For Major Grants, including Educator Enrichment, and Media Grants (both Planning and Production) contact David J. Merkowitz, PhD | dmerkowitz@ohiohumanities.org
Apply for a Grant
Funding cultural programs around the state is one way Ohio Humanities helps create and sustain vibrant communities. Ohio Humanities supports cultural programs that share the human story through documentation, interpretation, reflection, and representation. Humanities scholars, community history specialists, and cultural heritage professionals play a key role in Ohio Humanities funded projects. Funded projects take many forms: documentaries, exhibitions, public talks, book festivals, and digital media.
How to use the Grants Page
Here you will find information about our general grants program: Monthly Grants (up to $2,000), Quarterly Grants (up to $5,000) and Major Grants (up to $20,000) as well as the special grants program: Media Production, Cultural Heritage Tourism, and Educator Enrichment. Follow the menu on the right to determine eligibility, find planning resources, and review general guidelines. To submit a grant request, use the online application.
Questions? Contact a program officer for more information.
***Due to changes in federal regulations, Ohio Humanities will not accept applications from fiscal agent sponsors.***
General Grants PROGRAM
MAJOR GRANTS: Max $20,000
Ohio Humanities reviews major grant proposals twice each year. Applicants should submit a full draft online before the deadline.
- Sample Application Narrative — Latinos in Rural America
- Sample Completed Project — Latinos in Rural America
January 6, 2020 — Draft submitted by December 9, 2019 for projects beginning after May 1, 2020.
July 15, 2020 — Draft submitted by June 15, 2020 for projects beginning after November 1, 2020.
- Contact David Merkowitz, PhD: dmerkowitz@ohiohumanities.org
QUARTERLY GRANTS: Max $5,000
Ohio Humanities reviews quarterly grant proposals four times each year. Applicants should submit a full draft online before the deadline.
- Sample Application Narrative — The Spirit of Neighborhoods: Culture Walks
- Sample Completed Project — The Spirit of Neighborhoods: Culture Walks
December 16, 2019 —Drafts submitted by November 15, 2019 for projects beginning after February 21, 2020
March 16, 2020 —Drafts submitted by February 17, 2020 for projects beginning after May 22, 2020.
June 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by May 18, 2020 for projects beginning after August 21, 2020.
September 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by August 18, 2020 for projects beginning after November 2, 2020.
Contact Robert Colby, PhD: rcolby@ohiohumanities.org
MONTHLY GRANTS: Max $2,000 Ohio Humanities considers small grant requests on a monthly basis. Drafts submitted online are recommended, but not required.
- Sample Application Narrative — The Hillsboro Project
- Sample Completed Project — The Hillsboro Project
The first business day of each month and at least eight weeks before the start date of the funded activity.
- Contact Robert Colby, PhD: rcolby@ohiohumanities.org
special grants program
In addition to general grant programs, Ohio Humanities has three special grant programs: cultural heritage tourism, media, and educator enrichment. Each with additional guidelines.
***Due to changes in federal regulations, Ohio Humanities will not accept applications from fiscal agent sponsors.***
MEDIA GRANTS: Max $20,000
January 6, 2020 — Draft submitted by December 9, 2019 for projects beginning after May 1, 2020.
July 15, 2020 — Draft submitted by June 15, 2020 for projects beginning after November 1, 2020.
Contact David Merkowitz, PhD: dmerkowitz@ohiohumanities.org
MEDIA PLANNING GRANTS: Max $2,000
- Additional Guidelines for Media Grants
- Sample Application — Greenways to Highways Media Planning Project
Ohio Humanities considers media planning grant proposals on a monthly basis. Media planning activities include research, script development, and consulting with humanities professionals. Drafts submitted online are recommended by not required.
The first business day of each month and at least eight weeks before the start date of the funded activity.
- Contact David Merkowitz, PhD: dmerkowitz@ohiohumanities.org
CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM GRANTS: Max $20,000
Ohio Humanities reviews cultural heritage tourism implementation grant proposals twice times each year. Successful cultural heritage tourism projects explore history, highlight culture, and foster appreciation of local tourism assets. Proposed projects should work toward enhancing community life and focus on tourism as a learning opportunity for travelers and local residents. Applicants should plan to submit a full draft online before the deadline.
Grants $5001-$20,000
January 6, 2020 — Draft submitted by December 9, 2019 for projects beginning after May 1, 2020.
July 15, 2020 — Draft submitted by June 15, 2020 for projects beginning after November 1, 2020.
Grants $2001-$5,000
December 16, 2019 —Drafts submitted by November 15, 2019 for projects beginning after February 21, 2020
March 16, 2020 —Drafts submitted by February 17, 2020 for projects beginning after May 22, 2020.
June 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by May 18, 2020 for projects beginning after August 21, 2020.
September 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by August 18, 2020 for projects beginning after November 2, 2020.
Contact Robert Colby, PhD: rcolby@ohiohumanities.org
CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM PLANNING GRANTS: Max $2,000
- General Guidelines and Additional Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Tourism Grants
- Sample Application – Roscoe Cultural Heritage Planning Project
Ohio Humanities reviews cultural heritage tourism planning grant proposals on a monthly basis. These planning grants support convening stakeholders to assess potential project ideas, consulting with humanities professionals, identifying interpretive themes, and building regional cultural heritage infrastructure. Drafts submitted online are recommended but not required.
The first business day of each month and at least eight weeks before the start date of the funded activity.
- Contact Robert Colby, PhD: rcolby@ohiohumanities.org
EDUCATOR ENRICHMENT GRANTS: $5,001-$20,000
- General Guidelines and Additional Guidelines for Educator Enrichment Grants
- Sample Application – Migration in a Global Context
Ohio Humanities supports educator enrichment grant proposals throughout the year. Educator enrichment grants are designed to enhance teachers’ understanding and appreciation of the humanities. Projects should provide a rich humanities experience that enhances success in the K-12 classroom. Educator enrichment projects provide opportunities to build partnerships and leverage external funding. Therefore, applicants are expected to seek additional project support from local foundations and other sources. Applicants for grants over $2,000 should plan to submit a full draft online before the deadline.
Deadlines
Grants $5001-$20,000
January 6, 2020 — Draft submitted by December 9, 2019 for projects beginning after May 1, 2020.
July 15, 2020 — Draft submitted by June 15, 2020 for projects beginning after November 1, 2020.
Contact David Merkowitz, PhD: dmerkowitz@ohiohumanities.org
Grants $2001-$5,000
December 16, 2019 —Drafts submitted by November 15, 2019 for projects beginning after February 21, 2020
March 16, 2020 —Drafts submitted by February 17, 2020 for projects beginning after May 22, 2020.
June 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by May 18, 2020 for projects beginning after August 21, 2020.
September 15, 2020 —Drafts submitted by August 18, 2020 for projects beginning after November 2, 2020.
Grants of $2,000 or Less
The first business day of the month. Drafts submitted online are recommended, but not required.
Contact Robert Colby, PhD: rcolby@ohiohumanities.org