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 Due December 3, 2010 All Applications Due January 7, 2011 Grant Period March1, 2011-February 29, 2012 Autumn Cycle II Preliminary Application Due August 5, 2011 All Applications Due September 9, 2011 Grant Period November 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 Due May 6, 2011 Grant Period June 21, 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 other role 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 supplies  Space rental for project event  Honoraria  Project Transportation  A/V Rental for project  Project Publicity and Promotion HCWDC grants do not fund:  General office supplies  Rent, Overhead, Restoration  Refreshments/Hospitality/ Parties  Equipment purchases  Creative/Performing Arts projects  Membership--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 Application  One(1) copy of the complete Preliminary Application APPLICATION  One(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 money  Legally binding document  Organization 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 James Nelson