Community History

Any nonprofit organization in Ohio may apply. Applicants do not need to be incorporated or enjoy official 501(c)(3) status. Eligible groups include historical societies, museums, libraries, service clubs, religious organizations, schools, and other community groups. The nonprofit organization applying for the grant is the project’s sponsor.

Organizations may apply for funding within the limits of the grant lines currently designated in OHC’s guidelines ($5,000 limit). An organization must complete any other projects funded by the Ohio Humanities Council before applying.

The Project Sponsor provides at least half of the total cost of the project. For example, an organization

requesting a $2,000 grant from OHC must provide at least $2,000 in what is called "cost share." This cost share usually takes the form of donated goods and services, such as services by staff and/or volunteers or the use of equipment and supplies. Most groups find they have more than enough cost share, even if they have no office or paid staff.

Your project needs to use the services of a humanities scholar who provides professional expertise and helps plan the project. Scholars are usually academic historians, historical society and museum professionals, archivists, librarians, folklorists, or anthropologists. A qualified individual who is a member of your group may serve as your humanities scholar. OHC generally looks for someone with graduate training in a humanities or related field (such as museum studies) who is actively involved in his or her area of expertise. In some cases, specific individual study or experience may suffice.

Your groups should talk with the scholar to establish the goals and methods of your project before submitting the application. (Alternatively, your

organization might apply for funding for a consultation to assist in assessing your needs and planning a way to meet them.) The actual research, interviewing, cataloging, or other project activities are usually conducted by staff, volunteers or paid researchers, rather than by the scholar. However, the scholar should play a continuing role in the project--for example, by training volunteers in how to conduct and properly document an oral history interview or by offering technical guidance in a collections management project.

If your group has recently completed a professional needs assessment study (such as CAP or MAP), then your project may not require the additional services of a scholar.

Before submitting a grant proposal to the OHC, an organization my request funds to consult with a scholar or other professional in order to make formal plans for a project. Nonprofit organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $25,000 may request a consultation application. OHC would pay travel expenses and an honorarium for a consultation to provide professional guidance in assessing and planning a way to meet needs.

A qualified individual may already be affiliated with your organization. If you need assistance in locating an appropriate scholar, you can (1) contact a nearby college, (2) contact the Local History Office of the Ohio Historical Society, or (3) contact the OHC.

If your proposal is approved, grant funds may be used to cover scholar honoraria.