Connecticut Humanities grants have supported a variety of projects and organizations for more than four decades.
Since 1995, the Connecticut General Assembly has provided funding to Connecticut Humanities to deliver “…grants and support services for institutions in the humanities, including but not limited to libraries, museums and historical and cultural societies and associations.”
Connecticut Humanities Fund
As community needs have changed over the years, Connecticut Humanities has adjusted its funding priorities and granting programs to support a wide variety of institutions and projects of the highest quality that engage the public in thoughtful consideration of the human condition.
Most recently, Connecticut Humanities updated the Connecticut Humanities Fund to meet the unique needs of humanities organizations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A relief grant line was opened, Quick Grants guidelines were adjusted to meet shifting priorities, and flexibility was built into the process to get funding out to where it is needed most and as quickly as possible.
The Connecticut Humanities Fund is made possible by the Connecticut General Assembly with support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. We are unable to fund all of the worthy requests we receive. If you would like to discuss how you, your business, or foundation can help, please contact us.
How to Apply
Applications for all grant lines must be submitted using Connecticut Humanities’ online grant portal.
Before applying, organizations must contact CTH staff member Scott Wands at swands@cthumanities.org to discuss your project idea (except for CARES Act Relief Grants). We are eager to help you submit a strong application and are available to review draft applications received at least two weeks before the grant deadline. Applications submitted without prior communication with CTH staff will not be considered.
CTH Grant Application PortalMore About Grant Types
Find out more about each grant type Connecticut Humanities offers, to find which one is right for your organization.
- COVID Relief Grants for Museums
- CT Humanities Cultural Relief Grants
- CARES Act Relief Grants
- Quick Grants
- Project Planning
- Project Implementation
- Capacity Building
Grant Review Process
CTH staff reviews applications for completeness and adherence to specific grant category guidelines.
Late, incomplete, and non-conforming applications are rejected without further review. Common problems that cause rejection include:
- late applications
- applications for non-humanities projects
- incomplete applications
- applications not submitted using CTH required application and budget forms
- missing required attachments
- project budget 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).
Applicants are notified by email within one business week of the application deadline if their application has been rejected along with the reasons that caused CTH to take this action.
Quick Grants
Applications for Quick Grants are reviewed by a committee of CTH board members, outside committee advisors, and staff members, approved by the executive director, and ratified by CTH’s board executive committee. 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
- How well the project meets CTH and Quick Grant Funding Priorities
-> Match to CTHF funding priorities
-> Accessibility
-> Project Cost
- The project’s overall Viability
-> Marketing Plan
-> Audience Identification
-> Budget Expenses
-> Financial Support for Project
Capacity Building, Planning, and Implementation Grants
For Capacity Building, Planning, and Implementation Grant applications, CTH staff conducts a thorough review of the application and produces a report that includes the applicant’s CTH grant history, a brief assessment of the organization’s financial documents, background on the application, and a summary of its strengths and weaknesses. This staff report is sent to the review committee.
Capacity Building, Planning, and Implementation Grants are then reviewed by a board-appointed committee of Connecticut Humanities board members and advisors from various cultural and humanities fields. A lead reviewer is assigned to conduct a detailed assessment and render an opinion on each application. The committee then evaluates applications against the goals and priorities for the Connecticut Humanities Fund, as well as their individual merits, to determine funding recommendations. CTH’s board of directors makes all final funding decisions. Grants may be partially funded depending on available funding for a given deadline.
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.
