Nevada Humanities Project Grants

The mission of Nevada Humanities is to connect and transform communities by sharing and amplifying the stories, ideas, experiences, and traditions of the diverse people of Nevada. 

In support of its mission, Nevada Humanities creates and supports public programs statewide that articulate the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to Nevadans and their communities. These programs help perpetuate and disseminate local culture and heritage, improve quality of life, enhance education, and enrich life and thought. In addition, Nevada Humanities contributes to the economic health of Nevada by producing and promoting activities that stimulate heritage tourism and attract new business to the state, aid in fostering a creative and well-educated population, and support a diverse and important nonprofit cultural industry throughout the state. Nevada Humanities is one of 56 independent, nonprofit state and territorial humanities councils that partner with the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

Nevada Humanities awards matching project grants in three categories: Major Project Grants, Mini-Grants, and Planning Grants. These grants are awarded to Nevada 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, education institutions, and state and local government and tribal entities to support the implementation of public humanities projects throughout Nevada. 

Carefully read the grant guidelines in advance of beginning your application process.

 

FY2024 Project Grant Information

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  • Access the FY2024 Project Grant Guidelines HERE.

  • FY2024 Nevada Humanities Major Project Grants 
    Deadline: September 1, 2023
    Online Application Portal Opens: July 15, 2023
    Funding Level: Up to $7,500 
    Period of Performance: November 1, 2023 – October 31, 2024 

    FY2024 Nevada Humanities Mini-Grants
    Deadline: Rolling; application must be submitted at least ten weeks before project’s first public event
    Online Application Portal Opens: July 15, 2023 
    Funding Level: Up to $2,000 
    Period of Performance: Flexible; projects must take place between November 1, 2023 - October 31, 2024, and be completed by October 31, 2024; period of performance is subject to award date and completion of project.

    FY2024 Nevada Humanities Planning Grants
    Deadline: Rolling; application must be submitted at least ten weeks before project’s first planning meeting
    Online Application Portal Opens: July 15, 2023 
    Funding Level: Up to $1,000 
    Period of Performance: Flexible; projects must take place between November 1, 2023 - October 31, 2024, and be completed by October 31, 2024; period of performance is subject to award date and completion of project.

    All Nevada Humanities grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.

  • Nevada Humanities project grants (Major Project Grants, Mini-Grants, Planning Grants) support innovative humanities projects created primarily for Nevada audiences, or designed to enhance national or international understanding of Nevada issues, culture, and heritage. We especially encourage projects that will engage diverse audiences and participants.

    Humanities projects are dynamic and may take many forms, including media programs and documentaries, exhibitions, forums and discussions, public dialogue and conversation, workshops, research projects with public components, publications, educational initiatives and programs, and digital productions. Whatever their form, such projects draw upon the humanities, address important issues, and enrich the state’s cultural life. They may explore topics as diverse as Nevada state and local history, traditional culture, civic engagement, oral history and community stories, jurisprudence, social justice, bridging cultures, Nevada’s landscape and built environment, sense of place, and contemporary issues of concern to Nevadans.

    Humanities projects are often produced by humanities organizations. A humanities organization has a mission explicitly connected to the humanities along with a track record of specifically working in the humanities, as opposed to a group that occasionally tackles or delves into humanities-based themes or activities. Humanities organizations include, but are not limited to, historical societies and heritage groups, historic homes and sites, archives, oral history programs, folklife organizations, cultural centers, museums, nonprofit libraries, literary, organizations, nonprofit educational organizations, historic preservation groups, nonprofit media groups that report on culture, other cultural nonprofits with core missions or activities that center on developing and implementing public humanities programming.

    Nevada Humanities also strongly encourages partnerships that use the humanities to include diverse groups of people and bridge different fields of inquiry such as the presence of the humanities in the sciences, agriculture, rural development, health, medicine, and in service of veterans and active military service members as well as underserved populations and underserved regions of Nevada. Nevada Humanities will consider applications for funding from organizations in other fields or endeavors that also have the humanities as central to the project proposed for funding.

