members only—outreach

Consider these Questions

Is my project Heritage/Preservation - based?

How does my project highlight, enrich, and/or bring about a greater awareness of Washington, D.C. history, neighborhoods, and residents?

What is the story I want to tell? Why is it important?

Is my budget realistic?

Consider these Questions

What can be accomplished with the funds I receive from the DCCHP? Are my goals and timeline realistic?

Do I have a capable and compatible scholar to guide this project?

Who is the audience? What is the size of the audience?

What is my distribution strategy?

What is my outreach and promotion strategy?

What do I Submit?

APPLICATIONApplications are available online through the Humanities Council of Washington, DC website.

Please enter our website at www.wdchumanities.orgClick GrantsClick Apply for a Grant

Online Grant Application

Click Create

Account

Online Grant Registration

You will be prompted to

submit the name of the Project

Director and Fiscal Sponsor Agent

Online Grant Application

Online Grant Application

Online Grant Application

Online Grant Application

Please save documents

after changes are made to your application

Evaluation Form

Evaluation Form

Evaluation Form

Evaluation Form

Do’s and Don’ts Do break down your budget items on the budget sheet.

Do state clearly the goal of your project and how you will achieve it.

Do state clearly how this will benefit the people of D.C.

Do try to anticipate and answer reviewer questions.

Do include letters from partner organizations acknowledging the partnership.

Do have a competent source read over your application.

Do not include letters of support from organizations or individuals not directly involved in the program.

“SPECIAL”“ANNOUNCEMENT”

GRANTS CONDITIONS: In the event that you do get awarded a grant,

sign your contract and accept the money: Legally binding document Organization becomes liable/ responsible for all

aspects of grant; success and failure of project. Must commit to spending total grant $$$

amount Must include logos & federal language

requirements in all products, press releases, etc.

*If you cannot complete the proposed projectTOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANT MUST BE RETURNED,

NO EQUIVOCATION!

Humanities Council of Washington, DC

925 U Street NWWashington, DC 20001

202.387.8391 grants@wdchumanities.orgmsmith@wdchumanities.org

and

DC Historic Preservation Office

patsy.fletcher@dc.gov202-741-0816