Jackson, Miss. — America250 Mississippi and the Mississippi Humanities Council are pleased to announce the first round of 2026 Legacy and Mini Grants awarded through the America250 Mississippi Grants Program.
America250 Mississippi grants are available to Mississippi-based nonprofits, educational, and local governmental organizations in support of educational and commemorative programming focused on the 250th birthday of the founding of the United States of America—projects that highlight Mississippi’s history, its innumerous contributions to the United States, and foster exploration of America’s founding ideals.
Legacy Grants provide up to $20,000 for large-scale projects that enhance a community’s capacity to explore and promote local history, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. Mini Grants allow for up to $5,000 for small-scale, grassroots projects and local activities commemorating America250.
The awardees and their project descriptions for this term are as follows:
Jackson-George Regional Library System (Legacy Grant)
Gulf Coast Mosaic: Living Histories of Mississippi’s Shore
The creation of an accessible digital archive of library collections, including oral histories, family and school records, local TV programs, and photographs of daily life, industry, and local businesses that shaped the Gulf Coast’s economy and culture, highlighting its role in the American story. Aligned with the vision of America250, this project will connect the county’s history to the larger currents of American history, fostering a sense of place and community pride.
City of Gluckstadt (Legacy Grant)
Threads of a Flag: The Story of Gluckstadt
Creation of a short documentary film about the founding and development of Gluckstadt, highlighting its early settlers and German heritage. Gluckstadt’s founding families, church history, and agricultural roots illustrate important American themes of freedom and opportunity. The film will be screened at the town’s annual Germanfest event.
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum (Legacy Grant)
Keepers of the Coast: Preserving Black History
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum will refurbish and update the historic Pleasant Reed House to tell the story of the Gulf Coast’s historic Black community through audio/visual exhibits and a documentary film entitled “Joys & Blues.” The exhibits will highlight the Coast’s role in the push for civil rights and connect this story to the national freedom movement to build a more perfect union.
University of Mississippi (Legacy Grant)
The Greenfield Farm Legacy Project
Funding to develop a traveling exhibit about Greenfield Farm, a working farm owned by internationally acclaimed Mississippi writer William Faulkner, which is in the process of being developed into a writer’s retreat. The exhibit will highlight Faulkner’s contributions to American literature and deepen Mississippians’ understanding of our state’s rich cultural history.
Union County Heritage Museum (Legacy Grant)
Creative Spirits exhibit
Funding to create a new interactive permanent exhibit highlighting Mississippians from Union County who had a national impact on American culture in literature, journalism, music, television, and art. The exhibit will show how north Mississippians have made a lasting mark on American culture and history.
Walter Anderson Museum of Art (Legacy Grant)
Walter Anderson Digitization Project
Project to digitize and preserve the museum’s treasured collection of Mississippi’s most important visual artist and create digital exhibits highlighting Anderson’s connections to the themes of America250, including “We the People,” “The Power of Place,” “Mississippi in the American Story,” and “Mississippi Traditions.”
Historical Society of Gulfport (Legacy Grant)
Founding Gallery – Gulfport Museum of History
Funding to create a new permanent exhibit about the founding and early development of Gulfport in the Gulfport Museum of History, located in the city’s historic train depot. The exhibit will highlight Gulfport’s role in the economic development of the United States, connecting with the America250 theme of “Mississippi in the American Story.”
Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum (Legacy Grant)
The Mississippi USO History Gallery
Creation of a new permanent exhibit about the history of the USO in serving soldiers stationed at Mississippi’s military bases. Interactive displays will highlight Mississippi’s strong support for the men and women in uniform who have played a vital role in protecting American freedoms.
Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center (Legacy Grant)
Seeds of Freedom Pavilion
Project to create an outside educational pavilion and interpretive signage highlighting the history of Black farmers in the struggle for freedom and the role of the Stoneville research center in American agricultural development. The exhibits will feature Mississippians who made a significant mark on America’s history and economy, including Fannie Lou Hamer and various research scientists at Stoneville.
Pearl River Glass Conservancy (Legacy Grant)
Windows of Mississippi: A Legacy of Place and People
Funding to launch a new online digital archive of historic stained glass throughout the state, featuring churches, government buildings, including the Mississippi state capitol, and civic structures. Aligns with the America250 themes of “We the People” and the “Power of Place” by showing the diversity of Mississippi’s faith communities and highlighting how our stained glass reflects local traditions and identity.
Museum of the Mississippi Delta (Legacy Grant)
Music Exhibit for the Museum of the Mississippi Delta
Creation of a new permanent exhibit that tells the story of music in the area around LeFlore County, including Blues pioneer Robert Johnson, country music legend Bobbie Gentry, and the music of the civil rights movement. The exhibit will highlight Greenwood’s role in the American civil rights movement and its contributions to the musical traditions that changed American culture.
The America250 Mississippi grant application portal is open and accepting applications for projects to be completed within the 2026 calendar year.
Alcorn State University (Mini Grant)
The Power of Place: Stories, Memory, and Heritage in the Alcorn Community
An oral history and digitization project that will use online exhibits to highlight the role of Alcorn State University in the expansion of educational and economic freedom, from the establishment of the school after the end of the Civil War to educate former slaves to its impact today. This project aligns with the America250 theme of “We the People,” tracking the expansion of freedom in America.
To learn more about upcoming grant opportunities, please visit America250.ms/grants. Communities are encouraged to visit the America250 Mississippi website frequently for news and updates about America250 Mississippi grants, including upcoming opportunities with America250 Mississippi partner, the Mississippi Arts Commission.
About America250 Mississippi:
America250 Mississippi is part of the America250 partnership to ensure the broadest possible participation by Mississippians during this historic commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the best of America.
To learn more about America250 Mississippi related programs, grants, and affiliated events, please visit America250.ms.
About the Mississippi Humanities Council:
The Mississippi Humanities Council is a private nonprofit corporation funded by Congress through the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide public programs in traditional liberal arts disciplines to serve nonprofit groups in Mississippi. The humanities are the study of history, literature, religion, languages, philosophy, and culture.
The Mississippi Humanities Council creates opportunities for Mississippians to learn about themselves and the larger world and enriches communities through civil conversations about our history and culture.
For more information, please visit mshumanities.org.