The goal of Wyoming Humanities’ grants is to support public programs that use the humanities to explore the state’s histories, stories, issues, and connections between groups and communities.
Due to a high volume of requests, Wyoming Humanities can no longer accept applications for Wyoming Cultural CARES grants.
Wyoming Humanities is honored to provide rapid-response funding to humanities and cultural organizations facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for this grant is provided by the CARES Act and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The humanities encompass the study of all our forms of human cultural expression: our history, arts, literature, philosophy, religion, laws, cultural studies, and languages. These break down further into subsets such as ecological humanities and gender studies. However, projects like arts performances that do not have a Q&A or talk-back session to delve into the meaning and context of the experience of art fall into the realm of Wyoming Arts Council funding. See our About the Humanities page for more information.
You must have a state or federally recognized nonprofit group or state agency (library, school, college, museum), with a valid tax EIN and DUNs number to receive funds to sponsor the grant and manage the funds. We can only fund registered non-profits.
Specifically, we will not fund research projects. If the project isn’t about directly engaging a public audience (through outreach components like lectures, documentaries, digital medias, curated exhibits, moderated film series, etc.) then it is probably not a fit for Wyoming Humanities funding.
The project must have a humanities scholar in a central role (loosely defined as MA or higher in a humanities field directly related to the project).
All Wyoming Humanities grant funds must be matched 1:1 with non-Federal dollars. This match can be both cash and in-kind (for example, the dollar value of facilities or time that people contribute to your project).
Each grant is different. Compare them to find out which is the best option for you.
Projects may start a minimum of 30 days after grant application due date. Applicants will hear decision within approximately 15 days of due date.
Projects may start a minimum of 60 days after the grant application due date. Applicants will hear decision within approximately 45 days of due date.
Projects may start January 1, 2020 or later. Applicants will hear decision within approximately 50 days of due date.
Please note: There will be no Cross-Pollination grant round for 2020.
Proposals eligible for this grant line should feature multiple disciplines, including at least one humanities discipline, that work together to help their audience explore and engage with subject matter(s) from multiple perspectives to come to a new or deeper understanding. A project might help Wyomingites examine the history of the Vietnam war through literature and song, or make use of cultural anthropology and geology to help Wyomingites explore their relationship with water.
Projects are required to have a qualified scholar or expert from the two main disciplines (at minimum) it uses. The above example of exploring Wyoming’s relationship with water through cultural anthropology and geology, for instance, would require that a cultural anthropologist and a geologist be integrally involved in the project.
Wyoming Humanities uses an online application system. Before you can apply for a grant, you’ll need to create an account. Please have and be ready to submit the following:
Your name
Current Email Address
Phone Number
Address
Position with the Program Organization
Organization EIN Number
Organization DUNS Number
Contact Information for the Program Organization’s Executive Officer
If your organization is not registered for a valid DUNS number, you will be required to work with a sponsoring organization. Most communication will be processed through this online system. Once you have registered, please check your SPAM or Junk inbox for registration confirmation. Please mark this communication as NOT SPAM or Junk so you will continue to receive communications. Notifications as well as application questions, follow-ups, contracts, and final reports must all be submitted through this system.
Please note: All applicants (excluding Independent Research Scholars) are required to report their unique DUNS number on all applications. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc., to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained from by telephone (866-705-5711) or this website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
Please note: in order to ensure it’s worth your time to fill out a full grant application, a letter of intent is required before the full application can be accessed or submitted. This must be submitted through the online portal, not via email, and may increase application time by up to 5 days. Please plan accordingly.
If you would like more information or need assistance in the grant process, please contact Erin Pryor Ackerman at Erin@thinkwy.org. Staff is more than happy to work with you as you develop your idea into a project; however, we cannot guarantee first reads on drafts less than two week from the submittal date.
If you have a project in mind, get started on our grants possible as early as you can. Funding in the later portion of the Wyoming Humanities fiscal year (August 1 – Oct 31) is generally limited, and grants submitted during this time may not be considered or funded in time due to budget constraints.
Once your grant has been approved, you will receive notification through our online system. You will have a few forms to sign and return to us prior to the release of funds. In addition, you will receive detailed instructions on the requirements for reporting back on your grant project. We want your project to be a success and are here to help. In return, we ask that you provide us with information regarding your progress. If you are unsure of the requirements or are having difficulties, please contact us so that we can assist you.