One State. Many Stories. Gathering Together.

The Great Michigan Gathering is a free, three-year initiative that 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.

The Great Michigan Gathering is designed for organizations whose missions center on bringing people together. As registered Gathering Partners, organizations will 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. Eligible grant applicants include municipalities, tribal entities, PreK-12 schools, college/universities, and 501c3 nonprofits. Michigan Humanities will reach out to registered Gathering Partners when funding is available with more information.

Here are the current opportunities available to Michigan organizations:
 

  • Bring Great Michigan Gathering programming to your community.
  • Join the Gathering Partner community group to connect with partners across Michigan.
  • Share this information with other organizations in your network who should be part of the Great Michigan Gathering.

Program Timeline

November 2, 2026

Gathering Grants application opens. Learn more here.

Early 2027

Virtual programming and opportunity to host a watch party in your community. More details to come.

Contact

If you have questions or would like to discuss program partnership, please contact Estee Schlenner at eschlenner@mihumanities.org.

Register to be a Partner

Book clubs, libraries, churches, schools, cultural organizations, grassroots networks, museums, and other community-based groups are invited to become Gathering Partners.

Gathering Partner registration can be completed online by following this process:

  1. Submit the Gathering Partner registration form.
  2. A Michigan Humanities team member will be in touch after the registration form is submitted to provide next steps and opportunities currently available to partners.

Registered partners should incorporate the Michigan Humanities logo, Great Michigan Gathering logo, and this text into external publicity materials and/or intro remarks for Great Michigan Gathering programming: This event is part of the Great Michigan Gathering program presented by Michigan Humanities.