Maryland Humanities Council

Grant Application Information

What is MHC?

Private, educational, 501(c)3 non-profit

Local subsidiary of the National Endowment for the Humanities

Funded by private foundations, for profit corporations, individuals, and state of Maryland

What does the MHC do?

MHC promotes humanities throughout Maryland encouraging dialogue that explores human values, strengthens our community and connects us to

the wider world.

What do we mean by Humanities?

Ancient and Modern Languages

Literature Law History Philosophy Anthropology

Performing Arts history and theory

Ethics Archeology Comparative

Religion Social Sciences Architecture

What do we mean by the humanities?

The humanities can be described as the study of the myriad ways in which people, from every period of history and from every corner of the globe, process and document the human experience. Since humans have been able, we have used philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history and language to understand and record our world. These modes of expression have become some of the subjects that traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella. Knowledge of these records of human experience gives us the opportunity to feel a sense of connection to those who have come before us, as well as to our contemporaries.

Stanford University website

What about the MHCGrants Program?

Part of MHC’s mission is to provide grants to non-profit organizations that use the humanities to engage

Marylanders in conversations about important issues

Funding Levels

MAJOR GRANTS Awards up to

$10,000 Intent to apply

due dates: September 1 and March 1

Final application due dates: October 15 and April 15

OPPORTUNITY GRANTS Awards up to

$1,200 Applications are

due the 1st of Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, November

Project should be complete within 12 months

Grant Categories

Open Grant Civic Engagement Grant Practicing Democracy: Seeking

Common Ground Grant

Open Grants Open Grant Programs can take many

forms, including lectures, seminars, symposia, interpretive exhibits, films, media projects, reading/ discussion programs, teacher institutes, local histories, living histories, public archaeology, distance learning, or other formats that effectively engage Marylanders in the humanities.

Civic Engagement Grant Civic Engagement Grants

promote informed dialogue / civic engagement about critical issues.

Critical issues might include race relations, population growth, immigration, environmental issues, health care, wealth and poverty, crime and safety, or other topics of importance to the applicant's community.

Two elements are key: Must use the humanities as the central

resource to inform the exchange Must involve the participants in an interactive

conversation that examines important issues in the community.

Practicing Democracy

MHC’s newest program Takes Civic Engagement a step further Strives to gather people of divergent

opinions together for real conversation and respectful debate

discussion forums, workshops and interactive events

Applies to Major Grants and Opportunity Grants with the same respective due dates

Practicing Democracy Sample Topics

The Environment Historic Preservation Energy Resources Real Estate Development/Land Use Transportation Race/Culture Healthcare Reform Immigration

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

1. Make sure your organization/project is eligible

Non-profit? Humanities-based project? Humanities scholars identified? Is your project engaging and

beneficial Marylanders? Do you have matching funds?

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

2. Determine which type of grant fits your project

Major Grant funding level or Opportunity Grant funding level?

Which grant category best matches your project? Open, Civic Engagement, or Practicing Democracy?

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

3. Note the grant due dates Start early! There’s more than just

the form to fill out

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

4. Contact MHC grant staff with questions or to discuss your proposal

5. Complete the Intent to Apply Form on line (Major Grants only – not needed for Opportunity Grants

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

6. Complete the application on line and describe the ways in which the project meets the MHC Grants Committee evaluation criteria.

MHC GrantsEvaluation Criteria

Humanities Content Conversation, Discussion, Dialogue Program Quality Project Management Budget New Audiences Overall Rating(see handout for details)

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

7. Review the proposal Print, read and edit Spell check and proofread Check the budget – make sure rows

and columns add up8. Get someone unfamiliar with the

project to read it for clarity

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

9. Include supporting documents and information

Letters of Intent to Participate CV’s or resumes Written quotes or price list to support

the budget Examples of previous work (film, audio

recording) Brochures

How to Apply for an MHC Grant

(in 12 easy steps)

10. Submit the application on line by midnight on the due date. If the due date is on a weekend or holiday, submit by the next business day.

11. Print, sign and mail a hard copy to MHC within 10 days.

12. WAIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The MHC On-Line Application

Access the on-line application on the MHC website grants page at www.mdhc.org

**Demonstration**