Connecting people to the history, literature, and culture of Connecticut; encouraging curiosity, understanding, and critical thinking through grants, programs, and partnerships.
Connecticut Humanities Council Inc has used large, repeated awards to keep Connecticut museums open to children and families in the summer, with multiple seven-figure grants tied to free admission programs at institutions such as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and the Connecticut Science Center. Those awards sit alongside support for historical societies, performing arts organizations, tribal cultural institutions, and public humanities projects across the state. The foundation’s work is centered on Connecticut history, literature, and culture, with grants also used for exhibitions, public programs, and organizational support. In the recent grant list, Sea Research Foundation Inc Dba received $2,700,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for summer museum access, while Mystic Seaport Museum Inc received $1,500,000 in 2024 and 2025 for the same broad program area. Another large grant went to Connecticut Zoological Society Inc, also for summer museum access, showing that the foundation has sustained a state-level strategy around fee-free cultural access for children. Its stated program line also includes planning, implementation, and capacity support for humanities work.
One major thread is museum access for children and families. Connecticut Humanities Council Inc awarded $2,700,000 to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for CT Summer at the Mus, and $1,500,000 to Connecticut Zoological Society Inc for the same program area. A second thread is general operating support for cultural institutions. The Connecticut League of History Organizations received $800,001 for CT Cultural Fund Ope, while the Goodspeed Opera House Foundation received $390,000 for the same operating-support line. The foundation also backs public humanities and media projects: Connecticut Public received $500,000 for How Housing Policy, and Connecticut Public Affairs Network received $250,000 for Kid Governor and CT. In addition, it has supported DEAI-related process work, including $500,000 to Mystic Seaport Museum Inc for DEAI: External Proc.
Typical grants cluster in the low five figures: p25 is $6,100, median is $9,100, and p75 is $17,900. The recent list also shows that the foundation makes both small program grants and very large strategic awards, including multi-million-dollar funding for museum access. Grants recur across years for some recipients, with several organizations appearing in both 2024 and 2025. Connecticut Humanities Council Inc is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and the active programs listed accept unsolicited applications.
Current and upcoming funding from Connecticut Humanities Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly, or a Connecticut municipality, or a Connecticut-based federally or state recognized tribe. Minimum 1:1 match required.
Deadline: October 1, December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1
$11.6M
$2.3M
$14.1M
$14M
Most grants fall between $6K and $18K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$18K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in CT.
JASON MANCINI
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Grantmaking is entirely in Connecticut, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grantees are spread across the state, including Hartford, Norwalk, Mystic/Stonington, Bridgeport, New Britain, East Haddam, Ridgefield, Greenwich, Stamford, and Mashantucket. Hartford appears frequently among recipient cities, while coastal museum and cultural institutions also receive substantial support. The recipient-country distribution is exclusively U.S.-based.
The foundation supports museums, historical organizations, libraries, cultural nonprofits, and public humanities groups in Connecticut. Recent awards include museum access funding, operating support for cultural nonprofits, and grants for exhibitions, public programs, interpretive digital media, and planning work.
Yes. The active programs listed for Quick Grants, Planning Grants, Capacity Grants, Implementation Grants, and CT Culture Lab all say they accept unsolicited applications.
The grant-size distribution is relatively small for many awards: p25 is $6,100, median is $9,100, and p75 is $17,900. The foundation also makes much larger awards for selected statewide initiatives, including multi-million-dollar grants.
Its giving is local and entirely in Connecticut. The data shows 100% of grants to recipients in CT, with recent grantees in cities including Hartford, Norwalk, Mystic/Stonington, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Greenwich.
Active programs include Quick Grants, Planning Grants, Capacity Grants, Implementation Grants, and CT Culture Lab. The program descriptions point to humanities projects, project planning, capacity building, leadership development, and public humanities work, all in Connecticut.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Who can apply: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly, or a Connecticut municipality, or a Connecticut-based federally or state recognized tribe. Minimum 1:1 match required.
