Editor's note: Please double check deadlines and availability.
Shuttered Venue Program Delayed
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program opened for applications on April 8, but was shut down shortly afterwards due to “technical difficulties” that prevented the platform from accepting applications. Unsuccessful applicants reportedly complained that they could not upload supporting documents for their applications. The SBA has relaunched the website as of April 26, 2021, and it is now accepting applications.
Paycheck Protection Loans
On an impressive bipartisan basis, Congress passed and President Biden signed the PPP Extension Act, H.R. 1799, giving nonprofits and other eligible borrowers until May 31 to submit their applications for First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans. At a congressional hearing last month, SBA officials acknowledged that the money appropriated for the program may run out earlier than the new expiration date, perhaps as soon as mid-April. As reported previously, a new interim final rule from the Small Business Administration makes clear that loan eligibility expands to “a tax-exempt nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that employs not more than 500 employees per physical location of the organization.” The guidance further clarifies that eligibility for Second Draw loans extends to a nonprofit employing no more than 300 employees per physical location. This means that the new multilocation rule for larger employers applies both to First Draw and Second Draw loans, although the number of employees per location is different under each. And nonprofit applicants for Second Draw loans still must show the 25% decline in gross receipts for one quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019.
Using the Employee Retention Credit
The IRS issued guidance (Notice 2021-23) for employers on how to calculate and claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) for the first two calendar quarters of 2021. The revisions to previous guidance are needed due to improvements in the law enacted in the year-end COVID relief law. The guidance explains the increase in the maximum credit amount – up to $7,000 per employee per quarter – and changes to the gross-receipts test and definition of qualified wages, among other issues. The IRS announced that it will be issuing additional guidance covering the third and fourth calendar quarters of 2021 that will reflect additional changes to the ERTC enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. For more on claiming the ERTC for 2020, go to Nonprofits, Don’t Overlook Your Potential Refund Under the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
American Rescue Plan: Humanities Organizations
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 recognizes that the humanities sector is an essential component of economic and civic life in the United States. The Act appropriated supplemental funding to NEH to provide emergency relief to institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This program invites applications from eligible organizations seeking support for humanities positions and projects that have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Through this funding opportunity, NEH will award grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, independent research institutions, academic presses, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and other humanities organizations across the country to help these entities continue to advance their mission during the interruption of their operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with Congress’s intent in enacting the American Rescue Plan, applicants may propose new humanities projects or focus on sustaining core humanities programs and activities. Deadline is May 14, 2021.
Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
The purpose of the NEH Challenge Grants program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials. Deadline is May 18, 2021.
Reservation and Access Education and Training
NEH Preservation and Access Education and Training supports the development of knowledge and skills among professionals responsible for preserving and establishing access to humanities collections. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country maintain important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture collections, electronic records, and digital objects. The challenge of preserving and making accessible such large and diverse holdings is enormous, and the need for knowledgeable staff is significant and ongoing. Deadline is May 18, 2021.
Digital Projects for the Public
The NEH Digital Projects for the Public program supports projects that interpret and analyze humanities content in primarily digital platforms and formats, such as websites, mobile applications and tours, interactive touch screens and kiosks, games, and virtual environments. All projects should demonstrate the potential to attract a broad, general, non-specialist audience, either online or in person at venues such as museums, libraries, or other cultural institutions. Deadline is June 9, 2021.
NEH and IMLS Offer Digital Humanities Advancement Grants
Digital Humanities Advancement Grants (DHAG) support digital projects at different stages throughout their lifecycles, from early start-up phases through implementation and sustainability. Experimentation, reuse, and extensibility are hallmarks of this program, leading to innovative work that can scale to enhance scholarly research, teaching, and public programming in the humanities. Deadline: June 24, 2021.
New Directions for Digital Scholarship in Cultural Institutions
The NEH/AHRC New Directions for Digital Scholarship in Cultural Institutions program is a joint initiative between the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.K. Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The overarching goal of the program is to advance digital scholarship in cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, galleries, and archives. This program will fund teams in the U.S. and U.K. working collaboratively to deliver transformational impact on digital methods and digital research in cultural institutions. Applications must be submitted by teams, composed of at least one organization from the U.S. and one from the U.K., in which each country is represented by at least one cultural institution. Applications are due July 8, 2021.
Collections and Reference Resources
The NEH Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program supports projects that provide an essential underpinning for scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country maintain important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture, and digital objects. This program strengthens efforts to extend the life of such materials and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology. Deadlines is July 15, 2021.
Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects is the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants program for organizations based in the United States. These grants support arts projects that use the arts to unite and heal in response to current events; celebrate our creativity and cultural heritage; invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values; and enrich humanity. Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. A minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount is required. Deadline is July 20, 2021.
