LANSING — Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is pleased to announce a new funding resource for Michigan nonprofits with missions centered on furthering public humanities projects and programs.

Michigan Humanities Organizations Pandemic Emergency Grants, or Michigan H.O.P.E Grants, are made possible by an appropriation from the CARES Act. Humanities councils are uniquely positioned to provide emergency CARES Act funding to museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and other nonprofits impacted by the pandemic. Councils across the country serve the smallest and most vulnerable communities and institutions, and are able to reach into areas that receive few other cultural resources.

“The CARES Act funding will allow Michigan Humanities to provide critical operational funds to arts and cultural organizations in a precarious financial position due to the pandemic’s impact on fundraising, loss of revenue from the event cancellations, and incurred service fees,” explained Shelly Kasprzycki, President and CEO of Michigan Humanities.

Grants up to $10,000 will be available to any nonprofit authorized to operate in the state of Michigan that provides humanities projects and programs. Funding can be used for general operating support with an emphasis on maintaining personnel. Michigan Humanities can expeditiously process simplified grant requests to organizations in need with vastly shortened process times.

“Our board and staff are pleased to administer these important funds to protect what we hold so dear — the human connection through literature, history, arts, and culture,” Kasprzycki said.

Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and will be available online beginning Apr. 20 at the Michigan Humanities website: www.michiganhumanities.org.

About Michigan Humanities


Michigan Humanities inspires Michiganders to come together in creative and freely expressed ways to deepen our understanding of ourselves and enrich our communities. In carrying out this mission, Michigan Humanities builds awareness and excitement for humanities in everyday life, achieves best practices and sustainability for all humanities programs and services in Michigan, and upholds the following key values:

‏ • Inclusion, diversity, and equity

‏ • Discovery and understanding

‏ • Authentic conversation

‏ • Respectful collaboration

‏ • Meaningful experiences

Michigan Humanities’ vision is for all people of Michigan to experience and understand the importance of humanities to enrich lives.