Grant funding available to nonprofits for humanities-based programming

Indiana Humanities announces 2018 deadlines for three grant programs . . .

Indiana nonprofits are encouraged to apply for grants in 2018 for projects that seek to engage the public in the humanities or provide historic preservation education. Through its annual grant programs – Humanities Initiative Grants and Historic Preservation Education Grants – Indiana Humanities funds a variety of programs across the state each year. In 2018, Indiana Humanities will also offer Quantum Leap grants for projects that explore the spirit of possibility and problem solving that occurs with the bridging of STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, math and medicine – with the humanities as part of Indiana Humanities’ two-year Quantum Leap initiative.

Humanities Initiative Grants of up to $2,000 are awarded twice a year to nonprofit organizations for public humanities programs such as workshops, lectures, exhibits and reading and discussion programs. Projects must contain a strong focus on the humanities, include humanities scholars in project planning and implementation and be intended for a public or school audience. The 2018 application deadlines are Jan. 29 and July 30.

In 2017, Indiana Humanities awarded more than $65,000 in Humanities Initiative Grants to 34 nonprofit organizations. Funded projects included a student curated Emily Dickinson exhibit, a documentary on a Holocaust survivor, a workshop for educators on Indiana’s Buffalo Trace and many guest lectures and speakers. For a full list of awardees, guidelines and applications, visit IndianaHumanities.org/grants.

Historic Preservation Education Grants of up to $2,500 are awarded to nonprofit organizations for educational programs and projects related to historic structures in Indiana. Eligible projects include lectures, workshops, conferences, the production of audiovisual materials and heritage or cultural tourism programs, as well as educational print materials such as walking tour brochures, guides to historic homes and curriculum units for K-12 classrooms. The grant is sponsored jointly by Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Humanities. There is a mandatory prospectus deadline of Feb. 26 and an application deadline of April 16.

Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks have been partnering on the HPEG opportunity for more than 20 years. In 2017, the grants provided 12 organizations with nearly $27,000 to fund a variety of projects including several walking tours, a student historic building video competition and a teacher’s guide on Indianapolis’ historic Garfield Park. For a full list of awardees, guidelines and applications, visit IndianaHumanities.org/grants.

Quantum Leap Grants of up to $4,000 are awarded to nonprofit organizations for reading and discussion series, exhibitions, radio or film documentary projects, scholar talks, the creation of new curriculum for K-12 students and other creative mediums that bridge STEM and the humanities. As part of Indiana Humanities’ Quantum Leap initiative, the Quantum Leap Grants aim to encourage Hoosiers to explore the spirit of possibility and problem solving. The 2018 application deadlines are Jan. 29 and July 30.

In its inaugural year, nearly $22,000 in Quantum Leap Grants were awarded to seven organizations. Funded projects included workshops for young girls combining literature and female scientists, a reading program that focuses on robots and the future of technology and many more discussion-based programs. For a full list of awardees, guidelines and applications visit IndianaHumanities.org/grants.

Funding for Indiana Humanities’ grant programs is provided in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, contact George Hanlin at 800-675-8897 or ghanlin@indianahumanities.org.

About Indiana Humanities

Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. Learn more at IndianaHumanities.org.