The 2025 Historic Preservation Grant Program, administered by the Monmouth County Historical Commission (MCHC), is designed to support the restoration of historic structures in Monmouth County. The program aims to preserve the architectural heritage of the county by providing financial assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations engaged in the preservation of these valuable structures. The grant offers matching funds, which require recipients to provide dollar-for-dollar contributions towards their projects. This ensures that both the MCHC and the applicants share responsibility for the preservation effort.

Municipalities and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the grant. However, active houses of worship are no longer eligible due to a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling. For any specific questions regarding eligibility, applicants are encouraged to contact MCHC directly. This restriction underscores the importance of clarifying the eligibility of a property or organization before investing time into the application process.

The grant provides matching funds with a minimum contribution of $500 and a maximum of $10,000. The competitive nature of the grant process means that applicants must clearly demonstrate the value and significance of their restoration projects. Highlighting the importance of the project to the local community and the historical significance of the structure will be key to securing funding. Applicants are encouraged to prepare early, as obtaining two reliable contractor bids—a requirement for the grant—can be time-consuming.

For the first time, the application process will be available online, offering a streamlined, user-friendly submission experience. Applicants must carefully follow the instructions provided in the online application to ensure their proposals are complete and competitive. The application deadline is Friday, November 1, 2024, and missing this deadline will disqualify the application from consideration for funding. It is essential to start preparing early to avoid last-minute issues with obtaining bids or completing the application.