The West Virginia Humanities Council, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, offers a variety of grants to nonprofit organizations that provide public humanities programming for West Virginia audiences. The Council supports projects that engage the public in the study of language, literature, history, jurisprudence, philosophy, archaeology, comparative religion, ethics, and other humanities disciplines. Funding is available for activities such as lectures, symposiums, exhibits, panel discussions, conferences, publications, media productions, and educational programs.

The Council provides multiple grant opportunities, each with distinct funding amounts, application deadlines, and eligibility requirements. Major Grants offer up to $20,000 for large-scale humanities projects, with application deadlines on February 1 and September 1. Minigrants, which provide up to $2,000, support small projects, single events, and planning efforts, with deadlines on February 1, April 1, June 1, and October 1. Fellowships of $3,000 are available for independent research and writing projects in the humanities, with applications due on February 1. Media Grants, Publication Grants, and Teacher Institute Grants each offer up to $20,000 and have application deadlines on September 1. Travel Assistance Grants provide up to $500 for travel to professional humanities-related conferences, requiring applications at least 60 days prior to travel.

To apply, organizations must submit a detailed proposal through the Council's online application system. Proposals must demonstrate strong humanities content, involve qualified scholars, and provide a dollar-for-dollar match (except for Fellowships and Travel Assistance Grants). Applicants are required to submit a project narrative, budget, schedule of activities, and descriptions of key personnel. The Council encourages applicants to discuss their projects with the Grants Administrator, Erin Riebe, before applying.

The review process varies by grant type. Minigrants are reviewed and awarded by the Program Committee, while Major Grants, Fellowships, Media Grants, Publication Grants, and Teacher Institute Grants require approval from the Board of Directors. Travel Assistance Grants are reviewed by Council staff. Notifications are typically provided within two weeks for Travel Assistance Grants, six weeks for Minigrants, and twelve weeks for all other grants.

Applicants should note that funding is not guaranteed for repeat projects, and each proposal is evaluated based on its merit in the specific grant cycle. Funded projects must comply with federal nondiscrimination statutes and provide accessible programming for public audiences. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used for certain expenses, including fundraising activities, permanent staffing, equipment purchases, or projects promoting specific political or ideological positions.

For more information, applicants can contact Erin Riebe, Grants Administrator, at 304-346-8500 or via email at riebe@wvhumanities.org. The West Virginia Humanities Council is located at 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E, Charleston, WV 25301.