The State of Indiana, Indiana Humanities, and Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch announce Preserving Women’s Legacy Grants to support historic preservation work, public art, and other projects that commemorate Indiana women’s history and promote visits to Indiana’s Main Street communities. These projects will provide a lasting legacy of the state’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote.

GRANT AMOUNT: $15,000-$40,000 (matching funds): 3-7 grants will be awarded

ELIGIBILITY: Indiana Main Street communities (must have at least 2 community partners in addition)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2020 11:30 p.m. EDT

DATE PROJECTS CAN BEGIN:  July 1, 2020

DATE PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED: December 31, 2021

Download complete grant guidelines here.

“We’re excited to provide a new way to empower Main Street communities to discover, preserve and activate locations that shine a light on women’s history in Indiana. We want to capture how women have led and shaped their cities and towns,” Crouch said. “The goal is to find the inspiring and hidden places and stories that can be shared for generations to come.”

The grants are a project of the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, presented by Indiana Humanities and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Projects should be tied to women’s history in Indiana but do not need to be related to women’s suffrage. Full grant guidelines are posted on the website.

Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities, said the women’s suffrage centennial provides the perfect backdrop to bring more attention to women’s history.

“We are humbled and proud to have this opportunity to fund and amplify the preservation of Indiana women’s history,” said Amstutz, who also is a member of the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. “We’re delighted communities across Indiana will have the chance to receive funding to recognize their own momentous places and events.”

Supported Project Types

The goal of the Preserving Women’s Legacy Grants is to provide official Indiana Main Street Program organizations with funds to carry out projects that recognize women’s history in their communities. The projects should lead to outcomes that are tangible and permanent, and that promote visitation to the Main Street district. Examples of potential projects include:

• Historic preservation projects for built structures that have significant connections to women’s history
• Projects that combine historic preservation and creative placemaking
• Public art such as murals and sculptures
• Recreational projects, such as heritage trails
• Creative public displays
• Interactive experiences featuring art/displays and associated programming
• National Register nominations combined with creative activation

What to Submit

Part 1: Overview

• Project Title: The name you’ve given your project. Make it brief, self-explanatory and appealing.
• Sponsoring Organization: The group assuming full responsibility for the grant and to whom the grant will be paid. Remember that applicants must be an official Indiana Main Street organization.
• Sponsoring Organization Official: A person who is legally empowered to sign the application on behalf of the organization—usually the president, executive director or chair.
• Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Project Director: The person who will serve as the administrative contact for Indiana Humanities. This should be a representative from the local Main Street organization.
• Project Partner(s): The community organizations that are helping you plan, implement and fund the project. Remember that you need to include at least two other partners.

Part 2: Project Summary

• Describe your project. What product/programming will it produce?
• Describe the audience it will reach.
• Outline when it will take place/be completed.
• Indicate where it will take place/be installed.

Part 3: Narrative Questions

• What is your project? Be specific about the different components and give a thorough description to help reviewers imagine how the project will unfold.
• How will your project discover, preserve or activate Indiana women’s history?
• Outline the goals of your project. What do you want to accomplish? How does it align to the goals of the Preserving Women’s Legacy Grant? What do you expect will happen as a result of your work?
• Provide a description of project team members, what organization they represent and their roles in planning and implementing the project.
• Give us some idea of how you’ll manage the partnership. How will you ensure that partners’ expectations are aligned, that all partners contribute as agreed upon and that all partners benefit?
• Give a detailed timeline for the project, including the projected months for planning, implementing and evaluating/reporting.
• As noted in the requirements, this grant is intended to fund projects with a long life (i.e., they should benefit the community for decades). How will you ensure this? What is your maintenance plan for historic structures, artworks or other projects that require ongoing upkeep?
• Describe your evaluation plan. How will you measure the impact of the project? How will you know whether you’ve successfully accomplished your goals?
• How will you build upon this opportunity? How will you use it to further promote the legacy of women in your community and to promote the goals of your Main Street district?

Part 4: Budget

Part 5: Required Attachments

• The online application requires you to attach resumes or CVs (no longer than two pages each) for the project director and experts.
• If you plan to alter, change or add to any structure or place in the project scope, upload documentation of ownership or approval of the stated activity.
• If your project falls within a historic district or impacts a historic structure, upload an application for Certificate of Approval (State Form 52889).
• Attach support letters from each of your project partners, explaining the organization’s involvement in and commitment to the project. We also encourage you to upload a letter or two from other groups or individuals expressing their support for the project and describing its value to the community.

About the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.

About Indiana Humanities 

Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. Learn more at www.IndianaHumanities.org.

QUESTIONS? Contact George Hanlin, Director of Grants at Indiana Humanities, ghanlin@indianahumanities.org or call 317-616-9784.