Press Release

ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL (IHC) AWARDS GRANTS TO 10 ILLINOIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Next grant proposals due October 15, January 15

CHICAGO – The Illinois Humanities Council Board of Directors has awarded a total of $45,250 to 10 Illinois nonprofit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects. 

Funded projects include a Cambodian history project, an education program for prisoners in Urbana, and a literary conference for young writers. Community support for these projects totaled $1,165,510. The awardees are:

  • Cambodian Life History Documentation Project, Cambodian Association of Illinois, Chicago ($5,000)
  • Humanities Behind Bars: Bringing Higher Education to an Illinois State Prison, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign ($3,500)
  • A Weekend In Murphysboro, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale ($5,000)
  • Teens Together Playwriting Program, Music Theatre Workshop, Chicago ($5,000)
  • Louder Than a Bomb, Independent Feature Project, Chicago ($2,500)
  • Our Environment, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Chicago ($5,000)
  • Sounds of Faith-Chicago, Harran Productions Foundation, Chicago ($5,000)
  • Humboldt Park Mural Arts Program, archi-treasures, Chicago ($5,000)
  • Chicago-The City That Helped Create a Country, The Czech Legion Project, Chicago ($4,250)
  • Intersections: A Literary Conference for Young Writers, Young Chicago Authors, Chicago ($5,000)

Complete details about these grant awards can be found at www.prairie.org/grants.

The next deadlines for mini grant proposals are October 15, 2009 and January 15, 2010. The next major grant proposal deadline is February 15, 2010. 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; new applicants are particularly 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 encourages applications for projects about American history and culture.

The Illinois Humanities Council is a nonprofit educational organization [501 (c) 3] dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Organized in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the IHC creates programs and funds organizations that promote greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. The IHC is supported by state, federal, and private funds.

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