California Documentary Project
Public Engagement Grants
| Deadline: September 1, 2010 | |
| Noon: | Deadline for electronic submission of online application and uploaded proposal narrative and budget |
| 5 pm: | Deadline for work samples to be received at CCH’s San Francisco office No late applications will be accepted |
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program of the California Council for the Humanities (CCH). CDP Public Engagement grants support the dissemination and public engagement activities of previously-funded CDP film, radio and new media projects. The purpose of this program is to extend the reach and impact of Council-supported humanities media projects, deepen understanding and awareness of subjects and issues of relevance to California, and foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of audiences.
While there are no specific public engagement activities required by this grant program, proposed activities should be clearly defined in terms of intended audience and impact, be designed to maximize use of grant funds, seek to leverage impact through strategic partnerships and have well-defined and feasible goals. Sample activities may include, but are not limited to: community screenings, the creation of discussion guides, pre- or post-screening panel or speaker presentations, translation and subtitling, targeted distribution, design of web-based tools, repurposing of collateral content, and development of standards-aligned lesson plans or other educational materials.
The Role of the Humanities
CDP supports film, radio and new media projects in which the humanities are used to provide context, depth and perspective. The humanities spring from a fundamental interest in understanding the values and practices that inform our lives; the need to reflect on the past and the present to make critical choices; and the desire to be moved, delighted, and make sense of the world in which we live. Humanities disciplines include, but are not limited to, history, literature, philosophy, folklore, ethnic studies, religious studies, ethics, jurisprudence, and qualitative approaches in the social sciences. They emphasize analysis, interpretation and the exchange of ideas. The Public Engagement grant program is designed to increase access, understanding and awareness of the public humanities and to encourage reflection by individuals and communities.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must:
- Have a completed film, radio or new media project that has previously received funding from the Council through the CDP Research and Development, Production, or New Media grant categories
- Have tax-exempt organizational status or a tax-exempt organization as a fiscal sponsor
- Be in good standing with CCH (e.g., without unfulfilled reporting requirements)
Funding Level
Completed CDP projects 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.
Project Requirements
Public engagement projects must meet all of the following criteria:
- Undertake specific, clearly defined activities that extend the reach and impact of previously-supported CDP projects
- Create opportunities for critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of audiences
- Deepen understanding and awareness of subjects and issues relevant to California (in-person activities should be California-based)
- Increase awareness of and connection to the public humanities
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Quality
- Clarity and strength of project design and approach
- Potential to engage audiences
- Experience of project staff and partners
- Significance of project goals and impact
Capacity
- Feasibility of proposed activities, budget and timeline
Eligible Costs
Include, but are not limited to:
- Salaries and professional fees for staff and technical consultants
- Honoraria and stipends for humanities advisors
- Programmatic expenses
- Travel, lodging and per-diem expenses for project staff, consultants, speakers, etc.
- Supplies and materials for program activities
- AV equipment rental
- Translation and subtitling
- Publicity expenses, such as printing or mailing of announcements or flyers
- Public program expenses (e.g., rental of a venue for screenings)
- Office expenses directly related to the project, including phone, postage, photocopying and printing
- Fiscal sponsor or indirect administrative fees (up to 10% of your total CCH grant request)
- Project-related administrative salaries and fringe benefits (up to 10% of your total CCH grant request)
We Do Not Fund
- Fundraising activities
- Projects that are primarily promotional in nature
- Advocacy
| Timeline | |
| July 2010: | Guidelines distributed and made available at www.calhum.org |
| August 1, 2010 | Online application available at www.calhum.org |
| September 1, 2010 | Noon: Online application deadline 5 pm: Deadline for supporting materials to be received at CCH SF office |
| November 2010 | Grant awards announced |
For additional information, please see the Public Engagement FAQ.
GUIDELINES
Please include the following information in your proposal in this order using the numbered headings at the start of each section. All responses should be single spaced and in 12 pt. font.
Proposal Narrative
- Project Description (maximum length: one page)
- Provide a one-paragraph description of the completed CDP project for which you are applying. Note length, format and broadcast history.
- What themes, issues and subjects will be the focus of your public engagement activities?
