The Prairie Landscape

THE ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES AUGUST 15 DEADLINE FOR MINI AND MAJOR GRANT PROPOSALS

06/05/2002

CHICAGO ñ The Illinois Humanities Council invites non-profit organizations to apply for major and mini grants by its August 15, 2002 deadline. Any non-profit group, organization, or institution in Illinois is eligible to receive financial support from the Illinois Humanities Council for a public project in the humanities. The IHC especially encourages applications from organizations in rural and small-town Illinois as well as from groups that reach minority audiences.

The IHC provides two types of grants for humanities projects, a Mini Grant and a Major grant. Mini Grant funding does not usually exceed $2,000 while Major Grants usually fund a maximum of $10,000. Mini Grant requests for up to $2,500 will be considered if the project has multiple sites, and Major Grant requests beyond the $10,000 maximum are not uncommon.

The active participation of humanities scholars who encourage critical thinking and analysis in a public forum is integral to all IHC-funded public programs and therefore must be included in all phases of the project. The proposal must present a project that is public in character and be sponsored by a non-profit group, organization, or institution. The IHC requires that all projects share at least 50% of the total project budget, provide a plan for evaluation, and comply with all federal debarment and nondiscrimination statutes in their proposal.

Although the IHC is dedicated to fostering an advanced learning
environment with the help of scholars and academics, the IHC does not fund individual research or other endeavors intended primarily for the academic community. The IHC is invested in reaching communities and the public at large and therefore does not fund academic courses for credit, scholarship, or fellowships nor does is fund performing or creative arts as ends in themselves. IHC funding is not allotted for projects for fundraising purposes; advocacy or social action groups; construction or restoration costs; or for purchases of permanent equipment, library, or museum acquisitions. General administrative fees for the sponsoring organization must not be paid for with IHC funds nor will money be given for food and/or beverage costs.

If you would like an application for an IHC grant, please call 312.422.5580, write 203 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2020 Chicago, IL 60601.2417, send an e-mail message to ihc@prairie.org, or visit the "Grants" section of the IHC website www.prairie.org, and select "Application Forms."

D A R E T O K N O W
# # #