Speakers Bureau, Open Book, Mini Grant, and Poetry Out Loud applications are now open for 2026-27!
The Mission of Humanities Iowa
To promote understanding and appreciation of the people, communities, culture, and stories of importance to Iowa and the nation.
What We Do
Founded in 1971, Humanities Iowa (HI) is committed to bringing the humanities to the public through grant making, publications, interactive programming and events.
We provide grants and partnerships to other non-profit organizations that further the humanities in the state, and we conduct our own programs that support the humanities across Iowa. Each year we serve over 250,000 Iowans with programming and projects like our Speakers Bureau. We have a strong commitment to sharing and supporting the humanities with all Iowans, and to bringing the humanities to life.
Which Application is Right for You?
Please review the descriptions below before beginning an application to ensure you select the program that best fits your project.
- Speakers Bureau: Apply to bring a humanities speaker to your community! Iowa nonprofits can choose from a wide variety of humanities-related programs and apply to host a speaker. Application fee: $50 per speaker/program.
- Open Book: Bring two culture bearers—or “Books”—to your library, school, or nonprofit organization to share chapters of their lives and engage in reciprocal conversation with your audience. Application fee: $100.
- Mini Grants: Seeking funding for a humanities project that doesn't fit within one of our existing Humanities Iowa programs? Iowa nonprofits can apply for up to $3,000 to support a humanities-related project. No application fee. We encourage prospective applicants to connect with Humanities Iowa staff before applying so we can help strengthen your proposal.
- Poetry Out Loud: This application is for teachers and organizers planning to host a Poetry Out Loud program or competition in their classroom, school, or community. No application fee.
Humanities Iowa is pleased to offer the 2026-2027 Speakers Bureau series with support from the State Historical Society, Inc. of Iowa.
The Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau brings insightful lectures and programs in the humanities to various organizations in Iowa, including:
- library groups
- professional associations
- arts councils
- churches
- PTAs
- local historical societies
- employee associations or any other non-profit adult community group
- colleges, community colleges, universities and public schools can apply if programs are geared toward and open to the general public.
Meet our speakers and read more about their presentations: humanitiesiowa.org/speakers/#find_a_speaker.
How to Schedule a Speaker:
Step 1: At least two weeks before the date of your program, contact your preferred speaker directly, explaining that you are requesting a lecture through the Humanities Iowa (HI) Speakers Bureau. Confirm that he/she is available on the date of your program. If the speaker you have chosen is not available, contact another speaker. Our staff will be happy to offer suggestions.
- Some speakers prefer to give talks only in the general region in which they live. If a speaker agrees to travel to your region, HI will compensate a speaker with a flat fee. No other travel costs will be covered by HI.
- It is important to remind the speakers you contact that the arrangement is tentative and depends on approval of an award from HI.
- Remember: Do not apply for a Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau presentation until you have contacted the speaker. Your application will not be processed by HI if you have not contacted your speaker first to determine their availability.
Step 2: After confirming your speaker's availability, submit your application online here. Send to HI at least ONE WEEK* before the date of your program. Please also include your $50 application fee by mailing a check to our PO Box (PO Box 881, Ames, IA 50010) or through our online payment system. Online payments are through Network for Good, which is also used for donations. If paying through Network for Good, please include a copy of your receipt with your application.
- Await notification from HI stating that HI has approved your application. Once approved, HI will send an award letter with an enclosed event evaluation and a publicity packet.
- It is important to plan ahead! Allow enough time for publicity — we want you to have a successful event with an audience of at least 20 people.
Step 3: After your event, return the one-page event evaluation and audience sign-in sheets to Humanities Iowa. For more details, visit our Speakers Bureau FAQs. For further questions, or if you have missed the two week deadline, please contact our Communications & Grants Director.
Open Book applications are now open for the 2026-27 cycle! Open Book, a partnership with CultureALL, is a story-sharing experience where trained Books (people) share chapters of their lives and facilitate a discussion around common themes.
During an Open Book program, you will get:
- An opening that prepares you for the story-sharing process.
- Small group break outs with fewer than 15 people per book.
- An Open Book story, followed by discussion.
- A second Open Book storyteller, followed by discussion.
- A closing to complete the experience.
How to schedule an Open Book event:
- Choose Books from the Open Book Catalog
- Confirm your event/program details
- Complete the application to request funding
The application fee for an Open Book event is $100. If this fee presents a financial challenge for your organization, please contact Grace Altenhofen at Humanities Iowa (grace-altenhofen@uiowa.edu) to discuss available options.
A mini grant is for organizations seeking funding for amounts up to $3,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants can generally expect to receive a funding decision within 6–8 weeks of submitting a complete application. We encourage applicants to submit mini grant applications at least six weeks before the start date of their project. Applications can be submitted online; a 1:1 cash or in-kind match is required.
Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed project engages the humanities and aligns with Humanities Iowa's mission. A strong application explicitly describes the humanities content of the project rather than assuming it is self-evident.
Applicants are encouraged to consult with grants staff by email or telephone. For additional information on this or other funding opportunities, visit our website at www.humanitiesiowa.org.
Welcome to Poetry Out Loud! Please use this form to register your school or organization to participate in this year's contest. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Finer at the University of Iowa Office of Community Engagement (leslie-finer@uiowa.edu) or Grace Altenhofen at Humanities Iowa (grace-altenhofen@uiowa.edu). The deadline to register to participate in the 2027 Iowa Poetry Out Loud state competition is Wednesday, January 27, 2027.