Amerika Samoa Humanities Council Grant Program Guidelines 2017

“O le Tagata o Ananafi ma le Asō, e faatamaoaigā le Tagata o a Taeao” “The Individual of Yesterday and Today enriches the Individual of Tomorrow”

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Welcome! The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council (ASHC) is neither a state nor a federal agency, but instead, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), that supports projects which foster the individuals’ understanding and appreciation of the humanities. Support from the ASHC through a competitive grant program and council initiatives will enable community nonprofit organizations, cultural groups, educational institutions, and professional groups to organize humanities projects that are differ widely in audience, content, and form, but they would all have one thing in common; they will bring us closer to the world of ideas. A word about the National Endowment for the Humanities… In 1965 Congress passed legislation that established the National Endowment for the Humanities as a Federal Agency. The agency’s mission is to encourage humanities scholarship and education and to foster public understanding and appreciation of the humanities. In defining the humanities, Congress avoided any overarching definition of the term, preferring instead to identify a body of disciplines: history; philosophy; languages; linguistics; literature; archaeology; jurisprudence; the history; theory; and criticism of the arts; ethics; comparative religion; and those aspects of the social sciences that employ historical or philosophical approaches. Beyond certain areas of knowledge, the term humanities also involves processes such as careful reading and critical thinking, whereby these areas are analyzed, understood, and preserved. This publication provides an overview of the grant program sponsored by the ASHC, the criteria that applicants must meet in order to receive funding, and the procedure for grant applications.

PROGRAM THEME: The overarching program theme for FY 2017 is “Reimagining the American Samoa Dream.” This would be an opportunity for your organization to consider the social sciences through a historical and philosophical approach. We would support projects that will adress social issues that you are concern about in your community and is also common throughout the Territory. Projects should identify what the issue (s) are, and why it happens, and how we can resolve or improve human lives. Our forefathers once had a dream for a prosperous and peaceful world for American Samoa. They had ideas, explored different opportunities, and nourished our Samoan culture and language as the underlying forces to sustain our identity. Reimagining the American Samoa Dream as a nation is essential to inspire hope and not fear, and, to enhance the meaning of life. Grant

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Programs to be designed and proposed by community non-profit organizations should emphasize events and issues that would result in appreciation of the humanities through this year’s theme. As we begin the new year we must foster citizen understanding of our communities and others around us by asking what we were - and taking our time now into perspective and ask – what are we now?... GRANT CATEGORIES: Grant categories streamlines: The basic ASHC grant categories are classified into two: Mini Grant for projects not over $2500.00 in its cost, and Major Grant for projects with a minimum budget of $2501.00 and a maximum budget of $5000.00. Resource Center Grant and Development & Planning Grant are also available. See pages 6 & 7 for full explanation. PUBLIC MEETINGS: The ASHC Staff will host meetings throughout the Territory to introduce the Council’s grant programs. Call 633-4870/633-4871 for information about a public meeting in your area. The Council is also available to travel to areas of Tutuila and Manu’a to conduct public meetings or smaller workshops to explain the humanities. Call to arrange a public meeting in your community. EFFECTIVE DATES: The ASHC 2016 Program Guidelines apply to all proposals to be submitted to ASHC during the Program Year (November 1st, 2016 to October 31st, 2017). Three Grant Cycles are scheduled for the 2017 fiscal year. Interested applicants should take notice of the “IMPORTANT DATES” listed on page 10. Use these dates to determine the time frame of the proposed project. HUMANITIES: The Humanities may be thought of as ways to preserve, understand, and evaluate what the human beings have said, done, thought, and created. The specific academic disciplines encompassed by the term “humanities” in ASHC’s scope of work includes: Archeology Jurisprudence Literature Art History Linguistic Language Comparative Religion Ethics History Philosophy and Aspects of the social sciences which employ a philosophical or historical, rather than a quantitative approach. The humanities must be central to all ASHC – funded programs, either through direct study of one or more of the disciplines, or by employing a humanistic approach to give understanding on contemporary issues. The humanities should not be confused with particular philosophies, such as secular humanism, or specific social movements, such as humanitarianism. They should be also distinguished from the creative or performing arts. 3

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Any non-profit organization is eligible to apply for a grant. It needed not be incorporated or tax exempt. Individual applicants are not eligible. Content: Goals:

The humanities must be central, not tangential to the project. Goals should reflect analysis, exploration, or interpretation of the topic. ASHC does not support “how to” projects.