Deadline: November 1, 2026; May 1, 2027
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK | NORWALK, CT | $2,700,000 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| SEA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC DBA | STONINGTON, CT | $2,700,000 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER | HARTFORD, CT | $1,500,000 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $1,500,000 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM INC | STONINGTON, CT | $1,500,000 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN | NORWALK, CT | $192,358 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF HISTORY ORGAN | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $135,000 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $128,976 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT AERONAUTICAL HISTORIC A | WINDSOR LOCKS, CT | $87,006 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT ARTS ALLIANCE INCORPOR | KENT, CT | $62,500 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| CONNECTICUT PUBLIC AFFAIRS NETWORK | HARTFORD, CT | $56,250 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| KIDSPLAY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC | TORRINGTON, CT | $55,437 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| NORWALK SEAPORT ASSOCIATION INC | NORWALK, CT | $53,572 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| DISCOVERY MUSEUM INC THE | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $49,891 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL | MILFORD, CT | $45,000 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| RAILROAD MUSEUM OF NEW ENGLAND INC | THOMASTON, CT | $44,170 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION | MASHANTUCKET, CT | $35,435 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| NEWTOWN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | NEWTOWN, CT | $32,860 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| FAIRFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $26,571 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PLANNING GRANTS |
| MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM INC | STONINGTON, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| CONNECTICUT RIVER FOUNDATION AT STE | ESSEX, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PLANNING GRANTS |
| CONNECTICUT HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM | OLD LYME, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PLANNING GRANTS |
| WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC TH | WESTON, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| NEW HAVEN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP GRANTS |
| SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSI | NEW HAVEN, CT | $24,982 | 2025 | PLANNING GRANTS |
| LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM | NORWALK, CT | $24,500 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| LUTZ CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | MANCHESTER, CT | $20,623 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF SOUTHEASTERN C | EAST LYME, CT | $20,610 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| THE BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSN | EAST HAVEN, CT | $20,183 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORDMAURICE GREE | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $19,182 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| THE MARK TWAIN MEMORIAL | HARTFORD, CT | $19,058 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOCI | EAST WINDSOR, CT | $17,205 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| REAL ART WAYS | HARTFORD, CT | $13,212 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| ELI WHITNEY MUSEUM | HAMDEN, CT | $12,680 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| MYSTIC MUSEUM OF ART INC | GROTON, CT | $12,360 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| OLD NEW-GATE PRISON & COPPER MINE | EAST GRANBY, CT | $10,926 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| QUEEN ANN NZINGA CENTER INC | PLAINVILLE, CT | $9,999 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY INC | HARTFORD, CT | $9,999 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| ANTIQUARIAN & LANDMARKS SOCIETY INC | HARTFORD, CT | $9,999 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| NORTH HAVEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY | NORTH HAVEN, CT | $9,990 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| AMERICAN SCHOOL AT HARTFORD FOR T | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $9,960 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| MATTATUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY | WATERBURY, CT | $9,770 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FOUNDATIO | MANSFIELD, CT | $9,766 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION GRANT |
| DENISON PEQUOTSEPOS NATURE CENTER | STONINGTON, CT | $9,722 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| FAMILY CENTER DBA IMAGINE NATION | BRISTOL, CT | $9,681 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM | OLD LYME, CT | $9,608 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
| YELLOW FARMHOUSE EDUCATION CENTER | STONINGTON, CT | $9,230 | 2025 | CAPACITY GRANTS |
| CONNECTICUT MUSEUM OF CULTURE AND H | HARTFORD, CT | $9,023 | 2025 | CT SUMMER AT THE MUS |
THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK
$2,700,000CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
SEA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC DBA
$2,700,000CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER
$1,500,000CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY INC
$1,500,000CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM INC
$1,500,000CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN
$192,358CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF HISTORY ORGAN
$135,000PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC
$128,976CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT AERONAUTICAL HISTORIC A
$87,006CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT ARTS ALLIANCE INCORPOR
$62,500PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
CONNECTICUT PUBLIC AFFAIRS NETWORK
$56,250PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
KIDSPLAY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INC
$55,437CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
NORWALK SEAPORT ASSOCIATION INC
$53,572CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
DISCOVERY MUSEUM INC THE
$49,891CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL
$45,000PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
RAILROAD MUSEUM OF NEW ENGLAND INC
$44,170CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION
$35,435CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
NEWTOWN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$32,860CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
FAIRFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$26,571CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000PLANNING GRANTS
MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM INC
$25,000IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
CONNECTICUT RIVER FOUNDATION AT STE
$25,000PLANNING GRANTS
CONNECTICUT HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM
$25,000PLANNING GRANTS
WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC TH
$25,000IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
NEW HAVEN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF
$25,000PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSI
$24,982PLANNING GRANTS
LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM
$24,500IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
LUTZ CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$20,623CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF SOUTHEASTERN C
$20,610CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
THE BRANFORD ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSN
$20,183CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORDMAURICE GREE
$19,182IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
THE MARK TWAIN MEMORIAL
$19,058CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOCI
$17,205CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
REAL ART WAYS
$13,212CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
ELI WHITNEY MUSEUM
$12,680CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
MYSTIC MUSEUM OF ART INC
$12,360CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
OLD NEW-GATE PRISON & COPPER MINE
$10,926CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
QUEEN ANN NZINGA CENTER INC
$9,999CAPACITY GRANTS
EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY INC
$9,999CAPACITY GRANTS
ANTIQUARIAN & LANDMARKS SOCIETY INC
$9,999CAPACITY GRANTS
NORTH HAVEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$9,990CAPACITY GRANTS
AMERICAN SCHOOL AT HARTFORD FOR T
$9,960CAPACITY GRANTS
MATTATUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$9,770CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FOUNDATIO
$9,766IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
DENISON PEQUOTSEPOS NATURE CENTER
$9,722CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
FAMILY CENTER DBA IMAGINE NATION
$9,681CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM
$9,608CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
YELLOW FARMHOUSE EDUCATION CENTER
$9,230CAPACITY GRANTS
CONNECTICUT MUSEUM OF CULTURE AND H
$9,023CT SUMMER AT THE MUS
