Maryland Humanities
Council
Grant Application
Information
What is MHC?
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Private, educational, 501(c)3 non-profit
Local subsidiary of the National Endowment for
the Humanities
Funded by private foundations, for profit
corporations, individuals, and state of Maryland
What does
the MHC do?
MHC promotes humanities throughout Maryland
encouraging dialogue that explores human
values, strengthens our community and connects
us to the wider world.
What do we mean
by Humanities?
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Ancient and Modern
Languages
Literature
Law
History
Philosophy
Anthropology
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Performing Arts history
and theory
Ethics
Archeology
Comparative Religion
Social Sciences
Architecture
What do we mean
by the humanities?
The humanities can be described as the study of the myriad
ways in which people, from every period of history and
from every corner of the globe, process and document the
human experience. Since humans have been able, we have
used philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history and
language to understand and record our world. These modes
of expression have become some of the subjects that
traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella. Knowledge
of these records of human experience gives us the
opportunity to feel a sense of connection to those who have
come before us, as well as to our contemporaries.
Stanford University website
What about the MHC
Grants Program?
Part of MHC’s mission is to provide grants to
non-profit organizations that use the humanities
to engage Marylanders in conversations about
important issues
Funding Levels
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MAJOR GRANTS
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Awards up to $10,000
Intent to apply due dates:
September 1 and March 1
Final application due
dates: October 15 and
April 15
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OPPORTUNITY
GRANTS
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Awards up to $1,200
Applications are due the
1st of Jan, Mar, May, July,
Sept, November
Project should be
complete within 12
months
Grant Categories
Open Grant
 Civic Engagement Grant
 Practicing Democracy: Seeking Common
Ground Grant
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Open Grants
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Open Grant Programs can take many forms,
including lectures, seminars, symposia,
interpretive exhibits, films, media projects,
reading/ discussion programs, teacher institutes,
local histories, living histories, public
archaeology, distance learning, or other formats
that effectively engage Marylanders in the
humanities.
Civic Engagement Grant
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Civic Engagement Grants
 promote informed dialogue / civic engagement about critical
issues.
 Critical issues might include race relations, population
growth, immigration, environmental issues, health care,
wealth and poverty, crime and safety, or other topics of
importance to the applicant's community.
Two elements are key:
 Must use the humanities as the central resource to inform the
exchange
 Must involve the participants in an interactive conversation
that examines important issues in the community.
Practicing Democracy
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MHC’s newest program
Takes Civic Engagement a step further
Strives to gather people of divergent opinions together
for real conversation and respectful debate
discussion forums, workshops and interactive events
Applies to Major Grants and Opportunity Grants with
the same respective due dates
Practicing Democracy
Sample Topics
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The Environment
Historic Preservation
Energy Resources
Real Estate Development/Land Use
Transportation
Race/Culture
Healthcare Reform
Immigration
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
1.
Make sure your organization/project is eligible
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Non-profit?
Humanities-based project?
Humanities scholars identified?
Is your project engaging and beneficial
Marylanders?
Do you have matching funds?
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
2.
Determine which type of grant fits your
project
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Major Grant funding level or Opportunity Grant
funding level?
Which grant category best matches your project?
Open, Civic Engagement, or Practicing
Democracy?
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
3.
Note the grant due dates
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Start early! There’s more than just the form to fill
out
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
4.
5.
Contact MHC grant staff with questions or to
discuss your proposal
Complete the Intent to Apply Form on line
(Major Grants only – not needed for Opportunity Grants
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
6.
Complete the application on line and describe
the ways in which the project meets the MHC
Grants Committee evaluation criteria.
MHC Grants
Evaluation Criteria
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Humanities Content
Conversation, Discussion, Dialogue
Program Quality
Project Management
Budget
New Audiences
Overall Rating
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(see handout for details)
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
7.
Review the proposal
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8.
Print, read and edit
Spell check and proofread
Check the budget – make sure rows and columns
add up
Get someone unfamiliar with the project to
read it for clarity
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
9.
Include supporting documents and
information
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Letters of Intent to Participate
CV’s or resumes
Written quotes or price list to support the budget
Examples of previous work (film, audio recording)
Brochures
How to Apply
for an MHC Grant
(in 12 easy steps)
10.
11.
12.
Submit the application on line by midnight on
the due date. If the due date is on a weekend
or holiday, submit by the next business day.
Print, sign and mail a hard copy to MHC
within 10 days.
WAIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
The MHC
On-Line Application
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Access the on-line application on the MHC
website grants page at www.mdhc.org
**Demonstration**