Public Humanities Grant

Geographic Scope: Hawaiʻi

This is the broadest-ranging grant program offered by Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities. The grant supports humanities programs that tell stories of Hawaiʻi to the community and bring together Hawaiʻi communities to explore and share ideas.

Focus Areas

• Engaging and innovative programs that promote deep thinking, conversation, and connection
• Issues that impact Hawaiʻi communities
• Projects that broaden perspectives, enrich lives, and strengthen communities
• Public humanities programs that move knowledge beyond academic settings

Eligibility

• Projects that support the council's mission: "To broaden perspectives, enrich lives and strengthen communities through the public humanities"
• Organizations and community groups in Hawaiʻi

Funding Source

• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding for state humanities councils

Current Status

• PAUSED: Due to changes in federal funding following unprecedented cancellation of grants in 2025, the community grants program has been paused. The organization is cautiously awaiting actual receipt of mandated federal funds before reopening the program.
• Congress passed the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act 2026 in January, which includes level funding for NEH ($207 million for NEH, with $65 million allocated to the 56 state and territorial humanities councils)

Contact Information

• Director of Community Grants: Stacy Hoshino
• Email: shoshino@hihumanities.org
• Phone: (808) 469-4551
• General Email: hello@hihumanities.org
• Phone: (808) 732-5402
• Address: 3599 Wai'alae Avenue, Room 26, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96816

Background

For nearly 54 years, Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities distributed federal funds locally through community grants, supporting generations of work across culture, history, philosophy, religion, policy, health, and social services. The organization has supported diverse programming including documentaries, exhibitions, podcasts, walking tours, and more.

Application Process

Current Status: Applications are NOT being accepted at this time (program paused as of February 2026)

When Program Resumes

1. Consultation (Recommended)
   • Contact Stacy Hoshino at least three weeks prior to the submission deadline
   • Email: shoshino@hihumanities.org
   • Phone: (808) 469-4551
   • One-on-one consultations available about project ideas and questions
2. Application Materials Needed (when program reopens)
   • Grant application form
   • Project narrative
   • Budget information using HIHumanities Grant Budget Template
   • Supporting documentation as required
3. Submission Process
   • Submit through online portal (specific URL not provided in available materials)
   • Follow all HIHumanities guidelines
4. Post-Award Requirements (for successful applicants)
   • Complete grant budget template
   • Submit Request for Grant Funds Form for fund advances (limited to 3-month periods)
   • Submit Final Financial Report Form upon project completion
   • Provide event promotional materials 7-14 days prior to events
   • Submit photographs (landscape orientation, 1080px x 1080px, 300 ppi resolution, .jpg or .png format)
   • Include HIHumanities and NEH logos in all publicity
   • Use required grant acknowledgement language crediting HIHumanities and NEH
5. Fund Disbursement
   • 90% of grant amount available during project duration
   • 10% withheld until all required project reports submitted

Resources Available

• Grants FAQs webpage
• Grant Resources and Forms page
• Examples of past grantees (2021-2024)
• HIHumanities Publicity Guidelines for Grantees