Next mini grant deadlines are October 15 and January 15th; Next major grant deadline is Feburary 15 

CHICAGO – The Illinois Humanities Council Board of Directors has awarded a total of $7,000 to four nonprofit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects.  Funded programs include a writing workshop to help immigrant women tell their stories (Libertyville), an effort to create a museum focusing on teen culture (Chicago), a performance and discussion highlighting scenes from Shakespeare’s plays that depict characters with disabilities (Chicago), and a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Diaster of 1909 (Cherry). Community support for these projects totaled $13,550.  A complete list of grants and the organizations that are sponsoring these programs is listed below:

• Bridges and Borders: Jane’s Stories Press Foundation, Libertyville ($1,000)
• Chicago Teen Museum: Teen Council: Chicago Teen Museum, Chicago ($2,000)
• Not Shaped for Sportive Tricks: Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago ($2,000)
• Cherry Mine Disaster: 100th Anniversary Program: The Illinois History Society, Cherry ($2,000)

The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) invites non-profit organizations to apply for its next cycle of grants. Upcoming application deadlines for mini grants (up to $2,500) are October 15 and January 15, 2009.  The application deadline for major grants (up to $10,000) is February 15, 2009.  Any nonprofit group, organization, or institution is eligible to apply for financial support from the Illinois Humanities Council for a public project in the humanities, including documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects.

Mini Grants are restricted to organizations with annual budgets under $1 million or organizations applying for new or experimental programs.  The IHC makes it a priority to fund projects developed by, for, or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences.  The IHC also encourages applications for projects about American history and culture.

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 and submit a draft proposal prior to the final deadline.

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.