NJ Council for the Humanities

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Discussion panel at a grantee Healing Workshop event.
NJCH Director of Grants and Programs Gigi Naglak shares grant program information.
Symposium hosted by grantee partners about tackling Difficult Conversations.
Oral history component for a grantee project about experiences of war.
Grantee interview at WFDU for Humanities Connection radio show.
NJCH is a proud supporter of events like the annual Unconference.  

GRANTS OVERVIEW

Since 1972, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities’ grant program has supported meaningful public humanities work throughout our state. What are the public humanities, you ask? Good question! The public humanities take the humanities out of the classroom and make them accessible to wide and diverse audiences through a variety of methods – exhibitions and installations, discussion programs, oral history projects, and interpretive tours – that enable audiences to engage in critical reflection on human histories, cultures, values, and beliefs.

The most competitive grant proposals are those that put the “public” in “public humanities.” In other words: they demonstrate an awareness of the needs and interests of your audience and offer an opportunity for community members to engage in a shared exploration of the humanities.

GETTING STARTED

We know that applying for grants can be tricky. Sometimes it’s even hard to figure out where to begin. Check out these tips for getting started, especially if this is your first time seeking a grant from us.

How to get started:

1. Make sure you’re eligible to apply.
Only New Jersey-based nonprofit organizations or government entities are eligible to apply for NJCH grants. Applicants will need to have an EIN or NJ tax-exempt number to apply and be in good standing with state and federal tax entities. Since NJCH regrants federal funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, applicants will also need to submit a SAM.gov UEI (Unique Entity ID) with the final application.

If you do not already have a UEI, we recommend you get started on obtaining one from SAM.gov as soon as possible. Please note that completing the full SAM.gov registration process is not a requirement. Organizations can apply for a UEI only without completing the full registration. If you have any questions, please let us know. NJCH program officers can help you navigate the process.

2. Understand the purpose of our grants.
New Jersey Council for the Humanities offers grants to support the development and implementation of public humanities projects for NJ-based audiences. Our grants do not provide general operating support (except in rare cases like the COVID-19 Response Grants that were established with federal pandemic relief funds) and cannot be used to support work outside of the public humanities.

3. Review our grant guidelines.
Once you have confirmed that your proposal is humanities-based and your organization is eligible to apply for a grant, it will be important to make sure that your organization can meet the other requirements of our grants. Our guidelines are updated each year, so we recommend reviewing the guidelines even if you have previously applied for NJCH funding.

4. Select a grant type.
The next step is to pick the grant type that aligns most closely with your organization’s goals, priorities, and available timeline. Our list of available grants changes occasionally, so we recommend reviewing our offerings to see what best fits your needs.

In addition to grants, NJCH also supports humanities projects and skill-building through various programs. If your work isn’t a good fit for our grants, check out our Program offerings—one of them just might be a better fit.

5. Complete an LOI (Letter of Intent)
Once you’ve decided which grant to apply for, you’ll need to submit an LOI using our online grant system. The LOI is not competitive; it just provides a quick way for NJCH staff to determine that your organization is eligible to apply for a grant and that your project is appropriate for NJCH funding before you complete a full application. LOIs are accepted and approved on a rolling basis throughout the LOI period. We strongly advise you to submit your LOI early!

GRANT WORKSHOPS
Each year, NJCH offers a variety of workshops to current and potential grantees and program partners.

Informational webinars will be held on the following dates and times:

  • Applying for an NJCH Grant: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 10-11am (Recording)
  • In the Weeds: Creating an Outstanding Proposal: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 2-3pm (Register Here)

All workshops will be recorded. The recordings will be sent to registrants and posted on our YouTube and website.

CONNECT WITH NJCH STAFF

If you have questions we’re here to help. Promise!

NJCH offers multiple ways for interested organizations to learn more about our grant programs, receive feedback, and obtain assistance during the grant process, including:

    • Workshops
    • Written guidance
    • One-on-one meetings with NJCH program staff

Please review the grant guidelines to learn what resources are currently available to your organization for a particular grant opportunity or contact us at grants@njhumanities.org. We also recommend you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and sign up for our email list to receive information about upcoming workshops, events, and funding opportunities.

2022-2023 GRANT CALENDAR

Action and Incubation Grants

Organizations can apply for either an Incubation or an Action Grant during each grant round. You must choose one or the other; you cannot apply for both an Incubation and an Action Grant at the same time.

ROUND 1
  • Letter of Intent: September 1-30, 2022*
  • Application Deadline: October 18, 2022
  • Award Notification: By December 31, 2022
  • Projects Begin: Between January and March 2023
ROUND 2
  • Letter of Intent: March 1-31, 2023*
  • Application Deadline: April 18, 2023
  • Award Notification: By June 30, 2023
  • Projects Begin: Between July and September 2023

*Please note that LOIs are accepted and approved on a rolling basis throughout the LOI period. We recommend submitting early!

INCUBATION GRANTS

$2,000 - $15,000

 

Incubation Grants support the planning and development of public humanities projects for NJ-based audiences.
Application Deadline:
April 18

LEARN MORE

ACTION GRANTS

$2,000 - $15,000

 

Action Grants support the implementation of developed public humanities projects for NJ-based audiences.
Application Deadline:
April 18

LEARN MORE

C19 Response GRANTS

$2,000 - $20,000

 

COVID-19 grants were made in 2020 and 2021 to support humanities nonprofits during the pandemic.
Grant Program
Currently Closed

LEARN MORE

CONTACT

Physical: 336 Friends Street Camden, NJ 08102
Mailing: PO Box 3287, Camden, NJ 08101

609.695.4838

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© 2023 · New Jersey Council for the Humanities · Site Credits · Accessibility · Design & Development by // DESIGN AGENCY //

  • ABOUT
    ▼
    • Mission
    • Impact
    • Staff and Interns
    • Board
    • Katz Prize
    • Strategic Plan
    • Job Openings
    • Accessibility
  • EVENTS
    ▼
    • 50th Monthly Events
    • 50th Anniversary Gala
    • Events Calendar
  • GRANTS
    ▼
    • Grants Overview
    • Funded Projects
    • For Grantees
  • PROGRAMS
    ▼
    • Clemente Course in the Humanities
    • Community Conversations
    • Community History
    • Humanities Lab
    • In the Weeds
    • Informed NJ
    • Museum on Main Street
    • Sponsorships
  • NEWS
  • DONATE
  • Search