Help for Hosts

Planning to host an event for Ohio Open Doors 2026? This page provides resources you can use to prepare, promote, and successfully host your event. You will find guidance for submitting your event, accessing official Ohio Open Doors promotional materials, and applying for a stipend (if eligible).

Register Your Event First

If you are planning to host an event, the first step is to register your event, by completing the Event Registration Form

Registration ensures your event can be processed and included on the official Ohio Open Door statewide events map and Ohio History Connection events calendar. Stipend requests must be associated with a registered event.

Key Dates for Ohio Open Doors 2026!

Event Dates: September 10–20, 2026.
Early Bird Registration Deadline: July 13, 2026.

Event Promotion

Ohio Open Doors helps participating organizations promote their events as part of a coordinated, statewide initiative. Below you’ll find links to a sample press release and sample social media language, and Ohio Open Doors logos and posters to help you promote your event.

Need inspiration? Click here for event ideas.

Sample press release: a MS Word document which you can revise for your event.

Sample social media posts: sample posts you can adapt for your organization's social media

Stipend Request Information

To help smaller organizations promote their events, the Ohio History Connection is again providing a limited number of stipends to eligible organizations.

Stipend Guidelines

  • Purpose: To help offset the costs related to opening events free of charge, as required by Ohio Open Doors, or use to promote and host your event. Examples: stipends can be used to boost social media posts about your event, print flyers or postcards, or to provide refreshments.
  • Eligibility: Organizations with an annual budget under $50,000 or those with three or fewer paid staff members may apply for a stipend. The program retains the right to determine if an applicant meets eligibility requirements.
  • How many? Only one stipend per organization.
  • Stipend Request must be associated with a registered event (no registered event, no stipend).
  • Amount: $150 per organization.
  • Apply early! Stipends are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible organizations until funding is exhausted. Stipend payments will follow 2-3 weeks from the time a complete request is received.
  • To apply: Download the Stipend Packet and Instructions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.