Grants:Projects of Special Interest: Our Stories, Our Future Initiative


Atwater Kent Museum's exhibit on the Chinese restaurant provides a national context for the history of Philadelphia's Chinatown. Photo credit: Melanie Carbine
Humanities Grants and the American Experience
Stories are the heart of the humanities. They help us understand our history and the world around us. They give voice to diverse personal lives and individual eloquence.

The PHC is committed to keeping the stories of our nation alive so that, together, we can create a hopeful future. Our statewide initiative encourages Pennsylvanians to reflect on stories from American's past that have urgent importance for our lives today and are critical to our future as a people.

We invite proposals that explore significant events and themes in American history, arts and culture. Projects may include guest speakers, exhibits, book discussions, walking tours, teacher in-service programs, and other formats. Programs should illuminate current concerns, advance knowledge of the American experience, and express diverse perspectives.

  • Quick Grant ($500)
    Deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be received at least 8 weeks before the project start date.

  • Small Grant ($501-$3,000)
    Deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be received at least 12 weeks before the project start date.

  • Large Grant ($3,001-$20,000, with a supplemental match of $6,000 from PHC possible)
    Deadline: Intent to Apply forms are due July 1. Invited applications have a postmark deadline of September 1. For projects that begin no earlier than the following February.
View Projects Funded

Possible Starting Points for Projects

Starting Point Examples
An ideal: Equality, liberty, justice, happiness, tolerance
An event: Westward expansion, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Civil Rights Movement
A heritage: Native American, Arabic, African American, Latino
An artist: Aaron Copeland, Andy Warhol, Martha Graham, August Wilson
A person: Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Ida Tarbell, Rachel Carson
A place: Underground Railroad Station, coal mine, Levittown, Three Mile Island
A text: A story, novel, poem, proverb, motto, slogan
A tragedy: A war, epidemic, disaster, misfortune, downfall
A family history: Photographs, oral histories, genealogy, personal memorabilia

Program Criteria

  • Projects should be grounded in the humanities, exploring issues in an open-ended manner and engaging people in discussion to stimulate their thinking.

  • Projects must involve humanities experts and community representatives.

  • Organizations in rural counties or those new to the PHC grant program are encouraged to apply.

  • Organizations leading discussions of ethnic, racial, and religious diversity should also apply.
The Application Process
  1. Review the guidelines and the application [PDF] | [Word] | [Excel] to determine if your proposed project meets the program's requirements.

  2. Submit an application. Instructions for preparing and photocopying your proposal are included on the application forms. PHC recommends that applications be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. PHC will not be responsible for applications that are lost or damaged in the mail. Applications that are incomplete or postmarked after the deadline will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of all funding decisions.

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