A singular achievement of Federal/State Partnership has been the establishment, in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam of 56 continuing nonprofit organizations which have succeeded at serving as the link between the humanities and the interests and concerns of the States' citizens. In the last year, councils supported thousands of programs that reached millions of Americans. Councils are continuing to design and sponsor programs and produce materials that reach new audiences. In 2005 reports indicate that 48 councils sponsored K-12 teacher projects for a total of 158,182 participants; 42 councils sponsored literacy programs that drew 340,049 participants; 1,168,705 participated in reading and discussion programs; 5,598,165 participated in local history projects; 1,169,748 attended scholar-led seminars, conferences, and lectures; and 340,794 people attended Chautauqua type performances. Council-funded exhibitions attracted approximately ten million visitors, while council-funded media projects attracted 200 million viewers. Finally, some 534,073 students participated in council-funded projects.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants may be used to fund local, statewide, and regional humanities projects, subject to guidelines determined by each State humanities council.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Nonprofit citizen councils in the several States and territories which conform to the requirements of 20 U.S.C.

956(f).

If the State matches a certain percentage of the Federal grant and meets other legislated requirements, the Governor may designate the existing Council as a State agency.

The resulting agency becomes an eligible applicant.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State and local governments; sponsored organizations; public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations; other public institutions/organizations; Federally recognized Indian tribal governments; Native American organizations; U.S. Territories; non-government general; minority organizations; other specialized groups; and quasi-public nonprofit institutions which apply directly to the State Humanities Council.

Credentials/Documentation

Submission of an annual compliance plan and a self-assessment every five years from the council. Compliance requirements are outlined in 20 U.S.C. 956(f). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-122 as amended for nonprofit organizations. Currently, the 56 councils are excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.

A-102.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Filing of a compliance plan is required from all councils annually and a self-assessment every five years. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedures

Compliance plans are reviewed by Federal/State Partnership staff. Self-assessments are reviewed by teams of visiting scholars and other professionals. Awards are made by the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities after recommendation by the National Council on the Humanities.

Deadlines

June 1 for annual compliance plans. Timetable for submission of self-assessment material is flexible.

Authorization

National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, Public Law 89-209, 20 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Variable: Six months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

As established by the Congressional funding formula, each State council receives $200,000 of the definite funds appropriated to Federal/State Partnership. Of the remaining funds, 44 percent is divided equally among the States which have a population of 200,000 or more, 22 percent is allocated to each council on the basis of population, and 34 percent is awarded at the discretion of the Chairman of the agency. Total matching of the grant on a one-to-one basis is required. Source: 20 U.S.C. 956 (f)(4).

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Thirty-six months. Funds must be expended during the grant period. Funds are released as required.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Compliance plans are required annually.

Cash report and an expenditure report are required quarterly.

Final expenditure reports are due within 90 days after completion or termination of project support by NEH.

Audits

For nongovernmental recipients, audits are to be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in OMB Circular No. A-110, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations Uniform Administrative Requirements" and with OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations." In addition, grants are subject to inspection and audits by NEH and other Federal officials.

Records

Documentation of expenditures and other fiscal records must be retained for three years following the submission of the final expenditure report.

Financial Information

Account Identification

59-0200-0-1-503.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $38,818,257; FY 08 est $31,215,000; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range of assistance was $238,600 to $1,644,700; average $686,270.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

45 CFR 1100 and 1105. Information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and program guidelines are available online at http://www.neh.gov/ or upon request from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, DC 20506. Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, is the Endowment's official publication, "Humanities" by subscription (6 issues annually, $24.00 domestic, $30.00 foreign). Addresses and phone numbers for the 56 State humanities councils are available from Federal/State Partnership, NEH, Room 603, Washington, DC 20506, and from the NEH web site, http://www.neh.gov.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Located in each State. Addresses available from National Endowment for the Humanities.

Headquarters Office

Federal/State Partnership, National Endowment for the Humanities, Room 603, Washington, DC 20506. Telephone: (202) 606-8254. Fax: (202) 606-8365. E-Mail: fedstate@neh.gov. Use the same telephone number for FTS.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Each State council sets its own guidelines and criteria for assessing proposals, which are widely disseminated within the State. The criteria for State council funding from NEH are established in the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. Section 950, 956, and by the NEH Federal/State Partnership.