Grant FAQs

SC Humanities offers several types of grant opportunities: Major Grants ($15,000 or less), Mini or Planning grants ($5,000 or less), Fast Track Literary Grants ($3,000 or less), Accessibility and Inclusion Grants ($1,000 or less) and council programs ($500 or less for Let’s Talk About It and Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud programs).

Any non-profit, governmental, or educational organization may apply for funding through SC Humanities. Previous applicants have included local libraries, museums, schools, churches, civic groups, and historical and arts councils.

Organizations from outside of South Carolina may apply for a grant. However, the project must provide programming that will reach a South Carolina audience.

Complete the appropriate application and submit it to SC Humanities staff. Organizations are encouraged to consider submitting drafts for staff review prior to final submission.

You must use our application format. Generic proposal formats or applications for other organizations will not be accepted.

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.

Fast Track Literary Grants are reviewed quarterly; applications must be submitted at least 45 days before the program for which funds are requested.

Accessibility and Inclusion grant applications and Council program applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Applications must be made at least 45 days prior to the scheduled event for Accessibility and Inclusion grants and at least 4 weeks before the event for Council Program awards.

Most grant projects should be completed within 12-18 months.

The maximum Major Grant award is $15,000. Many awards are in the $8,000 to $12,000 range.

The maximum Major Grant award is $15,000. Other grant categories have different ceilings.

Yes. SC Humanities 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.

If it is donated, it can count as “in-kind services”. Examples would include: volunteer time, project administration, or donations of good or services.

No, unless they are an integral part of a public program.

SC Humanities does not fund costs for administration. However, program costs (telephone, mail, promotion, etc.) are allowable.

Yes. An essential component on any grant from SC Humanities 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.

Yes. SC Humanities 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.

Federal funds. SC Humanities receives funding through the federal appropriation to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

An organization in a different state can apply to SC Humanities, but the requested grant funds must support a public program that will reach a South Carolina audience.