Opportunity Grants
Opportunity grants provide financial support to nonprofit partners for public humanities projects. It is designed to encourage nonprofits to use humanities projects – those that engage the audience’s skills of inquiry, analysis, and reflection, and provide the historical and social contexts with which to do so – to strengthen work in their communities.
These projects are opportunities to educate, build, and coalesce Tennessee communities around the issues that propel a nonprofit’s mission. Whether you’re sharing local history, cultivating participation in the arts, conserving a watershed, safeguarding your neighborhood, or developing the workforce, the humanities can herald creative solutions and community improvement.
Eligible recipients include:
- Tennessee non-profits with a committed interest in using public humanities projects to further their missions, and that have an annual budget of $150,000 or less.
Using the Opportunity Grant:
This grant program does not require the submission of a grant application. Instead, partners must provide Humanities Tennessee with:
• a request form (available from our office);
• a letter describing the project, the project expenditures, and how the project furthers the organization’s goals;
• additional supporting materials as necessary.
There is no deadline; requests are considered on a first come, first serve basis, and for up to a maximum of $2,500 each. Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged, and may expedite the review process.
Humanities TN grants do not support:
• advocacy or social action
• projects for fundraising purposes
• construction or restoration costs
• the purchase of equipment
• library or museum acquisitions
• individuals, research or projects intended primarily for the scholarly community
• academic courses for credit
• performing arts as ends in themselves
• food and beverage costs for audiences or alcoholic beverages
• expenses incurred or paid before a request is approved by Humanities Tennessee
• the ongoing activities of the partner
Contact Us
To learn more about the Opportunity Grants or meet with our staff, please contact Melissa Davis, Director, Community History Program: melissa@humanitiestennessee.orgor 615-770-0006, ext. 8016.