Who are we? Private, nonprofit organization Funds and conducts humanities- based cultural and educational programs for all 8 wards. An affiliate of the.

Who are we?• Private, nonprofit organization

• Funds and conducts humanities-based cultural and educational programs for all 8 wards.

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

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;

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

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

Qualifying Questions

•Is your organization or its sponsor a 501 c 3 non-profit?

•Is your project humanities based?

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

•Are previous HCWDC grants held by you or your sponsoring organization closed satisfactorily?

•Will your program fall within the term of the grant cycle?

Project Formats

•Audience Discussion•Book Discussion•Conference•Curriculum Development•Debate•Discussion Guide•Exhibit•Film Discussion•Film/Video Production•Lecture/Discussion•Literacy

• Oral Histories• Panel Discussion• Radio Production• Research• Scholarly Editing/Publishing• Seminars• Site Interpretation/Tour• Teacher’s Institute/Seminar• Workshop• Website Developed Content• Cultural Festival

Types of Grants

Small and Planning

Grants

•Grants of up to $1,500•Small projects, or smaller components of larger projects•Planning period for larger projects

Major Grants

• Grants of $1,501 to $5,000

• Grants for larger projects

Grant Cycles FY2012

Cycle I 2012

Major Grant Preliminary Application DueFebruary 10th

Small Grant and Final Major Grant Application DueMarch 9th

Grant PeriodMay, 1st 2012 through April 30th, 2013

INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

The Humanities Scholar• All Humanities Council funded programs must

include a Humanities Scholar. • The Humanities Scholar should be someone

keyed into the discipline and topic of your program.

• The Humanities Scholar will be completing the Scholar Evaluation at the reporting stage. This person should also work in the capacity of advising the scholarly foundations and methodologies of your project.

Application Narrative

•Narratives should include: a clear description of the program; program goals; how you will achieve the goals; the timeline of your project; how you will utilize your humanities scholar; who your audience is; your outreach strategy; your distribution strategy.

Please note that the Project Bookkeeper can not hold any otherrole in the project, i.e. Project Director or Sponsoring Org. Official

Application Budget

•HCWDC funds requested•Sponsoring cost share:

• Cash• In-kind

●Average salaries that can be used for in-kind donations can be found at the Department of Labor and Statistics website at http://www.bls.gov/ro3/ncswb.htm.

The Total requested from the HCWDC must not exceed 50 percent of the total budget.

What do we fund?

HCWDC grants fund:Project suppliesSpace rental for project eventHonorariaProject TransportationA/V Rental for projectProject Publicity and Promotion

HCWDC grants do not fund:General office suppliesRent, Overhead, RestorationRefreshments/Hospitality/PartiesCreative/Performing Arts projectsMembership--i.e. members only—outreach

Consider these Questions

Is my project Humanities 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 HCWDC? 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?

Applications 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

Online Grant Application

Online Grant Application

Online Grant Application

Board Evaluation Form

Board Evaluation Form

Do’s and Don’tsDo 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 friend read over your application.

Don’t include letters of support from organizations or individuals not involved directly in the program.

“SPECIAL”“ANNOUNCEMENT”

GRANTS CONDITIONS:In the event that you do get awarded a grant, sign your contract and accept the moneyLegally binding documentOrganization becomes liable/ responsible for all aspects of grant; success and failure of project.Must commit to spending totality of grant $$$

*In the unfortunate event that you cannot complete the proposed projectTOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COUNCIL, NO EQUIVOCATION!

Humanities Council of Washington, DC

925 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

202.387.8391 [email protected]

[email protected]