NHC Major Grants

Humanities Nebraska (HN) provides grants aimed at enhancing public humanities projects across the state, with a mission to foster cultural connection and understanding. These grants support nonprofit organizations and government entities in promoting history, literature, philosophy, and the arts, ensuring inclusivity and representation for diverse communities. Applications focusing on the theme of connections are prioritized, while maintaining a competitive selection process. HN is dedicated to creating engaging, meaningful experiences that resonate with all Nebraskans.

Because Humanities Nebraska (HN) believes that culture and connection are essential rights of human expression, HN offers grants to nonprofit organizations in support of projects related to the humanities.
Humanities Nebraska
While applications exploring the connections theme will be given priority, HN granting will remain competitive and open to other humanities projects.
Humanities Nebraska embraces inclusive grantmaking.
Because Humanities Nebraska (HN) exists to help people explore what connects us and makes us human, we offer grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities to support projects related to the public humanities.

Eligibility

What makes a successful HN grant application?
The following basic elements are generally required for a successful application. More details are provided in the FAQ sections. Applicant is a non-profit according to the State of Nebraska and the IRS and has 501(c)(3) or other 501(c) status, or is a federal, state, county, local, or tribal government entity – including public schools and libraries – that doesn’t have any past-due HN grant reports still pending.Humanities are central to the portion of the applicant’s project HN is being asked to fund, and the program encourages interaction, thought, and discussion over ideas, topics, and questions.At least one subject expert (“humanist”) is involved in planning and/or implementing the project, and their role and expertise are clearly described.The project takes place in Nebraska and/or has direct significance to Nebraska, and Nebraskans are a primary target audience.The project does not involve advocacy for a particular viewpoint and is free of bias and includes a balance of views.A public program that is free or has a nominal fee (not a fundraiser).A project budget showing at least a 1:1 match between HN grant funds and cash or in-kind budget items.Adequate plans to promote and evaluate the project.Reasonable timeline and proportional budget.Special consideration may be given to projects that reach across Nebraska or that target underserved audiences (due to geography or socioeconomic status).

Ineligibility

For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible.Grants should not be used to bring in speakers who are part of the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau, unless the program they are going to present is substantially different from their Speakers Bureau program(s).Humanities Nebraska CANNOT support the following:Individuals (must be a nonprofit organization)Advocacy or partisan objectivesDirect action campaignsOperating costs, construction, or renovationTravel to professional meetingsProfit-making projectsCreative or performing arts, unless their primary role is to illustrate humanities issuesBook publishing (Subvention)Alcoholic beverages, food or entertainment for audiencesScholarships and fellowshipsOccupational trainingPrinting costs not related to public projectInstitutional planning and developmentMuseum, school or library acquisitionsAcademic creditResearch for solely scholarly purposesUniversities, colleges or affiliated organizations for programs designed primarily for their students