Expand Massachusetts Stories (EMS) is a grant program for projects that collect, interpret and/or share narratives about the Commonwealth, with an emphasis on the voices and experiences that have gone unrecognized, or have been excluded from public conversation.
Donor Name: Mass Humanities
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/09/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The humanities-based projects developed by Expand Massachusetts Stories grantees are rich in the thoughtful ways they are implemented and in the diverse outcomes they produce. Often, the projects could be developed further beyond the methods originally used or shared with new audiences or in new contexts. ‘Story Forward’ addresses this need by providing funding to previous or current grantees who wish to continue or advance their EMS projects in some way.
This may include but is not limited to:
- Oral histories: Extend or add new individuals, populations or places to the original oral history collection
- Museum exhibits and programs: Expand or add displays; travel the exhibit to other community-centered sites
- Documentary screenings: Introduce short films made to new audiences and new community venues; shoot new footage
- Educational materials for K-12 students: Create curricula, study and engagement guides, workshops or teacher professional development based on the original project
- Discussions: Facilitate new discussion programs or create engagement opportunities
- Archives: Add projects to existing or new archives and/or expand public access
- Humanities: Deepen the humanities content and contextualization, and/or work with new humanities advisors
- Partnerships: Partner with other organizations or people to create new opportunities.
Funding Information
STORY FORWARD offers grants up to $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)(3), non-profit, fiscally sponsored association or filmmaker, state or federally recognized tribe, or non-federal government organization.
- Serve Massachusetts residents.
- Have been awarded an Expand Massachusetts Stories grant between 2021 and 2023.
- Have EITHER completed the project and final report OR have submitted the project’s interim report in the online platform at least three weeks before the LOI deadline, demonstrating that the project is at an appropriate stage for expansion or continuation.
- Have the same non-profit status as when they were originally awarded the grant, or provide Mass Humanities with an update on their status in the LOI.
- Serve Massachusetts resident.
For more information, visit Mass Humanities.
