Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a nonprofit dedicated to activating the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities aimed at fostering reflection, sparking conversation, building community, and strengthening civic engagement. Focused on providing high-quality humanities experiences in Illinois, especially for marginalized communities such as communities of color, low-income individuals, rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and those impacted by mass incarceration.
The Envisioning Justice Grants are project-based funding aids designed for collectives, nonprofits, and other groups employing arts and humanities to envision a just society. This initiative supports programs like prison education, independent media, community dialogues, and conferences, aiming to deepen understanding of mass incarceration and its community impacts in Illinois. The grants prioritize projects that have regional or statewide reach, encourage partnerships, and focus on populations significantly affected by or involved in mass incarceration, including diverse and minority groups. The grant offers up to $10,000, with additional funds available for making events more accessible or for media services.