Civics Grants
Supported by the State of Minnesota’ Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy), the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) will administer $300,000 in Civics grants during the 2023-25 biennium to support programs and organizations providing civics education.
Questions?
Laura Adams
Civics Grant Snapshot
| Open To: | Organizations |
| Application Deadline: | December 11, 2023 |
| Grant Term: | Project activities must be complete no later than May 30, 2025 |
| Grant Reporting | Reporting must be completed no later than June 30, 2025 |
Grant Goals
Provide funding to cultural organizations and civic programs within Minnesota that:
- Provide civics education for youth on law, democracy, government, and or debate.
- Conduct civics education programs.
MHC will award $300,000 in Civics grants, less an allowable administrative fee to MHC for design, award, and monitoring of the grant program. A program or organization can be awarded up to $150,000. If you request $25,000 or more, you will need to submit financial documentation with your application.
An individual or organization awarded a Civics grant must demonstrate one of the following:
- Provide civics education for youth on law, democracy, government, and/or debate.
- Conduct civics education programs.
Any program or organization is eligible to receive grant funding if it is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in good standing with MHC, has no outstanding open grants with MHC and actively and regularly seeks to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of diverse Minnesota communities, including but not limited to:
- African American community,
- Asian and Pacific Island communities,
- Indigenous communities with a focus on the 11 Tribes within Minnesota,
- Latinx communities,
- LGBTQIA+ community,
- Somali diaspora and other African immigrant communities, and
- Other underrepresented cultural groups to celebrate the cultural diversity of Minnesota.
RFP posted: September 14, 2023
Proposal narrative & budget feedback available through: 4:30 p.m. CDT, Monday, December 4, 2023
Applications due no later than: 11:59 p.m. CDT, December 11, 2023
Applications under review: January 2024
Award notifications (grant agreement negotiations begin): January/February 2024
All applicants will be reviewed on a 125-point scale and go through a financial review process. The factors on which applicants will be scored are:
- Project details – How does the project align with at least one of the following:
- Provide civics education for youth on law, democracy, government, and/or debate.
- Conduct civics education programs.
- Community Involvement – How was the Community involved in the development of the project.
- Evaluation – Success of the project clearly defined and clear evaluation process.
- Impact – Audience and impact on audience clearly defined.
- Project Management – How will reporting of expenses and hours be correctly reported, compliance with Minnesota competitive bid laws, and will the project be completed on time.
Applicants must submit complete applications to be considered. Applications contain the following sections:
- Applicant Contact Information
- Project Overview
- Project Narrative
- Project Budget
Please do not submit any additional materials other than what is requested, such as binders or photos, in the application.
Unrequested material will not be reviewed.
Please make sure that your proposal only seeks funding for events and activities that are allowable. Minnesota law does not allow legacy funding to be used to:
- Cover costs expensed before the grant agreement is fully signed.
- Start, match, add to, or complete any type of capital campaign.
- Support capital costs (such as improvements, construction, property, or equipment).
- Pay for indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related and proportional to, and necessary for, the activities outlined in the project proposal.
- Support benefits and fundraisers.
- Purchase promotional giveaway items like t-shirts, keychains, etc.
- Fund out-of-state expenses, including out-of-state travel.
If you have any questions about this RFP please contact:
Laura Adams
Minnesota Humanities Center
Grants Administrator
987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55016
laura.adams@mnhum.org
651-772-4244
