2. 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)

3. Our Mission The mission of HumanitiesDC 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 HumanitiesDC 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.”

4. 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.

5. 2017 Open Humanities Grant
The Grant is intended for major projects that will contribute significantly to Washingtonians’ engagement with th humanities.
Awards range from $5,000- $15,000.
No preliminary applications required
Application Deadline- Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
First time proposal writers are required to attend a grant writing workshop prior to submitting their application.

6. 2017 Soul of the City Grant
Soul of the City (SOTC) is a youth focused grant opportunity.
HumanitiesDC is seeking applications for three grants ($10,000 each) to provide humanities programs for youth ages in the District of Columbia, based on HumanitiesDC’s successful Soul of the City (SOTC) Program. Organizations will be required to create a program curriculum (minimum of 20 youth). The program should emphasize HumanitiesDC’s belief that effective leadership can be cultivated through a curriculum that combines humanities concepts with skill building. You are encouraged to create your SOTC as a summer program that will:
Encourages young people to view their city, their country and their world in new ways;
Use humanities ideas, disciplines and concepts to help youth understand themselves and the human experience. 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.

7. 2017 Grant Cycle Deadlines
Open Humanities and SOTC Grant Applications Due
March 3, 2017
Grant Period
May 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018
INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

8. 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?

9. 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.

10. The Humanities Scholar
All HumanitiesDC 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Publicity, promotion, printing
Application Budget
Project Budget Sheet
Category
HumanitiesDC Funds
Sponsoring Cost Share
Total Project Budget
Requested*
Cash+
In-Kind
Budget
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: ______________________________________________________________

14. 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
HumanitiesDC funded projects require a 1 to 1 match up to $5,000.

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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?

18. 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

19. Online Grant Application

20. First Time Applicant Registration/ Log-in

21. Online Grant Application

22. Online Grant Application

23. Online Grant Application

24. Online Grant Application

25. Board Evaluation Form

26. Board Evaluation Form

27. 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.

28. “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 HUMANITIESDC, NO EQUIVOCATION!

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