Grant recipients are asked to display the Nebraska Humanities Council logo on all printed promotional materials and grant-supported products, such as books, films or exhibits. If you are unable to download the logo, contact the NHC at 402-474-2131. Color tiff file Black/White tiff file Grant Recipients	Grants Grant Policies and Guidelines Grant Application Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal Final Report Forms Summary of Expenditures Form   October 2009 Humanities Council adds $50,000 to grants budget   The Nebraska Humanities Council has added $50,000 to its grants budget to cover worthy projects during the current economic downturn.   “Because the council was presented with so very many strong proposals at its fall major grants round, its executive and finance committees approved adding $50,000 from the council’s reserve fund to its regular grants budget so that as many valuable projects as possible could be funded,” said NHC Executive Director Jane Renner Hood.   To further sustain non-profit organizations that are important partners with the NHC in providing access to humanities programming for all Nebraskans during these difficult economic times, the NHC will continue the open-budget policy and suspension of repeat-funding requirements it announced in April, allowing partner organizations to focus on their mission and core programming.   top   April 2009 Humanities Council changes grant-making policies   The Nebraska Humanities Council (NHC) announces a change in its grant-making procedures to help sustain non-profit organizations that are important partners with the NHC in providing access to humanities programming for all Nebraskans. The NHC will implement an open-budget policy and suspend its repeat-funding requirements for the grants it awards to encourage partner organizations to focus on their mission and sustain their core programming to survive difficult economic times.   The new policy is available to organizations that have had a successful program history with the NHC during the past 10 years, and will be applied based on the size of the organizations’ annual operating budgets.   Organizations with annual operating budgets under $100,000 will be eligible to spend 100% of awarded grant funds with an open budget, provided that the organization implements the project described in the grant proposal. Organizations with annual operating budgets of $100,000 to $1 million will be eligible to spend 75% of awarded funds with an open budget with 25% tied to the budget submitted with the grant application.   Organizations with annual operating budgets over $1 million will be eligible to spend 25% with an open budget with 75% tied to the submitted budget.   Organizations that are new to NHC programming would be held to the NHC’s standard 20% limit on administrative expenses. Once the organization has successfully completed a Council-funded project, the open-budget guidelines would apply.   “Cultural and educational organizations all across our state are struggling with the impact of the economic down-turn just at a time when Nebraskans most need low-cost cultural activities and educational opportunities close to home,” NHC Executive Director Jane Renner Hood said. “The Nebraska Humanities Council and Foundation hope that these grant changes will help our partners survive hard financial times as well as provide public humanities programs for their communities.”   Organizations of any size, new to NHC or not, whose applications are responding to NHC’s program emphasis on the demographic changes affecting Nebraska’s future are eligible for 100% open-budget grant funding if the primary purpose of that organization is to address that change. The demographic changes emphasized are the influx of immigrants and refugees, the population shift from rural to urban and suburban and the aging of Nebraska’s population.   The new open-budget policy will be evaluated annually to determine its effectiveness and the general economic need for this additional administrative support.   The NHC offers Major Grants for more than $1,500 at two grant cycles a year with application deadlines of Aug. 1 and March 1. Mini Grants are for $1,500 or less with six deadlines a year—July 1, Sept. 1, Nov. 1, Jan. 1, March 1, and May 1.   NHC grant applications may be submitted online. Just click here. In 2009 online submission is not required, but is strongly urged. Beginning Jan. 1, online submission will be required.     NHC staff is available for grant consultation The NHC works with groups statewide to create high-quality programs that add to the understanding and appreciation of Nebraska and the world, and that foster a better understanding of the humanities. The NHC staff is available for grant consultation and will read proposal drafts. Contact the NHC office if you need assistance with a project idea. Click on the appropriate link above to view grant policies and guidelines, submit an application, view a guide for writing a funding proposal or print out the final report form or the summary of expenditures form. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the final report or summary of expenditures. See instructions below to download the free Adobe software. For a printed copy of these documents in Microsoft Word, contact the NHC by regular mail or by e-mail at nhc@nebraskahumanities.org
	NHC Competitive Grants Any non-profit group is eligible to apply for a grant from the NHC. The council encourages cooperative projects that help ensure broad community interest. Applications must demonstrate that the humanities are central to the project. All projects must include humanities resource people. Usually, the humanist is a college or university professor in a humanities discipline. When non-academic humanists are chosen for projects, the applicants must provide sufficient background information to show that they will capably represent the humanities.   Although projects are usually aimed at the adult public, any age group may be served. Projects need a creative publicity plan to encourage public participation. All projects must also include a means of evaluation by audience participants or an outside reviewer. At least half of the total project costs must be provided by the applicant in local cost-share, either cash or in-kind.
	Major Grants Major Grants are more than $1,500, and there are two major grant cycles a year. Applications must be submitted by March 1 or Aug. 1. Notification is normally given within two months. It is recommended that the sponsoring group discuss the project with NHC staff before submission.
	Mini Grants Mini Grants are $1,500 or less, and there are six grant cycles a year. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 1, March 1, May 1, July 1, Sept. 1 or Nov. 1. Notification is normally given within one month.  Staff is available for consultation and will review grant applications before the due date.
	Media & Website/Digital Grants Media grants (for film, radio and television productions) and Website/Digital grants are more than $1,500. They are treated as major grants but they have additional requirements. There are two grant cycles a year. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 15 or June 15. Staff is available for consultation and will review grant applications before the due date.
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For more information, contact the Nebraska Humanities Council. Phone 402-474-2131 or e-mail nhc@nebraskahumanities.org

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