ARP Grants

Grant Purpose

The primary purpose of ARP funding is to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Proposals must describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their organization and justify the impact this grant will have on their recovery process.

Applicants may request up $15,000. Arizona Humanities may not fully fund every grant request.

Matching Funds

Applicants are not required to match funds for this grant opportunity.

Funding Priorities

Priority will be given to organizations with an annual budget of $500,000 or less* and/or organizations whose mission directly serves traditionally underserved communities. Underserved communities include Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

*Organizations with budgets greater than $500,000 and do not directly serve underrepresented communities are still eligible and encouraged to apply for the grant.

Applicant Eligibility

• 501(c)(3) organizations based in Arizona with a history of serving Arizona communities through public humanities programs. (Please see more details below) 
• Applicant organizations must have a DUNS number. For more information regarding the DUNS number visit https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/
• Organizations responding to and recovering from COVID-19 pandemic.
• Not eligible:
  • Individuals or For-Profit Organizations
  • Organizations solely focused on disciplines other than the humanities and that do not host public humanities programs.
  • Political or Advocacy Organizations
  • Public, Private, or Parochial Schools
  • Fiscal Agents or Fiscal Sponsors
  • Government Agencies, Universities, Colleges, Academic Departments, or Entities with Significant Public Funding.

Operational Support (included but not limited to) *

• Strategic planning and capacity building efforts related to preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the coronavirus.
• Technical assistance provided by experts (individuals or organizations) that will directly enhance public humanities programming capabilities.
• Professional development activities that will directly impact the applicant’s programming capacity (acquisition of skills, knowledge, or expertise gained through training, coaching, or participation in humanities field learning experiences).
• Equity assessments and planning related to the coronavirus and the economic crisis.
• Communicative and collaborative activities that will promote partnership, networking, and leveraging the resources of multiple public humanities providers resulting in enhanced programming capacity
• Administrative expenses including phone, postage, photocopying, and printing
• Supplies and materials for all organizational activities
• Staff salaries and fringe benefits for programmatic and/or project administrative personnel

Humanities Program Support (included but not limited to)

• Professional fees, including honoraria and stipends for humanities advisors, interviewees, artists, technical consultants, etc.
• Programming, publication, dissemination expenses (e.g., exhibit fabrication and installation, venue rental, web design, videography, screening expenses)
• Technical/consultant needs related to a digital transition or in support of preservation and access programs.
• Equipment purchases up to 20% of total program costs.
• Expansion, due to the effects of the coronavirus, of outdoor and virtual humanities programming and activities, from traditional environments to those that are more accessible.
• Marketing expenses (e.g., design, printing, distribution of announcements or flyers, ad placement)
• Evaluation expenses
• Documentation expenses (e.g., videography of events)

* Organizations whose mission falls outside of humanities are not eligible to receive funding for General Operating Support. Such organizations can apply for humanities program support.

Activities Not Eligible for Support

• Organizations that do not have a DUNS Number
• Overlapping project costs with any other pending or approved application(s) for federal funding and/or approved federal awards
• Indirect costs on general operating support grants that do not serve to help the organization prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic
• Funds for activities supported by other non-NEH federal funds
• Competitive regranting
• Cancellation costs
• Pre-award costs dating to before March 15, 2021
• Equipment costs in excess of 20% of total project costs
• Travel (both foreign and domestic)
• Construction, purchase of real property, major alteration and renovation
• Environmental sustainability
• Collections acquisition
• The preservation, organization, or description of materials that are not regularly accessible for research, education, or public programming
• Promotion of a particular political, religious, or ideological point of view
• Advocacy of a particular program of social or political action
• Support of specific public policies or legislation
• Lobbying
• Projects that fall outside of the humanities and the humanistic social sciences (including the creation or performance of art; creative writing, autobiographies, memoirs, and creative nonfiction; and quantitative social science research or policy studies)
• Food and or beverages
• Fiscal agent administration fees

Application Timeline and Review

This funding opportunity is split into two due dates (July 30th and August 31st). The first round of funds will be announced on August 23, 2021, applications demonstrating a strong, immediate need for funds will be prioritized. Any eligible applications not funded in the first round will roll over to the next. The final notification date is September 27, 2021. Arizona Humanities recommends submitting your application as soon as you can develop a strong proposal. You will not be able to make changes once the application is submitted.

Final reports are due 60 days after your project end date. Organizations will indicate their project end date on the application, all grant funds must be spent, and projects must end on or before November 30, 2022.

Grant Period

Applicants can utilize grant funds for expenses incurred no earlier than March 15, 2021, through the end of their project period. Project periods must conclude no later than 11/30/2022.

How To Apply

• As required by federal guidelines, applicants must have a DUNS number in order to receive funds. Apply for this early, as a DUNS number can take up to two business days to receive.

• Create an account with the Arizona Humanities Grants and Programs Dashboard if you do not already have one. Contact Arizona Humanities staff if you are unsure if your organization has an account. Samantha Anderson, sanderson@azhumanities.org or 602-257-0335 x25.

• Preview the Application
• Apply
  • You may apply through the Arizona Humanities Grants and Programs Dashboard.
    • Link https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=azhumanities
    • Paper applications will not be accepted
  • You will need the following to complete your application:
    • Non-profit IRS Determination Letter
    • DUNS Number
    • Organization’s FY20 Annual Budget or FY21 Annual Budget
    • Arizona Humanities ARP Relief Funds Budget Form
    • Arizona Humanities ARP Relief Funds Activities Form

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with Arizona Humanities Mission to build a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.
• History of providing public humanities programs involving Arizona participants and/or capacity to carry proposed humanities programs (if applicable)
• Organization is non-partisan and impartial in regard to political, religious or ideological viewpoints.
• Overall impact of COVID-19 pandemic on organization and its operations.
• Budget meets guidelines and demonstrates activities that serve to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.
• Grant activities will serve to promote the humanities and humanities programs in Arizona.

Priority will be given to organizations with:

• an annual budget of $500,000 or less
• and/or organizations whose mission directly serves traditionally underserved communities. Underserved communities include Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.