National Endowment for the Humanities Old Post Office Building 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Office of Challenge Grants Long term strengthening of our nation’s humanities institutions Contact: 202/

HISTORY Created in 1976 as “rescue” operation in hard economic climate. To increase the levels of continuing support and to increase the range of contributors To encourage administrative and management improvements, particularly in the field of long- range financial planning $9,500,000 allocation is typical since More, but smaller, grants likely under current NEH Chairman

CHALLENGE GRANTS CAN PROVIDE FUNDS FOR… Construction and renovation Acquisitions of equipment, computer hardware and software, bibliographic collections Endowments for faculty and staff positions, fellowships, research funds, library acquisition funds, computer upgrades and maintenance funds Development and fund-raising costs Bridging funds

How NEH Challenge Grants Differ from Other NEH Grants 1. Challenge grants support long-term or permanent endeavors 2. Challenge grant funds may be invested in endowments or spend- down funds, the income from which may support over the long term almost any kind of cost associated with humanities activities 3. Challenge grant funds may be used for capital expenditures such as construction and renovation, acquisitions, purchase of equipment, 4. Challenge grants are all matching funds (also known as Treasury funds), as opposed to outright or direct funds, and involve substantial fundraising on the part of the grantee.

MIX AND MATCH IS OK... For a $2 million challenge grant initiative $400,000 to renovate space in the campus library $500,000 for new computers and software $1 million as endowment, yielding $50,000/year faculty fellowships software upgrades salary supplements for technical staff $100,000 for fund-raising costs

CHALLENGE GRANTS ARE MATCHING AWARDS… $3 for each $1 Federal (No longer the case that subsequent awards require $4 for each $1 Federal) Match an NEH challenge grant with nonfederal monies - State and local tax levy funds OK Gifts in Kind; unrestricted gifts; planned gifts all possible

Fundraising & the Economy

Eligibility Any nonprofit organization in the United States, with the exception of elementary or secondary schools (or school districts), is eligible to apply.

Special Encouragement For Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Two-Year Colleges 2:1 match requirement Schedule to meet matching requirement and for receiving federal funds is spread over six years, instead of five

A successful application… Builds on track record, but also carefully explains the current project Asks the reviewer to take nothing on faith Focuses on humanities content Explains how the money will be used

Evaluation criteria Significance of humanities activities Appropriateness of resources and plans Impact of challenge grant funds Feasibility of fundraising

Other things to consider Have I read the guidelines carefully? Do I have a hook? Do I have letters of support from the right people? Have I proofread the proposal?

Philander Smith College Little Rock, Arkansas $500,000 NEH $1,500,000 MATCH $2,000,000 TOTAL Endowed humanities acquisitions, building and equipment maintenance, and an archival librarian position

Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado $250,000 NEH $750,000 MATCH $1,000,000 TOTAL Endowed a three-year Distinguished Teaching Professorship that rotates among the senior humanities faculty members.

Union College Schenectady, New York $575,000 NEH $2,300,000 MATCH $2,875,000 TOTAL Renovated and expanded the Schaffer Library and endowed an acquisitions fund for multimedia equipment and materials.

IMPORTANT DATES December 1: Fund-raising period begins March: Submit draft application May 5: Application deadline Between Thanksgiving and Dec. 1: notification

Office of Challenge Grants Long term strengthening of our nation’s humanities institutions Contact: 202/