NEA Grants Available
Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. Challenge America features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance, and grants for a set amount of $10,000. Grants require a cost share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater. Please visit the NEA website for deadline details.
2021 Matching Grants for Historic Preservation in New England
The 1772 Foundation announces that funding in the form of 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be made available for the following historic preservation projects: exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration, fire detection/lightning protection/security systems, repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs and windows, repairs to foundations and sills, and chimney and masonry repointing. Organizations must submit letters of inquiry. Not all letters of inquiry will result in an invitation to submit a full application.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Emergency Funds
Intervention funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is awarded in emergency situations when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure, such as when a fire or other natural disaster strikes. Funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Emergency grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, but unlike the majority of our grant funding, a cash match is not required for intervention projects. Contact the NTHP if you believe your project qualifies for this type of funding. Funding is very limited.
National Trust Offers Preservation Grants
Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. A small grant at the right time can go a long way and is often the catalyst that inspires a community to take action on a preservation project. Deadline: June 1, 2021.
Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice
The New England Foundation for the Arts Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice grants support teams of artists, creatives, culture bearers, cultural organizers, and/or community-based collaborators to do the important work of imagining public art that fosters and contributes to more just futures for our public spaces and public culture. The work of imagination is a journey. Project deliverables are not expected or required to begin this journey. The lead applicant must be based in Massachusetts. Application deadline is May 24, 2021.
CT Humanities Quick Grants
CT Humanities’ Quick Grants award up to $4,999 to help organizations create small-scale humanities programs that have big impacts on their communities. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, through June 30, 2021, 100% of the funding request can be used to pay for staff salaries. Upcoming deadlines is June 4, 2021.
Rhode Island Mini Grant Program
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities' Mini Grant Program for requests up to $2,000 invites individual researchers, nonprofit organizations, and schools to apply for funding in support of public humanities projects. Deadline: May 3, 2021.
Bridge Street Fund for Local History
Mass Humanities Bridge Street sponsorships will fund free online programs hosted by Massachusetts historical societies, centers, museums, or historic sites, helping these institutions recover lost income, and enabling free access to the humanities. Organizations can apply for sponsorships for up to three online programs per eligible applicant, at $500 per program ($1500 maximum). Programs must be open to the general public and must be free to attend. Upcoming deadlines: May 24 and June 21.
Reading Frederick Douglass Together Grants
Reading Frederick Douglass Together Grants support public readings and discussions in Massachusetts of Frederick Douglass’s famous Fourth of July address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” A group of people take turns reading parts of the speech until they have completed it. Readings can take place anywhere, from virtual spaces to community centers to historical societies and town greens. Upcoming deadlines: May 24 and June 21.
FY22 Destination Development Capital Grant Program
The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is committed to helping communities recover from the impact of COVID-19 and contribute to the long-term strength and sustainability of the Commonwealth. The FY22 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program is a new competitive grant program that will award funds to strengthen the economy of Massachusetts through destination development projects that enhance tourism sustainability, support the statewide My Local MA campaign, and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation. The Destination Development Grant Program for FY22 is funded at $2,000,000 through the Tourism Trust Fund, subject to appropriation. The grant process opens on April 20, 2021 with applications due May 21, 2021.
Massachusetts Roving Archivist and Archival Supplies
Through generous funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the Massachusetts Archives is pleased to provide funding for the Roving Archivist program and funding for the purchase of supplies and materials needed to arrange, describe, preserve, and make accessible archival collections.
New Hampshire Community Project Grants
New Hampshire Humanities Council awards two types of Community Project Grants. Mini Grants offer up to $2,000 to support simple, single-event or short-series projects, and are available in as little as six weeks from submission. Mini grants are on a rolling basis. Major Grants of up to $10,000 enable organizations to design and carry out larger projects that attract diverse audiences, engage minds, and stimulate meaningful community dialogue. Draft proposal deadline: June 15, 2021.
Public Value Partnership Grants
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts Public Value Partnerships for general operating support of nonprofit cultural organizations are an investment in the cultural infrastructure and creative economy of New Hampshire. A limited number of competitive and matching grants will be awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that demonstrate excellence in planning, administration and programming. Grantees are expected to provide high quality and broadly accessible arts experiences, activities and services for New Hampshire citizens. They are also expected to promote the arts as integral to the local economy by developing and maintaining close relationships with other community-based organizations and businesses and policy makers. Deadline is May 14, 2021.
NH Conservation License Plate Grants
Grants to conserve public art collections or buildings funded through Conservation License Plate revenues. The Letter of Intent to Apply must be received no later than May 7, 2021
Capacity Building Grants
Vermont Nonprofit Capacity Building grants offer $2,500 each to support the cost of consultants to facilitate discussions related to strategic planning, development of an organizational fundraising strategy, or orchestrating a merger. Ongoing application process.
