Project Grants

Project Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Humanities Council Incorporated
Amount: Up to US $4,000
Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Summary

The Vision Grants by Illinois Humanities support nonprofit organizations in Illinois, focusing on planning, evaluation, and DEI initiatives. These grants aim to foster community engagement through workshops, research, and interactive programming. Organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less are prioritized, and funds can be used for training and collaboration efforts. The initiative emphasizes equitable growth and aims to strengthen organizations' capacities to serve diverse communities.

Overview

NOTE:  Apply by submitting a Letter of Intent by one of the three deadline dates. We meet shortly after the LOI deadline date and will get back to a select few groups to request a full proposal. If your organization is asked for a full proposal, you will have just 3 weeks to supply one. Our Mission Illinois Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that spark conversation, foster reflection, build community, and strengthen civic engagement for everyone in Illinois. Our Vision An Illinois where the humanities are central to making the state more just, creative, and connected. Founded in 1974, we are the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities and supported by state, federal, and private funds. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration. Our Strategic Plan Our new strategic plan outlines what we are going to do and why. Over the next five years, we will work to make the public humanities central to a just, creative, and connected, Illinois. We are committed to being partner-centered, honoring our complex histories and cultures, making space for difficult (and crucial) conversations, and actively promoting equity. We will champion a statewide humanities ecosystem by creating programs to address timely issues, amplifying statewide public humanities programs and practitioners with support and visibility, connecting organizations with one another and across diverse sectors, and promoting the importance of the humanities for our state’s wellbeing. Project Grants

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This opportunity is open to organizations and individuals. To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following requirements:Individuals must be located and working in Illinois.Organizations must be Illinois-based and have experience working in their community.Organizations must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3 entity in good standing or have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor in good standing (learn what “good standing" means here).Organizations must have an annual budget of $1 million or less.The project must be rooted in the humanities (Learn how we define the humanities in our Frequently Asked Questions section below).Previous grantees must be up-to-date on reporting for any previous grants from Illinois Humanities and cannot have an open Project or General Operating grant.

Ineligibility

We do not accept grant applications from individuals or for-profit companies.We do not fund:Activities that promote a specific political position or ideologyAlcoholic beveragesBusinesses, for-profitsCapital projects (i.e., renovation or purchase of buildings or land)Endowment contributionsForeign travelGeneral operating (though indirect costs can be included in project budgets)LobbyingMajor equipment purchases (though equipment to assist a specific program is admissible)Out-of-state programs that have no specific relevance or thematic connection people in Illinois (though technically a grant recipient or fiscal agent can be located elsewhere in the U.S.)Programming that falls outside of the humanitiesSocial services (though a social services agency may apply for funding of a humanities project)