Delaware Humanities: Opportunity Grants

Delaware Humanities: Opportunity Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Delaware Humanities
Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000
Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Summary

Delaware Humanities offers Opportunity Grants to support smaller projects or the planning of larger initiatives. With applications accepted year-round, these grants aim to foster community engagement and enhance cultural experiences. Due to recent federal funding cuts, grants are currently paused. Eligible applicants include K-12 schools, museums, and nonprofits, while matching funds may be required but can be waived in specific cases. This initiative embodies the mission of connecting Delawareans through shared human experiences.

Overview

NOTE: Due to federal funding cuts, Delaware Humanities’ grants are paused until further notice.For event funding, the application must be received 90 days before the event or first event. Our Mission We strengthen our communities by connecting Delawareans through our shared human experiences. Our Vision We envision a Delaware where the respectful exchange of ideas empowers a flourishing democracy. Values Empathy: We call on ourselves and others to broaden perspectives by understanding the positions of different community members. Humility: We accept that our way may not be the only way or the best way and are open to new ideas. Knowledge: We draw on data, expertise, and the personal experiences of ourselves, our programmatic partners, and grantees to guide our work. Originality: We look at things from fresh and creative perspectives and are willing to try new things and learn from them. Connection: One of our key strengths is building bridges and relationships between people, organizations, ideas, and communities. Stewardship: We proudly accept the role of caretaker for the cultural, human, and financial resources entrusted to us. Opportunity Grants Opportunity Grants offer support for smaller projects or planning periods for larger projects. Applications can be submitted year-round, and while matching funds are required, matching can be waived in some circumstances.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Groups eligible for funding: K-12 schools, colleges, and universities K-12 schools, colleges, and universities Museums, historical societies, libraries State/local government agencies Nonprofit groups (professional or social organizations, community or religious groups, etc.) Costs Eligible for SupportAll costs must be reasonable, allowable, and allocable. All costs must be permitted for subawards under 2 CFR 200 and under the NEH General Terms and Conditions for General Support Grants to State Humanities Councils. Direct programming and implementation costs integral to the project. Collections acquisition (note: if for a museum collection acquisition, please contact the Grants and Operations Manager with more information before applying). Book acquisitions (note: must be tied with a program). Technical or consulting needs related to digital transition or access, including costs directly associated with digitizing humanities collections to make them available online. Honoraria for humanities experts/scholars/facilitators (their resume or CV will be required as part of the application). Domestic travel – mileage cannot exceed the federal rate. Airfare costs cannot exceed the customary standard commercial rate (coach or equivalent). Per diem – Allowed for out-of-town personnel only. Costs cannot exceed the federal per diem rates. Supplies – materials necessary for the project, with a per unit acquisition cost of less than $5,000. Rental – facilities space for event if grantee organization does not have a space of adequate size. Promotion and Printing – advertising and publicity costs for outreach, includes social media and virtual publicity efforts as well as traditional paper-based mediums.What types of project can Delaware Humanities support?Book festivalsConferencesExhibitsLecturesMedia projectsMuseum assistanceOral historiesPanel discussionsPlanning for humanities programsPublic debatesReading and discussion programsWorkshopsHave another idea? Propose it –we like innovation!

Ineligibility

NOTE: Funding can not be applied for by fiscal sponsors or pass through entities.Costs Not Eligible for Support?General operating support and staff salaries. Scholarly programs directed to a limited audience or individual scholar research. Competitive re-granting, prizes, awards, and projects that provide academic credit, scholarships, fellowships. Pre-award costs. Equipment – any item with a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more. International travel. Construction, purchase of real property, major alteration, repair, and renovation. The preservation, organization, or description of materials that are not regularly accessible for research, education, or public programming. 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. Lobbying. Alcohol and entertainment. Non per diem food and drink (However, may be approved on a case by case basis. Please contact Delaware Humanities before applying). Projects that fall outside the humanities and the humanistic social sciences (including the creation or performance of art; creative writing, autobiographies, memoirs, and creative nonfiction; and quantitative social science research or policy studies). Expenses that are not reasonable, allowable, and/or allocable. Unallowable expenses for subawards as defined in 2 CFR 200 Subpart E-Cost Principles