California Story Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Council fund individuals?
No, individuals seeking funds for a project must be sponsored by a California nonprofit organization or municipal/state agency.
Does the nonprofit sponsor need 501(c)(3) status?
No, the sponsor just has to be a California-based, legitimate and viable nonprofit organization.
What are the responsibilities of the sponsoring organization?
The sponsoring organization serves as the fiscal sponsor of the project and signs the grant agreement and other required award documents if the proposal is approved. The sponsoring organization is the entity with overall and final accountability for the project.
Can a sponsoring organization apply for a new grant if it has already received a California Story Fund award? An organization that has received a grant can apply for a new project once the previous grant has been closed (all project activities completed and a final report submitted to CCH). A sponsoring organization can have one California Story Fund grant open at any one time.
Can a project director apply for more than one grant at a time?
No, a project director can only apply for one grant per deadline.
Can a project director receive more than one grant at a time?
No, a project director is eligible to receive one CCH grant at a time. If they have already received a CCH grant, they must submit a final report before reapplying.
What is the maximum amount an applicant can request?
Each project may request up to $10,000 in outright funds.
Are matching funds required?
Yes, the amount requested from CCH must be matched by at least an equivalent amount of cash or in-kind contributions from nonfederal sources. Matching funds or contributions must be spent on project-related activities that will take place during the award period. Cash on hand that you plan to use during the award period, and/or secured commitments to provide funds, labor, equipment, services or other material support to the project during the award period, are all eligible sources of matching contributions. Cash or the value of goods, services and labor spent on the project to date, however, can not be counted towards the required match, although your full project budget should reflect these expenditures.
What does in-kind mean?
In-kind refers to any contribution of labor, materials, goods or services donated to the project. It can include the contribution of staff salaried time; volunteer hours; office space; use of equipment for administrative or programmatic purposes; services or materials donated for publicity, promotion, or evaluation; public program items, including refreshments, travel, lodging, and meals for project staff or participants.
Can federal funds be used towards the match?
No, funds from NEH, NEA, state humanities councils, or other federally assisted programs may not be used for the match.
Is there a project budget limit for this grant line?
Yes, projects with a total budget greater than $50,000 are not eligible for funding.
How are the funds distributed?
90% of the funds are disbursed with the submission of signed award documents, 10% upon submission of the final report.
What costs are eligible for support?
- Project administrative fees, salaries and fringe benefits (up to 25% of your request).
- Program staff salaries and fees, including honoraria and stipends for humanities experts or technical consultants.
- Travel, lodging and per-diem expenses for project staff and/or consultants.
- Supplies and materials for program activities.
- Equipment (rental, unless purchase cost is less).
- Office expenses directly related to the project, including phone, postage, photocopying and printing.
- Publicity expenses, such as printing or mailing of announcements or flyers.
- Public program expenses (exhibit fabrication and installation, rental of a venue for presentation or performance, broadcast or screening expenses).
- Fiscal sponsor or “indirect” administrative fees (up to 10% of your request).
- Food costs: When tied to project activities, food costs are allowable with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Food costs for purely social activities (receptions) are not allowable.
What costs are NOT eligible for support?
- Prizes
- Gifts
Do grant funds have to be used to collect new stories?
No, grant funds can also be used for archival research and to provide a forum to share and discuss stories.
What formats can projects use to present stories?
Possible formats include but are not limited to the following: photography and interpretive exhibit, radio documentaries, digital media (30-minute maximum length), dramatic presentation, interpretive artwork (e.g. murals), poetry readings, storytelling events, film festivals, panel presentations and community conferences.
What is a culminating public event?
A culminating public event can take many forms, including all of the formats listed previously. In addition, the event MUST incorporate a discussion component that facilitates public discussion and analysis of the stories and their relevance to the community. Radio programs must host a public “in-person” event. Culminating events should be free and open to participation by the general public.
Does the project have to be done in English?
CCH does not impose any language requirements. Your project can be carried out in any language as long as it meets the needs of the audience and is appropriate to the subject matter. It can be monolingual or multilingual.
What is the earliest date that project activities funded by CCH can commence?
Project activities can commence beginning October 1, 2008 for proposals submitted for the July 1, 2008 deadline.
What are the humanities?
The humanities grow out of an interest in the language, literature, thought, and history of humankind. They emphasize analysis, interpretation, and exchange of ideas. The humanities include, but are not limited to, the disciplines of history, philosophy, literature, folklore, American studies, women's studies, ethnic studies, foreign languages (both classical and modern), linguistics, comparative religion, ethics, archaeology, cultural anthropology, jurisprudence, art history, theory, and criticism, and philosophical approaches to the social sciences. These fields are different from the creative expression of the arts or the quantitative explanation of the sciences or social sciences.
