Available Grants:
Arts & Humanities Grants: up to $1000
Arts & Humanities grants are the result of a partnership between the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission to support innovative community projects that have BOTH arts and humanities components.
- Application: Online application with budget. (MAC website)
- Submission/Deadlines: Proposals can be submitted anytime, but not less than 8 weeks before the start of activities.
- Review: No specific deadline. Applications reviewed by committee from MHC and MAC.
- Notification: Within 3 weeks of submission
- Average Award: $750
Community Outreach: $501 to $1,000
Support for a wide variety of public humanities projects, such as exhibits, lecture and film series, reading and discussion programs, symposia, cultural celebrations, etc.
- Application: 4 copies of application form and budget.
- Submission/Deadlines: Proposals can be submitted anytime, but not less than 8 weeks before the start of activities.
- Review: Applications reviewed by MHC Board Chair or designee.
- Notification: Within 4 weeks of submission.
- Average award: $850
Discretionary/Planning Grants: $100 to $500
Support for small scale public humanities projects, such as lectures, program notes, etc., or planning, development, and research activities in preparation for larger projects, or for testing new programming ideas, developing educational materials, etc.
- Application: 4 copies of application with budget.
- Submission/Deadlines: Proposals can be submitted anytime, but not less than 8 weeks before the start of activities.
- Review: No specific deadline. Applications reviewed by Council staff.
- Notification: Within 3 weeks of submission.
- Average Award: $462
Infrastructure Grants: up to $10,000
This special and time-limited grant program for organizations seeking to support permanent or long-term (10 year minimum) infrastructure projects that support public humanities programming, such as long term exhibits, museum display furniture, or electronic systems that facilitate public access and use of historic collection. The grants are not intended to support general building construction, maintenance or renovation.
Only Maine non-profits are eligible; applicants are required to certify that no grant funds will be used to pay for organizational operating expenses, and that the anticipated lifespan for projects funded with these grants is at least ten years. A 1:1 cash match is required.
Examples of eligible projects include:- Interpretive Signage For permanent interpretive signs to assist organizations or communities to share their history and culture for a specific site or trail with tourists, local residents and the general public.
- Long-Term Museum Exhibitions / Infrastructure For the design and construction of museum projects with a planned lifespan of ten years or more, such as the development of an orientation film and related projection, or creation of a permanent or semi-permanent exhibit, or the purchase of collections management tools and exhibit furniture, such as display cases.
- Museum Interpretive Equipment For the purchase and development of visitor-service equipment. Examples include audio systems, data projection systems, public address systems, or touch screen computers for use in museum exhibits.
- Web sites These must be content focused and permanent. Applicants should show why the proposed site is needed and how it differs from (or complements) the Maine Memory Network.
Ineligible projects include:
Short term or “operational” projects
A total equipment purchase valued at under $500
General building construction, restoration or renovation projects
Salaries of your organization’s staff, administrative expenses, or overhead
Projects that are primarily related to arts, arts exhibits, or arts performance.
- Application: Application form and budget with narrative - 10 copies required (5 copies of draft).
- Restricted to Maine nonprofit organizations.
- Match: these awards require at least a 1:1 CASH match
- Submission/Deadlines: Two deadlines per year, on the following dates (or the first business day after these dates) each year:
- DEADLINE I: Draft: April 1st; Final: May 15th
- DEADLINE II: Draft: October 1st; Final: November 15th
- Review: Applications reviewed by committee of MHC board members.
- Notification: Within 6 weeks of submission.
- Average Award: $6,993
Major: $1,001 to $7,500
Support for a variety of larger humanities projects such as exhibits, conferences, films, and other initiatives. There are two types of Major Grants:
- public programs (the maximum amount varies according to available funding, but is currently up to $7,500 for exemplary projects in special circumstances, although more typically it is up to $5,000);
- media scripting or post-production (up to $3,000).
Major grant projects have well-developed thematic content, broad public outreach, and strong scholar participation. Major grant applicants are required to submit a preliminary draft to Council staff 6 weeks before the proposal deadline. The staff will review and, if appropriate, offer suggestions for improvement. The maximum allowed award of $7,500 is available only for exemplary projects under extraordinary circumstances.
- Application: Application form requiring well-developed project narrative, budget, and budget narrative. Must include project scholar in planning and implementation. 10 copies required (5 copies of draft proposal).
- Submission/Deadlines: Two deadlines per year, on the following dates (or the first business day after these dates) each year:
- DEADLINE I: Draft: April 1st; Final: May 15th
- DEADLINE II: Draft: October 1st; Final: November 15th
- Review: Applications reviewed by committee of MHC board members.
- Notification: Within 6 weeks of final submission.
- Average award: $3,245
Updated May 2011
