"Liberty and justice for all" Grants

Our current thematic initiative, "Liberty and justice for all," gives priority to public humanities programs that explore two fundamental principles in American political life, and their interplay, past and present.

The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities welcomes proposals for public programs examining topics such as:

• understanding liberty in a modern democratic society
• understanding justice in a modern democratic society
• changing definitions of justice and freedom across cultures and through history
• relationships, including conflicts, among concepts of liberty, justice and other values of a democratic society
• the history and contemporary relevance of landmark legislation and/or judicial and/or executive decisions affecting concepts of liberty and justice in the United States
• the accomplishments of individuals, organizations, and/or social movements devoted to the quest for social justice
• challenges to the achievement of "liberty and justice for all."
  
  

MFH is especially interested in:

• proposals that engage underserved audiences
• proposals that involve collaboration between a humanities organization (e.g., college, university, museum, library) and a non-humanities organization, (e.g., public interest or civil rights organization, government agency, professional association, social service agency).
  

Proposals may utilize the full range of public program formats including, but not limited to public conferences, lectures and panel discussions, reading and discussion programs, oral history projects, museum exhibitions, theatrical presentations, documentary films, radio and video productions, professional workshops and seminars, and websites. The maximum grant is $10,000. All other MFH grant guidelines and restrictions apply.

Click here to download a longer "Liberty and justice for all" theme statement (pdf file).

Deadlines & Procedures

• Applicants must consult with Hayley Wood before submitting a draft. This consultation must occur at least one month before the deadline of the grant round -- e.g., for proposals to be submitted on November 1, the preliminary conversation must take place before October 1.
• Use the Project Grant General Instructions (page 8) and Application (beginning on page 9) found at the download library.
• A draft (one copy) of the project summary, project description, budget request form, and budget explanation must be sent, preferably by e-mail, to your contact program officer by the 15th of the month preceding the application deadline. Send draft by email to your contact program officer (preferred) or to:
  
  Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities
  66 Bridge St.
  Northampton, MA 01060
  (413) 584-8440
  
  
• Proposals are due on or before the first business day of February, May, August, and November. Notification is within 90 days of submission. Proposals responding to the "Liberty and justice for all" initiative will be accepted quarterly.
• Funded events may take place no sooner than 30 days after the date of notification.
• Final proposal (signed original and twelve copies) should be sent to: