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.

On this page, you will find:

  1. Quick Grants Overview
  2. Apply
  3. FAQs
  4. Resources for Grantees

Quick Grants Overview

What do Quick Grants fund?Sample Quick GrantsGuidelines & ApplicationResourcesImportant Dates

Quick Grants support strong humanities projects that are accessible to all of Connecticut’s residents. 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” tab.

What are the humanities?

The humanities are fields of learning that help us to understand and appreciate human history, culture, values, and beliefs. They include (but are not limited to) history, cultural studies, civics, literature, and art history and criticism. For a more complete overview of the humanities, click here.

What about the arts? What about STEM?

CT Humanities supports the intersection of the humanities and other fields such as arts or STEM. Quick Grants can fund the accompanying discussion, lecture, or text that interprets or contextualizes the creation, performance, or exhibition of art. Quick Grants can also fund programs that help the public to better understand the impact of STEM fields on human history, culture, values, and beliefs. For example, a concert on its own cannot be funded by a Quick Grant. However, a concert that includes contextualization of the music through a moderated discussion of the impact of the music on its era could be funded by a Quick Grant. In this case, CTH would consider funding the humanities-related elements of the project but not costs related to the performance itself.

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:

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. Click the “Guidelines and Application” tab to preview the current Quick Grant application.

To view recent awarded grants, click the button below this table.

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 with significant humanities scholarship and content that explores topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner. You can find more information about our funding priorities here.

Preview the Application:

To preview the current Quick Grant application, click here.

After speaking with Grants staff about your project, apply through the CTH Grant Application Portal.

Need help with navigating the CTH Grant Portal? Looking for resources to help your organization with its data collection? Seeking resources to help develop and strengthen humanities projects?

Click the button below to view our Resources for Applicants:

Resources for Applicants

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

2023-2024 Application Deadlines:

  • August 4, 2023
  • November 3, 2023
  • February 2, 2024
  • May 3, 2024

Please note that starting in July 2023, Quick Grants will be offered four times a year.

Award Notification: The first workday of the following month

Grant Period: For Quick Grants awarded after July 2023, the grant period is 12 months starting from the date of the award notification. (For Quick Grants awarded before July 2023, the grant period is 9 months starting from the date of the award notification.)

Recently Funded Quick Grants

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

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 an overview of the application process, click here.

Online Grant Application Portal

FAQs about Quick Grants

What types of organizations are eligible to apply for a Quick Grant?
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

Non-eligible applicants may choose to partner with an eligible organization to apply for a Quick Grant, though in this case CT Humanities would be contracting with the eligible partner organization. You can find more information about eligibility requirements in the Quick Grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above).

How much information do I need to include in my application?
The more details you can provide about your programs and activities at the time of application, the more competitive your application will be. Typically, a competitive Quick Grant application will include descriptions of the program (e.g., a description of each lecture), a list of key project team members and their roles in the project (particularly anyone receiving CTH funds), and dates and locations of individual programs. Projects should also identify specific target audiences and a marketing plan to reach these audiences.

For examples of successful applications, see the “Sample Quick Grants” tab above.

What are eligible expenses for grant funds?
You can find a list of eligible expenses and funding exclusions in the grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above). If you are unsure whether an expense is allowable, please feel free to reach out to Grants staff.

What are eligible matching funds?
Quick Grants require a minimum 1:1 match. These matching funds can come from any combination of the following:

  • External Funds – Funds raised to support the project, such as through donations or other grants.
  • Applicant Funds – Funds from your organizations spent on the project, such as salary for staff time or the purchase of equipment.
  • In-Kind Contributions – The value of any donated time or items for the project. For example, volunteers’ time can be valued and used to match the grant (for a typical volunteer, we recommend that volunteer time be valued at the current IRS or AARP recommended rate ($31/hr in 2023); for specialists donating their time, value their time at their regular rates).

Funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development or any other state agency cannot be used for matching purposes. For more information about matching requirements, view the grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above).

Can I have two Quick Grants open at the same time?
No. At any given time, an organization may have:

You are eligible to apply for another Quick Grant after you’ve completed your final report and closed your open Quick Grant.

How will my grant application be scored?
The Application Review Committee will score your application using these questions, which will be used as the basis of their discussion of all grant applications. You can find more information about the application review process here. 

Can I save a copy of my application?
Yes. In the CTH Grants Portal, open your grant application. Under your contact information, you should see three buttons. Click the middle button “Application Packet” to create a PDF of your application. 

How are funds disbursed?
Funds are disbursed in two installments: 80% at the time of fully executed grant agreement and the remaining 20% after completion of the final report. Starting in 2023, funds are disbursed via ACH transfers through Bill.com. If you have not previously received funds through Bill from CTH, you can follow these steps to register for Bill and connect to us for payment.

Resources for Grantees

Have you received a Quick Grant? Visit the Resources for Grantees page here for information on grant management, a Public Relations Toolkit, and more resources!

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