BNHA Heritage Investment Grant Program (HIG)

Content about Heritage Investment Grant Program (HIG)

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Application Deadline: June 1, 2023 (11:59 pm)

The Baltimore Heritage Area Association, the management entity of the Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA), manages the Heritage Investment Grant Fund. This grant is a source of federal funding designed to provide small, but strategic investments in cultural heritage tourism projects within the geographic boundary of the national heritage area and which align with the U.S. National Park Service's priorities. The Heritage Investment Grant provides funds for non-capital projects. Eligible projects must address or complete a priority activity identified in and consistent with the goals, objectives, strategies, and actions outlined in the 2013 Baltimore National Heritage Area Comprehensive Management Plan.

The following non-capital project categories, located within the national heritage area’s boundary, are eligible (map below in FAQ). All requests can be up to $20,000 with a required dollar-for-dollar match (25% of match can be in kind).

  • Capacity-building Support
  • Operating Support
  • Historic Preservation
  • Collections Care and Conservation
  • Heritage Tourism Events
  • Land, Water, Environmental Conservation (to include archeology)
  • Recreational Projects and Trails Programming
  • Education and Interpretation
  • Marketing and Outreach

* For the exception of capacity-building, operating support requests, and marketing grant applications all proposed projects must have a public facing component or plan (in-person or virtual) that is detailed in the application that will attract visitors to the project, site, collection, or demonstrate value in advancing heritage tourism within Baltimore's national heritage area's boundary.

Please reference the guidelines below for more detailed requirements.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Your project has to be located within the national heritage area boundary (please see map). Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or units of local government (Baltimore City) qualified to do business in Maryland, and have the legal capacity and authority to incur obligations involved under the grant program.


GETTING STARTED WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS

  • BNHA uses an online system for the grant process, which you can access once the grant cycle begins. Create a user account to allow you to save a working version of your application before final submission. If you have applied for grants with BNHA in the past, you can use the same User ID and password.
  • First-time applicants are encouraged to email the Grants Portfolio Manager at dwalterdavis@baltimoreheritagearea.org to discuss their proposed project and to ask any questions on the application process.
  • The 2023 grant guidelines are available below. Application instructions are included in the online application for each question. 
  • Your grant application must include a specific budget form. A link to this form is provided below.

FORMS FOR YOUR APPLICATION

Begin the Grant Application

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When does the grant round open? When are applications due?

Can I meet with heritage area staff to discuss my project?

How much grant funding can I request?

Equity Map/HA boundary

PREVIOUS AWARDS

2022 GRANT AWARDS ($250,271 for nineteen projects)

2021 GRANT AWARDS ($160,451 for thirteen projects)

2020 GRANT AWARDS ($105,000 for ten projects)

2019 GRANT AWARDS ($102,150 for twelve projects)

2018 GRANT AWARDS ($110,946 for twelve projects)

2017 GRANT AWARDS ($100,800 for twelve projects)

2016 GRANT AWARDS ($100,200 for nine projects)

2015 GRANT AWARDS ($100,000 for eight projects)