APPLY NOW FOR FREE COLLEGE CLASSES; Deadline: August 1

The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for The Odyssey Project, a free, eight-month college humanities course for adults living on low incomes. Classes will begin in mid-September at Donoghue School on the south side of Chicago and at the Howard Area Community Center in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago.

The Odyssey Project requires that applicants be at least 18 years old, live in a household with income at or below 150% of the Federal poverty level, and be able to read a newspaper in English. Tuition, books, on-site baby-sitting, and bus cards are free. Bard College grants a certificate of achievement to any student who completes the course and awards six transferable college credit hours to those who complete it at a high level of achievement. To apply download and complete the application.

For more information on The Odyssey Project, visit prairie.org/OdysseyProject or call Amy Thomas Elder at 312.422.5580.

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The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) invites non-profit organizations to apply for its next cycle of mini grants of up to $2,500 by its April 15, 2008 deadline. The deadline for the next cycle of major grants (up to $10,000 ) is July 15, 2008.

Any non-profit group, organization, or institution is eligible to apply for financial support from the Illinois Humanities Council for a public project in the humanities, including documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects. Mini Grants are restricted to organizations with annual budgets under $1 million dollars or organizations applying for new or experimental programs. The IHC makes it a priority to fund projects developed by, for, or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences. The IHC encourages applications for projects about American history and culture.

Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines on the IHC's website. Copies of the grant information may also be requested by sending an e-mail or by calling 312.422.5580. IHC program officers are available for consultation at this number as well, and applicants are encouraged to submit a draft proposal prior to final deadlines.

For further information about the IHC or the grants program, please contact us at 312.422.5580 or visit our website at prairie.org