Speakers

Speaker presentations are 45-60 minute lecture-style programs available to organizations in Delaware that serve public or school audiences. 

Host organizations request a Speaker and pay a fee to Delaware Humanities to host the program. Delaware Humanities pays the Speaker an honorarium for their presentation and mileage for their travel. Speaker programs designed for K-12 classrooms are designated with an approved grade range and are available to schools at no cost. Speaker programs must be free, open to the public, and serve residents of Delaware. 

As of August 2025, our fees for Speaker programs have changed. In prior years, the cost to host organizations was heavily subsidized with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). With cuts to the NEH and the loss of federal funding for state humanities councils, changes are necessary to ensure that our Speakers program remains operational and sustainable. 

Fees are now on a tiered system, based on your organization’s annual budget:

• $100 for nonprofits with a budget of up to $250,000 
• $150 for nonprofits with a budget of $250,000 to $1 million
• $200 for nonprofits with a budget of over $1 million
• Programs for businesses and other for-profit organizations will no longer be subsidized and are full price at $350.
• Programs for K-12 classrooms remain free.

This number reflects the budget of your individual site, not a parent organization. For example, if your library is part of a county system, or your senior center is part of a larger health system, find your tier using the budget line for your site and not the overall budget of your parent organization. 

We recognize that some organizations may not fit neatly into this system. If you have questions about which tier applies to you, please contact us. 

An organization can request four total Speaker presentations per year at the subsidized rate, subject to available funding. Once funds are depleted, programs will no longer be available at the subsidized rate. There is no limit to the number of non-subsidized (full price) programs an organization can host.

If you are interested in becoming a Speaker, we hold auditions annually. Click here for more information.

1. Select a program for your audience.
   • Please note that some programs are only for K-12 classrooms, some are not approved for classrooms, and some are for both–be sure to select the appropriate program for your audience/organization. You should allot 60-75 minutes for the program (presentations are 45-60 minutes, followed by time for audience questions), so please allow enough time for the program and questions at the end. 
2. Contact that Speaker. Set a time and date.
   • Once you have chosen a Speaker presentation from our catalogue, contact the speaker directly using the “Contact Speaker” button. Set a time and date that works for your site and for the Speaker and go over all that Speaker’s specific technology needs for your chosen presentation. 
3. Create/ login to your Foundant account.
   • This is the platform used to apply for any Delaware Humanities program or grant. For steps to create a Foundant account, click here. 
4. Fill out and submit the Speaker Request Application on Foundant.
   • Requests must be received at least four weeks before the intended date of your program. Note that your application will be rejected if you have any outstanding paperwork or payments due to Delaware Humanities. Your application may also be rejected if you’ve requested the same program twice in a six-month time frame. Please note that funding is limited, and we cannot guarantee that all requests we receive in a year can be accommodated.  
5. Digitally sign the Presentation Agreement.
   • You will be prompted by email to sign this document after your application has been submitted and approved. Failure to comply with the grant agreement will result in denial of future requests.   
6. Submit payment.
   • Submit your payment to Delaware Humanities via check. Mail to 3301 Green St, Suite 203, Claymont, DE 19701. Fees are tiered for nonprofits.
     • Nonprofit with a budget of up to $250k: $100 fee
     • Nonprofit with a budget of $250k to $1 million: $150 fee
     • Nonprofit with a budget over $1 million: $200 fee
     • Programs for businesses and other for-profit organizations are full price at $350.
     • Program for K-12 classrooms are free.
7. You have scheduled your program! See the next section for steps to successfully plan and execute your event and finish your reporting to us. 

If indicated in the application, Delaware Humanities lists the program on our website. Host organizations should also advertise their event in their community. Do not advertise your program before you receive approval and sign the presentation agreement. You can find tips and templates for advertising in the Speaker Host Toolkit below in Host Resources. 

In exchange for our sponsorship and promotional assistance, we expect hosts to credit Delaware Humanities in promotional materials and tell the audience that Delaware Humanities sponsored the program. For example, at the start of the program please say “This program is made possible in part by Delaware Humanities. Learn more at dehumanities.org.” Please spell out “Delaware Humanities” in all announcements. Use our logo on any physical or digital promotional materials you create—our logo is in the host toolkit. 

Contact Delaware Humanities and your Speaker immediately if there is ANY change in your program. If you must change the place, date, or time, call us at 302-657-0650 and email info@dehumanities.org. We will post cancellation and rescheduling information on our website and social media, as applicable. Alert your presenter, registered attendees, community, and media outlets as far in advance as possible with changes. Post notice of any change at the venue. 

Refer to the Program Host Checklist for detailed information about preparing for and hosting your event. 

At least one week before the date of your Speaker program, contact your Speaker again to confirm all details. Whether the program is virtual or in-person, it is the responsibility of the host organization to communicate with the Speaker about their technological needs for the program. Delaware Humanities will not provide any technological resources or assistance. 

Print and hand out Audience Evaluation forms to attendees. Collect these at the end of the program and return them to Delaware Humanities by mail or email. If the program is virtual, provide the link to audience members to the digital evaluation for virtual programs. Log in to your Foundant account (online) and complete the Program Coordinator Evaluation form within one week of your program. 

Speaker Host Checklist – Word Document

Speaker Host Toolkit – Word Document

Audience Evaluation Form – PDF

Creating an Account on Foundant – PDF and Video Instructions

Follow-up Forms on Foundant – PDF and Video Instructions (Note: the video shows Grant follow up forms, however the process for accessing and submitting your follow forms is the same)

Questions? Contact us for more information!

Please use the logo below in any social media posts!