NEH Challenge Grant Workshop

Appalachian College Association Summit

Abingdon, VAOctober 23, 2010

Old Post Office Building1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20506202.606.8369www.neh.gov

endeavor

human

Exploring the

“The Three Points”

• CONSULT– It pays to check with a program officer

• APPLY– Put in the work

• REAPPLY– If you don’t succeed the first time,

request reviewers’ comments and try again

NEH Sources of Funding

• Challenge Grants• Education• Preservation and Access• Public Programs• Research• State Humanities Councils

Hints

• Call a program officer to discuss your project

• Request sample proposals

• Submit a preliminary draft

• Read guidelines carefully

• Complete Grants.gov registration in advance of deadline

Application Review Process

• Peer review panels

– Ratings: E, VG, G, SM, NR

• National Council on the Humanities

– Makes further recommendations

• Chairman

– By law, makes all NEH grant decisions

NEH Challenge Grants

• Capacity-building grants

• To help institutions secure long-term improvements in and support for humanities

• Sustainability is key

• Require matching gifts

Eligibility

• Any nonprofit organization in the United States, with the exception of elementary or secondary schools (or school districts) may apply

History

• Created in 1976 as “rescue” operation in hard economic climate.

• $9,500,000 allocation is typical since 1995.

• More, but smaller, grants likely under current NEH Chairman

How do challenge grants differ from other NEH grants?

• Support long-term or permanent endeavors

• May be invested in endowments or spend-down funds

• May be used for capital projects related to humanities

• Challenge grants are all matching funds

The Multiplier Effect

• Since 1977, more than $2 billion from federal and nonfederal sources have been generated for the humanities through the NEH Challenge Grants program

• Since 1995 alone, 320 projects have been funded by the Challenge Grants program

What can challenge grants be used for?

• Construction and renovation

• Direct acquisitions of equipment, computer hardware and software, bibliographic collections

• Endowments for faculty and staff positions, fellowships, research funds, library acquisitions funds, computer upgrades and maintenance funds

• Development and fundraising costs

• Bridging funds

Mix and match is okay

• On a $2 million challenge grant you could use…– $400,000 to renovate space in the campus library

for a humanities commons

– $500,000 for new computers and software for the commons

– $1 million for endowment, yielding $50,000 a year• For faculty fellowships, or software upgrades, or salary

supplements for technical staff

– $100,000 to cover some fundraising costs

What is the required match?

• 3:1– $3 in nonfederal gifts for every $1 in federal funds

– 4:1 ratio for subsequent grants no longer in effect

– Exception is 2:1 for special encouragement category

• State and local tax levies are OK

• Some forms of planned giving are also OK

• In-kind gifts, unrestricted gifts are acceptable up to the federal portion

Special Encouragement

• For Historically Black College and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Two-Year Colleges

• 2:1 match requirement

• Schedule to meet the match and receive funds is spread over six years, instead of five

A successful application…

• Builds on your track record, but also carefully explains the current project

• Asks the reviewers to take nothing on faith– If it’s not on the page, it doesn’t exist

• Focuses on humanities content• Explains in detail how the money will

be used

Evaluation Criteria

• Significance of humanities activities

• Appropriateness of resources

• Impact of challenge grant funds

• Feasibility of fundraising

Other things to consider

• Have I read the guidelines carefully?

• Do I have a hook?

• Do I have letters of support from the right people?

• Have I proofread the proposal?

Mars Hill CollegeMars Hill, North Carolina

$500,000 NEH $1,500,000 MATCH$2,000,000 TOTAL

Endowed both the position of director/archivist and programming in Southern

Appalachian History and Culture

Berea CollegeBerea, Kentucky

$500,000 NEH $1,500,000 MATCH$2,000,000 TOTAL

Endowed a college archivist, a teaching professorship in Appalachian Studies, and a summer

institute in Appalachian culture and history

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, West Virginia$400,000 NEH $1,200,000 MATCH

$1,600,000 TOTAL

Renovated and expanded the Schaffer Library and endowed an acquisitions fund for multimedia equipment and materials

Special Two-Year College Initiative

• Deadline: February 2, 2011• 2:1 matching ratio (instead of

traditional 3:1)• Model programs in response to NEH’s

Bridging Cultures initiative especially welcome

• Up to 10% of grant funds may be used to defray fundraising costs

IMPORTANT DATES

• December 1, 2010: Fundraising period begins

• March, 2011: Submit drafts (4-6 weeks in advance of deadline)

• May 4, 2011: APPLICATION DEADLINE• Between Thanksgiving and December

1, 2011: Notification of awards