a new grant program by PA Humanities, focusing on BIPOC and rural communities

PA Humanities is proud to announce the launch of Wingspan, a new grant program to support BIPOC-led and serving or rural organizations doing community-based humanities work.

Wingspan draws its inspiration from the diverse organizations that make Pennsylvania thrive. Its mission is to help them soar and expand their possibilities by providing new resources, amplifying their voices, and cultivating additional space for creativity and connection.

The development of Wingspan was informed by adrienne maree brown’s Emergent Strategy – and our own emergent learning process. We will apply these practices with leaders across the state so they can extend their reach – spread their wings! – and work collectively to bring more equity to the humanities. This grant is a new and exciting extension of PA Humanities’ community-based humanities work and its research confirming BIPOC-led or serving organizations and rural organizations need better access to resources.

Through Wingspan, PA Humanities will provide $100,000 in flexible funding over two years to eligible organizations doing equitable humanities work in collaboration with their communities, with the generous support provided by Spring Point Partners. Funding can be used for programming, general operating expenses, marketing and communications, staff development and capacity-building. Grantees will join PA Humanities’ Wingspan Learning Community to meet with peers and learn together.

About Wingspan

  • Award amount: $100,000 multi-year grant

  • Application period opens: Week of August 28

  • Application deadline: Friday, September 29 by 5:00 p.m.

  • Eligibility: BIPOC-led and serving organizations or rural organizations doing community-based humanities work. Organizations or groups must be in PA and serve primarily PA residents. Fiscal sponsors are allowed.

  • Match Requirement: None

  • Additional requirement: Grantees join statewide, peer-supported learning cohort, the Wingspan Learning Community

  • Open to nonprofits and community groups that do at least some of their work in culture, arts, and/or humanities in Pennsylvania 

  • Grant guidelines and FAQs are available in Spanish

Materials and Collateral

Questions? We can help!

PA Humanities staff are happy to provide guidance on completing an application, determining eligibility, addressing budgetary questions, as well as troubleshooting technical difficulties with our electronic form. For any questions, please contact Jen Danifo at jdanifo@pahumanities.org.

Funding for Wingspan has been provided by Spring Point Partners.

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