Scholars:

Projects must include humanities scholars in both the planning and implementation phases. (See “scholars” pg. 6)

Balance:

The project as a whole must balance and avoid advocacy of a particular social or political view.

Audience:

Projects should involve the adult, out-of-school public, disabled population, college, students, elementary and secondary students, and senior citizens.

ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED:     

Proposals from rural and/or inexperienced applicants, Projects which stimulate discussion between diverse groups, Innovative Program formats, especially urban projects which include a component for rural communities, Joint sponsorship by academic and community groups, Proposals responding to ASHC initiatives.

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES:          

Partisan objectives or advocacy, Operating costs and construction, Institutional development or academic credit, Travel to professional meetings outside of American Samoa, Scholarships and fellowships, Museum or Library acquisitions, Creative arts, performances, or ceremonies unless accompanied by interpretation, Most projects not open to all segments of the public, Profit making or fund raising activities, In-classroom activities during instructions time.

PROJECT PERSONNEL: If funded, first time applicants must send key personnel to a project director’s orientation with ASHC staff and other award recipients. Personnel time and travel for this meeting 4

must be calculated as cost share. The ASHC would like to ask all applicant organizations to be cautious of cases with conflict of interest when selecting a project director, humanities scholar and the authorized representative. Key personnel include:

1. PROJECT DIRECTOR: The project director is responsible for overall management of the program. The project director submits reports to ASHC, informs the Council of the progress and changes, and prepares the final evaluation report. The project director is also responsible for receiving and disbursing grant funds and keeping records. He/She must submit final financial reports to the ASHC office together with the final performance report of the project. The range of compensation of the Project Director is $150.00-$500.00. 2. SCHOLAR:

ASHC funded projects should include dialogue between humanities scholars and adult audiences. It is the role of the scholars to present, explain, or interpret events, ideas, beliefs, and other cultural contexts implicit in the program. A principal scholar should be someone from outside of the applicant organization; however, if a member of the organization is qualified to be the scholar, he/she shall serve as a Resource Person. Consequently, qualified scholars in the humanities must be involved in the planning and implementation of the program. This involvement will almost always guarantee a successful project. “Qualified Scholar” means someone having at least a master’s degree in the humanities discipline that is central to the project. ASHC also recognizes traditional leaders, elders and teachers as scholars when involved in projects that focus on Samoa’s history, language and culture. ASHC staff is available to help identify qualified humanities scholars. Compensation range is $150.00-$500.00. 3. RESOURCE PEOPLE:

The sponsoring organization should also employ resource people to assist in the development and implementation of the humanities projects. They could be individuals from the organization with knowledge and expertise in the area of humanities that is emphasized in the project. Each project may have up to two resource people. The compensation range per resource person is $75.00 - $150.00.

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4. OUTSIDE EVALUATOR:

An outside evaluator is required for both the Major and Mini Grant Programs. Compensation for the Outside Evaluator of a Major Grant is $150.00 and for a Mini Grant it is $100.00. The amount must be paid for through the grant award funds. The Outside Evaluator will be selected by the ASHC Staff and they will notify the project director.

GRANT PROGRAMS: The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council (ASHC) funds support four grant programs – Major, Mini, Development and Planning, and the Resource Center Grant. These grant programs must always show support of ASHC’s Mission, which is “to promote understanding and appreciation of the Humanities in American Samoa so that our people can live in peace and harmony.” Projects, which further this mission, may be structured in a variety of ways: conferences, lectures, group discussions, field trips, book discussions, and exhibition. Modest publications, and interpretation of performances. ASHC encourages innovative and creative project formats. Support is also available for projects that may not have a direct public concentration, but which can demonstrate an obvious benefit for the people of American Samoa: oral histories, American Samoa History Day, teacher seminars and in service programs. 