Who qualifies as a humanities expert?
- Academic scholars (individuals with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline or individuals teaching or researching in a scholarly institution, e.g., professor, some curators and librarians)
- Independent scholars (individuals who have researched, written and/or spoken about a humanities topic and are considered experts in their field, e.g., journalist, artist, curator, nonprofessional historian)
- Community scholars/culture bearers (individuals who by virtue of their life experience, training and/or standing in a community carry the knowledge, wisdom and collective historical records of the group, e.g., tribal or neighborhood elders or practitioners of traditional cultural forms)
Can a current Council member serve as a humanities expert on a project?
Yes, as long as they avoid any action that could be interpreted as a use of Council membership to further their own interests or those of an affiliate institution. Council members who are named in a proposal or significantly involved with the creation of a proposal may not vote on or participate in discussion of that proposal. In addition, they may not receive honoraria, salary, or other compensation for consultation in a Council-sponsored or Council-funded program.
Can a project director serve as the humanities expert?
No, even if the project director is a qualified humanities expert, projects must involve another scholar/expert in the project. Projects are strongly encouraged to seek scholars and experts knowledgeable about the subject matter who hold a variety of perspectives.
How can I locate a humanities expert?
Check with a local higher education institution (college or university), do a Web search on your topic, or contact your local CCH programs manager (see below).
What does technical expertise mean?
CCH requires the involvement of personnel knowledgeable about the medium/media your project will employ, e.g. videography, photography, exhibit design, oral history. Your proposal should demonstrate that project personnel have PRIOR experience in the project media/medium.
Do you have any Web resources available for applicants?
Yes, the Council has prepared a web toolbox that includes such items as “A How-To Manual for Conducting Oral Histories,” a list of “Online Story-Sharing and Oral History Resources,” and a sample “Oral History Release Form.” These items can be downloaded at http://www.calhumevents.org/ResourceToolbox/resource_home.htm
Are samples of successful proposals available?
Yes, please check with a program manager in your region. They will provide you with a sample of a previously funded model proposal.
When will applicants be notified of funding?
The application review process takes about three months. If your project is funded, the sponsoring organization will be sent an award packet with documents that must be signed and returned to CCH in order for a check to be issued. Sometimes conditions are attached to awards. If so, you must satisfy the conditions before the award check can be issued. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply again?
Yes., contact the CCH program manager nearest you to discuss your project and see if there are any suggestions for improvement.
If funded, what are your reporting requirements?
CCH requires grantees to submit, within 90 days after the termination of the grant period, a final report consisting of an evaluation report; final expenditures report summarizing all expenditures of CCH grant funds and local matching amounts (whether cash or in-kind); hard copies of participant surveys and sign-in sheets; and two copies of any final tangible product(s) resulting from the project.
How should we acknowledge CCH if funded?
Any tangible result of grant activity (publicity materials, productions, displays, exhibits, film/video/audio productions, etc.) must include the California Stories logo and bear the following acknowledgement: “This project is made possible in part by a grant from the California Council For The Humanities as part of its statewide California Stories Initiative. The Council is an independent non-profit organization and a state affiliate of the National Endowment For The Humanities. For more information on the Council and the California Stories Initiative visit www.californiastories.org.”
Who should I contact if I need more grant information or have questions about the application process?
Contact the programs manager at the CCH office nearest you. We also encourage you to check our website for informational workshops and to attend one in your area prior to developing your proposal.
San Francisco Bay Area
John Lightfoot
Programs Manager
415/391-1474 ext. 314
jlightfoot@calhum.org
Central Valley and Northern California
Raeshma Razvi
Programs Manager
415/391-1474 ext. 316
rrazvi@calhum.org
Los Angeles and Central Coast
Felicia Kelley
Senior Program Manager
213/623-5993
fkelley@calhum.org
San Diego, Imperial Valley and Inland Empire
Amy Rouillard
Senior Program Manager
619/232-4020
AmyR@calhum.org
When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted by 12 pm on July 1, 2008.
How much time should I allow to complete my online application?
Allow at least an hour and a half.
How will I know that my application was received?
Applicants will be notified of receipt of their proposals by e-mail.
When will awards be announced?
The review process takes approximately three months. Applicants will be notified by September 30, 2008.
Where can I learn more about the California Stories Initiative?
More information about the current initiative and other Council-supported projects can be found at our website at www.californiastories.org.