Grant FAQs
What grant programs are available?
Who may apply?
Do you offer grants to individuals?
How do we apply?
Do we have to use your application or may we submit a generic proposal?
What are the deadlines?
What is the timeframe for grant awards?
What is the average size of major grant awards?
Is there a maximum on grant awards?
Is a match required for grants?
What qualifies as “in-kind services”?
Do you fund publications?
Do you fund operational expenses for organizations?
Do you fund bricks-and-mortar or preservation projects?
Do we need to use a humanities scholar as part of our grant-funded project?
If I receive one grant from The Humanities CouncilSC, am I eligible to receive another one?
Are grant funds federal or non-federal funds?
What grant programs are available?
The Humanities CouncilSC offers three types of grant opportunities: major grants (more than $1,500), mini or planning grants ($1,500 or less), and council programs ($500 or less for Let’s Talk About It and Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud programs).
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Who may apply?
Any non-profit, governmental, or educational organization may apply for funding through The Humanities CouncilSC. Previous applicants have included local libraries, museums, schools, churches, civic groups, and historical and arts councils.
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Do you offer grants to individuals?
No.
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How do we apply?
Complete the appropriate application and submit it to The Humanities CouncilSC staff. Organizations are encouraged to consider submitting drafts for staff review prior to final submission.
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Do we have to use your application or may we submit a generic proposal?
You must use our application format. Generic proposal formats or applications for other organizations will not be accepted.
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What are the deadlines?
Deadlines differ for each category of grant. Major grants are reviewed twice yearly, usually in February and September. Application deadlines are at least 6 weeks prior to those reviews. Dates are posted at www.schumanities.org as soon as they are set. Mini and planning grants are reviewed monthly. Deadlines are the first business day of each month. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the event for which funding is sought. Decisions are made and announced within the month submitted. Council program applications are accepted at any time during the month. Applications must be made at least four weeks prior to the scheduled event.
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What is the timeframe for grant awards?
Most grant projects should be completed within 12-18 months.
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What is the average size of major grant awards?
Most major grants are in the $5,000 to $8,000 range. Very few awards exceed $8,000.
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Is there a maximum on grant awards?
Currently, there is no set maximum for grant awards. However, very few grants exceed $8,000.
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Is a match required for grants?
Yes. The Council requires a 1:1 match. Match may be divided between cash and in-kind services, as long as the total at least equals the grant award.
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What qualifies as “in-kind services”?
If it is donated, it can count as “in-kind services”. Examples would include: volunteer time, project administration, or donations of good or services.
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Do you fund publications?
No, unless they are an integral part of a public program.
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Do you fund operational expenses for organizations?
The Humanities CouncilSC does not fund costs for administration. However, program costs (telephone, mail, promotion, etc.) are allowable.
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Do you fund bricks-and-mortar or preservation projects?
No.
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Do we need to use a humanities scholar as part of our grant-funded project?
Yes. An essential component on any grant from The Humanities CouncilSC is the active participation of a humanities scholar whose role is to encourage dialogue, analysis, and critical thinking. A professional in the field of the project is also acceptable.
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If I receive one grant from The Humanities CouncilSC, am I eligible to receive another one?
Yes. The Council does not prohibit previous recipients from applying for additional funding. However, repetitive projects are discouraged. Applications from the same sponsor for programs of similar content, staff, format, and audience will not normally be funded more than twice.
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Are grant funds federal or non-federal funds?
Federal funds. The Humanities CouncilSC receives funding through the federal appropriation to the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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