Proposal Development Grant

What is a proposal development grant?

Although applicants normally absorb the costs of applying to the Foundation, a proposal development grant of up to $500 may be requested if the applicant lacks the resources needed to develop a grant proposal. The funds may be used to pay humanities scholars and other consultants, travel costs associated with planning activities, duplication expenses, and postage. The use of this grant to pay a professional grantwriter is discouraged. Proposal Development grants are normally limited to $500. Receipt of a proposal development grant obligates you to submit a proposal within one year but does not guarantee its subsequent approval.

Who can apply?

Proposal Development grants are intended to assist those who lack one or more of the resources needed to develop proposals which are eligible for funding from the MFH. The most important of these resources are humanities scholars who can help to ensure that the proposed project will use the methods and contents of the humanities disciplines to illuminate contemporary life in Massachusetts. All applications should have the sponsorship of a nonprofit organization or institution.

How to apply:

Use the simplified Proposal Development Grant Application Form available from the download library. You should apply for a proposal development grant at least two months ahead of the proposal deadline (for example, if you wish to submit a project proposal for the November 1 deadline, you should apply for your proposal development grant no later than September 1). Proposal development grants should not be requested as reimbursement for planning already done.

In no case should the planning period extend beyond one year of receipt of a proposal development grant.

Deadlines & Procedures

• Contact the Foundation for a simplified application form or go to the download library (Proposal Development Grant Application).
• Applications may be submitted at any time.
• Notification is within two weeks.
  

Consulting the Foundation staff

Applicants who have received Proposal Development grants to develop their proposals are still encouraged to seek the advice and assistance of the MFH staff in planning and preparing their proposals. The staff will review drafts of proposals and draw attention to questions that are likely to be raised by those who will be making the funding decisions. While consultation with the Foundation staff does not guarantee success, those who take advantage of the staff's experience and expertise tend to be more successful than those who do not.