2022 Capacity Building Grant for Humanities Organizations (US)

Deadline: 3-Jun-22

The Humanities Council of Washington is now inviting applications for its 2022 Capacity Building Grant to provide general operating support to Washington D.C.-based, humanities-focused non-profit organizations for the purposes of engaging in capacity building activities that will help strengthen the organizations.

With this support, organizations will be better positioned to continue producing high-quality humanities work for the benefit of the District and its residents.

What is Building Capacity in an Organization?

Capacity building is an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of an organization.
Capacity building is whatever is needed to bring an organization to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational stability or maturity, so it may more effectively and efficiently advance its mission into the future.
Distinct capacity-building projects, such as identifying a communications strategy, improving volunteer recruitment, ensuring thoughtful leadership succession, updating a nonprofit’s technology, and improving how it measures its outcomes, all build the capacity of an organization to effectively deliver its mission.

Funding Information

Organizations may request up to $25,000. Applicants may receive only one grant from this program in this fiscal year.

Other Required Proposal Elements

Identification of the organization’s target demographic, primary humanities discipline, and Washington, DC Ward(s) served.
Listing of key personnel whose positions would be impacted by the grant award and their roles in the organization.
A timeline for expenditure of the funds.
A budget (in a provided template), and a budget narrative.
A detailed plan for complying with relevant provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be an IRS designated 501c3 non-profit organization.
Must be registered with, and authorized to do business in, the District as either a “Domestic” entity (that is, an entity that was incorporated in the District) or a “Foreign” entity (that is, an entity that was incorporated in another state).
Must register and comply with the regulatory requirements of the following agencies:
- District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) – Corporations Division (indicating an “active” business license status at the time of application and agreeing to maintain such status throughout the grant period).
- District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
- District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES).
- United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Must be able to obtain a certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” (CCH) from the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue.
Must have a principal business office address that is located in the District of Columbia and is accessible to onsite review. Post office boxes will not be accepted.
Must be an organization which, as a core part of its mission, produces public programs in the Humanities, as defined here by the amended National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965:
- “The term ‘humanities’ includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archaeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting the diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life.”
Must be an organization for which Washington, DC residents comprise most of its constituents.
Must be in good standing with HumanitiesDC. Applicants with outstanding or delinquent reports or final products from previous HumanitiesDC grants must submit them completed and without deficiencies at least 30 days before the deadline for which they wish to apply.
Prohibited applicants include private clubs and organizations that prohibit membership based upon race, gender, color, religion, or any other classes identified in the District of Columbia Human Rights Act; for-profit (commercial) entities; political organizations; foreign governments; federal government entities; and District of Columbia government agencies.
Must have a valid DUNS number. Organizations do not need to have a DUNS number to apply but will not be able to receive funding until one is obtained.
Awarded applicants may be asked at any time during the grant period to provide proof of eligibility. Any awardees found to be ineligible after the award date will be required to return all grant funds to HDC.