American Rescue Plan Grants | Major Grants | Mini Grants | Arts & Humanities Grants

2016 grant “Art in Exodus” at Maine College of Art. Photo by Kyle Dubay.

Special Grants

Please check back for updates and deadlines, or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter for upcoming grant announcements. 

1. SHARP Grants

In the summer of 2021 the Maine Humanities Council will offer grants to support Maine cultural organizations recovering from hardship as a result of COVID-19.

• Funding for these grants are part of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act and will be provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

In 2020 the MHC awarded $424,000 to 98 humanities and cultural organizations in Maine facing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus. Funding for these grants was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the CARES Act. 

Standard Grants

1. Major Grants: $1,001 – $7,500

Offered once per year

Funding to non-profit organizations in Maine for larger humanities programs and projects – things like exhibits, films, conferences, initiatives – that have broad public outreach. We are excited to support programs and projects with rich, well-developed humanities content, strong participation from a scholar or topic expert, and robust support from partners in the community.

Upcoming deadlines: Applications open October 18, 2021; Proposals due January 31, 2022

• Review: Grant guidelines | Grant FAQs
• Complete: Application, Excel budget form and Major Grant narrative
• Projects must begin no sooner than 8 weeks after the deadline.
• Applications reviewed by committee of MHC board members.
• Notification: Within 8 weeks of final submission.
• Final Report: Complete

2. Mini Grants: up to $1,000

Offered 3 times a year

For projects that use the humanities to connect people across physical distance, whether they make use of digital technologies or use ways of connecting those without access to digital tools.

Upcoming deadlines: Applications open August 5, 2021; Proposals due September 2, 2021

• Review: Grant guidelines | Grant FAQs
• Complete: Application and Excel budget form.
• Project must begin no sooner than 8 weeks after the deadline.
• Applications reviewed by MHC Grants Committee.
• Notification: Within 8 weeks of submission.
• Final Report: Complete

3. Arts & Humanities Grants: up to $1,000

Offered in the spring and fall

Arts & Humanities grants, a partnership between the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission, support innovative community projects that have BOTH arts and humanities components.

Upcoming Deadlines: Proposals due October 14, 2021

• Before you apply please speak with Lizz Sinclair from the MHC (207-773-5051) and Kerstin Gilg from the MAC (207-287-2724)—to make sure their project fits the guidelines.
• Please apply through the Maine Arts Commission.
• Review: Applications reviewed by committee from MHC and MAC.