Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is pleased to announce request for applications for Why It Matters an Initiative of XIX: Shall Not Be Denied.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is supporting Humanities Councils across the country to tap the power of the humanities to meaningfully ask “Why It Matters” — to learn about these issues, place them in wider contexts, and promote reflection, questions, and conversation at a moment when greater understanding is urgent. 

 In Rhode Island, their program will make seven grants of $5,000 each to non-profit organizations to quickly and simply support public engagement with issues connected to voting, elections, and democratic participation. In partnership with the RI Department of State, Why It Matters is part of XIX: Shall Not Be Denied, an established initiative which amplifies humanities projects statewide that explore the legacy of the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

Why It Matters is especially interested in projects that focus on connecting with audiences who face historic and current barriers to full participation in American democracy, including (but not limited to) young and future voters, people of color, people who speak languages other than English, people in low-income communities, and formerly incarcerated people. To make these efforts as robust as possible, they encourage participating organizations to work with community, individual, and organizational partners.

Any activities funded by this grant must be free, accessible, and open to the public. In the context of the ongoing pandemic, they recognize that programs and projects will need to be virtual and/or employ safe, socially distanced methods in compliance with local and state health directives. Your proposed project does not need to be new to your organization, but rather can build on, amplify, and extend what you already are doing, as long as it connects to these issues. Since this is a non-partisan initiative, funds cannot support the promotion of a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view; advocacy of a particular program of social or political action; the promotion of specific public policies or legislation; or lobbying activities.

Funding Information

In Rhode Island, their program will make seven grants of $5,000 each to non-profit organizations to quickly and simply support public engagement with issues connected to voting, elections, and democratic participation.

Funding Parameters 

This funding can be used to support elements of the project including, but not limited to:

Staffing costs

• Permanent staff time and benefits
• Stipends for speakers, scholars, community advisors, researchers, policy experts, artists, performers, storytellers, culture bearers, and videographers
• Researchers and data analysts
• Costs of partners
• Media and virtual platform producers

Materials

• Equipment and software connected to the project
• Supplies for project outputs such as public art, performances, exhibitions, public programs, etc.
• Subscriptions and upgrades to virtual platforms and websites that connect to the project
• Food and beverages for programs, excluding alcohol ($500 cap)

Communications

• Design and printing
• Social media and videos that engage the issues at hand
• Digitization
• Translation
• Indirect costs are capped at $500 (indirect costs are costs incurred by an organization in the execution of activities that cannot be specified to a particular activity, i.e. payroll processing fees, rent, administrative personnel costs, etc.)

Eligible entities

• Organizations that currently have a 501(c)3 or equivalent tax-exempt status. Fiscal sponsorship is accepted for nonprofit entities leading projects that do not have a 501(c)3 status. Applicants must be based in Rhode Island.
• Community and cultural organizations including: museums, libraries, historic sites, preservation & historical societies, cultural heritage organizations, community centers, civic engagement groups.
• Current Humanities Council organizational grantees
  • Proposed projects should be distinct and separate from projects currently funded by the Council

For more information, visit Rhode Island Council for the Humanities.