Arts Impact Grants
Vermont Arts Council’s Arts Impact Grants support nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools in their efforts to add vibrancy to Vermont communities by providing equal and abundant access to the arts. To further support our creative sector, the Arts Impact Grant program is also expanding this round to include small operating grants to arts organizations. Eligible applicants may only apply for one grant—either a project grant or an operating grant. Application deadline is June 11, 2021.
Cultural Facilities Grants
Vermont Arts Council’s Cultural Facilities Grants help Vermont nonprofit organizations and municipalities enhance, create, or expand the capacity of an existing building to provide cultural activities for the public. Application deadline is June 7, 2021.
Maine Humanities Council Mini Grants: up to $1,000
For projects that use the humanities to connect people across physical distance, whether they make use of digital technologies or use ways of connecting those without access to digital tools. Application deadline is May 6, 2021.
Vermont's Creative Sector Action Plan Advances
Creativity and innovation are key to helping our communities recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and to forging a new future for Vermont. The Vermont Creative Network convened hundreds of Vermont creatives last fall to develop a vision for a thriving, creative Vermont. The result is a nine-point Action Framework outlining a vision and strategies to revitalize Vermont communities. Informed by statewide economic research findings in addition to the Action Framework, key thought leaders are currently helping to develop specific tactics that will put the plan into play. A public roll-out of the work is scheduled for the end of April.
Blue Star Museums 2021
Registration is now open for Blue Star Museums 2021! Each summer, the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families work with museums across the country to provide free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families. This summer marks the 10th year of the program. It will begin on May 15, Armed Forces Day, and run through September 6, Labor Day. More than 2,000 museums across America participate each summer, including children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums, zoos, and nature centers. For more information and to register, visit arts.gov/bluestarmuseums, and don't forget to check out #bluestarmuseums on Twitter and Facebook.
International Museum Day
The worldwide community of museums will celebrate International Museum Day on and around May 18, 2021. With the theme “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”, International Museum Day 2021 invites museums, their professionals and communities to create, imagine and share new practices of (co-)creation of value, new business models for cultural institutions and innovative solutions for the social, economic and environmental challenges of the present.
Vaccines & US: Cultural Organizations for Community Health
Vaccines and US: A Smithsonian-led collaboration, “Vaccines & US: Cultural Organizations for Community Health,” will launch a website on 4/21 that brings together the best available resources about COVID-19 and the vaccines, as well as resources to address many health-related pandemic needs. This effort strives to enlist every museum, library, cultural, and civic institution to engage in vaccine education and support. Learn more and join at https://www.si.edu/vaccinesandus.
Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations
StEPs is AASLH's self-study standards program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in StEPS assess their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against nationally recognized standards. For complete details, click here.
Archivist Employment Survey
The New England Archivists Inclusion and Diversity Committee is pleased to announce the second iteration of our contingent employment survey. Building on the work of the first NEA contingent employment survey in 2016, we want to further understand contingent employment in the archival field. What has changed in the past five years? What has stayed the same? How can professional organizations like NEA support contingently employed archival workers? The survey is available here. It will remain open through June 30, 2021. You do not need to be a member of New England Archivists to participate in the study. You are eligible to participate in this study if you are an archival worker or former archival worker and: you have been contingently employed in New England in the past ten years (2011-2021) OR you have been contingently employed anywhere in the United States in the last ten years (2011-2021) AND you are currently living or working in New England. For the purposes of this study, an archival worker is a professional, paraprofessional, or other employee who spends at least 25% of their time on archival work, regardless of their job title, educational background, or the type of institution where they work. If you have questions about the survey, please reach out to the chair of the survey task force, Stephanie Bredbenner, at diversity@newenglandarchivists.org.
Commemorating America’s Semiquincentennial
The United States will commemorate its 250th (or “Semiquincentennial”) anniversary in 2026. Our friends at AASLH are monitoring national, regional, and state commemoration plans at https://aaslh.org/programs/250th/. A Massachusetts based group, Revolution 250, operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Massachusetts Historical Society with 30+ partners. In Vermont's there is the 250th Anniversary Commission.
Vaccines and Us
The Smithsonian has collaborated with cultural organizations in communities across the nation to create Vaccines & US. The resources here will help you make an informed decision about COVID‑19 vaccines and help you discuss the vaccines with your family, friends, and community. By sharing the science, history, and cultural impact of infectious disease and vaccines, we hope to build understanding of our current moment, where we've been, and where we go from here. https://www.si.edu/vaccinesandus