Next major and mini grant proposals due July 16, 2007

CHICAGO –The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) Board of Directors has awarded a total of $11,500 in mini grants to five nonprofit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects.

Funded projects include a Native American Pow-wow in Round Lake, a living history program featuring civil rights leaders in Jacksonville, and a Shakespeare festival in Skokie.

Matching community support for these projects totaled $116,355. A list of grants and the organizations that are sponsoring these programs are listed below:

• Conjunctions: Ubjects, Subjects, and Place, Southwestern Illinois College Foundation, Belleville ($2,500)
  
• Chicago 2020, Street-Level Youth Media, Chicago ($2,500)
  
• Voices for Freedom and Justice, Morgan County Historical Society, Jacksonville ($2,500)
  
• Native American Pow-wow, Friends of the Round Lake Area Parks Foundation, Round Lake ($2,000)
  
• Lear Fest, Oakton Community College, Skokie ($2,000)
  

July 16, 2007 is the next IHC deadline for Major and Mini grant proposals. Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting www.prairie.org and clicking on “Educational Programs and Grants.” Grant information may also be requested by calling 312.422.5580 or by sending an email to ihc@prairie.org. IHC program officers are available for consultation at this number as well, and new applicants are encouraged to seek consultation.

The IHC puts a priority on funding projects developed by, for, or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences. These include but are not limited to residents of rural communities, men and women with little formal education, inner city or other underserved youth (in after school or weekend programs), people who are economically disadvantaged, or the elderly. The IHC especially invites applications from organizations that serve these communities and strongly encourages other applicants to extend their programs to include such audiences. The IHC also encourages applications for projects about American history and culture. For further information about the IHC or the grants program, please contact us at 312.422.5580 or visit our website at www.prairie.org.

The Illinois Humanities Council is an educational organization dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Through its programs and grants, the IHC promotes greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. Organized as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1973, the IHC is now a private nonprofit (501 [c] 3) organization that is funded by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations; by the Illinois General Assembly; and by the NEH.

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