California Story Fund
Grant Guidelines

1. Applicant organization (suggested length, half a page).

Please provide a brief description of the mission and activities of the applicant organization.
Describe the relevance of the project to the organization’s mission.
If the applicant organization is acting as a fiscal sponsor, describe how the project director and fiscal organization will work together to administer the project.

2. Project description (suggested length, 2 pages).

Provide an overall description of the project.
Community: Describe the community in which this project takes place.
Stories: Tell us whose stories will be told and/or interpreted and why. (If relevant, tell us which language(s) the program will be offered in.)
Methods: Describe the methods and process you will use to identify, select and present the stories.
Role of the humanities: Explain how the humanities will inform your project, and what role the humanities advisor will play in the project.
Goals: Tell us the goals of your project and how you will measure your success in achieving them.
Youth: If working with youth, describe your organization’s prior experience in youth programming.

3. Audience and outreach (suggested length, half a page).

4. Public engagement (suggested length, half a page)

Please provide a detailed description of your public event(s).
Provide us with the tentative date and venue for your event. (Note: Radio projects must host a face-to-face event. Call-in shows do not qualify).
Describe how you will archive any stories your project will collect and how any project-produced materials will be made accessible to the public after the end of the project.
Describe how your event will foster understanding between people and encourage their engagement in community life.

5. Project personnel (suggested length, 1 page).

Please provide short bios with the relevant expertise of the project director, humanities advisor and project staff. Please include full contact information (phone number, e-mail, and mailing address). Please note: Project personnel must have the technical expertise required by the project (radio/video production, photo documentation, exhibit design, etc.). Humanities advisor expertise must also be relevant to the project.
Be sure to briefly specify each person’s role in the project.

6. Timeline (suggested length, half a page).

Provide a description of your activities, from planning to completion, including a tentative schedule of events. Keep in mind that CCH funds cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to funding notification (funding cannot be applied retroactively).

7. Full Project Budget.

Each project may request up to $10,000. The grant request must be matched by at least an equivalent amount of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. (See FAQs.) Funds from NEH, NEA, other federal programs, or state humanities councils cannot be applied toward your required match.

Please download and use the CCH Full Project Budget Form. The budget should reflect all eligible expenses associated with the project, including those to be supported by CCH grant funds as well as local in-kind or cash matching funds. (See FAQs.)
Provide a brief description of each item you are requesting specifically from CCH, including information about salaries, professional services (including contracts with humanities advisors), marketing and other program costs.

Project administrative fees, salaries and fringe benefits (up to 25% of your request).
Program staff salaries and fees, including honoraria and stipends for humanities advisors or technical consultants.
Travel, lodging and per-diem expenses.
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.
Marketing 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 (only up to 10% of your request).
Food costs directly tied to project activities. (Alcoholic beverages are not eligible costs.)

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES