The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) two grants totaling $442,200.
The initial $200,000 grant was announced by the NEH on April 7 as one of $22.2 million in grants for 224 humanities projects across the country. Funds will be used to support humanities programs throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands that reflect the territory’s diverse communities and advance the public’s knowledge and understanding of humanities, culture, heritage and preservation.
“In these somber times, when every individual, community and organization in America is feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a joy to be able to announce new projects that will produce vibrant humanities programs and resources for the reopening of our cultural centers and educational institutions,” said NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. “These 224 projects exemplify the spirit of the humanities and their power to educate, enrich and enlighten.”
Following the initial announcement, the National Endowment for the Humanities was also allotted funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including additional grants to state humanities councils and other sub-awardees. CFVI will receive $242,200 to provide emergency funding to USVI museums, libraries, archives, historic sites and other nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.
According to CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown, “All of us at the Community Foundation are so very grateful for this grant from NEH, particularly at a time of such uncertainty for the Virgin Islands, our country and our world. This support is cause for celebration at a time when our community needs to have good things for our attention.”
“In alignment with the National Endowment for the Humanities’ goal to advance knowledge and understanding in the humanities, CFVI is honored to be providing leadership in promoting the humanities in our Virgin Islands,” said Baecher-Brown.
CFVI’s Grants and Programs Director Anna Wheatley Scarbriel explained that “funding will be used to bolster local humanities entities, as well as to enrich the lives of people throughout the territory through humanities education, lifelong learning and public humanities programming.”
CFVI will be working closely with NEH to develop the details of the funding opportunities for the USVI. Announcements will be forthcoming with details on the requests for proposals for both funding opportunities.
For information on the NEH’s use of CARES Act funds, visit: https://www.neh.gov/coronavirus.
For details on National Endowment for the Humanities announcement of $22.2 Million for 224 Humanities Projects Nationwide, visit the NEH website.
