NEH Challenge Grant
Workshop
Appalachian College Association
Summit
Abingdon, VA
October 23, 2010
Old Post Office Building
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20506
202.606.8369
www.neh.gov
Exploring the
h
u
m
a
n
endeavor
“The Three Points”
• CONSULT
– It pays to check with a program officer
• APPLY
– Put in the work
• REAPPLY
– If you don’t succeed the first time, request
reviewers’ comments and try again
NEH Sources of Funding
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Challenge Grants
Education
Preservation and Access
Public Programs
Research
State Humanities Councils
Hints
• Call a program officer to discuss your
project
• Request sample proposals
• Submit a preliminary draft
• Read guidelines carefully
• Complete Grants.gov registration in
advance of deadline
Application Review Process
• Peer review panels
– Ratings: E, VG, G, SM, NR
• National Council on the Humanities
– Makes further recommendations
• Chairman
– By law, makes all NEH grant decisions
NEH Challenge Grants
• Capacity-building grants
• To help institutions secure long-term
improvements in and support for
humanities
• Sustainability is key
• Require matching gifts
Eligibility
• Any nonprofit organization in the United
States, with the exception of elementary
or secondary schools (or school districts)
may apply
History
• Created in 1976 as “rescue” operation in
hard economic climate.
• $9,500,000 allocation is typical since
1995.
• More, but smaller, grants likely under
current NEH Chairman
How do challenge grants differ from
other NEH grants?
• Support long-term or permanent
endeavors
• May be invested in endowments or spenddown funds
• May be used for capital projects related
to humanities
• Challenge grants are all matching funds
The Multiplier Effect
• Since 1977, more than $2 billion from
federal and nonfederal sources have been
generated for the humanities through the
NEH Challenge Grants program
• Since 1995 alone, 320 projects have been
funded by the Challenge Grants program
What can challenge grants be used for?
• Construction and renovation
• Direct acquisitions of equipment, computer hardware
and software, bibliographic collections
• Endowments for faculty and staff positions, fellowships,
research funds, library acquisitions funds, computer
upgrades and maintenance funds
• Development and fundraising costs
• Bridging funds
Mix and match is okay
• On a $2 million challenge grant you could use…
– $400,000 to renovate space in the campus library for
a humanities commons
– $500,000 for new computers and software for the
commons
– $1 million for endowment, yielding $50,000 a year
• For faculty fellowships, or software upgrades, or salary
supplements for technical staff
– $100,000 to cover some fundraising costs
What is the required match?
• 3:1
– $3 in nonfederal gifts for every $1 in federal funds
– 4:1 ratio for subsequent grants no longer in effect
– Exception is 2:1 for special encouragement category
• State and local tax levies are OK
• Some forms of planned giving are also OK
• In-kind gifts, unrestricted gifts are acceptable
up to the federal portion
Special Encouragement
• For Historically Black College and
Universities, Tribal Colleges and
Universities, and Two-Year Colleges
• 2:1 match requirement
• Schedule to meet the match and receive
funds is spread over six years, instead of
five
A successful application…
• Builds on your track record, but also
carefully explains the current project
• Asks the reviewers to take nothing on
faith
– If it’s not on the page, it doesn’t exist
• Focuses on humanities content
• Explains in detail how the money will be
used
Evaluation Criteria
• Significance of humanities activities
• Appropriateness of resources
• Impact of challenge grant funds
• Feasibility of fundraising
Other things to consider
• Have I read the guidelines carefully?
• Do I have a hook?
• Do I have letters of support from the
right people?
• Have I proofread the proposal?
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, North Carolina
$500,000 NEH
$1,500,000 MATCH
$2,000,000 TOTAL
Endowed both the position of director/
archivist and programming in Southern
Appalachian History and Culture
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky
$500,000 NEH
$1,500,000 MATCH
$2,000,000 TOTAL
Endowed a college archivist, a teaching professorship
in Appalachian Studies, and a summer
institute in Appalachian culture and history
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, West Virginia
$400,000 NEH
$1,200,000 MATCH
$1,600,000 TOTAL
Renovated and expanded the Schaffer Library
and endowed an acquisitions fund for
multimedia equipment and materials
Special Two-Year College Initiative
• Deadline: February 2, 2011
• 2:1 matching ratio (instead of traditional
3:1)
• Model programs in response to NEH’s
Bridging Cultures initiative especially
welcome
• Up to 10% of grant funds may be used to
defray fundraising costs
IMPORTANT DATES
• December 1, 2010: Fundraising period
begins
• March, 2011: Submit drafts (4-6 weeks in
advance of deadline)
• May 4, 2011: APPLICATION DEADLINE
• Between Thanksgiving and December 1,
2011: Notification of awards