This month, Wyoming Humanities launched a new statewide project, Discuss & Construct, as part of the United We Stand initiative.

In 2023 the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) launched United We Stand: Connecting through Culture, an initiative to combat hate-based violence through cultural engagement.  

Communities are invited to apply for funding to host guided conversations and develop community projects. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, schools, libraries, local governments, and more. Partnerships are encouraged.

Wyoming Humanities will select eight communities across the state for this project, each of whom will receive up to $6,500 awards.

“Through civil conversation, communities can better come together to solve problems and accomplish goals,” said Lucas Fralick, program coordinator for Wyoming Humanities.

With this opportunity, Wyoming Humanities will provide funding for organizations to host challenging conversations in comfortable places, then create community engagement projects for 2024. All communities, regardless of size, are welcome to apply for funding.

The three discussion topics available are: community belonging, American values and ideals, and free speech and violence.

“Combating hate not only requires us to identify the root causes of that hate but also to identify our inherent capacity for love, acceptance, empathy, and belonging, said NEH Chair Shelly C. Lowe.

Applications are now open and are due by Nov. 30; award notifications will take place in December. The period for discussions and community projects runs February through July of 2024.

Additional details, including a link to an informational webinar, can be found at thinkwy.org/grants. Interested applicants are also encouraged to email chloe@thinkwy.org with questions.

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