MAJOR GRANT: This category is for projects requesting more than $2,500.00 from ASHC, regardless of format. The ceiling for major grants is $5,000.00. This grant program utilizes a two stage application procedure. First, a preliminary application, “Will Apply Form” should be submitted to the Office, which is reviewed upon by the ASHC Staff. After the review, a final application will be forwarded to the applicant. The Final Application is acted upon by the full Council Membership. Use the “Will Apply Form” at the end of this guide to enter in to a Grant Cycle. The original and nine (9) copies of the final proposal must be submitted. DEADLINES: Three deadlines are observed for the Major Grant in 2015. The “Will Apply Form” is due in to the ASHC office on the following dates. First Cycle: Second Cycle: Third Cycle:

Jan. 6, 2017 April 28, 2017 August 25, 2017

The final application is due on the following dates: First Cycle: January 27, 2017 Second Cycle: May 19, 2017 Third Cycle: September 15, 2017 6

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MINI GRANT Mini grant allow applicants to submit proposals for low-cost short-range programs costing no more than $2,500.00. Interested applicants will not need to submit a Will Apply Form. Mini grant applications must still satisfy ASHC grant requirements and must submit a completed grant proposal. The proposals will be acted upon by the Full Council at its regular meetings. The original and nine (9) copies must be submitted to the ASHC Office by the deadline. DEADLINES: There are three (3) deadlines scheduled for the Mini Grant Program. The important due dates are: First Cycle: January 27, 2017 Second Cycle: May 19, 2017 Third Cycle: September 15, 2017

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DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING GRANT Proposal for Development Grant of up to $500.00 may be awarded to inexperienced applicants for program planning and grant writing assistance for proposals that will be submitted to ASHC. This grant is intended for small groups with limited staff or rural organizations where access to humanities scholars is limited. The award pays for the services of a consultant to visit the organization where access to humanities scholars is limited. The award pays for the service of consultant to visit the organization, talk with the planning committee about their program ideas, and assist in the proposal writing process. ASHC staff will help locate a qualified consultant if requested. ASHC will also conduct grant-writing workshops upon request from interested organizations. Please contact the ASHC office to request a grant – writing workshop. DEADLINE: Request for a Development & Planning Grant may be submitted at any time. A letter addressed to the ASHC Chairman and submitted to the ASHC Office at any regular working day is your application. The application will be acted upon by the ASHC Chairman and Executive Director. A brief narrative and a financial report must be submitted within 45 calendar days from the completion date of the project.

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RESOURCE CENTER GRANT: This quick response grant is available for small group discussion projects featuring scholars from the ASHC’s Speakers Bureau, or a book-discussion program.

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Interested applicants for the Book Discussion Program may target a book, a chapter of a book or pages of a book for discussion. A knowledgeable person on the topic of the selected material must be the discussion leader. Grant funds should cover honorarium and travel, equipment rental, and publicity. A maximum fund available for each Resource Center Project is $300.00. Any eligible non-profit organization may request for up to two speaker programs per fiscal year. DEADLINE: A letter addressed to the ASHC Chairman or the Executive Director and submitted to the ASHC Office on any regular working day is your application. The application will be acted upon by the Council Chairman and the Executive Director. A brief narrative and a financial report must be submitted within 45 calendar days from the completion date of the project. REQUESTING THE APPLICATION For the major Grant Programs, the “Will Apply Form” and the Final Application are available at the ASHC Office. Mini Grant Application Forms are also available at the office. The deadline for each Grant Cycle is advertised in the newspaper at least two or three weeks before the deadline. These dates are also presented in these guidelines on page 7 and 8. Any interested group may pick up these applications from the ASHC office, from Monday to Friday - 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. AGREEMENT Grantees should understand that acceptance of an award from ASHC creates a legal duty on the part of the grantee to use the funds in accordance with the terms of the grant and to comply fully with all provisions and conditions attached to the award. Non-compliance may result in the suspension or termination of the grant. ASHC reserves the right to terminate or suspend a grant with cause at its discretion. A detailed account of the grant provisions is included with each application packet. Applicants should know that Council passes along all federally mandated provisions dealing with civil rights, budget allocations, record keeping, reporting, licensing of ASHC funded books and media projects, and acknowledgement of ASHC in all funded activities and other general compliances issues. All applicant organizations receiving funds from ASHC as one of its cosponsor or major support must give full credit and recognition to the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Proper recognition to ASHC’s support is required in any publication and announcements done by the applicant organization. 8

In general, Council funds may be requested to cover any project-related activity, with the exception of food, beverage, and entertainment for the audience. Examples of eligible expenditures include honoraria for staff scholars, and consultants (including translators and sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired): printing and publicity; telephone; equipment and facilities rental; and project supplies. Upon approval of a grant award, the ASHC will hold ten percent (10%) of a grant award until the final financial and narrative reports and a booklet or a pamphlet of the project are submitted. COST SHARING: For all ASHC major and mini grant awards, the applicant organization is required to match all ASHC funds at a rate of 1 to 1. There are two acceptable ways to match; (1) Sponsor Cost Sharing, and (2) Third Party Gifts and Donations. 

