The Maryland Humanities is accepting grant applications for its Marilyn Hatza Memorial Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity (SHINE) Grant fund.
Donor Name: Maryland Humanities
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/14/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Goals of the Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program

Continue and expand general operating support funding, awarding $900,000 in grants.
Focus on small and mid‐size humanities, arts, cultural, and educational nonprofits that may not have staff capacity or resources to be competitive in fundraising.
Ensure a broad geographic reach, similar to what they were able to realize from the COVID‐relief grants, which funded organizations in all 23 of Maryland’s counties, plus Baltimore City.
Continue to refine lessons learned on how to evaluate applicants and distribute funds equitably, while ensuring accountability and responsible fiscal stewardship.
Convene annual cohorts of grantees in new networks of engagement and common purpose to amplify the state’s investment, strengthening both the organizations and communities.

Funding Priorities

Organizations that center diversity, equity and inclusion within their mission and throughout their programming.
Organizations that serve geographic areas that have historically been underserved by Maryland Humanities.
Organizations that serve audiences that have been traditionally underserved by the humanities, which includes but is not limited to, Veterans, Rural Populations, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), Low-income Individuals, Currently and Formerly Incarcerated Persons, LGBTQ+ Individuals, Currently or Formerly Unhoused People, Immigrants, and/or Disabled People.
Small and mid-size humanities, arts, cultural, and educational nonprofits that may not have staff capacity or resources to be competitive in fundraising.

Funding Information
This program will provide 90 General Operating Support grants worth $10,000, to non-profit organizations which provide humanities programming throughout the state of Maryland.
Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for a Maryland Humanities General Operating Support grant, an organization must:

conduct programming in the humanities as a significant part of its work
Eligible non-profits include museums, historic sites, preservation and historical societies, and community & cultural organizations with a significant humanities focus.
Organizations conducting activities in the humanities provide programs that do one or more of the following:

Explore and elevate the shared stories of the past, present, and future to connect people
Preserve, share, and celebrate cultural identities, heritage, and traditions
Promote storytelling and enriching communities through dialogue, discussion, and participation
Bring people together to encourage thoughtful and accessible programs that value equity, democracy, collaboration, and life-long learning

be designated as a nonprofit organization and maintain good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as determined by organization’s 990 and Charity Check
be physically located and registered as a nonprofit in Maryland and have Maryland residents as its primary constituents
have a maximum total annual operating budget of $500,000 or less.

The following organizations are not eligible to apply for funding:

Organizations with a general operating budget that exceeds $500,000
Organizations whose sole mission or focus is the creation or performance of art. This includes visual art, dance, theater, and music
Any federally, or state-funded agency
All academic Institutions, including, universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 institutions
Public libraries.

For more information, visit Maryland Humanities.