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As the nonpartisan, nonprofit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Oklahoma Humanities (OH) annually shepherds more than $250,000 of federal funding back into Oklahoma communities by awarding grants to museums, libraries, universities, historical societies, and more.

In 1971, Oklahoma joined five other states in an NEH pilot program that established a grassroots network to ensure federal funding reached communities most at need. The pilot was so successful there are now 56 councils across the country. Oklahoma is proud to be one of the first.

For 50+ years, OH has administered the distribution of over $42 million in federal funds from the NEH to all 77 Oklahoma counties and all 5 Congressional Districts. Grantees are required to match funds 1:1 in this partnership, fostering local involvement and investments that maximize the efficacy of the programs and the efficient use of government money.

Use the following links to explore our impact in 2024:

Statewide

Congressional District 1 | Congressional District 2 | Congressional District 3 | Congressional District 4 | Congressional District 5

In addition to our standard grant cycle, we also distribute federal funds during times of emergency. More than 50 cultural and educational organizations received nearly $700,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funding in 2021. Grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants and covered general operating expenses at museums, archives, historic sites, and other nonprofits recovering from the pandemic. 

The ARP funding followed our distribution of nearly $500,000 in CARES Act funding in 2020. CARES grants allowed cultural institutions to retain humanities jobs, continue operations, and shift programs and resources online at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.