Program Overview

Communities around Washington have important stories to tell and issues to discuss. Humanities Washington’s grants program provides the financial resources for people to come together to talk, discuss, debate, feel, think, and tell stories through the lens of the humanities. We support existing efforts as well as new opportunities for grassroots projects conceived and implemented locally.

Humanities Washington’s grants program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Humanities Washington offers three types of grants:

Opportunity grants: Available to small or rural organizations for public presentations. Opportunity grants do not require a funding match and organizations may request up to $1,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year until all funds are distributed. We are no longer accepting applications for Opportunity grants in 2017. Please check with us again in 2018 or subscribe to our email list to get updates.

Spark grants: Awarded once per year through a competitive grant process for projects that are based in dialogue and discussion. Spark grants require a funding match and organizations may request up to $7,500. Due to budgetary uncertainty at the federal level, we are unable to accept Spark grant applications in 2017. Please check with us again in 2018 or subscribe to our email list to get updates.

Washington Stories Fund grants: Awarded once per year to projects that highlight the little-known stories of a person or group whose contributions add to the cultural richness and health of Washington State. One grant of $5,000 is awarded through a competitive process and projects require a funding match. We are no longer accepting applications for Washington Stories Fund grants in 2017. Please check with us again in 2018 or subscribe to our email list to get updates. You can also view our guidelines.

Apply for a grant or access an existing application

What is considered a public humanities project?

The humanities are the ideas, questions, and disciplines that help us document and interpret the world around us. Eligible programs help our communities understand complex social issues through disciplines such as history, literature, and philosophy. They provide a framework for examining how we think, what we value, and what it means to be human. By participating in these programs, we hone skills of inquiry, analysis, reflection, evaluation, and conversation, enriching both our private lives and our communities. Examples might be a community forum on a timely topic or a panel discussion with the general public.

Note: While Humanities Washington does fund humanities projects which interpret art, or use art or artistic performance to begin or enhance a conversation, we do not fund projects focused on the creative and/or performing arts.

Click here for a list of the grants awarded in 2016. For more information, please contact Program Director Ellen Terry by email or call (206) 682-1770 x101.