Oregon Humanities offers programs that help Oregonians connect, reflect, and learn from each other. Our grants program awards funding for humanities programs and events hosted by nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, and rural-serving public libraries in Oregon.
Grant Opportunities
Public Program Grants
Oregon Humanities awards annual Public Program Grants of up to $10,000 in support of humanities programs and events across Oregon that explore challenging questions and strive for just communities. To learn more about this grant, visit our Public Program Grants page.
Public Program Grants are currently closed for applications. To be notified when they open, sign up for our newsletter.
Mini Grants for Rural Libraries
Oregon Humanities awards Mini Grants for Rural Libraries that enable rural-serving Oregon libraries to create and host their own humanities events. Each year, a theme is announced by Oregon Humanities before the grant’s application period begins. Awarded libraries interpret the theme to create and host their own humanities events that will be meaningful to their communities. To learn more about this grant, visit our Mini Grants for Rural Libraries page.
This grant opens for applications on November 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. PT. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, January 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PT. To be notified when this grant opens for applications, please sign up for our grants newsletter.
Funding Priorities
Oregon Humanities has determined funding priority values and funding priority groups. Click here to read more.
Oregon Humanities is committed to funding organizations across our state. Knowing that we have limited grant funds to award and are committed to funding organizations and communities that have historically been underserved, we prioritize funding for:
- Oregon organizations that are based in, and led by rural communities (using the Oregon Office of Rural Health’s definition of rural as locations in Oregon ten or more miles from the center of a population center of 40,000 people or more)
- Oregon organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
- Applications are welcome from all organizations that meet our grants’ eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements are detailed on the website pages for each grant. If you've never connected with Oregon Humanities or aren't sure if your program, event, idea or organization is eligible, please reach out.
Assistance for Applicants
Oregon Humanities offers many types of support to organizations applying for our grants. Click here to read more.
We know that applying for a grant can be challenging, whether you’ve received grants in the past or if it's your first time applying! Oregon Humanities offers many types of support to help grant applicants write their strongest application.
We also offer support and assistance to our grantees, to help them manage the proper use of their funding and assistance with their grant reporting.
To be notified of our online and in-person help/info sessions, please sign up for our newsletter here. If you have immediate questions, please contact Dawn Smallman, program manager, at d.smallman@oregonhumanities.org or (503) 241-0543 ext. 123.
Questions? Reach out to us!
Do you have questions about applying, eligibility, or whether your program/event is in alignment with our grants? Want to share feedback or ideas? Please send an email to grants@oregonhumanities.org.
Please note that Oregon Humanities staff are available to answer questions Monday through Friday during normal business hours.