Civic Engagement Grants

Civic Engagement Grants support public programs that promote informed dialogue and civic engagement about critical issues identified by the grant applicant. Critical issues might include race relations, population growth, immigration, environmental issues, health care, wealth and poverty, crime and safety, or other issues of importance to the applicant's community.

Projects in this category can be in a variety of formats, but must use the humanities as the central resource to inform the exchange and must involve the participants in an interactive conversation that examines important issues in the community.   Discussion formats should allow meaningful, respectful dialogue between scholars and participants and among participants, especially among those who have very different points of view.

Criteria

• Specific humanities themes and questions are used to engage participants with the project.
• Contributing humanities scholars and other specialists have significant and recognized experience with the project topics.
• Participating humanities scholars are strong, competent, and well-matched to their area of expertise within the project.
• Innovative methods to involve participants and encourage them to reflect on the human experience in a meaningful way are employed.
• The grant proposal is well thought out, comprehensive and clear.
• The project topic is addressed from diverse voices and perspectives.
• The program format encourages informed discussion and civic engagement.
• The program topic addresses an issue or matter critical to Marylanders.
• The work plan adequately details event planning, implementation, and close-out activities.
• The evaluation plan effectively measures the ways in which the project achieves its goals.
• The program and publicity plan reflect the organization's efforts to reach beyond its traditional audience.
• The budget meets matched funds requirements and falls within MHC guidelines.

Examples of possible programs in this category might include:

• A reading/discussion series where a group reads African and Latin American folk tales and discusses the similarities and differences in these cultural traditions.
• A moderated blog where participants read and react to historical, literary, and philosophical perspectives on the impact of climate change.
• A film/discussion program where an audience watches “The Grapes of Wrath” and discusses the issues of poverty and human dignity.
• A panel-led audience discussion about the impact of globalization on the American economy with a moderated panel of experts with different viewpoints.
• A public webinar that examines the impact of the population growth on the history, culture, and social structure of a county.
• A post-performance discussion of the play, "Inherit the Wind," which explores the perpetual friction between science and religious belief in public education.
• A guided discussion of an exhibition of contemporary photographs of school classrooms that investigates racial and class differences in resources and environment.

Questions?  Contact us.