Major Grants

Guidelines

The Maine Humanities Council Major Grant program distributes funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine for larger humanities programs and projects—things like exhibits, films, conferences, initiatives—that have broad public outreach.

Maine Humanities is updating our eligibility requirements for our Major, Mini, and Arts & Humanities Grants. Beginning in 2025, if you or your organization receives a MHC project grant (Major, Mini, or Arts & Humanities Grant), you are not eligible to apply again in either the same or the following calendar year. For example, an organization awarded a project grant (at any point) in 2025 would not be eligible to apply for ANY MHC grants until January 2027.

Funds, Priorities, and Criteria

$2,001 to $7,500 for humanities programs and projects undertaken by non-profit organizations and communities across Maine.

Organizations serving and/or led by members of communities traditionally under-resourced in the humanities are encouraged to apply. We evaluate proposals on their strength and clarity in the following areas: humanities content, project goals and impact, project design, outreach and engagement, and budget.

Common Questions

What are the humanities?

The main goal of the humanities is to develop awareness and understanding of people’s lived experience, and to put it into words. Any aspect of human culture — literature, art, music, history, laws, ethics, philosophy – becomes humanities content when participants in the program or project are invited to deepen their understanding of the work and its context through interpretation, analysis, or discussion.

Humanities programs and projects can take many forms: exhibitions, conferences, film/video productions, podcasts/radio shows, discussions, performances framed by interpretation. What they have in common is a commitment to involving people in thinking, reflecting, and talking about important aspects of what it can be like to be alive.

One of the hallmarks of the humanities is the ethic of nonjudgmental discussion. All projects must evidence a spirit of inquiry, a balance between critical and celebratory perspectives, and provide a range of viewpoints and informed opinions, consistent with MHC’s non-partisan mission. This is especially true when projects treat highly charged issues. Please note that MHC does not fund projects that promote a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view or discriminate against persons or groups.

Who is eligible to apply?

Organizations with 501c3 status, government organizations (such as a federally recognized Indian tribal governments or organizations or state/local/city governments), churches, or education organizations (such as schools or school districts, or public or private institutions of higher education) are eligible to apply without fiscal sponsorship.

If your organization is NOT a 501c3, or equivalent (listed above) you will need a FISCAL SPONSOR for your project. The National Council of Nonprofits has a helpful resource sheet on fiscal sponsorship.

If your organization has received a MHC project grant (Major, Mini, or Arts & Humanities Grants), you are not eligible to apply again either in the same or the following calendar year. For example, an organization awarded a grant (at any point) in 2025 would not be eligible to apply for ANY MHC grants until January 2027.

Who should we contact if we have questions before applying?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to connect with a member of the Maine Humanities Grants Team before applying. If you have never applied for a Maine Humanities Grant or aren’t familiar with the grant application process, we would love to work with you in order to make the process as easy as possible.

Please contact Lizz Sinclair or Kyle Volland