Virginia Humanities aims to share and celebrate the diverse stories of all Virginians, promoting connection with the state's history and culture to foster understanding and community cohesion. As part of the nationwide network of humanities councils established by Congress and supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, it works to make the humanities accessible to all, focusing on non-partisan engagement and unified by strategic themes that embed the humanities in the daily lives of Virginians.
Virginia Humanities Grants aim to support a wide array of projects that delve into Virginia's history, cultural traditions, and the current issues its residents face. Specific causes supported by the grant include community forums, public discussions, history projects, academic conferences with public elements, educational resources, exhibits, festivals, teacher programs, lectures, media productions, project planning, print publications, and related research. The emphasis is on projects that bring forth a strong public component, engaging communities, educators, and the broader public in meaningful discourse and exploration of Virginia's rich heritage and contemporary challenges.