Grants:Humanities Grants


Historic Philadelphia Inc. expanded its free summer storytelling program, Once Upon a Nation, to include lesser-known tales of its diverse early residents. Photo credit: G. Widman for GPTMC

Grants for Public Programs in the Humanities
Humanities Grants fund public programs that promote lifelong learning among Pennsylvanians from all walks of life. Humanities Grants support humanities projects as well as projects which combine the arts and humanities. They are open to all nonprofits, including arts organizations, history groups and museums and public libraries. The overall goals of these grants are to:

  • Expand access to the humanities by funding innovative programming that reaches non-traditional audiences

  • Support experiences that foster an enjoyment of learning

  • Create opportunities for Pennsylvanians to explore and discuss history, arts, literature, philosophy and more—and particularly how the ideas integral to these fields both shape and are shaped by the human experience.
Types of Grants

Grants available include:

  • Quick Grants: Requests up to $500. Rolling deadline, but applications must be received at least eight weeks before the project starts.

  • Small Grants: Requests between $501 and $3,000. Rolling deadline, but applications must be received at least 12 weeks before the project starts.

  • Large Grants: Requests over $3,000, with a maximum request of $20,000. Intent-to-Apply form is due July 1. Invited application deadline is September 1.
How to Apply:
  1. Review the current application materials.
    You can view the guidelines. To receive a complete application, you must print the PDF version of the application. If you wish, you may substitute "writable" Word and Excel forms for specified portions of the PDF application. To receive them by mail, contact the PHC. Then, determine if your proposed project meets the PHC's funding requirements and deadlines.

  2. See the new FAQs for help with common questions.

  3. Submit your letter or application.
    Instructions for preparing and photocopying your proposal are included in the application forms. Incomplete proposals or applications postmarked later than the deadlines will not be accepted. We will notify applicants of all funding decisions. We recommend that applications be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

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