Looking Ahead: 2026 Grantee Updates & Opportunities
Features
BB Cooper Browne
December 22, 2025
Dear Illinois Humanities Grant Seekers,
On April 2, 2025, Illinois Humanities learned that our current funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) had been terminated. Despite this, we were able to continue our grants program through the fiscal year without interruption.
During difficult times it is your work that keeps our communities connected. We are grateful for your resilience and continued demonstration of the power of the humanities.
Looking ahead to 2026, our grants program will continue to provide opportunities for public humanities programming in Illinois.
Here is what you can expect:
Application Process Changes: Two-step Application Process
To better accommodate a larger statewide applicant pool, the following two-step application process has been implemented in the 2026 Project Grants cycle:
- A letter of intent opportunity will be posted online: The “letter of intent” or "LOI" is a short proposal form focused on applicant eligibility and brief program details.
- Illinois Humanities will review all letters of intent and invite up to 30 proposals to submit a full application.
Project Grant Category Changes
Previously, Project Grants had three categories: Action, Multiplier, and Vision. There will be two categories this year:
Project Grants: Proposals by a single organization or an individual.
- Request up to $4,000
- Organizations and Individuals are eligible
Collaborative Project Grants: Projects that will be implemented by at least two organizations working together.
- Request up to $10,000
- Organizations are eligible
Application Timeline for Both Categories:
- LOI Request Posted: Friday, January 16, 2026
- LOI Request Closes: Friday, February 13, 2026
Watch the Project Grants Information Session Webinar held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Activate History Microgrants and General Operating Grants Updates
Activate History Microgrants will lapse during 2026. We look forward to offering this opportunity again in the future.
More information regarding the General Operating Grants will be announced in the coming weeks.
Envisioning Justice Grants Updates
Individual and Organization grants for Envisioning Justice will be offered in 2026. However, there will be a two-step process for each category:
- A letter of intent opportunity will be posted online: The “letter of intent” or "LOI" is a short proposal form focused on applicant eligibility and brief program details.
- Illinois Humanities will review all letters of intent and invite up to 30 proposals to submit a full application.
Application Timeline for Both Categories:
- LOI Request Posted: Friday, May 1, 2026
- LOI Request Closes: Friday, June 12, 2026
There will be an information webinar for Envisioning Justice Grants held on Friday, April 3, 2026. Stay tuned for the registration link.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you and if you have any questions about the grants program, you can reach out to our team via email: communitygrants@ilhumanities.org.
Sincerely,
The Illinois Humanities Grants Team
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787 Fax
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Illinois Humanities respects the privacy of its audiences and will at no time sell or distribute personal information to any party not directly affiliated with Illinois Humanities and its programs.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
© Copyright 2026 Illinois Humanities