Quick Grants

Quick Grants are small implementation grants of up to $4,999 that support small-scale humanities activities such as discussion-based public programs, exhibitions, and tours. Successful proposals must be:

  • Open to the general public
  • Free or low-cost to attend
  • Clearly interpretive and based in the humanities

Quick Grants fund several project types, including exhibitions, walking tours, panel discussions, digital learning tools, and community reading projects. For more information and examples of typical Quick Grant projects, view the “Sample Quick Grants” below.

 

Eligibility

Quick Grants are intended for public humanities programs. To learn more about the humanities, click here.

To apply for a Quick Grant, your organization must be one of the following:

  • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly
  • A municipality in the state of Connecticut
  • A Connecticut-based federally or State recognized tribe

For more information about eligibility, view the Guidelines below.

Guidelines

Please read the Quick Grant guidelines before applying. The Quick Grant Guidelines outline eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, matching requirements, grant duration, and more.

View Grant Guidelines

Funding Priorities

CT Humanities seeks to fund projects that include significant humanities scholarship and content; explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner; and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the United States consistent with the America 250 | CT Commission’s guiding themes.

View Funding Priorities

If your project involves or interprets Indigenous history or cultures, please also note CT Humanities’ Indigenous Values Statement.

FAQs & Resources for Applicants

Need help with navigating the CTH Grant Portal? Have questions about CTH’s grants? Seeking resources to help develop and strengthen humanities projects?

Click the button below to view our FAQs & Resources for Applicants:

FAQs & Resources for Applicants

Please also feel free to reach out to CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities.org with any questions.

Important Dates

Upcoming Application Deadlines:

  • August 2, 2024
  • November 1, 2024
  • February 7, 2025
  • May 2, 2025

Award Notification: The first workday of the following month

Grant Period: 12 months

Sample Quick Grants

Please note that application questions may change from year to year. Some sample model applications may not reflect all questions asked in the current application.

Discussion-Based Public Programs

Quick Grants can fund discussion-based programs that explore humanities themes and topics through formats such as panel presentations, lectures, symposia, author talks, or other types of events that contextualize and interpret activities like film screenings, concerts, and performances. Regardless of the format, the project should provide opportunities for the audience to ask questions and engage with presenters. For example, an event where audiences watch a film with no accompanying programming would not be a competitive Quick Grant application. However, an event where the film is followed by a panel discussion that further explores the issues and themes raised in the film could be funded through a Quick Grant.

Sample Model Applications:

Exhibitions

Quick Grants can fund small, interpretive exhibitions that explore humanities themes or issues. Exhibitions should include accompanying explanatory text that contextualizes the issues raised for the public. For example, an exhibition that explores the issues surrounding housing inequities in our communities could be funded through a Quick Grant.

Sample Model Applications:

Tours

Quick Grants can fund local walking, driving, or bicycle tours that explore humanities themes or issues. For example, a walking tour that helps the public to better understand how immigrant communities impacted the growth and development of a neighborhood could be funded through a Quick Grant.

Sample Model Applications:

Digital Learning Tools

Quick Grants can fund the creation and promotion of digital learning tools for the general public or school-based audiences, such as audio guides, digital exhibits, virtual tours, and classroom materials for teachers. A Quick Grant for Digital Learning Tools should clearly articulate how these tools will be accessed and used by its audience. For example, online materials to help high school teachers meet the requirement of Public Act 19-12 requiring schools to offer courses on African, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies could be funded by a Quick Grant.

Sample Model Applications:

Community Reading Projects

Quick Grants can fund programs that connect your community through a common reading experience with discussion and opportunities to reflect or learn more about topics raised in the book. Community reading projects could involve inviting your community to read a book, followed by a visit from the author to discuss their work.

Please note that CT Humanities only covers the cost of books if the books are incorporated into the program in such a way that the public will be encouraged to read and use the books throughout the program. For example, CT Humanities could support the purchase of several copies of a book being made available to local libraries in advance of the author’s visit.

Sample Model Applications:

CT Historical Society & Sarada Nori, Kuchipudi and the Indo-Colonial Context (August 2021)

How to Apply

We are eager to help you submit a strong application. Before applying, organizations must contact CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities.org to discuss your project idea. Applications submitted without prior communication with CTH staff will not be considered.

For a PDF preview of the current Quick Grant application, click here.

For an overview of the application process, click here.

Online Grant Application Portal

In FY24 (July 2023-June 2024), the success rate for Quick Grants was

32%

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