Mass Humanities supports the exploration of humanities to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and our current society, drawing from history and the critical examination of values, beliefs, and cultural heritage.
The grant program focuses on supporting public readings of Frederick Douglass's speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” across the Commonwealth. It encourages community participation through group readings in diverse venues, aiming to provoke reflection on the legacy of slavery and the values of democracy. Mass Humanities offers grants to organizations that orchestrate these events, highlighting the significance of local engagement in historical reflection and democratic discourse. The program allows for a cost-share match to be met entirely through in-kind contributions, making it accessible to a wide range of organizations.