Expand Massachusetts Stories- Open Track Grant

Expand Massachusetts Stories- Open Track Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities (Mass Humanities)
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: April 20, 2025

Summary

The Expand Massachusetts Stories-Open Track grant offers up to $20,000 for projects that collect, interpret, and share narratives about Massachusetts, focusing on voices often overlooked. Eligible projects range from oral histories to community exhibitions and documentary films. The program prioritizes underrepresented experiences and aims to engage local communities in meaningful dialogue. Applicants must be compliant with regulations ensuring accessibility and equity, while funding cannot support individuals or profit-driven projects.

Overview

NOTE: An additional Expand Massachusetts Stories- Advancing Equity Track is available to applicants whose projects are led by people from historically excluded communities. Mass Humanities’ Expand Massachusetts Stories-Open Track grant program offers up to $20,000 for projects that collect, interpret and/or share narratives about the Commonwealth, with an emphasis on the voices and experiences that have gone unrecognized, or have been excluded from public conversation. Potential Projects May Include: Oral histories Community-centered museum exhibitions Facilitated discussions about underrepresented aspects of local histories Exhibits and programs focused on new interpretations of collections Short documentary films (15-30 minutes) or digital media projects that present new insights into the lives of Massachusetts residents past or present Teacher professional development focused on connecting Massachusetts narratives to K-12 curriculum Programs that use inquiry, contextualization, and/or reflection to support residents in recording and exploring their lived experiences

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant organizations must:Be a 501(c)(3), non-profit, fiscally-sponsored association or filmmaker, state or federally recognized tribe, or non-federal government organization. Serve Massachusetts residents. Be in compliance with state and federal regulations which bar discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and which require accessibility for persons with disabilities.Fiscally sponsored applicants: Ad-hoc groups, filmmakers, and non-profit organizations without 501(c)(3) status must find an eligible 501(c)(3) organization to be their fiscal sponsor.

Ineligibility

Mass Humanities does not award funding to individualsWhat Expand Massachusetts Stories Grants Cannot Fund:Work undertaken or supplies purchased before or after the grant period Profit-making or fundraising projects; capital campaigns, or organizational strategic planning Re-grants to other organizations Direct social service, e.g., counseling, therapeutic, legal, or medical services The creation of professional art or artistic performances Professional theater productions Costs of entertainment or alcohol Tickets costs if the revenue from ticket sales goes to the applicant organization Capital improvements, construction, or restoration Lobbying or advocacy projects for specific public policies or legislation The promotion of a particular political, religious, or ideological point of viewScholarships or prizes Production of full-length (longer than 40 minutes) documentary films General operating costs (outside of indirect project costs)