Step 1. Choose a talk.

Select from over thirty enriching talks from expert speakers to host in your community. View our speakers.

Step 2. Review our guidelines.

Read our host requirements and payment options below to learn more about how the program works.

Step 3. Contact our program manager.

Tell the program manager the speaker(s) you are interested in hosting, and the payment option your organization will use. You can reach our program manager at speakers@humanities.org or 206-682-1770 ext. 101.

Step 4. Schedule with the speaker.

Connect with the speaker to find a suitable date and time for the program. The program manager can provide you with speakers’ contact information.

Step 5. Apply.

Submit your application to host a speaker in your community. Review our deadlines below under “The Application Process.”

Host Requirements

All Speakers Bureau hosts must follow the guidelines below. Resources are provided to hosts to meet all these requirements, including promotional materials, evaluations, and more.

• Submit an application online to Humanities Washington. A Speakers Bureau event is not confirmed until an approval email has been provided by Humanities Washington staff, regardless of payment option. 
• Secure a venue for the presentation. All presentations must occur within Washington State.
• Allow at least one hour for each presentation, including time for conversation. Ninety minutes is ideal.
• Generate publicity for the program, and secure an audience for the event.
• Credit Humanities Washington as a sponsor by including our logo on any promotional materials, and discussing Humanities Washington in both opening and closing remarks at the event.
• Provide the audience with evaluations at the event. Return audience evaluations to Humanities Washington within two weeks of the presentation.
• Complete a short online evaluation within two weeks of the presentation. The link to the evaluation will be included in the approval email.
• Follow the requirements for your selected payment option to ensure the speaker is fully compensated.

Payment Options

Humanities Washington offers funding to support organizations statewide through various payment options. In the online application to host a speaker, you will select which payment option your organization will use.

• 1. Receive funding from Humanities Washington.

  Eligibility

  To be eligible for funding from Humanities Washington, the applicant must be a nonprofit organization, K-12 school, college, or university in Washington State.

  • Non-profit organizations include libraries, historical societies, museums, social-service organizations, community centers, and places of worship. You do not need to have 501(c)(3) status, but you do need to be organized for non-profit purposes and clearly serve a Washington State audience.
  • The event must be free and open to the public. Exceptions can be made for events in schools, correctional facilities, and hospitals.
  • An application must be submitted before the application deadline. Review the deadlines below under “Application Process.”
  • Each organization is eligible to receive funding for up to three Speakers Bureau presentations in a given year.

  Funding

  If approved, Humanities Washington will pay the speaking fees ($300 per presentation) directly to the speaker.

  Your organization is responsible for reimbursing the speaker for their travel costs. All speakers receive round-trip travel reimbursement; these costs might include mileage, car rental, airfare, meals, ferry tickets, or overnight accommodations. Please discuss this reimbursement with the speaker in advance. The speaker can provide an estimate for their travel costs. Speakers should be paid directly within two weeks of the presentation.

  Concerned about travel costs? You may be eligible to apply for our travel subsidies – learn more below.

• 2. Pay the speaker directly.

  Eligibility

  Organizations can pay speakers directly for their speaking fees and travel costs. This payment option may be preferred if:

  • Your organization is ineligible to receive funding from Humanities Washington.
  • Your event is not free and/or open to the public.
  • Your application was not submitted in time to be considered for funding.
  • Your organization wants to host more than 3 Speakers Bureau presentations in a given year.
  • Your organization wishes for Humanities Washington’s limited funding to reach other communities.
  • Your application was not approved for funding and meets all the above host requirements.

  All Speakers Bureau events, regardless of payment option, must follow the host requirements, including submitting an online application. Your application will be reviewed within three business days and further instructions will be provided. Please learn more at “Application Process” below

  Payment

  All speakers are paid $300 per presentation, along with round-trip travel reimbursement.

  Travel costs might include mileage, car rental, airfare, meals, ferry tickets, or overnight accommodations. Please discuss this reimbursement with the speaker in advance. The speaker can provide an estimate for their travel costs. Speakers should be paid directly within two weeks of the presentation.