SPONSOR COST SHARING: All ASHC grantees must share in the cost of their programs through contributing services, and goods(in-kind) to equal ninety percent (90%) of the requested ASHC funds. Examples of in-kind sponsor share include personnel time, facilities, equipment, and food and beverage that are not compensated with cash. There is no requirement at this time that the applicant contributes a Cash Cost Sharing.

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THIRD PARTY GIFTS AND DONATIONS: All ASHC Major and Mini Grant Grantees are required to match ten percent(10%) of the total ASHC funds requested through Third Party Cash Gifts and Donation. (see the Budget Form and the ASHC Application Cover Sheet). A Third Party Cash Gift may be made in any amount and may come from any source except federal funds or a co-sponsoring organization, relatives of any persons involved with the project. All eligible donations and gifts shall be verified by the ASHC Office first. An example of the Cost Shares above is as follows: if the applicant is requesting a major grant in the amount of $5,000.00 then 90% ($4,500.00) can be matched through in-kind share and 10% ($500.00) can be matched in third party gifts.

LIMITATIONS: The Council does not look favorably on budgets top heavy with administrative costs or excessive honoraria. Although the Council discourages groups from charging admission fees to ASHC-funded events, fees maybe charged to offset incurred expenses not covered by ASHC. Grant funds cannot be used to support profit-making or fund-raising figure; unused funds must be returned to ASHC.

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ASHC GRANTS - Important Dates FY 2017 GRANT TYPE

WILL APPLY FORM

Major Grant

FINAL APPLICATION FORM

Cycle 1

Jan. 6, 2017

January 27, 2017

Cycle 2

April 28, 2017

May 19, 2017

Cycle 3

August 25, 2017 September 15, 2017

Mini Grant Cycle 1

January 27, 2017

Cycle 2

May 19, 2017

Cycle 3

Sept. 25, 2017

NOTICE MAILED OUT

DATE PROJECT WILL BEGIN

Feb. 17, 2017

Any date after 2/17/2017 May 25, 2017 Any date after May 25/2017 Sept. 23, 2017 Any date after Sept. 23/2017 Feb. 17, 2017

Any date after 2/17/2017 May 25, 2017 Any date after 5/25/17 Sept. 23, 2017 Any date after 9/23/17

Resource Center Grant

N/A

Anytime

One week after application

2 – 3 weeks after applications is approved.

Development and Planning Grant

N/A

Anytime

One week after applications

2 – 3 weeks after application is approved.

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AMERIKA SAMOA HUMANITIES COUNCIL WILL APPLY FORM For MAJOR GRANT ONLY To request a Major Grant application packet, submit a copy of this form to ASHC on or before the proposal deadline (See IMPORTANT DATES pg. 10). Please answer all applicable questions. When staff sends the grant application packets, they will also include written comments and suggestions based on the information below.

I.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applicant: __________________________________

Non Profit: ___ yes ___ no

Address:____________________________________

Contact Phone:___________

Person to contact about this form:

II.

_________________________________________

GENERAL APPLICAITON INFORMATION

Project Title: ____________________________________________________________ Date(s) Project Will Begin:______________________ End: _____________________ Project Format (s):

______________________________________________________

Estimated Grant Request $

_________________________

How will funds be used?

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.

Describe the project in some detail.

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

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AMERIKA SAMOA HUMANITIES COUNCIL WILL APPLY FORM For MAJOR GRANT ONLY III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (cont'd from page 12)

2.

Explain how the humanities are integral to the project.

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 3. Who is the humanities scholar who has agreed to work on the project? How will he/she be involved in the planning and implementation? Do you plan to use resource persons? If yes, who are they?

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 4. Who is your intended audience? Why will this project be of interest to them and how will they be attracted?

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

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