The Mississippi Humanities Council, founded in 1972, is a non-profit organization promoting the relevance of the humanities in serious thought, discussion, and decision-making. It aims to enhance public understanding of historical, literary, and philosophical perspectives on the human experience. Committed to accessibility, the Council encourages programs that reach a wide Mississippi audience, expecting grant recipients to support this commitment.
The Mississippi Oral History Project, funded since 1999 by the Mississippi Legislature through the Department of Archives and History, awards grants to groups conducting oral history projects related to the experiences of Mississippians. Grants of $2,500 or less can be submitted anytime with a four-week lead before the project's start, while requests for $2,501 to $7,500 have deadlines of May 1 and September 15. Successful applicants must ensure their collected recordings are archived, cataloged, and made accessible through a public archive in Mississippi, with the Council providing assistance in identifying suitable archives if needed. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to plan for the use, dissemination, or exhibition of completed interviews to extend the impact of their projects.