Who we are… Private, nonprofit organization An affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) but not a Federal or District agency Funds.

Who we are…• Private, nonprofit organization

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

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

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, art 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 Humanities Council 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

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

Spring Cycle I

Preliminary Application DueDecember 3, 2010

All Applications DueJanuary 7, 2011

Grant PeriodMarch1, 2011-February 29,

2012

Autumn Cycle II

Preliminary Application DueAugust 5, 2011

All Applications DueSeptember 9, 2011

Grant PeriodNovember 1, 2011-October 31,

2012

INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

DC Community Heritage Project Grant Cycle

• Grants of up to $2,000• Focus on Community Heritage or Historic Preservation• Funds are designated for short projects that can be

completed within the 120-day grant period• short projects• contained components of larger projects• planning work to develop a larger project

• Must produce a tangible product

DC Community Heritage Project Grant Cycle

Applications DueMay 6, 2011

Grant PeriodJune 21, 2011- October 21, 2011

What does a full application packet

include? □ Application Form

□ Certification of Compliance

□ Project Budget Sheet

□ Budget Narrative

□ Project Narrative

□ Scholar’s Resume

□ 501(c)(3) IRS Letter of Determination

□Supporting Materials

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

•For the Preliminary Application and for Small/Planning grants your narrative can be up to one page. •For Major Grant Applications your narrative can be up to three pages. •What should the Application Narrative include?

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

Address these Questions

What are the purpose, background, and humanities content of the project?

What is the format of the program or final product?

What role will your sponsoring organization play in the project?

What is the role of the humanities scholar in the project?

Do you have any partnering organizations for the project?

Address these Questions

What is the timeline of the project?

Why is the project important to Washington, DC?

How will you develop an audience? (Marketing & Outreach)

What evaluation methods will be used in the project?

Budget Sheet

•HCWDC funds requested•Sponsoring cost share:

• Cash• In-kind

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

Budget Narrative

•The budget narrative delineates each item listed on your budget sheet.

• For all applications, the budget narrative can be up to one page.

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/ PartiesEquipment purchasesCreative/Performing Arts projectsMembership--i.e. members only—outreach

Supporting Materials

• Please provide supporting materials that are directly relevant to the project.

• Examples include signed agreements and endorsements from partnering organizations, publicity from past runs of the program, any reviews or evaluation for the project.

What do I Submit?

Preliminary ApplicationOne(1) copy of the complete Preliminary Application

APPLICATIONOne(1) copy of the complete Small/Planning Grant Application package

One (1) copy of the complete Major Grant Application package if you are invited to apply

Please double check the checklist for each package!

What happens next?

• Invitation to apply for a major grant

• February, 2011: Board Review

• Early February: All applicants notified of decisions

• If accepted: Awards Ceremony February 17

• Projects begin March 1, 2011

Grant Conditions

In the event that you are 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 project

TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANT MUST BE RETURNED

Humanities Council of Washington, DC

925 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

202.387.8391 James Nelson

[email protected]