Hello again! I've received a few questions regarding library eligibility for the future Gathering Grants mentioned in my previous email. I want to ensure you that libraries are eligible to apply for Gathering Grants just as you would be for any Michigan Humanities funding opportunity. Please reach out if you have any questions! Thanks so much, Estee Estee Nisbet (she/her/hers) Communications and Development Officer | eschlenner@mihumanities.org<mailto:eschlenner@mihumanities.org> Connecting, Sharing, Growing [A blue and white badge with gold ribbon Description automatically generated] Michigan Humanities PO Box 91 Marshall, MI 49068 Website<http://michiganhumanities.org> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHumanities> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mihumanities/?hl=en> Mission: Bringing people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations. ________________________________ From: Estee Schlenner via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2026 10:30 AM To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] You're invited: become a Gathering Partner today Michigan Humanities is thrilled to launch the Great Michigan Gathering<https://www.michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-gathering/>! This free, three-year statewide initiative builds community through the art of intentional gathering. Through a series of free programs, resources, and partnerships, the Great Michigan Gathering aims to unite communities across the state. Each year deepens the work of the previous year by using a framework that builds on connection, awareness, sharing, understanding, truth, and growth. It all begins October 8 at The Henry Ford. We’re kicking off our new initiative with an event featuring Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, whose work inspired the focus of this initiative. The event will be livestreamed to 100 community watch parties across Michigan. We want yours to be one of them. What is a Gathering Partner? The Great Michigan Gathering is built for organizations like yours, whose mission centers on bringing people together. As a Gathering Partner, you'll have access to: * A statewide network of organizations doing this work across Michigan. * Discussion guides and facilitation tools to lead meaningful conversations at your gatherings. * Personalized marketing materials to promote programming in your community. * The opportunity to apply for a Gathering Grant to bring public humanities programming to your community. Grants will be available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and Michigan Humanities will reach out to registered Gathering Partners when funding is available. How can your organization get involved right now? * Attend the October 8 kickoff<https://luma.com/uhmovy2o> at The Henry Ford, or host a watch party in your community that evening. * Share this invitation with other organizations in your network that should be part of this movement. Ready to join us? Register to become a Gathering Partner here.<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwl0hTTeVQiwpqdDYMHbjA6AgAe746BiH-H3lJJ-BPNkAe2A/viewform?usp=header> Please reach out to me with any questions! I'd love to hear from you. Best, Estee Estee Nisbet (she/her/hers) Communications and Development Officer | eschlenner@mihumanities.org<mailto:eschlenner@mihumanities.org> Connecting, Sharing, Growing [A blue and white badge with gold ribbon Description automatically generated] Michigan Humanities PO Box 91 Marshall, MI 49068 Website<http://michiganhumanities.org> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHumanities> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mihumanities/?hl=en> Mission: Bringing people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations.