For Immediate Release
January 30, 2024
Contact: Dana Barcellos-Allen | dbarcellos-allen@cthumanities.org | 860-937-6648
CTH Awards $144,047 in Major Grants to 11 Cultural Nonprofits for Community-Strengthening Capacity, Planning, & Implementation Programs
MIDDLETOWN, CT (January 30, 2024) – The board of directors of CT Humanities has awarded $144,047 in major grants to 11 nonprofits to support humanities projects and planning that strengthen the organizations’ impact in their communities and highlight humanities work through the state.
“CT Humanities capacity grants help Connecticut organizations that bring humanities to the public to think strategically, better understand their audiences, assets, and operations, and plan for the future,” said Dr. Jason R. Mancini, executive director of Connecticut Humanities. “During our peer-reviewed grants selection process, our volunteer committee saw a higher number of requests for capacity funding, and we are pleased that these grants will strengthen not just the organization but the communities they serve.”
Eight capacity grant requests were funded, totaling $69,065. CT Humanities also awarded $74,982 in planning and implementation grants – which support the planning and execution of humanities projects, such as exhibitions, public programs, and interpretive digital media projects – to three organizations with projects focusing on historically underrepresented groups and colonial archaeology.
CAPACITY GRANTS:
Antiquarian & Landmarks Society Inc. (Hartford, $9,999)
Strategic Planning (Phase II) for Connecticut Landmarks
This project will utilize the findings of the major assessment by Museum Insights to develop strategic goals for the organization by running focus groups, workshops, and synthesizing into a final plan for the organization for the next three years — a period leading up to and including America 250.
Everyday Democracy, Inc. (Hartford, $9,999)
Vision and Action: Developing A Three-Year Strategic Plan for Everyday Democracy
Everyday Democracy has worked alongside communities for 30 years to build an inclusive, multiracial democracy. After recently transitioning from a private operating foundation to a public charity, bringing on new leadership, and updating programs to respond to the most critical challenges facing our democracy today, Everyday Democracy’s staff and board members will work with a consultant to set strategic goals, conduct a landscape analysis, and build a business plan to ensure ongoing success.
North Haven Memorial Library (North Haven, $9,990)
Strategic Planning: Creating a Framework for the Future at the North Haven Memorial Library
The North Haven Memorial Library will create its first-ever strategic plan. To ensure that the North Haven Memorial Library has the tools in place to create a fair and comprehensive plan, they will work with a consultant. The consultant will provide an unbiased community-scan, data analysis, and help guide them through the plan-writing process, ensuring they incorporate the goals, priorities, and strategies into the plan that will support their mission and the needs of the community.
Norwich Historical Society (Norwich, $5,455)
Strategic Planning for the Norwich Historical Society
The Norwich Historical Society (NHS) is seeking funds to hire a consultant to help update their strategic plan. It is imperative for the Norwich Historical Society to have a clear understanding of their organization’s future objectives and goals because it will better help their serve our community. A strategic plan will allow them to clarify the organization’s priorities and will help the NHS grow in the future. The strategic plan will cover from 2025 to 2028.
Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc. (Plainville, $9,999)
Outreach Strategy Development FY24
Queen Ann Nzinga Center’s goal is to reach new partners who resonate with their work. This project will allow them to assess and execute a formal outreach plan, which combines fundraising and marketing planning and execution while simultaneously building staff capacity to follow through after the grant period ends. This project comes at a time of tremendous growth in their programs and is critical in sustaining the high-quality program delivery they are known for in the community.
Sharon Historical Society (Sharon, $9,000)
Understanding the Sharon Community
The Sharon Historical Society and Museum (SHSM) will host a series of community meetings to gather information regarding the future of SHSM. These meetings will be combined with an online survey to further extend their community reach. The questions posed in the meetings and survey will focus primarily on strategic planning needs and potential future exhibitions.
Stratford Historical Society (Stratford, $5,393)
Stratford Historical Society’s 2024 Strategic Planning Process
Stratford Historical Society is launching a strategic planning project that will guide the organization’s activity and engagement as it enters its next hundred years. This capacity grant funds a consultant who will create a three-year strategic plan through meetings, research, and a write-up.
Yellow Farmhouse Education Center (Stonington, $9,230)
Yellow Farmhouse Education Center – Visitor Experience Audience Assessment
The Yellow Farmhouse is poised to become a premier destination for experiences and educational programming showcasing Connecticut’s rich culinary and agricultural heritage. This capacity grant will fund an audience assessment to understand how they can better serve their existing audience and attract new visitors. This data will also inform a strategic plan for the next phase of the organization’s growth.
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS:
Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme, $25,000)
Seeing Past: African American History Photographed by William Earle Williams
CTH Planning Grant funds will support the development of an important 2025 exhibition at the Florence Griswold Museum, “Seeing Past: African American History Photographed by William Earle Williams.” Funds will underwrite research and travel costs; a collaborative workshop with stakeholders to share knowledge and seek input on the exhibition’s approach; exhibition design; and development of an online learning tool.
Southern Connecticut State University Foundation (New Haven, $24,982)
Broadening and Deepening the Interpretation of the Henry Whitfield State Museum Permanent Exhibits
This grant will fund preparations for a large-scale reinterpretation of permanent exhibits at one of CT’s most important historical places, the Henry Whitfield State Museum. A lack of records and its history as a location of a patriotic celebration of colonial-settler founders has left the museum almost exclusively focused on the 1639 origin of the “Old Stone House.” The implementation of data gathered through archaeological analysis will foster a more inclusive educational visitor experience.
Weston Historical Society (Weston, $25,000)
Weston at Work – Permanent Exhibition at the Weston History & Culture Center in Weston, CT
Weston at Work, opening September 2025, will explore the theme of industry in the form of manufacturing, agriculture and domestic textile production and the people who played roles in these three sectors from the 18th through the early 20th century in Weston. The exhibition will aim to highlight underrepresented groups (enslaved, free black, immigrant populations, women, and children) and their changing involvement in these industries and activities over the course of a century and a half.
For information on grants eligibility and application due dates, visit cthumanities.org/grants
###
About CT Humanities
CT Humanities (CTH) is an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH promotes civic engagement and connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources.
