Ohio Humanities Council

The Ohio Humanities Council, also known as Ohio Humanities, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the humanities throughout Ohio. Established in 1972, it is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and private contributions.

Background

Ohio Humanities plays a crucial role in encouraging Ohioans to explore the human story through history, philosophy, and other humanities disciplines. These disciplines include archaeology, comparative religion, ethics, languages, literature, jurisprudence, philosophy, and aspects of the social sciences that use historical or philosophical approaches.

Mission and Activities

The organization's mission is to increase Ohioans' appreciation and understanding of the humanities. It achieves this through grants that support various humanities-based programs and by developing its own cultural programs across the state.

Grants Program

Ohio Humanities offers two primary grant programs:

• Spark Grants: These provide up to $5,000 in funding for small-scale projects.
• Ignite Grants: These offer between $5,001 and $20,000 for larger projects.

Applications for Spark Grants are accepted monthly, while Ignite Grant applications have specific deadlines throughout the year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, organizations must be nonprofits or governmental entities located in Ohio. They must be actively involved in the humanities aspect of the project, as pass-through organizations are not eligible.

Grant Requirements

Awarded grants require the completion of several documents:

• A Grant Agreement, which outlines roles and responsibilities.
• An Activity Data Form, detailing project personnel and activities.
• A Final Report, including attendance information and project outcomes.
• A Final Disbursement Form, with signatures from key personnel.

Priorities

Ohio Humanities prioritizes funding for labor costs associated with public programs, emphasizing the use of humanities professionals. It also supports the production of humanities-related materials and media, aiming for free or reduced admission to ensure accessibility for all Ohioans.

Governance

The Council is governed by a volunteer board that decides on grant awards and sets organizational policies.