Mini Project Grants

Successful applications will meet the following criteria:

Proposed Program

The program must qualify as a humanities program. Public humanities programs draw on the insights and methods of the humanities disciplines – for example, history, literature, philosophy, or cultural studies – to explore a topic through an analytical lens. 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. A scholar’s expertise may result from an advanced academic degree (MA, ABD, 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 programs 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 a member of NHH 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.  

Proposed Budget

Cost-Share: Organizations must be able to meet a 1:1 cost share requirement. For every dollar NHH awards, the applicant must contribute an equal value of goods or services to the project, either as cash or in-kind contributions, or a combination of both.

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.  

Other Requirements

Unique Entity Identifier (SAM): All organizations receiving federal awards must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov. 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

• Completed NHH Project Narrative and Budget forms (see right column)
• 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 Mini Project Grant Guidelines and list of required materials.
2. Contact NHH to discuss your idea.
3. Complete the narrative and budget, and compile all required application materials.
4. Contact NHH if you would like any feedback on your application.
5. Submit your final application online.
6. NHH staff will confirm receipt upon submission.

~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 event or product you would 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

Recipients with grant periods exceeding 6 months will be required to submit an interim report and budget update mid-way through the project.

All grant recipients will submit a final project report and final budget no later than 90 days following the grant period’s conclusion.

Required Materials

Download the Community Project Grant Administration Checklist (right sidebar) for a complete list 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 an NHH Project Report (right column). 
2. If applicable, complete the Interim Report section.  
3. Save a copy of the file to your computer.  
4. Click 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 "Submit your report" below. Enter the requested information, upload all required material and submit your report.  
9. Submit your final payment request. NHH will process payment once the final report has been approved.  

~Submit your Report~