Frequently Asked Questions
Please look through the information below to see if your question is answered.
If you still aren’t sure whether your project is a humanities program or if you meet eligibility requirements, contact meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org for a quick consultation!
“AfterDark: For the Culture" storytelling workshops, funded in 2023
I know what the humanities are. What are public humanities?
Wisconsin Humanities’ funds public humanities projects. In other words, eligible projects will be for the public (not strictly academic in nature) and will engage members of the public in celebrating and exploring histories, cultures, beliefs, and values. The public humanities are not about research or a simple, one-way transfer of knowledge. They actively use the insight and knowledge held by community members, humanities scholars or other humanities experts. Storytelling, reflection, and conversation that draw people together are just a few examples of how the public humanities are put to work! The public humanities today are helping Wisconsinites explore our past, our cultures and those of our neighbors, as well as helping us talk with one another about challenges facing our communities.
What are examples of art projects that are ineligible?
- Performances that have no humanities-based reflection or interpretation
- Art or craft classes that focus on technique
- Writing workshops that teach the mechanics of writing
- Music or dance performances that do not engage an audience with the history and cultural meaning of the dance or music.
You can read more about how the arts and humanities are different, and work together, here
Does that mean you don’t fund the arts?
Not at all. We fund many projects that begin with the arts, from Shakespeare to Hip Hop to public murals. It’s what the programming does with the arts that makes a difference to us. For example, talk-backs, discussions, deeper explorations, and community reads can provide humanities-focused context and promote discussions that further engage and educate the audience. You can read more about how the arts and humanities are different, and work together, here
We are not a nonprofit organization, but we really want to host a series of important humanities programs in our community. Are we ineligible?
Your organization cannot apply alone, but you can work with a programming partner that IS a nonprofit organization, such as a local library, museum, service organization, or municipal government to serve as your fiscal sponsor. You should be able to demonstrate how your fiscal sponsor is contributing to the programming.
Who should write letters of support for the Major Grant?
Letters of support are intended to demonstrate that you have the support of your community, and that your project will achieve its goals. Letters do not have to come from individuals or groups that have promised you financial support. They could come from partner organizations or representatives of a target audience (such as a school or venue). People for whom you are including a Project Personnel Form should not submit a letter of support.
We’ve applied and been turned down before. Does it make sense for us to apply again?
If your organization and project are still eligible, you should consider applying again after rethinking your project. We strongly recommend that you work with our Grant Program Director to discuss ways to make your application more competitive or appropriate. We do not recommend simply re-submitting the exact same project and/or grant application.
What type of expenses can Wisconsin Humanities grants fund?
Wisconsin Humanities’ grants may fund project-related expenses such as honoraria for humanities personnel, staff salaries, travel expenses and per diem for project personnel, printing and publicity, facility rental, and materials that are necessary for the project. Ineligible expenses include capital equipment expenses, expenses related to fundraising, any expenses related to an archival project, museum acquisitions, and re-granting of Wisconsin Humanities funds.
Does Wisconsin Humanities fund books?
We do not fund the production or publication of books.
Can Wisconsin Humanities funds help us pay for door prizes, raffle prizes, or awards?
Our funds cannot support fundraising activities. Also, the programs we fund must be open to the public unless there is a special reason for activities to be closed (e.g., if they are school-based or meant for a vulnerable group). The events we fund should be as accessible and low-cost as possible.
Can a theater offer a special program for school kids and request funding to cover the entrance cost of tickets to the show?
No. This is an example of an organization paying itself for overhead, which is not allowed. However, Wisconsin Humanities grant funds can cover specific expenses such as the cost of a speaker who can discuss the performance, pay for bus transportation to the theater, or study guides that help students better understand or contextualize the performance.
We aren’t sure that we have humanities personnel involved in our project. Are we still required to find humanities personnel even if our program is already designed? If so, what do we do?
A competitive application involves a person or people with humanities knowledge and experience relevant to the proposed project. Please review our examples of who this could include and remember that they can be involved through consulting, designing, or implementing projects. Please reach out to us if you would like ideas about how to involve people with humanities expertise and experience. Sometimes we can even recommend people to work with.
We are waiting to receive the UEI, can I still submit my application?
Yes! Just type in temporary numbers in that section to proceed. The UEI does need to be submitted by the date the review committee makes their decision. If you are unsure of that date, email meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org.
My organization doesn’t need a Fiscal Sponsor because we have an EIN and UEI (SAM) number. Why won’t the application let us proceed without filling in a Fiscal Agent?
Every proposal must have two responsible individuals: a Project Director who serves as the main contact and is in charge of handling all of the program activities, and the Fiscal Agent – the individual who handles all financial matters for the organization that is submitting the application.
WH Grant Deadlines:
Grant applications are not currently being accepted due to the delay in approval of the 2025 federal budget.
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