The FY 2025 Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Maryland Department of Planning. The program is designed to promote the acquisition, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic properties throughout Maryland. Funding for the program comes through an annual appropriation from the State of Maryland, typically totaling $600,000 per year. These funds are awarded through a competitive grant process to support projects that preserve properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The program accepts applications from nonprofit organizations, local governments, businesses, and individuals. Nonprofit organizations are not required to provide matching funds; however, all other applicants must provide a one-to-one dollar match for any grant award. Federal and state government entities can apply under nonprofit status, but projects involving properties they own generally do not rank highly due to easement requirements that cannot be met for such properties.

Eligible projects include the acquisition of historic properties, rehabilitation or restoration work, and predevelopment costs like studies, surveys, and architectural or engineering plans directly tied to pre-construction efforts. Predevelopment costs are only eligible for nonprofit organizations and local government applicants. Work that is already completed or underway is not eligible for funding. Projects must also comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties, and grantees must convey a preservation easement to the Maryland Historical Trust.

Eligible properties are limited to those that are already listed in or have been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Religious structures are eligible for funding but only for exterior work and subject to case-by-case review. Cemeteries may also be eligible if the applicant can demonstrate their historical significance. All applicants must secure written permission from the property owner to undertake the project and include this permission with the grant application.

Applications for the FY 2025 round will open on February 3, 2025, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 17, 2025. Grant awards are expected to be announced by July 2025. Applicants are encouraged to participate in informational webinars and Q&A sessions to better understand eligibility, application requirements, evaluation criteria, and easement obligations. A General Overview Webinar will be held on February 28, 2025, followed by a Virtual Q&A Session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for these events closes at noon the day before the event.

For additional information, applicants can contact Stacy Montgomery, Capital Programs Administrator, at stacy.montgomery@maryland.gov or (410) 697-9559, or Bill Hersch, Capital Grants and Loans Administrator, at bill.hersch@maryland.gov or (410) 697-9574. Complete guidelines, application materials, and additional resources can be accessed through the Maryland Historical Trust website under the "Guidelines and Resources" section.