Press Release

ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES MAY 1 IHC GRANT APPLICATION WORKSHOP IN MATTOON

Grant seekers invited to attend workshop on application process for Illinois Humanities Council Grants

CHICAGO—The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) invites grant applicants to a public IHC Grant Application Workshop on Thursday, May 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This workshop will be held at Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Boulevard, Webb Hall, Room 081, in Mattoon.

Any non-profit group, organization, or institution in Illinois is eligible to apply for financial support from the IHC for a public project in the humanities. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register for this workshop, please call 312.422.5580, e-mail events@prairie.org, or visit www.prairie.org and click “Mattoon on May 1.”

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.

IHC program officers will staff the meeting and field questions about applying for IHC grants for various types of projects, including documentary films, library discussion programs, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects. The IHC deadlines for Mini Grant proposals are July 15 and October 15, 2008; the next deadline for Major Grant proposals is July 15, 2008.

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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