Major Project Grants

Successful applications will meet the following criteria: 

Proposed Program 

The program must qualify as a humanities program. Public humanities programs bring the insights and methods of the humanities disciplines – for example, history, literature, philosophy, or cultural studies – to analytically explore a topic. Successful applicants will demonstrate how their program's design will interpret or explore a chosen topic or issue to encourage participants to learn more about the subject.   

Subject Matter Expert: The project must involve at least one individual with scholarly expertise in the program’s subject matter who will play an active role in the project’s development and execution. An individual's expertise may result from an advanced academic degree (MA, PhD, or J.D.) in a relevant field or come from serving as the keeper of community traditions and knowledge. Examples of scholars include but are not limited to tribal elders or historians, advanced graduate students, or a professor at a university. 

Free and open to the public: NHH strongly prefers to fund accessible programs and projects that will be free and open to the public. If your organization intends to charge admission for a grant-supported program, we highly encourage you to speak with NHH staff to discuss parallel free or low-cost options. For example, a museum could offer one day free admission or request donations in lieu of an admission ticket.  

Cost-Share: Applicants must be able to meet a 1:1 cost share requirement. For every grant dollar NHH awards, the applicant must contribute an equal value of goods or services to the project, as cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. **At least 10% of an organization’s cost-share must be cash contributions from the applicant organization and/or partner organizations.  

Grant Period: All expenses and events must occur with the grant period defined by the applicant in their project proposal. NHH cannot retroactively fund projects.    

Unique Entity Identifier (SAM): All applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov to recieve grant funds. Register for a SAM UEID at https://sam.gov/content/home. There is no cost to register. For a list of frequently asked questions, click here.  

Required Materials

• A complete project narrative and budget
• An identified Subject Matter Expert
• A Subject Matter Expert letter of support
• Evidence of an organization’s status as an eligible organization
• Federal EIN
• Organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (SAM)
• Resumes or CVs for the Subject Matter Expert, Project Director, and any individual paid with NHH grant funds

How to Apply

1. Review the Major Project Grant Guidelines and list of required materials.
2. Contact NHH to discuss your idea.
3. Download a copy of the project narrative and budget forms.
4. Submit a draft narrative and budget to NHH.
5. NHH staff will review the draft and provide feedback on your proposal.
6. Incorporate NHH's feedback.
7. Submit your final application online.
8. NHH staff will confirm receipt upon submission.
9. Proposals will be reviewed by the NHH Program Committee; applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision within 6-8 weeks of the application deadline. 

~Submit a payment request~

Your contract will outline a payment schedule. Please refer to the payment amounts in this schedule when submitting your request. NHH issues payments on the 15th and 30th of each month. 

Publicity

NHH will promote your grant-funded event(s) via our social media accounts, online calendar, e-news and print publications. Complete the public events listing form to inform us of any grant-funded event or deliverable you'd like us to publicize.

If you have a photographer or videographer record your event, be sure to obtain the appropriate permissions and secure releases from participants. 

Email digital photos (jpeg format at least 300 dpi) to NHH Communications Director, Rebecca Kinhan (rkinhan@nhhumanities.org). Include the name of your organization, date, and location of the event.

Grant Acknowledgment

An acknowledgment of New Hampshire Humanities’ support must be fully visible and/or audible on all materials, projects, or events resulting from a Community Project Grant.  

Include the following acknowledgement on all materials:

This project was made possible with support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.

As part of your award terms, you agree to administer and report on your grant activities in accordance with NHH requirements.

Report Deadlines

Major grant award recipients are required to submit two reports to NHH.

• An interim report and when applicable, an updated budget, will be due mid-way through the grant period.
• A final report and final budget will be due no later than 90 days after the grant period concludes.  

Required Materials

Download the "Instructions for Administering Your Grant" for a complete checklist of the things you will need to successfully administer your grant.

Throughout the grant period, collect and organize the following materials to submit as part of your reporting obligations.

• Budget changes
• Documentation of all in-kind and cash contributions
• Event attendance and audience demographics
• Audience evaluations
• Sample publicity
• Sample project materials
• Copies of letters sent to NH’s federal congressional delegation notifying them of your award. 

Third-Party Contributions

As a recipient of federal funds, you are obligated to maintain accurate financial records. All third-party contributions – cash or in-kind – must be verifiable to count towards the matching funds requirement. 

Any person or organization who contributes a cash or in-kind donation should complete a project donation form, available for download on the right. The recorded value of an in-kind donation must be based on the fair market value—the rate that would otherwise be paid for the donated good or service. 

Any contributions made via an electronic transaction such as PayPal or Venmo must be properly documented. You may provide a receipt or proof of transaction that shows the donor’s name, the amount donated, and is certified by the recipient.

To submit a report

1. Download the NHH Major Project Grant Report.
2. Complete the Interim Report section.
3. Save a copy of the file to your computer.
4. Click here to submit your report. Enter the requested information and upload your file. Click submit.
5. If applicable, submit a payment request.
6. Within 90 days after the grant period ends, complete the final report section.
7. Assemble all required financial records and reporting documents.
8. Click here to submit your report. Enter the requested information and upload your file. Click submit.
9. Submit your final payment request. NHH will process payment once the final report has been approved.