  • Nevada Humanities does not fund:

    • Projects in which the humanities are not central.

    • Performing arts projects without an educational or humanities component.

    • Commercial, for-profit enterprises or activities.

    • Events closed to the public (except K-12 schools or correctional facilities).

    • An institution’s general operating costs.

    • Costs associated with renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, or construction, including architectural preservation.

    • Indirect costs and salary for permanent staff (although indirect costs and salary may be used to meet grant matching requirements).

    • Promotion of a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view

    • Advocacy of a particular program of social or political action.

    • Support of specific public policies or legislation.

    • Lobbying activities, direct political action, or activities directed at influencing elected officials.

    • Organizations without an active and current SAM Unique Entity ID number.

    • Purchase of land or facilities, construction, renovation, or capital improvements.

    • Museum or library acquisitions.

    • Support for cash reserves, endowments, and fundraising activities.

    • Professional development, scholarships, or awards.

    • Academic courses for credit or student work undertaken as part of a degree program.

    • Equipment, property, or other capital purchases.

    • Meals or refreshments for audience members.

    • Humanitarian programs and services.

    • Project expenses paid out prior to the award of a grant and the start date of a project or Period of Performance.

    • Overlapping project costs with any other pending or approved application(s) for federal funding.

  • To apply for a Nevada Humanities project grant, register through the Nevada Humanities online grant system here, where you can also edit an ongoing application, view and manage your awards, and submit your final report. 

    The online grant system will open to FY2024 Major Project Grant applications on July 15, 2023, and to Mini-Grant and Planning Grant applications on July 15, 2023. You must apply for a Nevada Humanities project grant using Nevada Humanities online grant system. No hand-delivered, faxed, or email applications will be accepted. Applications must be submitted online by the appropriate deadline.

    Fully and carefully read these guidelines and the Nevada Humanities Project Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before starting and submitting your application. You are responsible for providing all of the required documents and information. Each organization will create an organizational account, then you may input the narrative answers for each question, complete and upload your project budget in the form provided, submit the required financial documents and support materials, and certify federal compliance. Additional supplemental materials, such as letters of support, are optional. Do not create multiple organizational accounts, use the organizational title as it appears on your 501(c)(3) documentation. 

    Documents and Information Required 

    • EIN Tax ID number 

    • SAM Unique Entity ID number (current and active)

    • Date of 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination 

    • Federal IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination letter

    • Most recent audited financial statements - or, if your organization does not have an audit, your most recently filed Form 990 or 990-EZ or 990-N e-Postcard 

    • Narrative questions to be answered along with project details and an itemized budget to be provided 

    Fully and carefully read these guidelines and the Nevada Humanities Project Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before starting and submitting your application.

    APPLY HERE

Important Documents and Resources

FY2023 Major Project Grant, Mini-Grant, and Planning Grant Documents and Resources

 

Questions and Assistance

To request assistance with your application, contact Nevada Humanities’ grant manager Bobbie Ann Howell at bahowell@nevadahumanities.org or 702-800-4670. Individual grant information consultations are also available with Nevada Humanities staff by phone or by appointment.

 

Documents from Previous Nevada Humanities Grant Cycles

Previous fiscal year Nevada Humanities Major Project Grant, Mini-Grant, and Planning Grant documents may be accessed here. 

 
Banner Images - Photo 1: Photo by Todd Gilens as a part of Confluence: Stream Science, Handwriting, and Urban Curbs, a project of Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation supported in part by an FY2022 Nevada Humanities Major Project Grant; Photo 2: Photo by Becca Schwartz courtesy of The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada as a part of a Poetry Promise Workshop Series featuing poet Ms. Ayevee supported in part by an FY2022 Nevada Humanities Major Project Grant.