Envisioning Justice Grants for Organizations

The entire grant review process typically takes six weeks (about one and a half months) from the deadline until groups are notified about funding. Groups may submit one grant application per cycle. 

1. Proposals are reviewed. Applicants may be invited to share more details about their planned project to support the review process. (Six weeks)
2. Successful applicants are notified (One to two weeks) 
3. Applicants review and sign grant agreements. Grant funds are issued two to three weeks after the signed grant agreement is received.
4. Within 30 days of the conclusion of a project or grant period, grantees must complete a final grant report.

The humanities are the examination of what it means to be human through the interpretation and discussion of all forms of thought, interest, and expression.

We value traditional humanities disciplines, such as art history, literature, history, and philosophy. However, our emphasis on the public humanities means that we look at the humanities as more than an academic discipline. For us, the public humanities are a mode of inquiry and conversation that aims to engage, support, or challenge the ideals, beliefs, tensions, and prejudices of the communities in which we live. We believe that important thought can happen outside of the academy–in neighborhood institutions, schools, churches, and at kitchen tables across the country.

We are especially interested in instances of the public humanities that promote civic engagement–in raising critical issues facing everyday people and conducted with the hope of increasing their thirst for staying engaged. Rather than being defined by rigid disciplinary boundaries, it is the humanistic lens, which emphasizes curiosity, questioning, and dialogue, that matters.

Does your organization have a working definition of the public humanities? Share it with us–we’re eager to explore how others are addressing this complex question.

Applicants can submit proposals to both categories of Envisioning Justice grants for individuals and organizations, but only one award will be given per grant cycle. If you currently have an open Envisioning Justice grant, you must submit your final report form for your current grant prior to submitting a new proposal. 

You may not submit more than one application for the same Envisioning Justice grant category.

You may apply for an Envisioning Justice grant while having an open Vision, Action, Multiplier, General Operating, or Activate History grant.

Illinois Humanities oversees the review and selection of awards with an advisory committee consisting of staff and advisors from across Illinois, including other grant-makers, past grant recipients, peers in justice work, and board members. 

Envisioning Justice grants have been awarded since 2017, and we work diligently to ensure that the organization will continue to offer this funding opportunity. 

Illinois Humanities supports public humanities programs, initiatives, and organizations. We do not fund:

• Activities that promote a specific political position or ideology
• Alcoholic beverages
• Businesses, for-profits
• Capital projects (i.e., renovation or purchase of buildings or land)
• Endowment contributions
• Foreign travel
• Lobbying
• Major equipment purchases (though equipment to assist a specific program is admissible)
• Out-of-state programs that have no specific relevance or thematic connection people in Illinois (though technically a grant recipient or fiscal agent can be located elsewhere in the U.S.)
• Programming that falls outside of the humanities
• Social services (though a social services agency may apply for funding of a humanities project)

Nonprofit organizations can apply for Illinois Humanities grants. This includes 501(c)3 organizations and nonprofits under state law, as well as libraries, schools, faith-based organizations, and universities. We do not accept grant applications from individuals* or for-profit companies. If you are unsure about whether you can apply, reach out to us.

*Individuals may apply for our Activate History Microgrants and our Envisioning Justice Grants for Individuals.

Illinois Humanities has been making grants since its inception in 1973 with over 3,000 awards given, totaling over $22 million. We are proud to have helped support dozens of documentary films, conferences, exhibits, training programs, oral history projects, and scores of other activities. We are firm believers in the many organizations and individuals throughout the state of Illinois that value the humanities, culture, and dialogue as community-building activities, and wish to help them fulfill their missions, carry out high-quality programming, and grow their organizations. We are indebted to the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Illinois General Assembly for the support that allows this grantmaking program to exist.