Who are we? Private, nonprofit organization Fund and conduct humanities-based cultural and educational programs for all 8 wards Not a federal or district agency, but an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

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.”

Defining 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.

2016 Cycle I Major Grant  The Major Grant is intended for larger projects from $1,501 to $5,000. Preliminary applications for the 2016 Cycle I Major Grants are due on February 5,  If your organization has not submitted this preliminary application, you will not be considered by the Board of Directors.

2016 Cycle I Small Grant  The Small Grant is intended for smaller projects or that are a component of a larger project. Funding for the 2016 Cycle I Small Applications are up to $1,500, and applications are due on March 4, **Please note that the Cycle I Major and Small grant cycle will be the only initiatives offered in 2016 without a prescribed funding preference.

2016 Soul of the City Grant  Soul of the City (SOTC) is the largest HumanitiesDC grant opportunity.  HumanitiesDC is seeking applications for three grants to provide humanities programs for youth ages in the District of Columbia, based on HumanitiesDC’s successful Soul of the City (SOTC) Program. It emphasizes one of the Council’s core beliefs that effective leadership can be cultivated through a curriculum that combines humanities concepts with skill building. SOTC encourages young people to view their city, their country and their world in new ways and prepares them for leadership. Each grant is $10,000 and HumanitiesDC is providing a prospectus that will help potential grantees design a high quality humanities program that will:  Use humanities ideas, disciplines and concepts to help youth understand themselves and the human experience. Organizations will be required to create a program curriculum.  Provide tools to encourage youth to improve themselves and the world in which they live. Gain practical transferable skills.  Produce confident, service-oriented leaders with increased communications and critical thinking skills. Funding for this grant is provided by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

2016 Grant Cycle Deadlines Major and SOTC Grant Preliminary Applications Due February 5 th, 2016 Final Major, Small and SOTC Grant Applications Due March 4th, 2016 Grant Period May 1, 2016 – April 30, 2017  INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

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 HumanitiesDC grants held by you or your sponsoring organization closed satisfactorily?  Will your program fall within the term of the grant cycle?

Application Roles  Organizational Sponsor – The president of the non-profit organization.  Project Director – The person that will guide the daily operations of the project.  Humanities Scholar – The person that guides the scholarly research of your project.  Project Bookkeeper – The person that tracks the grant funds expended for the project. Please note that the Project Bookkeeper cannot hold any other role in the project, i.e. Project Director or Sponsoring Org. Official.

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  Narrative 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.

Project Formats  Audience Discussion  Book Discussion  Conference  Curriculum Development  Debate  Discussion Guide  Exhibit  Film Discussion  Film/Video Production  Oral Histories  Panel Discussion  Radio Production  Seminars  Site Interpretation/Tour  Teacher’s Institute/Seminar  Workshop  Website Developed Content  Cultural Festival

Application Budget Project Budget Sheet Category HumanitiesDC Funds Sponsoring Cost Share Total Project Budget Requested*Cash+In-KindBudget Honoraria $ - Salary/wages $ - Travel $ - Supplies $ - Publicity, promotion, printing $ - Postage, telephone $ - Facilities rental $ - Evaluation $ - Total $ - *Total requested must not exceed 50 percent of the total project budget. + Source of cash contributions: Organization’s own funds $_________ Other sources $_________ List other sources: ______________________________________________________________

Budget Narrative  The budget narrative is a break out of the items listed in the Budget Sheet for funds requested.  For example if there was $2,000 listed in the budget sheet for salaries and wages. The budget sheet should reflect: Salary/Wages Project Director – 20 estimated hours x $50 per hour = $1,000 Videographer – 40 estimated hours x $25 per hour = $1,000  Average salaries that can be used for in-kind donations can be found at the Department of Labor and Statistics website at  Humanities Council funded projects require a 1 to 1 match up to $5,000.

What do we fund? HumanitiesDC grants fund:  Project supplies  Space rental for project event  Honoraria  Project Transportation  A/V Rental for project  Project Publicity and Promotion HumanitiesDC grants do not fund:  General office supplies  Rent, Overhead, Restoration  Refreshments/Hospitality/Parties  Creative/Performing Arts projects  Membership--i.e. members only— outreach

Consider the 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?

Questions Continued  What can be accomplished with the funds I receive from the HumanitiesDC? 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?

How To Submit an Application  Applications are available online through the HumanitiesDC website.  Please enter our website at  Click on Grants  Click Apply for a Grant

Online Grant Application

Board Evaluation Form

Do’s and Don’ts  Do break down your items listed on the budget sheet on your budget narrative.  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.  Do not 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 money.  Sign a legally binding document.  Organization becomes liable/ responsible for all aspects of grant; success and failure of project.  Must commit to spending totality of grant money. **In the unfortunate event that you cannot complete the proposed project, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COUNCIL, NO EQUIVOCATION!

Louis Hicks Director of Grants and Special Projects 925 U Street, NW Washington, DC