ME Humanities: Mini Grants

From Maine Humanities Council

The Maine Humanities Council focuses on distributing funding to nonprofit organizations for programs and projects that highlight the humanities, with a special emphasis on ensuring these opportunities reach communities traditionally under-resourced in these areas. Their mission underlines the importance of broad public outreach and inclusive practices in humanities programming.

Type of Support

Overview

The Maine Humanities Council Mini Grants program is designed to support nonprofit organizations in Maine that aim to engage the public in humanities projects. The grants prioritize programs with strong Maine-based content, involving individuals with expertise in the humanities, and projects that have a significant public component. Additionally, the program seeks to fund projects that:

  • Are based in, or serve, rural populations
  • Include people from historically underrepresented groups in decision-making capacities
  • Target services at people from traditionally underrepresented groups

The grant program emphasizes broad public outreach, involvement of the community in project development, creative public engagement strategies, and fostering a deeper understanding of the connections between democracy, the humanities, journalism, and an informed public. Grants of up to $2,000 are available, with a requirement for funding match or cost-share from the applying organizations.

Eligibility

Organization's Location
USA
Program Location
ME
Organization Type
Organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Government organizations
Churches
Education organizations
Individuals with a fiscal sponsor
Other
  • Located in Maine
  • Projects must be in the humanities
  • Funding match or cost-share is required
  • The grant award must be matched 1:1 by either cash or in-kind support

Ineligibility

Individuals without a fiscal sponsor
For-profit organizations
Political or advocacy organizations
Projects engaging in advocacy or discrimination
Projects promoting a specific political, religious, or ideological viewpoint
Projects supporting specific public policies or legislation
Payments to students for academically credited projects
Grants primarily for travel
Fundraising venture projects
Subawards
Capital expenditures, construction, or restoration costs
Normal organizational operating costs, indirect or overhead expenses unrelated to the project
Projects with no connection to Maine or the humanities.
up to 2k

Submission

Review Criteria

Applications are welcomed from organizations that serve and/or are led by individuals from historically undersupported communities within the humanities. This includes, but is not limited to, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, residents of rural locations, individuals with disabilities, immigrants or refugees, and non-native English speakers.