Next Mini Grant proposals due October 15, 2007
Next Major Grant proposals due February 15, 2008

CHICAGO –The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) Board of Directors has awarded a total of $12,000 in mini grants to five nonprofit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects.

Funded projects include a Civil War exhibition in Murphysboro, a poetry reading and discussion program for youth in East St. Louis, and a festival of maritime music and culture in Chicago. Matching community support for these projects totaled $93,891.

A list of grants and the organizations that are sponsoring these programs isprovided below:

• Chicago Maritime Festival, Common Times, Chicago ($2,500)
• The East St. Louis Visual-Literary Project, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville ($2,500)
• Voices of the Land, Garfield Heritage Society, Lafox ($2,500)
• April 1865: Lincoln, Grant and Logan Exhibit, General John A. Logan Museum, Murphysboro ($2,000)
• An American Dream, Abraham Lincoln Association, Springfield ($2,500)

October 15, 2007 is the next IHC deadline for Mini Grant proposals. The Major Grant proposal deadline is February 15, 2008. Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting www.prairie.org/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 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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