Virginia Humanities: Rapid Grants

Virginia Humanities: Rapid Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Virginia Humanities
Amount: Up to US $3,500
Last Updated: March 22, 2026

Summary

Virginia Humanities offers Rapid Grants to support projects that explore Virginia's rich history and cultural traditions. These grants are designed for smaller-scale projects that last up to nine months and aim to foster community engagement through forums, discussions, and educational resources. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and recognized tribal nations. The program emphasizes storytelling and connection to Virginia's diverse heritage, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the cultural narrative.

Overview

About Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We’re headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but we serve the entire state. We aim to share the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to share their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we’ll all better understand one another. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. As a non-partisan organization, we have been successful thanks to many years of strong bi-partisan commitment to our work at federal and state levels, as well as from the NEH itself. In 2019 we created a new strategic plan. It unifies our work around three important themes that will connect our programs, guide our partnerships, and help us make the humanities part of the daily life of all Virginians. About Our Grants Our grants support projects that explore the stories of Virginia—its history, people, communities, and cultural traditions—as well as issues and questions that impact the lives of Virginians in the present day. Rapid Grant Provides funding for projects with a smaller scope and duration than Regular Grants Intended for projects lasting up to nine months What We Fund Community forums and public discussions, including book or film discussion programs Community history projects, including oral histories Conferences and symposia, academic conferences where there is a strong public component Curriculum resources for K-12 classroom use Exhibits—physical and/or online Festivals and interpretive performances Institutes and similar programs for teachers Lectures and lecture series Media programs: production of films, script development, videos, television, radio, podcasts, websites, or digital media Project planning Print publications—books, brochures, exhibit catalogs, and interpretive maps Research that leads to programs having a direct public audience Travel expenses for project personnel (mileage and meals)

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or other eligible organization. Non-profit organizations located outside of Virginia are eligible to apply if their project deals with a subject or subjects directly related to Virginia and a significant audience within the state is anticipatedTribal nations recognized by the State of Virginia and/or the United States federal government are eligible and encouraged to apply for Virginia Humanities grant programs. Groups seeking funding that identify themselves as tribes/nations but are not recognized by the state or federal government are not eligible unless they apply in partnership with an eligible fiscal sponsor (incorporated nonprofit).Virginia Humanities acknowledges the following nations as recognized by the State of Virginia: Cheroenhaka Nottoway, Chickahominy, Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division, Mattaponi, Monacan, Nansemond, Nottoway, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, Rappahannock, and Upper Mattaponi. Up-to-date nonprofit status Applicants may not have two grants open at the same time. Applicants may receive funding for the same project in two different grant cycles, but not for a third time.

Ineligibility

Grantees may not apply in two grant opportunities at the same time.Grantees may not apply to an opportunity (Rapid or Regular), if they were awarded a grant in the cycle immediately prior to the current cycle.Grantees may not have two grants open at the same time.Who is not eligible to apply:For-profit organizations Individuals Grant Funding May Not Support:Advocacy or political action; programs that promote a particular policy or point of viewCreative or performing arts, unless used in a supporting role to enhance discussionCourses for credit, except those designed especially for teachersIndirect costsInternational travelAwards or giftsBuilding construction, restoration, or renovationAlcoholic beverages