CT Humanities Grant Process

Have a project for which you'd like to apply for funding? Here's what the grant process looks like.

CT Humanities helps organizations submit competitive grant applications by offering feedback on their project ideas, draft reviews of applications, and explanation of award decisions. See below for an overview of our application and
review processes.

Grant Application Submission Process

The typical grant application submission and review process contains several steps that can take several weeks at minimum. Please see the outline of this process on the right for details and suggestions for submitting a competitive application. Click the image for a downloadable version of this document.

You must reach out to Grants staff before you submit an application for Quick Grants, Planning Grants, Implementation Grants, and Capacity Grants.

 

Discussing your project idea with Grants staff will help to ensure that you are eligible for CTH grants and are applying for the right grant line.

For inquiries and questions to Grants staff, email grants@cthumanities.org

Click to Access CTH's Grant Application Portal

Grant Application Review Process

Project-based grant applications are reviewed by a committee of CTH board members, outside committee advisors, and (for Quick Grants and Sponsorships only) CTH staff members. All applications are reviewed on:

The Project's Humanities Content and Project Design

  • Project Details and Description
  • Goals & Learning Objectives
  • Interpretation & Connection to the Humanities
  • Project Team Quality
  • Required Attachments (if applicable)
How Well the Project Meets CTH Funding Priorities
The Project's Overall Viability
  • Marketing Plan
  • Audience Identification
  • Budget Expenses
  • Financial Support for Project

CTH staff also reviews applications for completeness and adherence to specific grant category guidelines.

Common Application Submission Errors
  • late applications
  • applications for non-humanities projects
  • incomplete applications
  • applications not submitted using CTH required application and budget forms
  • missing required attachments
  • project budget falls short of the requisite 1:1 matching funds (required of all grant types) or requisite external cash match percentage (required of Implementation grants of $5,000 or more).

For operating support grants, applications are reviewed by a committee of CTH board members, outside committee advisors, and CTH staff to ensure applicants meet specific program eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements can be found in the guidelines for the operating support grant lines.

Finally, award recommendations proceed to ratification by CTH’s full board. Award notifications take place within one week of that month’s board vote.


Ethical Standards

CTH staff, review panelists, and board members adhere to applicable guidelines on ethical and confidentiality standards. They abstain from commenting or voting on a request for funding if they have:

  • Any recent financial or governance relationship with the applicant organization or any person connected with the proposal.
  • Played or will play a meaningful role in the development or execution of the project.

What happens if your grant application is approved?

Once your grant has been approved, you will receive notification by CTH staff through a grant award email outlining next steps. Please see the outline of this process on the right. Click the image for a downloadable version of this document.

Please refer to your grant agreement for the terms of your award, including publicity requirements, grant period, and payment structure.

Whenever possible, CT Humanities should be made aware of major changes to your project before the event takes place. CT Humanities must be alerted to any major changes to your project before submission of a final report, as there may be additional approvals required.

Your grant agreement, change request form, and final report can be found in the CTH grants portal.

What happens if your grant application is denied?

If your grants application is denied, Grants staff will relay reasons for the denial of your grant application, along with any recommendations from committee. If the committee feels that a re-submission demonstrating certain edits to your project or application would be successful, Grants staff will work with you on revising your project or application for the next deadline.

Granting Program Evaluations

CT Humanities routinely solicits feedback from grant applicants to ensure that our Granting Program is as accessible and impactful as possible. For information about our 2019 Grantee and Grantmaking evaluation findings, click here.

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