MN Humanities: "Why Treaties Matter" Host Application Grant

MN Humanities: "Why Treaties Matter" Host Application Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Minnesota Humanities Center
Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Summary

The Minnesota Humanities Center invites applications for the "Why Treaties Matter" program, a community-based exhibit promoting understanding of Dakota and Ojibwe histories. Hosting organizations can receive up to $2,000 to develop educational programming that centers indigenous voices and knowledge. This initiative emphasizes the importance of cultural engagement and aims to strengthen relationships among communities in Minnesota. Applications are accepted continuously, with a preference for community-engaged host sites.

Overview

NOTE: Before applying to host Why Treaties Matter, please let us know about your interest and the dates you are considering so we can alert you if/when the exhibit is available. Minnesota Humanities Center Mission The Minnesota Humanities Center connects our past, present, and future by bringing people together to increase understanding and spark change. Vision A just society that is connected, curious, and compassionate. The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) collaborates with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring transformational humanities programming into the lives of Minnesotans throughout the state. Using story as a catalyst, we produce, create, and support projects and programs that explore a range of subjects. Founded in 1971, MHC is an independent nonprofit affiliated with and supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. MHC is also a grantmaking organization and operates a full-service event center in a historic building on St. Paul’s East Side. In 2019, MHC completed a new strategic framework that affirms our identity and key priorities. Through educational opportunities, cultural experiences, and public engagement, we are committed to making the humanities more broadly relevant and accessible to people across the state. Why Treaties Matter”: Program Description “Why Treaties Matter” began when tribes residing in Minnesota approved a partnership between the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, Minnesota Humanities Center, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. We created the exhibit through a community-based approach. Since its inception, the knowledge, insight, and perspective of tribal members have been the exhibit’s foundation. From this foundation emerged a vehicle for Dakota and Ojibwe individuals and communities to tell their own stories of sovereignty, adaptability, and sustainability. The current partners are the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and the Minnesota Humanities Center. Funding support The “Why Treaties Matter” partners seek applications from potential host communities interested in utilizing the exhibit in two different ways: Community-engaged host site—These host sites develop public programming and/or interpretive or educational resources to complement their hosting of the exhibit with Dakota and/or Ojibwe scholars, cultural knowledge bearers, and/or community members. These scholars, cultural knowledge bearers, and/or community members may already work for your organization and/or be a part of your community. Or, your organization may choose to work with these people or organizations specifically in support of your hosting of “Why Treaties Matter.” Community-engaged host sites may receive contracts of up to $2,000 with the Minnesota Humanities Center to offset project costs. MHC will give preference to community-engaged host site applicants over general host site applicants General host site—These host sites share the exhibit with their audiences but don’t have the capacity to develop public programming or interpretive or educational resources at this time. MHC will not support general host sites with additional funds. MHC will give preference to community-engaged host site applicants over general host site applicants. Program Goals and Core Values MHC offers a new way to think about our future — grounded in the humanities. We collaborate with organizations and people through education, partnerships, and public programs to inspire community conversations, forge deep connections, and illuminate authentic, diverse voices across the state — especially those left out, marginalized, or otherwise absent from our education and public awareness. We help people listen, connect, and understand each other better — because we know isolation and division are dangerous. The Humanities Center’s approach affirms we’re all in this together — using philosophy, literature, civics, history, language, and more. At the core of our work is the Absent Narratives Approach™, a values-driven framework for community engagement and collaboration. The four values ask us to put relationships with people at the center of community change-making and to center voices that have been absented. The four core values are: Learn from and With Multiple VoicesBuild and Strengthen Diverse RelationshipsRecognize the Inequity (or Dangers) of a Single StoryAmplify Community Solutions for Change Goals Communicate, in a meaningful and truthful way, the history of sovereignty and treaties between nations in Minnesota territory (and, later, the state of Minnesota) to educators, students, and the general public.Improve the amount and quality of teacher instruction about American Indian histories and cultures in the project’s partner school districts.Center indigenous knowledge and expertise in the hosting of the exhibition and community engagement activities.Build relationships that will endure beyond the active exhibition period.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who is eligible: Nonprofit organizations (with 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor that holds 501(c)(3) status), not-for-profit entities, tribal nations, and state/municipal public agencies such as K-12 schools, colleges/universities, or libraries are eligible to apply. All organizations must be based in Minnesota, in good standing with the IRS, and up to date on reporting and state requirements for any funds previously awarded by the Minnesota Humanities Center.Note: In good standing with the IRS means that the organization has completed all reporting requirements and can therefore receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. We use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm IRS compliance.The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, which underwrites this opportunity, requires that proposed and/or awarded funds support new work or new additions to existing work. These funds must supplement, not substitute, other funding sources.

Ineligibility

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund prohibits funds from being used to:Start, match, add to, or complete any type of capital campaignSupport capital costs (such as improvements, construction, property, or equipment)Pay for indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related and proportional to, and necessary for, the activities outlined in the program proposalCover expenditures incurred before the date we authorize you to begin workSupport benefits and fundraisers