PLEASE NOTE: The next Community Stories application deadline is Aug. 1, 2013 at 5 pm. Recent applicants (for the Feb. 15 deadline) will receive notification by the end of June.

The Community Stories Grants Program

Community Stories (previously the California Story Fund) is a competitive grants program to support story-based public humanities projects that collect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories of California communities—past and present. Since 2003, we have awarded over $3 million to nearly 400 projects through this grant program that seeks to foster among us greater knowledge, understanding, and empathy.

Community Stories funds projects that focus on the collection and sharing of real stories of California’s communities. Projects must involve at least one humanities expert as an advisor, use the methods of analysis that inform the humanities as well as community-based research, and produce work that is publicly accessible. Application eligibility is limited to California-based nonprofit organizations or local/state public agencies or institutions. Grant awards range up to $10,000 and a cash or in-kind match is required.

For more information, contact Senior Program Officer Felicia Kelley.

More Information on Applying for a Community Stories Grant

PLEASE NOTE: The next application deadline is August 1, 2013 at 5 pm. Current guidelines and other informational materials for grantseekers are now available below. Join our mailing list (at the bottom of this page) to receive announcements about upcoming grant opportunities and application guidelines. Current applicants (for the February 15 deadline) will receive notification by the end of June.

Learn more about Cal Humanities’ Community Stories grant program and application process at an informational webinar:

Community Stories Grant Information Webinar

Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Space is limited. Click HERE to reserve your webinar seat now. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

System Requirements
For PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
For Mac®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
For mobile attendees: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android™ tablet

For information purposes, you may access recordings of previous webinars here: