The General Operating Support grant aims to shore up the vibrant humanities landscape in DC by offering unrestricted funds to DC-based humanities nonprofits.
Donor Name: HumanitiesDC
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
These organizations must have an explicit mission and track record of conducting programming in the humanities as a significant part of their work. They use the following definition of humanities: “The term ‘humanities’ includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: ‘language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archaeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism and theory of the arts; those aspects of social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting the diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life.
Organizations with a primary mission of creating or performing arts typically do not meet the definition of a humanities focused nonprofit. Examples of eligible non-profit organizations may include community & cultural heritage organizations, museums, historic sites, preservation and historical societies, and education organizations with a significant humanities focus.
This grant opportunity provides general operating support funding to humanities focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington, DC with budgets under $2 million. Rather than proposing a specific project, the applicant will describe their mission, track-record and programming as an organization, community engagement, and significance to DC. This opportunity is part of the Humanities Grant Program supported with funding from the District of Columbia Government through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Funding Information
Maximum Award Amount: $25,000.
Grant Period
July 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026.
Allowable Costs
This grant is intended to support general operating expenses, which may include salary, consulting fees, rent, utilities, information technology, administrative fees, or an operating reserve fund. Prohibited costs include food and beverages, entertainment, social activities, tuition and scholarships, debt reduction, re-granting, costs related to fundraisers and special events, and funding to foreign or domestic government agencies. Grantees will be required to document – through materials such as receipts, paid invoices, credit card or bank statements, payroll reports, and cancelled checks – all expenses paid with HumanitiesDC funds in their final reports.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations applying for this grant must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is registered and authorized to do business in Washington, DC with a physical mailing address in the District. DC residents should comprise most of its constituents.
- The organization must be registered as either a “Domestic” entity (an entity that was incorporated in the District) or a “Foreign” entity (an entity that was incorporated in another state).
- Register and comply with the regulatory requirements of the following agencies:
- Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
- District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
- District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES).
- United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
For more information, visit HDC.
