- April 24, 2024
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by: Meshella E. Woods
Director of Curatorial Affairs/Grant Writer, AACS
Florida Humanities, the statewide nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has awarded to the African American Cultural Society Inc. a $9,000 grant for general operating costs to help recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AACS is a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street host site with plans to host several Smithsonian sponsored exhibitions. This along with current collections, new and recurring programs, events and workshops, requires AACS to have a solid strategic plan in place to comply with industry standards. Along with staff and technology costs, the ARP funding will predominately go toward institutional assessments and planning that will help AACS meet standards set by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of African American Museums.
The NEH received $135 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was approved by Congress this past spring. The state humanities councils, including Florida Humanities, each received a portion of the NEH award to support museums, archives, historic sites and other humanities-focused nonprofits. AACS was one of 129 organizations in Florida that was awarded ARP funding, totaling $1.88 million, from Florida Humanities. The grants are intended to meet immediate operational needs in order for organizations to remain viable and maintain delivery of public humanities programming and resources in their communities. Florida Humanities received 188 applications for ARP funding, with nonprofits requesting the most funds for staffing and utilities.
These funds, said Florida Humanities Executive Director Dr. Nashid Madyun, provide a safety net for the organizations so they can focus on other priorities, such as fundraising and creating programming.
“For smaller nonprofits, when bills are paid and staff are safe and intact, that type of alleviation is immeasurable,” he said. “Florida Humanities is honored to provide a lifeline to our state’s cultural and historic organizations, ensuring they continue to enrich their local communities, and the Sunshine State at large, for years to come.”
Funding for this grant was provided by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the American Rescue Plan and NEH’s Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan initiative. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this announcement do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
