A More Perfect Union Grant

Goals and Timeline

Humanities-based civic education is essential for our nation’s well-being. As the National Endowment for the Humanities notes, “grassroots public humanities programs foster civil discourse, invite audiences of all backgrounds to reflect on our shared American history and the ideals that have animated our republic for more than two hundred years, and help all learners understand how informed, active civic engagement strengthens our country’s democracy.”

The need for civic education is especially critical in the Hoosier State. Indiana ranks poorly on many of the measures used to evaluate civic health. For example, in terms of voter turnout (a traditional marker of civic engagement), Indiana ranked 41st in the nation in 2016. In midterm elections, Indiana has consistently ranked in the bottom 10 states for voter turnout for more than 10 years. The most recent Indiana Civic Health Index, published in 2019, made several recommendations to address a lack of civic engagement, one of which was a need for additional civic-education programs in Indiana.

To promote civic education and help address the civic-health challenges that Indiana faces, Indiana Humanities is offering our A More Perfect Union Grant to tax-exempt organizations. The grant provides up to $5,000 to support humanities-based civic-education programs such as reading-and-discussion programs, exhibitions, speakers, curriculum development and more.

• Application Deadline: Oct. 31, 2021
• Award: Up to $5,000
• Notification: Approximately Nov. 15, 2021
• Date Projects May Begin: Upon notification
• Date by Which Projects Must Be Completed: Project work must be completed by Sept. 30, 2022; a final report is due Dec. 31, 2022