The Maine Humanities Council Major Grant program distributes funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine for larger humanities programs and projects—things like exhibits, films, conferences, initiatives—that have broad public outreach.
Donor Name: Maine Humanities Council
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/28/2025
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Funds
- Grants are for humanities programs and projects undertaken by non-profit organizations across Maine. Individuals with humanities projects may apply with a fiscal sponsor.
- Funding match or cost-share is required.
- Funds cannot be used to cover general operating expenses.
- Funds cannot be used for projects that promote a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view or discriminate against persons or groups.
Priorities
- Intended to support rich humanities programs with broad public outreach that support and involve their communities in Maine.
- Organizations serving and/or led by members of communities traditionally underresourced in the humanities are encouraged to apply. These groups include people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people who live in rural areas, people with disabilities, people who identify as immigrants or refugees, and whose first (or only) language is not English. (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.)
- Maine Humanities Council aims to maximize the impact of available funding.
Project Criteria
- MHC is looking for projects that:
- Engage Maine audiences through and with the humanities.
- Have guidance from someone with deep expertise in the project’s subject.
- Involve the community in every step of the project’s process.
- The strongest proposals:
- Clearly state what form the project will take (panel discussion, exhibition, etc.)
- Demonstrate clear opportunities for the audience to engage with the humanities and with each other.
- Provide a detailed timeline that lists the steps of the project, including everything from planning to implementation.
- Present a well-thought-out budget that details how MHC funding will be used, includes the projects total costs, accounts for the required cash and/or in-kind match, and explains how all figures were reached.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations with 501c3 status, government organizations (such as a federally recognized Indian tribal governments or organizations or state/local/city governments), churches, or education organizations (such as schools or school districts, or public or private institutions of higher education) are eligible to apply without fiscal sponsorship.
- If your organization is NOT a 501c3, or equivalent (listed above) you will need a FISCAL SPONSOR for your project. The National Council of Nonprofits has a helpful resource sheet on fiscal sponsorship.
- If your organization has received a MHC project grant (Major, Mini, or Arts & Humanities Grants), you are not eligible to apply again either in the same or the following calendar year. For example, an organization awarded a grant (at any point) in 2025 would not be eligible to apply for ANY MHC grants until January 2027.
For more information, visit Maine Humanities Council.
