Maryland Humanities Council Grant Application Information

What is MHC? Private, educational, 501(c)3 non-profit Private, educational, 501(c)3 non-profit Local subsidiary of the National Endowment for the Humanities Local subsidiary of the National Endowment for the Humanities Funded by private foundations, for profit corporations, individuals, and state of Maryland 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 Ancient and Modern Languages Literature Literature Law Law History History Philosophy Philosophy Anthropology 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 MHC Grants 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 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 MAJOR GRANTS Awards up to $10,000 Awards up to $10,000 Intent to apply due dates: September 1 and March 1 Intent to apply due dates: September 1 and March 1 Final application due dates: October 15 and April 15 Final application due dates: October 15 and April 15 OPPORTUNITY GRANTS Awards up to $1,200 Applications are due the 1 st of Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, November Project should be complete within 12 months

Grant Categories Open Grant Open Grant Civic Engagement Grant Civic Engagement Grant Practicing Democracy: Seeking Common Ground 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. 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 Civic Engagement Grants promote informed dialogue / civic engagement about critical issues. 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. 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: Two elements are key: Must use the humanities as the central resource to inform the exchange 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. Must involve the participants in an interactive conversation that examines important issues in the community.

Practicing Democracy MHC’s newest program MHC’s newest program Takes Civic Engagement a step further Takes Civic Engagement a step further Strives to gather people of divergent opinions together for real conversation and respectful debate Strives to gather people of divergent opinions together for real conversation and respectful debate discussion forums, workshops and interactive events discussion forums, workshops and interactive events Applies to Major Grants and Opportunity Grants with the same respective due dates Applies to Major Grants and Opportunity Grants with the same respective due dates

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

How to Apply for an MHC Grant (in 12 easy steps) 1. Make sure your organization/project is eligible Non-profit? Non-profit? Humanities-based project? Humanities-based project? Humanities scholars identified? Humanities scholars identified? Is your project engaging and beneficial Marylanders? Is your project engaging and beneficial Marylanders? Do you have matching funds? 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? Major Grant funding level or Opportunity Grant funding level? Which grant category best matches your project? Open, Civic Engagement, or Practicing Democracy? 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 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 Grants Evaluation Criteria Humanities Content Humanities Content Conversation, Discussion, Dialogue Conversation, Discussion, Dialogue Program Quality Program Quality Project Management Project Management Budget Budget New Audiences New Audiences Overall Rating 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 Print, read and edit Spell check and proofread Spell check and proofread Check the budget – make sure rows and columns add up Check the budget – make sure rows and columns add up 8. 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 Letters of Intent to Participate CV’s or resumes CV’s or resumes Written quotes or price list to support the budget Written quotes or price list to support the budget Examples of previous work (film, audio recording) Examples of previous work (film, audio recording) Brochures 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 WAIT

The MHC On-Line Application Access the on-line application on the MHC website grants page at Access the on-line application on the MHC website grants page at **Demonstration**