• 3. Apply for a travel subsidy.

  Eligibility

  Because some organizations find it financially difficult to cover travel costs, travel subsidies are available for qualifying organizations. These travel subsidies are meant to bring Speakers Bureau presentations to communities that would be otherwise be unable to host them.

  To be eligible for a travel subsidy, a host organization must be:

  • Located 100 miles or more from the resident city of the speaker. Exceptions may be made in situations involving mountain pass or ferry travel that necessitate an overnight stay.
  • A community-based nonprofit organization with limited resources for public humanities programming.

  Funding

  If approved for a travel subsidy, Humanities Washington will directly reimburse the speaker up to $300 for travel expenses. Anything above that amount will be the responsibility of the host organization, and should be paid directly to the speaker within two weeks of the presentation. The speaker can provide an estimate for their travel costs.

  Please note that travel subsidies are limited and not guaranteed.

  Within the online application form to host a Speakers Bureau event, there is an opportunity to apply for the travel subsidy and explain your organization’s needs for this funding.

The Application Process

An application must be submitted for all Speakers Bureau events. A Speakers Bureau event is not confirmed until an approval email has been provided by Humanities Washington staff, regardless of payment option. 

• 1. Receive funding from Humanities Washington.

  Keep in mind that funding for Speakers Bureau talks is limited. Applications can be submitted year-round, and are reviewed by Humanities Washington staff each quarter. Applications must be submitted according to the timeline listed below. Hosts will receive notification via email about funding decisions. If you require earlier review due to your organization’s promotional needs, please contact the program manager directly.

• 2. Pay the speaker directly.

  We request that you submit an application at least eight weeks in advance, but will review the application anytime prior to the event. After you have submitted your application, you will receive further instructions from Humanities Washington staff within three business days. All Speakers Bureau host requirements must be met for events, regardless of payment option.

• 3. Apply for a travel subsidy.

  The application must be submitted according to the same guidelines for our general funding and based on the application deadlines listed below.

  Within the online application, there is an optional section to explain your organization’s eligibility and need for a travel subsidy.

To be considered for Humanities Washington funding (for speaking fees or travel subsidies), applications for Speakers Bureau programs must be processed according to the following timeline:

Preview the Application

Apply Now

Contact our Program Manager at speakers@humanities.org or 206-682-1770 ext. 101 to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does Humanities Washington support hosts?

  Humanities Washington offers lots of resources to make sure your Speakers Bureau event is a success. We provide: direct funding to statewide organizations, promotional resources to help with publicity, and 1-on-1 support from staff.

  View our Host Resources

  Contact our Program Manager

• How do you find speakers?

  Every two years, we conduct a statewide search and application process to find passionate, talented experts to join our Speakers Bureau. Each speaker is thoroughly vetted for their expertise, presentation skills, and ability to create meaningful conversation with diverse audiences. If you are interested in applying for the next cycle (2021-2022), contact our program manager.

• How many presentations can our organization host each year?

  You can host as many Speakers Bureau presentations as you like! Eligible organizations can receive funding from Humanities Washington for up to three Speakers Bureau events per year. You are welcome to host more than that, but additional events would need to be paid by your organization directly.

• How do I estimate travel costs for a presentation?

  You can always ask speakers to estimate their travel costs for an upcoming presentation. All speakers receive round-trip travel reimbursement; these costs might include mileage, car rental, airfare, meals, ferry tickets, and/or overnight accommodations. We follow the federal mileage rate (currently $0.58 per mile), and use the Per Diem Rates listed by GSA as a guideline for expected travel costs.

• I’m located in a small rural town. Should I apply?

  Yes! Non-profits and libraries in rural communities are the heart of this program. This program is successful in communities big and small. We encourage you to apply, and to learn about our travel subsidies, which help fund a speaker’s travel costs.

• I have more questions. Who should I contact?

  Please contact our program manager, Hannah Schwendeman, at hannah@humanities.org or 206-682-1770 ext. 101.