The Diversity in Local History (DLH) program is funded by the Washington State Legislature and awards grants for paid internships that support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at heritage organizations that increase the stories they tell and the communities they serve.
Donor Name: Washington State Historical Society
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/02/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $15,000
Details:
Through a competitive process, the Washington State Historical Society will provide grants up to $15,000 for projects that will partner emerging professionals in the heritage sector with local history museums and historical societies. The program will enable organizations to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into their work, address institutional bias, and promote a long-term focus on inclusive history practices.
Heritage organizations will use grant funds to pay current undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent graduates for work on projects in local history museums and historical societies that support efforts to reflect on institutional bias and implement new practices intended to ensure collections, public programs, and internal policies serve all members of the community and advance inclusive history.
The Diversity in Local History Grants are open to all organizations in Washington State that have a mission to preserve and interpret history and heritage for the general public, regardless of an existing track record of commitment to DEI work.
Eligible Projects
Project proposals must include the development of inclusive history practices by supporting the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into an organization’s functions and culture. Projects may be based in any aspect of an organization’s work, including operations, programming, exhibits, archives, community engagement, etc.
Eligible Applicants
- Eligible applicants include nonprofits, tribal entities, and local governmental entities in Washington State who have a mission to preserve and interpret history and heritage for the general public.
- State government entities are not eligible for this program.
Criteria
Grants will be distributed through a competitive process(see Section 3.3) and the evaluation of applications will be based upon the following criteria:
- Degree to which the proposed project improves the diversity of the historical narrative of the applicant organization and/or helps bring DEI concepts and practices to applicant operations and programming
- Degree to which the proposed project will broaden the applicant organization’s audience, contribute to audience diversity, and strengthen community engagement
- Degree to which the organization demonstrates a long-term commitment to DEI and the ability to leverage the proposed project into future DEI planning and work
- Degree to which the proposed project scope of work is at an appropriate level for an internship learning opportunity
- Demonstration of the following:
- Clearly identified project goals, outcomes, and deliverables
- Adequate personnel, resources, and finances to support the project and intern
- Realistic scope and timeframe of proposed project
- Geographic distribution of funds
- General quality and completeness of application
For more information, visit Diversity in Local History.
