COVID-19 RESPONSE GRANT - PROGRAM SUPPORT

The humanities examine our history, cultures, values, and beliefs. The public humanities take these ideas out of classrooms to engage broad public audiences in that examination.

The humanities help us to analyze our complex society and make thoughtful decisions based on inquiry, evaluation, and empathy. They can help us to think critically about activities and issues of importance to communities, offer historical and cultural perspective, and broaden our thinking. Humanities fields include (but are not limited to) anthropology, archaeology, area studies, art and architectural history and criticism, cultural studies, economics, ethics, ethnic studies, folklore, gender and sexuality studies, geography, history, history of science and technology, international studies, jurisprudence, languages and linguistics, literature, music history and criticism, philosophy, political science, religion and comparative religion, sociology, theater history and criticism. (You can read more about the public humanities by clicking here.)

Applicants may apply for only ONE type of COVID-19 Response Grant: either General Operating Support or Program Support, not both. Organizations that have an open NJCH Action or Incubation Grant, or that have recently applied for one of those grants and are awaiting notification, may apply for a General Operating Support grant ONLY, assuming the institution meets all other eligibility criteria.

These grants will allow organizations to continue their public humanities work and/or to re-format humanities work for different modalities or new technologies.

Applications must be for programs that are already in process, not new programs. Organizations who have an open NJCH Incubation or Action Grant or who are waiting for a decision on an open application may not apply for a Program Support grant.

Types of eligible institutions:

• Museums, libraries, and archives.
• Historical societies and heritage organizations.
• Nonprofit organizations who have existing programs in the public humanities, such as arts or social service organizations.
• College and university departments, affiliated centers, or institutes.
• Departments or agencies of state or local government.

Institutions that are not eligible for this type of grant include:

• Any organization with an open or pending NJCH Incubation or Action Grant (these organizations may apply for a General Operating Support Grant instead, if they meet all other criteria).
• K-12 educational institutions
• For-profit businesses.

Applicants may only apply for one type of COVID-19 Response Grant (either General Operating Support -OR- Program Support.)

Additional Details:
This grant is for New Jersey-based nonprofit and governmental organizations who undertake humanities programs.
Humanities programs applying for these funds must have been in operation prior to March 2020; new programs are not eligible to apply.
Grant funds must be used for operational expenses associated with the program.
Match is not required.

We recognize the financial need in our state’s cultural sector far exceeds the funds that NJCH has available to support these emergency grants. In order to receive NJCH COVID-19 Response funds, organizations must demonstrate need based on hardships experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of how hardship may be demonstrated:

• Loss of revenue.
• Loss of staff or reduction in staff hours.
• Difficulty paying bills.
• Risk of closure or cancellation of programs.

We recognize that your organization’s financial situation can change or fluctuate rapidly. We understand and ask that you simply do your best to describe, clearly and concisely, the greatest hardships you are experiencing at the moment you write your application.

For Program Support Grants, we ask that you focus on the program for which you seek support rather than the overall needs of your organization, since these funds are program-specific. It is especially important to make this distinction when you describe other state or federal emergency funding you may have received or applied for, particularly if that funding does not support the humanities program you seek funding for.

Priority will be given to programs with a track record of engaging the public, particularly traditionally underserved and underrepresented audiences, in the humanities. This funding is meant to support the continued operation of your humanities program.

Program Support Grants range from $3,000-$10,000. Many organizations will receive substantially less. Priority will be given to small to mid-sized institutions with operating budgets under $1 million who have little access to other emergency funding opportunities.

Per the National Endowment for the Humanities, funds may not be used for any of the following:

• Work outside of the humanities (including the creation or performance of art; creative writing, autobiographies, memoirs, and creative nonfiction; and empirically based social science research or policy studies).
• Overlapping project costs with any other pending or approved application for federal funding, including an open or pending NJCH Incubation or Action Grant.
• Lobbying.
• Promotion of a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view.
• Advocacy of a particular program of social or political action.
• Support of specific public policies or legislation.
• Institutional acquisitions (archival or material culture).
• Purchase of land or facilities, capital projects, construction or renovation.
• Contributions to endowment.
• Re-grants, prizes, awards, or scholarships.

Important Update: COVID-19 Response Grant applications will close on Sunday, May 31, 2020. If you are requesting funding for either General Operating Support or Program Support, please submit your application to NJCH by 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2020.

Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed by NJCH staff for eligibility. If an organization is determined to be ineligible for funding, they will be notified immediately.

The review process will take approximately two weeks, after which each applicant will be notified of the funding decision. Under most circumstances, and organization will know whether or not they have received a grant within one month of their application, sooner if at all possible.

Organizations that are awarded funding will be notified via email and funds will be dispersed as quickly as possible. Applications that are not funded will remain under consideration until all funding is expended. A second review will take place if funds remain available. Awarded funds will be paid as soon as a grant contract is signed by an authorized official at the applicant organization. NJCH is able to make payments via check or electronic funds transfer.

Review and awards will continue until all funds are expended. All funds must be dispersed by October 31, 2020.

 

If you receive a grant, NJCH staff will send more detailed requirements for administering your grant. You will be required to:

• Review the grant agreement we send you and return a copy signed by an authorized official from the organization. The language is standard and is non-negotiable.
• Confirm your DUNS number. If you do not have a DUNS number already, we recommend that you apply for one immediately at https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html. It is free and your grant funds cannot be dispersed without it.
• Send letters to your state and federal elected officials announcing your grant award.
• Comply with basic state and federal nondiscrimination statutes.
• Acknowledge the support of NJCH and the NEH as directed.
• Provide simple reports as requested by the NJCH staff.
• Retain auditable records of grant funds for at least three years, or as directed by law.

The grant administration process will include monthly check-ins and a short final report that includes both narrative and fiscal information about how funds were spent. These reports are important for the broader public humanities community because they help us show our lawmakers that public funding is important to the economies and social fabrics of our communities. Every effort will be made to ensure that grant administration requirements are not burdensome for any organization receiving COVID-19 Response Grant funds.