- How will the humanities inform the proposed activities?
- Audience (maximum length: half a page)
- Describe the target audience(s) for your project. Provide estimates of size, demographics, and locations.
- Explain why the project’s issues, themes and subjects will be of interest and relevance to this audience.
- Activities (maximum length: two pages)
- Describe the public engagement activities for which you seek funding
- How will the proposed activities be designed and implemented? Provide detailed information, as applicable, on activities such as:
- Public screenings (program design, locales, venues and participants, etc.)
- Panel discussions (program design, participants, talking points, etc.)
- Educational materials (content overview, contributors, distribution outlets, etc.)
- Web-based activities (content, format, design, interactivity, social media, etc.)
- Other
- Identify and briefly describe public engagement partners (organizations or individuals, note whether confirmed or anticipated). Explain each partner’s role and responsibilities.
- How will the proposed activities complement non-CCH funded efforts to extend the reach of your work?
- Goals and Impact (maximum length: one page)
- What specific goals do you have for this project?
- How will your project deepen understanding and awareness of the subjects and issues described above and foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis by audiences?
- What other impact do you hope this project will have?
- How will these be evaluated?
- Personnel, Roles and Responsibilities
- Project Director: Please provide a half-page bio and description of role(s) and responsibilities
- Project Personnel: Provide brief one-paragraph bios, email addresses and roles and responsibilities of other project personnel (outreach coordinator, panelists, humanities advisors, writer, web designer, etc.)
- Sponsoring Organization (maximum length: one paragraph)
- Provide a brief description of the sponsoring organization. Please include the name of the organization’s executive officer.
- Explain the sponsoring organization’s role in the project.
- Fundraising Strategy (maximum length: one paragraph)
- Describe the strategy for raising additional funds necessary to complete the public engagement plan
- Provide information on all sources and amounts of project income received to date. List the status of other sources of funding currently under consideration, whether to be applied for or pending.
- Timeline (maximum length: one page)
Provide a timeline detailing major project activities from the beginning of the grant period, November 1, 2010, until completion. Please note that project activities for which you seek CCH funding cannot occur prior to funding notification and that the maximum term of this grant is one year (funded project activities must conclude by October, 31 2011).
Please provide the timeline in this format:
SAMPLE TIMELINE: Community Screenings and Panel Discussions December 2010 - Identify and establish partnerships with regionalcommunity organizations
- Contact list of potential regional screening venues (CSU campuses, libraries, community organizations)
- Distribute preview DVD copies to prospective venues
- Research potential panelists
January 2011 - Confirm panelists
- Begin design and production of publicity materials (poster, flyer, email announcement)
- Create and distribute MOU for screening venues and partners, detailing roles and responsibilities of each organization
February 2011 - With community partner and venue, publicize screenings
- Continue outreach to local communities
March 2011 - Hold first series of screenings and panels
etc.
- Work Samples
Required sample materials:
- Film and radio: two copies of the completed CCH-supported project (DVD/CD)
- New media: internet link(s) or two copies of the completed CCH-supported project (DVD/CD)Work samples should be mailed directly to CCH’s San Francisco office to be considered for review and must arrive before 5 pm on September 1, 2010.
- Project Budget (Excel template to be uploaded separately)
Public engagement projects may request up to $10,000. The grant request must be matched by at least a 1:1 amount of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. All contributions must be reflected in your project budget whether these funds are in place at the time of application or projected. Funds from NEH, state humanities councils or other federally-assisted programs may not be used as matching funds. See the Public Engagement FAQ for in-kind details.
Please download the public engagement budget template from the CCH website. The budget should reflect all itemized costs associated with the public engagement stage of the project, including previously spent funds, CCH grant funds, matching funds and funds yet to be secured. Please customize the budget template to reflect categories applicable to your project.
- Budget Narrative (maximum length: half a page)
Clarify any budget items that need a narrative explanation. For example, if travel is budgeted at $300, provide a breakdown of costs and explain here why this is necessary for the project (travel: 2 RT flights x $150 for travel to screening). The narrative should also be used to identify other project funders and sources of income. Give an estimate of individual support (names not necessary). Please include the budget narrative in the proposal narrative.