Spring 2023 Action/Innovation Grant Awardees
July 20, 2023
Delaware Humanities Awards Over $70,000 to Ten Organizations
Delaware Humanities is excited to announce the awarding of over $70,000 in funding to ten organizations across the state as part of its Spring Action/Innovation grant initiative. The awardees are as follows:
Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc. (Wilmington, DE) — $7,500
Network Delaware (Wilmington, DE) — $10,000
Delaware Art Museum (Wilmington, DE) — $5,000
Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware (Wilmington, DE) — $5,000
University of Delaware, Center for Material Culture Studies (Newark, DE) — $5,400
Delaware Historical Society (Wilmington, DE) — $10,000
ACLU of Delaware (Wilmington, DE) — $10,000
Cityfest, Inc. (Wilmington, DE) — $3,000
Jewish Historical Society of Delaware (Wilmington, DE) — $10,000
Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village (Wilmington, DE) — $5,000
The application process was extremely competitive this year, as noted by Delaware Humanities’ Grant Officer, Erin Samarasinghe: “We were pleased to receive nearly double the number of applications for Action/Innovation Grants than we typically receive for a Spring cycle. Because of that, our review process was more competitive, and the organizations that received funding for their projects set themselves apart by demonstrating rich, multilayered engagement with humanities content that is both accessible and impactful to Delaware’s diverse communities.”
Delaware Humanities’ Culture and Community core concept starts July 1st, making the timing of these grants important not only to our state, but to the various cultures and communities within it. Continuing to support these organizations with grants and programs will further the humanities efforts and lead to important discussions that will be a benefit to all who participate.
“I am thrilled that the Wilmington Black Storytelling Residency has received the Delaware Humanities Subaward,” said TAHIRA Akua, project leader and director for the Wilmington Black Storytelling Residency, a first-time recipient of the Action/Innovation award within Delaware Humanities. “This funding supports the scholarship portion of the residency, such as teaching the participants about the historical and folkloric connections to the continent of Africa to present-day African American oral storytelling (Black storytelling) … Our vision is to create a Black storytelling residency known for encouraging and nurturing storytellers to use Black storytelling to illuminate the African Diaspora experience (past and present), speak truth to power, and be of service to our community.”
Delaware Humanities has Opportunity Grants (up to $5,000) available on a rolling basis. The next Letter of Inquiry for the next round of Action/Innovation grants opens on September 15.