Visions – Projects + Events Grant

The Visions – Projects + Events Grant, administered by HumanitiesDC, invites DC-based nonprofit organizations to create innovative public humanities programs. By supporting projects that engage with the community through documentaries, events, and educational initiatives, this grant fosters creative interpretations of humanities scholarship. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a connection to Washington, DC, and incorporate relevant expertise in their projects. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration and accessibility, enriching the cultural landscape of the District.

The Collaborative accomplishes this by providing training, mentorship, resources, programs, and funding to current and aspiring oral historians.
Grant Opportunity
Help us create exciting public humanities programs for the people of Washington, DC! This grant opportunity funds the creation of innovative interpretations of humanities scholarship for public audiences. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how they engage the public. Potential projects can include, but are not limited to documentary films, planning or executing an event or performance, publications and curricula, tours and exhibits, websites and other digital humanities projects; and archives.
This opportunity is part of the Humanities Grant Program supported with funding from the District of Columbia Government through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Funding Scope
Visions – Projects & Events funds innovative interpretations of the humanities for public audiences. This includes support for ongoing programs or limited-time activities. All projects must incorporate relevant humanities scholarship into the stories that they tell and have an advisor or partner who is knowledgeable about the relevant field or subject matter.
Prospective projects must:
be informed by one or more of the humanities disciplines;have an advisor or team member who is knowledgeable about the proposed subject matter;demonstrate a connection to Washington, DC;be innovative, unique, and of strong educational interest to a wide public audience; andbe publicly accessible.
Project examples include:
Neighborhood organizations partnering with local experts to create walking tours that explore the various layers of a community;Conferences focusing on the connection between national issues and their impacts on DC residents;Humanities organizations holding space for dialogue around civic engagement;Educational organizations creating an exhibition with a humanities theme as it relates to DC residents;Documentary films that tell a humanities story about Washington, DC;Documentary films will be showcased in a HumanitiesDC sponsored film festival and be made available for non-commercial, educational use.Planning or execution of an event, conference, festival, or other gathering;Events, conferences, festivals, or other gatherings should promote DC-focused humanities topics for the public. They should create networking opportunities for humanities professionals, a platform for scholars and local experts, and/or a space for people wanting to explore a humanities-based topic or area of interest. Additionally, they must be open to the public and include some portion of free or affordable programming.Development of humanities-focused publications and curricula;The development or enhancement of archives, websites and other digital humanities projects.

Eligibility

Applicant EligibilityDC-based nonprofit organizations. Individuals must apply through a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as a fiscal sponsor, provided that the fiscal sponsor organization meets all eligibility requirements in this RFP.Applicants may apply for and receive only one program grant per year but could also receive one non-program grant (i.e., either a capacity building or a general operating support grant) Organizations applying for this grant:Must be a DC-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization for which Washington, DC residents comprise most of its constituents.Must be registered with, and authorized to do business in, the District as either a “Domestic” entity (that is, an entity that was incorporated in the District) or a “Foreign” entity (that is, an entity that was incorporated in another state).Must register and comply with the regulatory requirements of the following agencies:District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) – Corporations Division (indicating an “active” business license status at the time of application and agreeing to maintain such status throughout the grant period).District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES).United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).Must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Organizations do not need to have a UEI number to apply but will not be able to receive funding until one is obtained.Must be able to obtain a certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” (CCH) from the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue.Must be in good standing with HumanitiesDC. Applicants with outstanding or delinquent reports or final products from previous HumanitiesDC grants must submit them completed and without deficiencies at least 30 days before the deadline for which they wish to apply.May be asked at any time during the grant period to provide proof of eligibility. Any awardees found ineligible after the award date must return all grant funds to HDC.By signing the conditions document and accepting the funds will be certifying that they comply with: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (b) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (c) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; (d) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (e) the Americans with Disabilities Act; (f) the Age Discrimination Act of 1973; (g) the Labor Standards under Sections 5i and 7g of the National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965; and (h) the regulations issued pursuant thereto by the National Endowment for the Humanities (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Chapter XI).”Cash Match RequirementThere is no matching requirement for this grant program. However, if the proposed activities cost more than the amount requested, applicants are strongly encouraged to describe other secured/planned funding sources in the Budget Narrative.Allowable Costs100% of awarded grant funds must be applied to direct program costs. This may include salary, consulting fees, and/or honoraria for individuals working on the project.

Ineligibility

Prohibited applicants include private clubs and organizations that prohibit membership based upon race, gender, color, religion, or any other classes identified in the District of Columbia Human Rights Act; for- profit (commercial) entities; political organizations; foreign governments; federal government entities; and District of Columbia government agencies.Disallowed expensesIndirect costs, overhead, rent, utilities, or administrative feesFood and beverages, tuition and scholarships, debt reduction, re-granting, costs related to fundraisers and special events, expenses unrelated to the execution of the project, and funding to foreign or domestic government agencies.